Editor,

As a resident of Central Whidbey for 32 years, 27 of those years being in Greenbank, I have followed the history of the issues between the Port and the Greenbank Farm Management group and know many of the people involved on both sides.

I have to say I am utterly astounded by the behavior of two of our three Port of Coupeville commissioners, even though I am aware of the years of struggles, misunderstandings and disagreements between the port and the Farm Management Group.

The Greenbank Farm is the jewel of Whidbey Island — it has become a unique and wonderful business center, a great recreational resource for hikers, dog walkers, birders, and whale watchers, a picnic spot for families and an amazing venue for events, most of which take place through the work and talent of the management group.

The Greenbank Farm brings visitors to the island year round, the Organic Farm and School program is a progressive and smart resource that has spawned wonderful local organic farms and promoted healthy living.

I remember being excited when the farm was saved from becoming a development, and was proud to watch it grow, get through the rough spots, and become the model facility it is today.

From every report it sounded like negotiations were continuing, and a draft agreement was given the nod by both sides and was about to be signed, when the unbelievable meeting took place that changed everything.

The port commissioners gave no mention on the agenda or at the beginning of the meeting that they were about to pull the rug out from under the management group and terminate them in six months. Instead, the Port Commissioners sat and wasted the time of hundreds of community members and farm supporters, who one by one got up and testified on behalf of the farm.

The Commissioners pretended to listen, pretended to care what we, the taxpayers, had to say, and then took everyone by surprise, including one of the port commissioners, by ignoring the hours of testimony and ongoing negotiations with the management group to state they were ending the contract in six months, though they admitted they didn’t have a plan for how to manage the farm themselves, or who would be doing it in six months.

These two port commissioners will soon be gone, leaving the chaos and mess for those who follow them.

Commissioner Bronson stated recently in an article that it would be an embarrassment for him to resign. I have respected Marshall Bronson for much of his community service work, and like him as a person. However, I am shocked at his behavior, and he should be embarrassed by his actions at the port meeting, and for letting the community down.

If the port had unresolvable issues with the management group and intended to discontinue negotiations, why did they not put that on the agenda for discussion? Why have they yet to answer our questions about why they decided to end the contract? I have yet to see any facts put forth by the port to back up this action.

Even if they do have facts to back up this action, there is nothing that excuses the manner in which this was done.

The hard working people who made the farm what it is today, the businesses that endured long-term negotiations resulting in uncertain leases, and we the taxpayers and community members who love and use the farm, deserve more of our port commissioners.

The port now has no nonprofit entity to help raise funds and recruit and coordinate volunteers to keep the farm running, or to hold events to bring in income, and their plan so far is “a few notes jotted down” — with less than six months before they are responsible for the farm’s day to day operations?

This is just plain crazy.

Does this have something to do with the continuing “secret” meetings with WSU? Will the wonderful Greenbank Farm kick out the amazing businesses that built a stellar reputation and become a destination shopping spot, so that WSU can rent the buildings for office space?

Will WSU lease the organic farm fields and test pesticides on them, losing the organic status of the fields? Or was this all just done out of spite or personality conflicts?

I hope we will soon learn what is behind this decision, why it was done in such a sneaky, back-handed way, and just what the future holds for the Greenbank Farm.

Susan Berta

Freeland