The Port of Coupeville commissioners did the logical thing last week in rejecting the idea of asking property owners to pay for acquisition of the 33-acre Krueger Farm property within the Coupeville town limits.

The proposal was not thoroughly thought out by its proponents, and as a result there was no clear economic benefit resulting from the Port’s involvement. As the Port’s primary goal is to boost the local economy, the commissioners did the right thing in deciding not to send a bond proposal to the voters.

This does not mean the effort to save Krueger Farm is not a worthy one. Supporters see a future park with an economic element boosting local agricultural producers. Friends of Krueger Farm has raised $350,000 toward the project, with an additional $200,000 needed by the December deadline to acquire the property.

The Friends group suffered another loss last week with the untimely and tragic death of Sally Hayton-Keeva to cancer. She was the sparkplug behind the save-the-farm effort, and her involvement will be sorely missed for this and other community projects on Central Whidbey. Perhaps her memory alone will be enough to save the farm. What better tribute for an outstanding community leader?