Stop the name calling of those who disagree with you, they have the same right of opinion as you do.

A recent writer called an individual, who questioned the need for a $2 million expansion of the Coupeville Library, selfish for not wanting to increase their tax burden. With all the fast increasing costs of fuel, food, medicine and other necessities, something has to give.

Greenbank Farm is going to float a levy for more money. Schools and fire departments say they need more money. Have they forgotten that prior to the last assessor’s retirement, his office put through a 37 percent property value increase? Then, the new assessor came through the following year with what he termed “only” an additional 15 percent increase.

In my book, in just two years it adds up to 52 percent increased assessed value.

What about the $22 million school bond passed not long ago? Sure, it would be nice to have this library expansion, but it would be nice to have a lot of things more practical at this time.

Especially when there is a fine, large library in Oak Harbor only a few miles away which is open to all, and many, or most, visitors go there several times a month.

There are many property tax payers who do not receive any raises in their income, and their purchasing power keeps going down.

They are not selfish, just trying to get by.

Bill Gallagher

Coupeville