Editor,

I hate the extremist Washington, D.C., politics — be they Left or Right — that are driving our nation into the ground.

What happened to doing those things that are in the best interest of the country as a whole, as opposed to a rich contributor or a self-serving corporation? These people are only acting in their best interests and not looking out for the rest of us.

Well, folks, I see the same thing happening right here on Whidbey Island concerning the Outlying Field Coupeville.

On one side, we have those who want all flights stopped. On the other side, we have those who want them to continue with no restrictions. Neither view is in the best interest of the residents of this fine island.

This newspaper provides a forum for the extremists but allows no voice for the vast majority of Whidbey citizens. I count myself in this group.

I think we want to live within an environment that allows for Navy flights but at the same time protects the health of our citizens.

Guess what? It is going to take working together rather than being at each other’s throats to solve it — this includes the Navy.

I would humbly suggest that this newspaper and its Editor/Publisher Keven Graves lead the cause to do what is right for all of Whidbey, be it retirees, farmers, working families or the Navy.

I believe community newspapers have a duty to impartially search out the solutions to community problems and issues and not just act as an events billboard or forum for extremists. Why can’t this newspaper investigate whether there is a middle ground?

Maybe there is a simple solution, like flying higher after take-off, limiting the initiation of afterburners or changing the patterns to fly over the water rather than 500 feet above people’s houses and livestock.

Maybe it is going back to alternating take-offs to the east and west on consecutive days. I am sure there are other possible changes that could be a win/win for  everyone.

Perhaps the Navy could be proactive now in making changes that will possibly allow them to be in compliance with the long-postponed Environmental Impact Statement.

Come on, Keven Graves, you run a newspaper and have an obligation to this community. I don’t think you will be chastised for seeking out the truth and doing some in-depth reporting on this issue.

Become the voice for the majority of your current and potential readers.

Greg Meredith
Coupeville