Editor,

The 2023 races for Oak Harbor city council and school board have just begun, but already we have a new person involved with at least two of the candidates: Richard MacQuarrie.

On his Facebook Camano-Whidbey news page, I found news about both Barbara Armes, running for Oak Harbor city council, and for Fred Wilmot, running for the Oak Harbor school board.

Mr. MacQuarrie is involved with Ms. Armes and Mr Wilmot, though it is unclear what his role is — campaign manager, public relations consultant, web content provider?

For example, I asked Mr. Wilmot some questions about his school board campaign, and each time it was Mr. MacQuarrie who responded. And then … Mr. MacQuarrie banned me from three Facebook pages: his Camano-Whidbey news page, and both of candidates’ pages.

What got me banned? I simply asked why a guy on Camano Island is so interested in campaigns in Oak Harbor.

Who is Mr. Richard W. MacQuarrie?

He lost the 2022 Island County treasurer’s race; he was Island County Republican state committeeman, a role now filled by Oak Harbor school board candidate Jessica Thompson. And he joins other Republicans in banning people on their Facebook pages, including: Tim Hazelo (USN, retired), Lane Campbell (a.k.a. Guardian of the People), Karen Lesetmoe (Navy veteran), and even the main Island County Republican Facebook page.

But perhaps what these people, Ms. Armes and Mr. Wilmot (a distinguished naval aviator) don’t know is: According to the U.S. Navy: “At a 2017 General Court-Martial, Petty Officer … Richard W. MacQuarrie, pled guilty … to stalking and fraternization. On 26 Sept, the military judge sentenced him to a reprimand, reduction in rank, and confinement for 6 months … [and he] is being processed for administrative separation.”

I have spoken with both Ms. Armes and Mr. Wilmot. They both know Mr. MacQuarrie and knew immediately how to contact him and said they would do so.

It’s been a week since Ms. Armes spoke with both MacQuarrie and myself; and as of July 13, MacQuarrie has not un-banned me (and likely other people) from these Facebook sites.

But perhaps I am wrong, and it’s a different Richard MacQuarrie who’s got something to hide from the citizens and voters of Island County?

Regardless, if I were Ms. Armes or Mr. Wilmot, I’d be more careful whom I associate with.

David Freed

Clinton