I have lived in Coupeville for 31 years and have been very active in the town development since I can remember. I love Coupeville! I have traveled many places and still feel that Coupeville is a unique, beautiful town for reasons we all know.
Last night at the council meeting, I was very insulted by the council members, Mr. Bronson and Mr. Phil Williamson.
Mr. Williamson I am tired of hearing you talk down to people who make an effort to show up at the town meetings and speak. I am tired of hard headed stubborn people like you who take every opportunity to verbally abuse grown adults who have concern and compassion for the town. People in the audience are too old to be talked to like they are little children. Would someone please run against Mr. Williamson? People of Coupeville please don’t vote for Mr. Williamson. Unfortunately Roxalyn Medley lost by four votes to him.
Mr. Bronson, you are a Johnny come lately! I resent the fact that you sit on Ebey’s Trust Board too! My husband and I worked so hard and long to create Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. It took courage and guts, a quality I don’t see in you, Mr. Bronson. Yes, Mr. Bronson, Ken isn’t as polite as you, I know that, but sometimes in order to accomplish great tasks one has to risk politeness. We were more worried about what would happen to the Prairie than what people would think. We weren’t worried about how proper or polite we were. The funny thing is, people now love the Ebey’s Prairie Reserve. The town and all its businesses benefit from the Reserve. Mr. Bronson, if it weren’t for Ken Pickard you wouldn’t be living in a national treasure or making cookies for the Trust Board. I resent too, how you talk down and pompously lecture people who have the guts to get up and speak, people who show up, who show they care.
Many of the people at last night’s meeting were older than you! Shame on you Mr. Bronson. There were many people who have lived in Coupeville for a very long time and lived here long before you were here who fought tooth and nail to make Coupeville what it is today. You lecture them? You are a nice man to chat with Mr. Bronson, but I am proud for the work people did to make Coupeville a nice town. I am not ashamed like you would like to have us feel. If I want to put the names in the paper of the people who saved the Prairie, I will. Once you told me this would be offensive. Who would be offended? Step up and speak your mind! Who out there would be offended if we mention “The Friend’s of Ebey’s?”
To the people of Coupeville: One has to live in the town limits to be on the town council. Is there anyone out there who can keep an open mind, who has some creative thinking? Is there anyone who has a little courage to speak his or her own mind? We need young blood or new blood on the council!
I really think there are few people who believe they can STOP development and growth, but there are those that don’t want to ENCOURAGE it either. All of us came here or STAY here because we like the island atmosphere. I believe islands are critical areas and people who come here should try to remember that. There are plenty of empty, designated lots for sale. There are plenty of new people coming here to live.
In regard to Frank and Miriam and their proposal, we raised over $50,000 plus from people to create a community park in front of that rock and lot. Frank and Miriam, we will pay between $75,000 to $80,000 for that lot so we can make a Community Art Park. Come on Frank and Miriam, I heard a lot more testimony FOR the park!
Carol Pickard
Coupeville
