Editor,

This letter does not represent the Holmes Harbor Sewer District Board of Commissioners’ official opinion, inasmuch that it would take a vote to make that official even though I am the current president of the board. And I appreciate your effort to simplify the issues in your editorial of July 23 even though there are some complicated components to the Holmes Harbor Golf Course conflict.

I agree that it should not take a lawsuit to settle the question of an easement that is clearly stated on the “Final Golf Course Site Plan” which was adopted by the Island County Board of Commissioners and recorded during 1993. But apparently it will [require a lawsuit] because of economic interests.

I disagree that this is a personal struggle. This dispute involves sale price value of property as it relates to zoning and possible redevelopment. It is not surprising that money and property use are issues. I think all of us want everyone to make money, be successful and avoid conflict.  However, our district is not new to the subject of defending our community interests, so we will do that without regard to minor spats between tenants or personalities. We intend to get along with everyone even after a squabble because we are a public agency.

And please understand that an easement is a property right, and a property right is an asset. The Holmes Harbor Sewer District cannot simply surrender an asset to a private party in violation of state law. Our attorneys have indicated that we do not have much choice in this regard.

So unless there is some change of position to accept what ought to have been obvious from the outset when the buyers acquired the properties, court authority will be needed to resolve this dispute in spite of all of us wishing it were not so.

STAN WALKER

Freeland