Editor,

During a recorded radio show on KSER radio,  “Sound Living” at 4 p.m. on June 19, Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve leadership made two amazing statements: “People are dying [because of the jet noise]” and “Oak Harbor is filled with crime because of the Navy.”

These unbelievable, over-the-top lies signify COER’s desperation — their “last gasp.”

Let’s analyze their statements:

COER: “People are dying [because of the jet noise].”

The moderator of this show was taken aback and asked, “Can you produce a list of people who have died because of the noise?” The COER leader could not produce a list, but theorized that jet noise causes stress, stress causes your body to be flooded with cortisol, cortisol causes heart disease, and heart disease results in death.

In its lawsuit, COER parrots this argument and lists a fringe toxicologist as their expert.

Washington State quickly debunks this argument. From the State Department of Health website, Major Cardiovascular Disease by County of Residence, Island County has the fifth lowest mortality rate for age adjusted, major cardiovascular disease (out of 39 counties).

Moreover, this heart-induced mortality rate decreased 26 percent from 2008, the start of Growler flights here, to 2013.

It should also be noted that the rates for San Juan and Jefferson counties are even better, ranked no. 2 and no. 3 in the state.

After three years of unsuccessfully shopping for a property devaluation lawyer, COER is now grasping for this “COERtisol” fabrication. Too bad that many of their members were snookered in paying a high-priced Seattle lawyer for this.

COER: “Oak Harbor is filled with crime because of the Navy.”

This comment reflects what COER really thinks about the Navy — very sad.

Mac MacDowell, a panelist, set them straight during the radio show. If COER actually looked up real data, members would have found that Oak Harbor’s crime rate is actually lower than Coupeville’s by 11 percent — using the last three years of data from the City-Data.com website.

Bottom line is, COER will fabricate anything to further its agenda of “removing all Growlers from North Puget Sound,” their mission, which would result in base closure, the dream of their not-so-wise ancestors.

But, their scheme is outed. They have no public support and Judge Zilly will make them look silly when he throws out their injunction lawsuit.

Coupeville citizens should continue distancing themselves from this disingenuous group and not get trapped on the COER sinking ship.

Scott Smith

Oak Harbor