For the first time in more than 30 years, a serious drive is under way to incorporate the community of Freeland, which if successful would bring to four the number of cities or towns on Whidbey Island.

On the face of it, self rule makes sense for Freeland. It’s the bustling commercial center of South Whidbey, boasting five banks and the area’s busiest shopping center, and it’s experiencing a residential building boom. In terms of retail sales, Freeland businesses combined already easily outdistance sales made in Langley and Coupeville.

Cityhood would make area residents responsible for their own growth, taking decision-making powers away from the distant county seat in Coupeville. With their own city council and planning department, Freeland residents would finally have some real say in how their town takes shape in the future.

There are two huge hurdles to cityhood, however. First is taxes. Nobody wants to pay more, and while city supporters say taxes will not increase, they’ll have to prove it beyond a doubt before voters will agree to create a city. The other is the future of Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. This popular industry is sometimes the target of environmentalists, and cityhood could give them a better platform from which to launch their attacks. A large majority of Freeland area residents support Nichols Brothers and don’t want to risk anything that could cost South Whidbey its largest private employer.

A vote on whether to create a city of Freeland is on track to be taken this fall. Between now and then, supporters have a lot of explaining to do if they expect a majority to agree with them on election day.