In the midst of the holiday season, things go on as usual at city hall, with one of the more controversial subjects being the possible renaming of Flintstone Park, the lovely little area on the waterside of Bayshore Drive near Dock Street.

Flintstone Freeway got is name much as Cackle Corner, Monkey Hill and Eight Squaw Point and others got their names. When the city decided to build a street along the water, they asked that anyone with rocks, old metal, dirt or whatever, to bring it and dump it for a foundation for the street. At the height of building, a person remarked that it looked like Flintstone Freeway after the popular cartoon. The newspaper picked it up and from then on it was Flintstone Freeway. A local business man put his men together to build the little car that now sits in Flintstone Park.

The pictures that have been taken of children in the little car are so numerous. Our best one was that of Dr. Ray Ellis, mayor of Oak Harbor, at the wheel with former mayor George Heap standing by.

From city council now has come the suggestion that the park be renamed for Rex Hankins, a one-time member of the council, who is deceased. The councilman was a gentleman, but what one might call a newcomer to Oak Harbor.

We would like to suggest that the park be named for one of the early-day settlers, like former mayor Jerome Ely or William Izett; both men gave the town acreage for schools and churches. There are others, any number of Indian leaders, the Eerkes family whose waterfront home became an impromptu hotel for early arrivals. Or for Barney Nienjuis, mill owner and businessman or for the Zylstras with their history as family whose members spent time in positions such as mayor and county prosecuting attorney. Their are many more people who should not be forgotten.

Please think about it.

Dorothy Neil has gathered and recorded Whidbey Island history for more than 50 years. Her 10 books chronicle Whidbey life and times.