To the editor:

I like eight. It’s a good number. Eight is the age of my daughter and she’s pretty darn cool. Two thousand and eight has been a good year. The Bejing Olympics are Aug. 8, 2008. But in the case of the lead story in The Record July 19 which says “One-day pass at new pool could cost $8,” eight is a totally random number.

I am wondering where Mr. VanDerford came up with this number. Maybe he likes the number eight, too. Certainly he didn’t base his headline on any true numbers that transpired at the meeting that he was “reporting” on.

Shame on you, Jeff VanDerford! You may have single-handedly sunk the dream of an aquatics and recreation center for the South Whidbey community. My 8-year-old may not be able to take refuge from a cold and dreary Pacific Northwest winter day in the hot tub or compete on a swim team. Nor will my 68-year-old mother-in-law with questionable circulation be able to take a water aerobics class.

Jeff VanDerford owes us another story. The one with the right numbers as well as the myriad reasons why our community could benefit from such an undertaking.

Pamela Jacques

Langley