To the editor:

The recent activities and/or pronouncements by the South Whidbey Port Commission are a good example of short-term thinking.

The price of fuel has risen dramatically and will continue to rise, perhaps with a few short term dips but upwards in the long term. The price of food has risen dramatically and will probably not go down. And yet the port commissioners are contemplating developing more “recreational” facilities?

Because of the rise in the cost of fuel, boating will become a past-time of the wealthy only. Most people will not be able to afford to use their motor boats. Picture the newly renovated, magnificent Langley Marina with five boats! Increase our property taxes so the port can build an unused facility? I think not!

Probably even more so with Whidbey Airpark. There are even fewer people that fly private planes, and many of them won’t be able to fly as often, if at all.

Another result of oil price increases is the rise in food prices. Not only do we have the problem of food being turned into ethanol, but most food is transported by truck long distances using high priced diesel. So wouldn’t it behoove the port with their “economic development” mandate to help food development right here on Whidbey Island? Necessities do not include recreational boating and flying, and the way our economy and the world is heading we should be developing necessities.

Duke LeBaron

Langley