Editor,

As an Island County taxpayer for the past 16 years and full-time resident since 2012, I’ve been amazed and disappointed by the lack of transparency or process in the (Port of Coupeville) board’s decision to sunset relations with the Greenbank Farm Management Group.

It appeared that the only dissenting vote from Mike Diamanti was as taken by surprise as were the rest of the citizens gathered at the recent port commission meeting.

In light of the two commissioners who have supported this action over the objections of the citizens, I’d offer the following ideas:

1. Table the recent vote to discontinue working with the GFMG

2. Form a citizen’s advisory panel to examine the port’s and farm’s future plans, budgets, etc.

3. Provide a meaningful forum to accept input from all stakeholders

This re-examination period would provide all of the stakeholders an opportunity to express their concerns and for the incoming port commissioners to work with the community to identify a mutually acceptable solution to this situation.

Regards,

Bob MONROIG

Greenbank