I don’t know where some people get their ideas (Garrett Newkirk, “Letters,” Sept. 10) from but if the base were to close hard times would come to town for a long time.

Big businesses like Microsoft or Boeing are not likely to come to the island due to the remote location and the cost of getting products on and off the island. As far as the pool goes, I agree that if the Navy wants a discount the base should help in the upkeep cost.

I’m starting to get tired of hearing people talk like they’re the only ones paying taxes around town. I know that a large part of the town’s homeowners are either in the Navy or retired from the Navy. I would really like to see the numbers comparing Navy to non-Navy home owners. I thank that the numbers would give you a shock.

Now for the “eyesore.” What awful eyesore on the beach are you talking about that the community pays for? I have yet to see a thing that belongs to the Navy that the community has to pay for.

The way I look at it before you start complaining about the Navy you should look to see who lives in the house next to you and who is sitting by you in church. One last thing, just take a look around — I know for a fact that the Navy and the Navy men and women put a lot of time and work into our town. That’s right — OUR town.

J.D. RUSSELL

Oak Harbor