I wonder how the citizens of Coupeville would react if Starbucks made an offer to purchase the Big Rock property and requested a zoning change. I don’t have exact figures but I guess that the size of the Starbucks in Oak Harbor is less than the size of the two-story building proposed by Frank and Miriam Meyer. We say we don’t want a McDonald’s or Burger King, a Starbucks or a Wal-Mart, but what is the difference if the size and scope of the building does not match the small-town character of Coupeville?

One group seems to get a dressing down regularly by council members and the mayor. People who are afraid to speak out against irresponsible growth or believe that our elected officials want only the best for the community have dubbed the members of OHOH “bad guys.”

Let’s look carefully at what OHOH has to gain by concerning itself with growth and development, rezoning proposals, fiscal management, and water issues. Will its members make money by taking a position against rezoning? Will they gain anything by insisting that the town adhere to the comp plan and the growth management plan? Does anyone in OHOH stand to again monetarily from questioning the availability of water in relation to the number of building permits issued? The answer to these questions is that they have nothing to gain but everything to lose if they are not actively engaged in decision-making in Coupeville.

The parks and recreation board has made clear that we need more parks, and we all know that we do not meet the requirements of the growth management plan for parks and trails. Rather than pointing the finger at OHOH and others who proposed building a park on the land, instead of a coffee shop, realtor office and retail space, why not point your finger at the Town Council and ask some hard questions? Why aren’t they actively buying land in town for parks? Why did they purchase the lot on Front Street (supposedly to build public restrooms) instead of buying the Big Rock lot?

It is time we all take a closer look at the comp plan. Since 1994, things in this small town have changed. I believe that a majority of our citizens have a much clearer vision of the future and the need to preserve a unique place, and a strong sense of compatibility of growth with the natural environment than our elected officials.

Become a member of OHOH. We are hard working, caring people who are not afraid to speak out to protect this amazing place. United, we can have a stronger voice in the future of Coupeville.

Roxallanne Kelly Medley

Coupeville