To the editor:

I was dismayed by the headline for the story on the transit vote.

While it’s true that the north end of the island (and here we’re really talking Oak Harbor, correct?) is generally more conservative and votes that way, it’s also true that a number of folks up north did support the transit vote. It wasn’t all black and white.

It seems to me that more effort might be made to bring the two parts of Whidbey Island together — we are, after all, a relatively small piece of real estate, all things considered — and competition, or curtness, between north and south seems silly.

My recent move from Langley to Coupeville has generated some unexpected and unpleasant comments from friends on the South End. Disbelief, deep questions about why I’d make such a move, and of course, comments about Oak Harbor. It’s a provincial way of thinking and adds to a perception that South Enders are too precious for their own good.

If Rodgers and Hammerstein could bring the farmer and the cowman together in “Oklahoma,” surely we can work to bring the north and south end together on Whidbey. We don’t have to agree with each other on all counts, and I know we will not. We just have to agree that there’s room for everybody on the island, and everybody counts.

If Whidbey Island ever experiences a major disaster, I’m pretty sure we’ll all be glad those north-end rescue folks, conservative or not, are on the job — for us all.

Molly Cook

Coupeville