A man exercising his First Amendment rights is ruffling feathers in downtown Coupeville.
In response to multiple complaints about a truck with political signs parked downtown all day Sunday, Town of Coupeville officials issued a public notice saying the signs weren’t against the law and there isn’t anything they can do.
The owner of the truck and signs, Ken Pickard, said his messages are a way to dispel the myth and generate dialogue about what the Navy is really doing to the citizens and the community with the use of the touch-and-go field for jets near Coupeville.
The noise from the EA-18G Growlers has become controversial over the last year and even became the subject of a federal lawsuit.
“My intention is to dispel the myth created by the Chamber of Commerce, Realtors, Town of Coupeville and Island County that Central Whidbey is a bucolic, pastoral, tranquil place in the center of a National Historical Reserve,” Pickard said. “In reality, Central Whidbey has become a military training area with jet noise consistent with a war zone.
“This ‘myth’ fails to acknowledge the severe irreparable personal injury being inflicted upon the citizens of Central Whidbey and all living things. The electeds have given federal infusion of money priority over the health and welfare of their constituents, the citizens,” Pickard said.
The truck, which was parked on Front Street all day Sunday, displayed signs that said, “Politicians choose $$$ over harm to citizens” and “Navy intentionally injures citizens physically, mentally, financially.”
Coupeville Town Marshal Rick Norrie said his office received a few calls about the signs and he was approached in person about the issue as well.
“Obviously, when you get calls, you got to figure out what’s going on,” Norrie said. “We’re very much aware. You can only do what you can do lawfully.”
The truck was parked on public property and does not pose a safety risk, Norrie added.
Pickard, who is a member of Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, or COER, said the group has more in store.
“COER has many upcoming tactics and plans to continue to bring the facts to light and to the forefront of public discussion until such time as our ‘leaders’ take a position supporting the citizens, our health and welfare, our reserve and our freedom to live and enjoy the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of our homes,” he said.
While he parked the truck all day on Sunday, he said he also drove it downtown Monday.
“Monday I just drove it down and parked while I was having lunch down on the wharf,” he said.
Coupeville Chamber of Commerce Director Lynda Eccles declined to comment for the story.
