This letter is being written to express our disappointment at the denial of building permits for the expansion of Orcas Rental and Saw. We were looking forward the additional products and services which would have offered in the store. It is also important to express our sympathies to the owner Steve. It is a shame that you have been subjected to the stress and to the expense of defending your right to do business in a court of law.

We have observed over the last few years a disturbing trend of business owners banding together to drive out the competition. This has an unsavory quality and has led to a climate of fear. A sort of vigilantism  is on the loose.

As consumers we have always tried to do our shopping on the island. We have also tried to be even-handed in our patronage, distributing our (albeit meager resources)  among all the vendors doing business. This practice of stifling the competition through harassment and legal maneuvering has limited our options as consumers.  We are now reduced to purchasing from an ever-decreasing pool of vendors, who it must be said, can use their near monopoly to dictate what prices they can charge.  Ironically, these less than admirable tactics  are making it more attractive to shop off island. In other words, in driving the competition off the island, you are in danger of driving your customers off the island as well.

We enjoy doing business with the many friendly and extremely competent shop owners. In fact, in many instances, we would be hard-pressed to find better service anywhere else. We have also felt it was our duty to support the island economy.  However, this is a disheartening turn of events.

People like to refer to Orcas Island as paradise, and in many ways it is. Right now, however, it looks a little less like the Garden of Eden, and more like The Garden of Earthly Delights.

Libby Cook

Lisa Murphy

Eastsound