When the ex-mayor of Jackson Hole, Wyoming was visiting Orcas Island he was asked what could have been done to avoid the overdevelopment that despoiled Jackson Hole. He said expanding the airport was a major mistake.

Unfortunately, we seem to be heading in the same direction. The development of the Eastsound airport master plan has gone forward with a sad lack of community involvement. The Port’s consultant did the absolute minimum to meet FAA requirements for involvement and the Port commissioners seemed unconcerned. At Port meetings I’ve heard commissioners say it’s just a plan, maybe it won’t happen. Then why is it in the plan? What seems to be driving the process is access to FAA Dollars. The FAA didn’t come to the Port and ask the Port to expand the airport. The Port went to the FAA and instigated the process. As Michael Triplett said in the League of Women Voters candidate forum we need to get rid of the existing commissioners and elect new ones who represent the community.

I support Michael Triplett for Position #2 and Mia Kartiganer for Position #5. Both Michael and Mia are pilots, understand the needs of the airport, and want to fulfill the airport’s mission while reflecting the nature of our rural community. As Mia said what should be driving this is our community not outside needs and demands. Two other candidates want to reign in the expansionist tendencies that have been thus far exhibited by existing commissioners: Pierette Guimond for Position #1 and Gary Abood for Position #3. Please vote for a new attitude in planning the future of the Eastsound Airport and the future of Orcas Island.

Gregory Oaksen

Eastsound