One of the attractive features of Orcas Island is how dark it is at night. On clear nights the majesty of the sky is on awesome display –one of the blessings of living in a rural area.

Some say that walking at night in “downtown” Eastsound is dangerous due to the lack of streetlights. Not so. The ambient light of shops is quite sufficient for the pedestrian to see and be seen. I am unaware of anyone being injured or killed due to the lack of streetlights. The streets are virtually deserted at night. Most Orcasians by 9 p.m. are in their pajamas, rubbing their eyes and heading for bed. Streetlights would be destructive of the wonder and beauty of our night sky. In addition, it is a squandering of our limited tax dollars. I urge the County Council to extinguish this destructive proposition.

Larry Weingarth

Orcas