Wake up, county commissioners; this is fiscal insanity!

Instead of the commissioners complaining about all the cost cutting, staff, and services reductions made in the past year and more threatened in the future, it’s time they tighten their own belts and stop their frivolous spending on their unnecessary activities like the recent retreat and planned activities in March.

What’s the cost justification for commissioners Homola and Price Johnson both attending a one-week gathering in Washington, D.C., for some Council of Government gathering?

And now commissioners Homola and Price Johnson have invited themselves to attend a meeting with Pentagon officials that was planned by Mayor Jim Slowik, a few council members and other community leaders for their meeting with Pentagon officials to discuss needs to keep the NAS Whidbey operations here.

I was pleased that Commissioner Emerson, the commissioner for the district where most all NAS Whidbey functions are located, was included in the Pentagon meetings.

But, Homola and Price Johnson have jumped into the Pentagon meetings with this meaningless rationale as justification for their involvement:

Without this marine patrol and reconnaissance force on Whidbey, I (Homola) fear more emphasis will be placed on increasing the Growler platform which clearly has greater noise impacts on our residents and particularly school children. A diversified base which provides enhanced mission readiness and a better economic outlay for local businesses is preferable?

This is utter nonsense with no available evidence of negative noise impacts on residents and school children.

Many Whidbey Island officials say it’s way too soon to panic. Oak Harbor Mayor Slowik said he’s spoken with Rep. Larsen and that he got no indication that the Poseidon decision in any way threatens the base’s existing P-3 squadrons, even though they’re destined for retirement. What’s good and isn’t being said is that the P-3s aren’t going anywhere.

Commissioners Homola and Price Johnson, stop over reacting; slow down, get the facts and stop spending county tax dollars on boondoggles like spending two weeks in D.C.

Bill Strowbridge
Oak Harbor