To the editor:

I realize that the Opinion editorial in the South Whidbey Record allows the editor to speculate but, after reading the Wednesday, Oct. 31 copy, I think it’s time for a few facts.

1) The Port of South Whidbey was not offered 300 feet of waterfront property at Mutiny Bay.

2) The port does not and has not ever had an obligation to help maintain the Mutiny Bay boat launch. Island County has sole responsibility for that.

3) Island County had been trying to acquire this same property for easement reasons for many years, even before it belonged to Frank Robinson.

4) At a regular meeting on Oct. 9, the port asked Commissioner Dennis Gregoire to confer with county commissioners to see what role the port might play in future development of the property.

5) My follow up conversation with a South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District commissioner revealed that parks was interested in possible involvement in the property as a shoreline park and that Bill Oakes had claimed that the smoothest transition to ownership would be to Island County, then development and management options could be discussed with other agencies.

Bill Oakes is probably one of the most capable and knowledgeable people with Island County and Helen Price Johnson has expressed eagerness to receive this gift, but really, the real hero here is Frank Robinson.

Oh and by the way, regarding the “pipe dream” of building a parking garage in Mukilteo, many folks thought Tim Scriven was pushing a pipe dream when he enlisted me to help him start building a park on Maxwelton Road back in the ’80s. Sure glad we chased that one.

CURT GORDON

president

South Whidbey Port Commission