Editor,

Whidbey Island has changed a great deal since 1943 when the Outlying Landing Field was built. In 1950 Island County had about 11,000 residents, in 2010 the county had 78,506 residents. A significant number of those new residents have made their homes around the OLF. and I’m one of them, I’ve lived here for 20 years. In the past two years my ears have started to ring constantly.

It’s time the Navy recognize that the community around its OLF deserves to have some input on how and when the facility is used.

At a bare minimum the Navy should observe the same restrictions that Island County puts on home builders limiting “building construction noises between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.” I don’t think wanting to sleep is asking a lot.

The Navy needs to become a better neighbor than it has been to Central Whidbey in the 20 years I’ve lived here.

Eric Tremblay

Coupeville