— from Blythe Simpson —
Susan Malins’ confidence in the Port is shaken. My confidence in some members of this community has certainly fallen. The Port’s Master Plan process has torn this community apart. Hurt feelings on both sides, but more importantly the misinformation that continues to flow. Many people want to blame Tony for his lack of public interaction. Yes, he is my husband, so right up front you know my bias. No, he doesn’t have a “poker face”. I would think that might be refreshing, though sometimes painful to some. He is not a politician, but he sure understands this process and unfortunate bureaucracy that comes with the job.
Rather than blaming anyone or anything, I would like to propose that we as a community don’t let this happen again. Social media is part of our culture now, for better or worse. Unfortunately, many in this community have not learned to differentiate between opinion on social media and fact. Case in point, read through some comments here and see how those latch on to statements with no facts to back them up. Read through comments that are hailed as “great journalism” yet when the port manager tries to clarify a very complicated bureaucracy, his statements are blatantly ignored. This is someone who knows the facts and can back them up.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]I would like to propose that we as a community don’t let this happen again.[/perfectpullquote]
We as a community need to rise above the rumors on social media and pay attention to a “guest column or opinion” rather than assuming it is fact just because it is printed. I thought we learned this lesson. We are certainly teaching our children of this community how to differentiate. I hope we as adults can relearn this critical and important skill.
Orcas Issues is not a place to ask questions in the comments section and expect factual answers from random community members. It is a place to ask questions and get opinions. If you demand answers, go to the source.
My hope for our community is that we can rise above social media. Use it for good. Not look at is as “journalism”. What may start as “community journalism” quickly turns into social media with as few as 2-3 comments.
We can do better. We must to better.
I guess I should clarify that it is not the “process” that has torn the community apart, but rather the perpetual misinformation that continues via social media and verbal exchange. The blatant disregard of those that do in fact understand. The unwillingness of those to listen to the complete process (and therefore understand the reasoning and how the Master Plan actually is used). I apologize if my statement was not clear.
“My hope for our community is that we can rise above social media. Use it for good. Not look at is as “journalism”.”
Regarding the above quote, I would clarify further that journalism as in the media, generally, is likewise NOT a good source for developing and ascertaining actual facts upon which to base your decision or understanding for just about anything and certainly as relating to matters that are inherently technical.
Social media / journalism must always be preceded with the adage “Caveat Emptor”—“buyers” in this context being we the consumers of information.
I disagree with the assumptions in this Op-Ed. It’s all about the flawed process – and it’s why the Public feels betrayed.
Orcas Issues is not mere social media; it holds high standards of journalistic reporting on topics not covered by any other Orcas Island news source. Along with that, it also offers a venue for community opinion; no one hides behind aliases. Calling out behavior or systemic flaws is different than attacking character or values; O.I. makes that distinction by removing comments deemed as attacking.
I think most people understand what Tony has to juggle, and don’t question his extensive knowledge and understanding of FAA rules and frustrating government bureaucracy. That said:
The Sources for the answers we seek are also contained in FAA and literature and State Law. The FAA has leeway within safety standards rules for airports with major constraints like ours. All we’ve wanted is for the Port Commissioners to stand up for us and to see that there is full attempt to present our many constraints in and surrounding this airport to the FAA, to effect a slower and more measured Master Plan.
We’re asked to participate, yet don’t get any real voice in our Publicly-owned taxing district; therein lies the root of our dilemma. If the Port (or any government entity) refuses to understand the divide inherent in a one-way directive, and we DON’T challenge it, we’ll never get to be critically-thinking adults effecting any real change, because by example, we’ll teach our children to give up, fit the “mold,” and become obedient sheeple.
State Law protects us against a Public Entity’s or Board’s dismissal of Public concerns. We won’t give up if there is even a shred of hope that there is a less-extreme path than the singular option presented.
don’t forget, Eastsound lies within a tiny cross section of Orcas island the narrow little divide that separates the sea to the North from the south sound AND the tiny little metropolis of Eastsound the UGA as difined by growth management. There is very limited space here, and even more critically there are few avenues of escape from here. Expanding our YES very important air transportation system must be balanced with our small urban core and within areas of limited structural capacity. The geography beneath the areas that comprise the airstrip the Eastsound core and the swale running between the north and south sound is underlain with soils of very limited capacity and duration. Areas such as these demand careful and thorough approach to determining a highest and best use, and need necessitate proper transportation planning particularly emergency transportation planning. We are limited by obvious constraints. That alone should indicate limited value in port of Orcas development improvements in this area. Eastsound has obvious charm. The way it is, expansion here? We need to review our exit plans before we plan to increase growth Port of Orcas, or Eastsound core. It may be wise to spread above ground more and preserve some potential valuable open space or mangroves for coastal defense. Non of us are looking for a crisis situation but some things should kind of smack you right in the face, before it’s too late.