Editor,

I ran for the Greenbank commissioner position on the Port of Coupeville because I naively envisioned three elected officials coming together in public meetings with an open mind to thoughtfully and thoroughly discuss issues and reach a consensus on how to proceed.

I am sad to say this has not been my experience as your District 3 commissioner for the last 15 months.

I had hoped to be a part of establishing a sensible management structure for the Port of Coupeville and the Greenbank Farm, which could actually add energy to the port as a whole, and support the farm in achieving its potential to contribute to other port economic development projects. At this point, I see little hope for that.

In fact, I believe the port executive director and commission chair have worked in concert with the president of the Greenbank Farm Management Group to maintain a power structure that serves their personal agendas at the expense of the port district taxpayers.

I have absolutely no reason to believe that my continued participation will achieve a better outcome for port district taxpayers.

For this reason, I am writing this open letter to the people of the port district to let you know I have submitted my resignation as the District 3 commissioner of the Port of Coupeville. I apologize to those who had hoped I could make a difference.

I plan to focus my time, energy and spirit in the other areas of my life where positive outcomes can be achieved.

Laura Blankenship
Port of Coupeville