The Plein Air Painter’s US Open, sponsored annually by Coupeville’s art center, featured 50-plus painters dotting Central Whidbey. I note on the website that James Moore and Sue Symons hosted not one but two social events at their home on Crockett Farm Road in conjunction with this event, a dinner and a day-long picnic with painting and product demos. This is the same neighborhood that complained so long and loud over community activities at the Crockett Farm Barn, involving our stressed government resources, and culminating in severe restrictions being imposed on the owners of the Crockett Barn for community events, many of which were gratis – including many art center functions.

I wondered if these people held themselves to their own high neighborhood standards and acquired event permits, since to me, there would be extra traffic, parking issues, noise, food and most likely liquor being served. I went to the county planning office and found that indeed they had not.

Whether these activities, plus a third social event at a private residence on Teronda Beach Road, fit the parameters requiring a one-time event permit for each, I know not. But the Moore/Symons duo has a lot of nerve in subjecting their “neighborhood” to such business sponsored-activities. Did any of their neighbors complain?

And finally, did Moore recuse himself from the painting competition, since his wife’s business sponsors the competition? Seems a conflict of interest to me.

Beverly McQuary

Coupeville