One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Oak Harbor was the nearly symbiotic relationship between the Navy and the city.

It is obvious to anyone the impact the Navy has on not only this community but Whidbey Island and Island County in general. To say the economic landscape would look completely different if the Navy had never come to town would be an understatement.

The community in general and the city of Oak Harbor in particular have worked hard to establish and maintain a good relationship with the Navy over the years.

To say the city of Oak Harbor needs the Navy is, once again, an understatement.

But I think the Navy needs Oak Harbor as well.

When I attend functions like the military appreciation event put on recently by the Navy League and Whidbey Island Bank, it’s clear to me that the community can play a vital role in helping Navy personnel have a positive, well-rounded life on Whidbey Island, which one would think translates into more productive personnel at work.

It’s encouraging to me when I hear there is ongoing dialogue between city officials and Navy leaders concerning economic development, like the proposal put forth by Nichols Brothers to expand its boat building business to Oak Harbor by way of the Navy’s Seaplane Base.

The potential to develop new business for Oak Harbor and put more people to work during these tough economic times is a big carrot to dangle in front of us. It would be a shame to lose it.

Hopefully the Navy’s decision-makers will feel the same way. The city proves over and over again it’s willing to do what it can to help the Navy. This would be a great time to show once again that it’s a two-way street.

-Kathy Reed, editor