Editor,

Really, Oak Harbor? I hope Coupeville does better.

My husband and I moved to Whidbey Island just over a year ago, and I’ve been wondering what the public sentiment towards gun violence prevention was going to be in the wake of the murder of 20 small children and their teachers in Connecticut. I’ve asked some acquaintances, and looked for comments in this paper, and still don’t have a good feel for how my fellow Coupeville residents feel about gun policy proposals under discussion.

After learning about what transpired in Oak Harbor last week, I feel compelled to take the temperature of my community and to voice my deep concerns. As a mother, grandmother and public health policy professional, I shutter thinking about what the children next door, down the street and across town might experience if guns were allowed in public parks and playgrounds. As a taxpayer, I wonder how attractive a vacation stop Coupeville would be if guns were toted all over town.

Would Coupeville be a safer, better place to live in or visit if it goes the way of Oak Harbor? I think not.

Holly Grason

Coupeville