Editor,

In recent past controversies you (the editor) have consistently argued for transparency with other entities such as Whidbey General Hospital and Island Transit, but with the Greenbank Farm Management Group (GFMG) you have picked sides — their side. Why? Have you ever seen who they really are and how they conduct business? I’ve tried to find on the web their articles of incorporation, their bylaws, the date and place of their annual meeting, how the directors are elected and their current balance sheet, all to no avail. There is just no transparency and when the port asks for it, you seem to protest. In my opinion you seem to be inconsistent.

Port of Coupeville Commissioner John Carr is a retired businessman. He made his living understanding profit and loss and how a venture goes about increasing income and controlling expenses so it can either break even or hopefully generate a profit. He was appointed to the port board and has brought a much-needed, different perspective to the decision-making process. He’s looked at the GFMG performance for the last several years and has reached the conclusion that it’s time for a change. In his opinion there is no need for an extension on the contract so he made a motion to terminate that process. He advocates a change.  Good for him and good for Commissioner Marshall Bronson for seconding the motion and congratulations to them both for voting the way they did. Trust in port commissioners has not reached a new low; on the contrary my trust in them has elevated significantly.

Several months ago the port board received a report from what I’ll call the Abrahamson Group, because I do not recall the correct name, but that report was far from complimentary of the GFMG. Now Carr and Bronson have decided that a fresh approach is needed. I say, good for them. They are looking out for the taxpayers who have been and still are subsidizing the GFMG. What Carr and Bronson have accomplished is certainly not a rash decision. It is a decision made for ultimate benefit of the farm and is a few years late in coming.

On one point I agree with your editorial: “So, they finally did it.” Congratulations and a big “Thank you” to them both.

BOB WATT

Greenbank