To the editor:
I recently received an e-mail from a group calling itself “Save the Beaches” inviting me to trespass upon what I know to be a private home and property to attend an “informational picnic.” The notion used to justify this trespassing picnic is that the home is owned by “a big money absentee owner.”
I am very familiar with the property described. I have worked with the owners for eight years on a variety of thoughtful and beautifully scaled “green buildings.”
I know the owners to be deeply caring, generous people of the highest integrity. They are second generation weekenders and summer residents for almost 50 years; they dream of retiring to and contributing even more to our community.
As for being “absentee owners,” my friend is an internationally recognized medical researcher that has developed lifesaving therapies for AIDS and cystic fibrosis. He travels often, but he and his wife call Whidbey Island home. I am proud to call them my friends.
In the 33 years I have been building homes on Whidbey the permitting process has only become more onerous and burdensome.
Wisely, the services of one of the best “local” South Whidbey architectural firms with a strong reputation for appropriate design was retained to thoroughly research this site. They carefully worked through the numerous steps of getting a building permit for the owners’ the property was surveyed by a “local” firm and approved by the county. The septic system was designed by a “local” and approved by the county. The system was installed by another “local” (his family has been on Whidbey Island since the 1860s).
County health approved the water supply. The land use and planning department approved setbacks, shorelines conditions and road placement. An archeological study was required and approved by the state of Washington and two native American tribes holding jurisdiction (that’s as local as you can get!).
Landscape design and construction were also “local” contributors. Ninety percent of the craftsman who worked on the project were local as well. All dealings with the county were upfront and followed established procedures.
No “high-priced lawyers” were used in this process as “Save the Beaches” claims; it has been a local effort.
“Save the Beaches” has used distortions, half truths and uninformed innuendoes to negatively impugn the character of good and responsible people. Their behavior is self-serving and rude.
Since “Save the Beaches” launched its campaign I have personally witnessed the broken results of at least four separate acts of destructive criminal vandalism at this property; always done under the cover of darkness. I have also witnessed rude and belligerent acts of trespassing across clearly marked property lines.
So I suggest to the public, please be aware that by attending the “informational picnic” hosted by “Save the Beaches” you and your children are being invited and directed to trespass someone else’s home. Is that what you really want to teach your children? The owner’s dedication to lifesaving medical research would be a better example.
Numerous other positive and healthy options exist by which we can secure waterfront access for the Greenbank community. A “trespassing picnic” is not the way to accomplish the solutions we deserve.
Why don’t the involved parties sit down with the new commissioners. Give them an opportunity to meet both sides. Develop a mutually respectful understanding of the issues now 38 years in the making and work together to find a reasonable solution and to end the vandalism and insults.
I have complete faith that the good people of our community will be better served working together rather than fighting it out “frontier style.”
Richard Epstein
Langley
