Editor,

The Port of South Whidbey is working with a consultant to discuss ideas for Clinton. I think that is a great idea, and things are really just in the preliminary phases of that work. Let’s not get too critical of the first bit of news.

One of the biggest “myths” on this island is that nobody wants to go out at nighttime for dinner, or at least that is how many of our local restaurants operate their businesses by closing at 8 or 8:30 p.m.

Nights and weekends are when people who work are available to go eat, and go out to socialize. I can’t tell you how many nights after meetings “on the other side,” after sitting in the evening rush hour ferry lines, I finally get off the boat at 7:30 p.m. or later wishing I could stop in Clinton, Ken’s Corner, Langley or Freeland and eat dinner.

I appreciate our restaurants that are open till the ripe old hour of 8:30 p.m. or so, but I sure would appreciate more choices, and later food service hours.

Walk the walk, talk the talk and all that. Restaurants/pubs need to be open uncomfortably late hours, at least a few nights a week. Eating a later dinner is a clear demand in our marketplace — and what could be a better place for your new business plan than sitting in plain view of more than 4 million ferry riders annually?

If you operate a current pub or a restaurant, go down to Clinton and count the number of cars that get off the 7 p.m. ferry, the 7:30 p.m. ferry, the 8:30 p.m. ferry and the 9 p.m. ferry every weekday evening. I think you’ll be surprised. If you’re thinking about opening a new restaurant/pub, consider Clinton and place yourself directly in front of 4 million people — wow!

Yes, you’ll need a large septic system, but that’s really not impossible.

We all know we can find a good dentist on South Whidbey. Now what about a few more food/beverage places serving food later in the evenings?

LEANNE FINLAY

Clinton