Editor,

It seems to me that the legal issues with homeless encampments are a matter of definitions. Is someone sleeping in an RV considered to be parking the vehicle, or are they “residents” without land to reside on?

Certainly the discharge of sewage or gray water or garbage is a clearly defined legal issue that could and should be enforced. As is the use and sale of illegal drugs.

If Island County gains a reputation of being a softy, then the word is out — creating more and more Inslee Campgrounds. Just like Seattle. Enforce the laws we have on the books already concerning parking, sewage discharge, garbage, drug sale, and people will learn that Island County is not a softy. Better yet, they might even choose to get a job, rent an apartment, and lead a normal, clean life.

Commissioner St. Clair makes too many generalizations about the population of people that choose to inhabit their vehicles in these encampments. They’re not all poor by who’s definition — they afford an RV, registration, insurance, fuel to feed the thirsty beast? They’re not all mentally ill. Many do indeed choose to use illegal drugs — to their detriment. A good many of them to my experience, are simply willing to live on a tight budget without a full-time job in order to enjoy the freedom of a gypsy lifestyle. And our government seems to make it easy for them to choose that lifestyle. In some ways, I admire the free spirit of many of these homeless folks — but not if it comes at the expense of the rest of us. Socialism is a great idea until you run out of other people’s money!

I have suggestions to remedy the situation, (400 word limit here) but I have found that making suggestions with my allotted three minutes at a Commissioner’s hearing, is not only ignored, but disrespected. With Liberty Market Park and Ride closed to the homeless and to my use, I must now walk a risky half a mile along Route 20 to catch the bus there.

I’d like to see my government step up enforcement of existing laws.

Tim Verschuyl

Oak Harbor