Editor,

Although a complete victory would have been sweet in this case, if Island Beach Access (IBA) had not taken a strong position, volunteered professional time, and publicized the absurd claims of the adjacent property owners, the Montgomerys would still be completely blocking public beach access on Wonn Road. IBA and others pushed back against the previously proposed settlement of a land-swap, preventing the acceptance of that insulting deal.

Yet, as a board member many years ago of an environmental group and as a private citizen in a land dispute case, I have seen courtroom cases go bad. Justice does not always prevail. It is sometimes safer, though less satisfying, to settle for an achievable compromise rather than digging in for an ideal result.

So, I say a hearty congratulations to Island Beach Access for your work on this important project. A big thank-you as well to Commissioner Helen Price Johnson for standing up for our island rights to beach access. My husband, Bill, and I will indeed use this access, walking through on Wonn Road and cart-rolling or carrying our kayak to the water.

Now we all have much work to do for access to the beach in other Island County locations, insisting on the removal of signs with false claims of private tidelands, installing signs which accurately and clearly identify Island County, Washington State, and all other public tidelands; and encouraging mutual respect and island friendship between those with legal claims to their adjacent tidelands and other islanders who would simply like to take a stroll along the water’s edge.

With thanks,

GLORIA KOLL

Freeland