Editor,
Like many citizens trying to stop Growler jet flights at the Navy’s outlying field (OLF), I’ve been targeted by those portraying Growler jet noise as the “sound of freedom.”
We are accused of having signed “noise disclosures” when our homes were purchased and therefore have no right to complain. Our alleged “prior knowledge” is the linchpin in the argument to keep the OLF open.
Noise victims like me have claimed that we never signed a noise disclosure or a proper one. Real estate “professionals” are now very rightfully worried about reputations and lawsuits.
When Windermere Real Estate Coupeville offered to check my personal file in their office for a “noise disclosure” late this past December, I agreed. They found a one-page, four-line document I initialed 10 years ago. This so-called Form 22W said nothing about jets, or the OLF, and only made reference to “airport noise.” I never have found this worthless form in my closing documents.
According to the Director of the Island County Planning Department, what I initialed was not even one of the two documents I should have been given. Form 22W has no standing. It is a worthless piece of paper — see “County says real estate agents responsible for noise disclosure,” South Whidbey Record, Jan. 1).
When Windermere Coupeville found the worthless “22W” in my file, it was sent, without my permission, to Joseph Mosolino, owner and managing broker of Windermere in Freeland. Mr. Mosolino, without my permission, placed this information from my file on the Whidbey News Times’ website. Clearly, this posting was to discredit those of us who have been critical of jet noise. It stated that I, as president of Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, signed a “noise disclosure.” It failed to mention that what I signed was a useless piece of paper — 22W — given to me by a Windermere Real Estate agent.
Many of us have been given what could best be described as a ‘non-disclosure.’ So, don’t believe it when you hear that people complaining about jet noise were warned. They weren’t.
And don’t assume that all real estate “professionals” will maintain the confidentiality of your private real estate transactions. It just isn’t true. They won’t.
MICHAEL MONSON
Coupeville
