With the Greenbank Farm Spring Garden Faire ready to celebrate the return of warmer days, there will be a political aspect to the late-March event.

Gretchen Sand, a resident of Kennewick, said she will be traveling all the way to the Greenbank Farm to pass out anti-Initiative 1053 posters to people.

Port of Coupeville commissioners decided Wednesday to set up a specific spot where the woman can hand out posters, even after a resident voiced concerns about the action possibly violating free speech rights.

Initiative 1053 is the latest proposal from Mukilteo tax activist Tim Eyman. If approved, it would re-affirm Initiative 960, which requires tax increases to be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Legislature. Voters approved that initiative in 2007, but it was largely thrown out by the Legislature this year.

The commissioners for the Port of Coupeville, which owns the commercial property at the Greenbank Farm, discussed the situation during Wednesday’s monthly meeting. Port Executive Director Jim Patton and Greenbank Farm Manager Virginia Bloom will meet in a couple of days to determine a place for Sand to stand.

The possibility of limiting the space someone can distribute political information drew the concern of a Greenbank resident.

“I think you’re going to have to be very careful that you don’t infringe on somebody’s right to free speech,” said Greenbank resident Glen Russell.

He is known for his efforts trying to restore public beach access at the end of Wonn Road near the Greenbank Farm. To gather support for restoring access, he turned his car, a 1954 MG convertible, into a billboard that featured an upside-down canoe. He said his car’s appearance at the Greenbank Farm helped him gather 2,000 signatures for a petition supporting Wonn Road public access.

Patton said after the meeting the idea is to assign a spot for Sand to work while allowing people the chance to enjoy an event.

“We’re not preventing anybody from expressing themselves. We’re just establishing a convenient spot where they could do it,” Patton said.

In a telephone interview, Sand, who isn’t affiliated with a specific group, said she was OK with being assigned a specific spot at the Garden Faire.

The Port of Coupeville sparked controversy several years ago by removing posters that advertised a Coupeville Peace and Reconciliation event from a kiosk. Port officials decided to use the kiosk to advertise port projects rather than let it be used as a community bulletin board.

The commissioners suggested delaying a decision to allow time to research a solution; however, Patton cautioned that such a delay would be the same as denying her request, especially since the Garden Faire is two weeks away. The commissioners followed his advice.

The Spring Garden Faire takes place Saturday, March 27 at the Greenbank Farm. The event features booths filled with vendors selling birdbaths, outdoor furniture, wind chimes, plants, art, candles, and perhaps, one political activist.

The Greenbank Farm is location at the corner of Wonn Road and Highway 525 in Greenbank.