Editor,

This is the statement I prepared to present to the Island County Board of Health on Tuesday afternoon. Citizens arrived to testify only to find that the meeting was canceled. It is clear that this is a most unusual circumstance, canceled without notice.

Therefore, I would like to share my testimony with you:

Thank you for the opportunity to address the Board of Health.

First I want to say that it was not for lack of desire that I did not attend the previous two meetings when members of our community came and spoke to you of our concerns regarding the Growlers and OLF Field; I am grateful that a third opportunity has arisen.

With two minutes to speak I cannot begin to explain the personal distress that living under the flight pattern has, and is, causing. Quality of life, health concerns and the threat that the OLF Field poses to Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve and the Town of Coupeville. I was born in the Reserve, and it has been my beloved home, my place of solace and peace. I want you to hear that that is no longer my life, and that is a great loss.

The purpose of this statement is to say that it is my strong belief that it is the responsibility of a board member to put aside personal opinions, beliefs and feelings in deference to the mission and job description of the board. That is the measure I hold myself to on the boards I am on, and I expect the same of you.

In your powers and duties of local board of health, RCW 70.05.060, two provisions address our messages to you, No. 3 and No. 5.

No. 3: Enact such local rules and regulations as are necessary in order to preserve, promote and improve the public health and provide for the enforcement there of.

For example, I ask you to re-consider your refusal to close parks and athletic fields during touch and go training.

No. 5: Provide for the prevention, control and abatement of nuisances detrimental to the public.

In my opinion, you are in violation of those mandates.

I do not expect you to succeed at influencing Navy planning or policy. I do expect you to do what you are entrusted to do for us, the citizens of Whidbey Island, whose lives are being damaged by intolerable aircraft noise. With all of the previous testimony, studies and reports you have been presented, I need not elaborate.

I ask you to do the job you accepted.

Thank you.

Jan Pickard

Coupeville