Editor,

New Naval Air Station Whidbey Island base commander, Capt. Moore, as quoted in an April 20 article, claims he wants to listen to the “concerns from the public,” and, “The best thing I can do is communicate with leadership in all areas.”

That sounds fine, but comes up short.

Last month, COER wrote a letter to Capt. Moore requesting a meeting to open communications and explore sharing information relevant to the community’s and the Navy’s mutual interests.

His response to the News-Times was, “Why [should I] talk with someone who wants to do me in?”

COER is not interested in the least in doing the captain in. It does believe that Growlers — all or a goodly portion — need to be relocated to a more environmentally appropriate and welcoming location, and/or at the very least, the OLF should be closed, given the grave health and safety issues associated with the low-level practice there.

Those are reasonable, necessary and doable goals.

Meanwhile, the Growler problem and community animus is obviously escalating.

If the captain really wants to “communicate with leadership in all areas,” he should keep in mind that COER represents thousands of very distressed Whidbey voices because by default COER has had to assume that onerous responsibility.

The voices of change will not be silenced, but are only made more determined and energized by political disregard and dismissal desperately clinging to the old establishment political power structure that has failed dismally to protect this unique island and its citizens from military encroachment approaching a takeover.

The old days of the sound of freedom represent dinosaur chat.

Capt. Moore needs to seriously consider reaching outside his comfort zone and think for himself beyond the box of old-school Mac.

COER remains willing to help the captain better understand and work on a 21st century solution, if he wishes to.

Robert Wilbur

Coupeville