There was a meeting that I attended at the Coupeville mayor’s office on Dec. 8, where we were informed that the feral cats could no longer be fed at the wharf area, per a decision made by the port commissioners, which is nonnegotiable. Mrs. Junkans, the representative from WAIF, and myself were not given the opportunity to state our case for not removing the cats.

After leaving the meeting, I read some letters written by local veterinarians, that Elise Junkans brought to the meeting for distribution to those present. They were not addressed in the meeting because we were told that a nonnegotiable decision had already been made.

I had mentioned that these cats had been there for over 25 years. Jack Parker, past harbormaster, used to feed them, get them spayed and neutered and say that they were a tourist attraction, as are the pigeons.

We were told that a process would have to be in place for removing the cats by Christmas, and that we are no longer “allowed’ to feed and water the pigeons anywhere in Coupeville.

The mayor’s concern was that if brought to a vote in the community, it would be a very polarizing issue. We were obviously outnumbered without bringing the issue to a vote of the community, and having this investigated more thoroughly as to the prudence of removing the cats. I am not convinced that the cats or birds are a problem at the wharf, but as I said earlier, we were outnumbered.

Carole Shipley

Coupeville