Hi,
I sincerely apologize for not sending this sooner. I just put a stamp on it and will send it today. My husband and I are listing our house this week. My intentions were to get involved in this, but I realize that I am very busy with the kids and also, the arrogance of the Navy so far has given us little hope that they will change. As you know, I have dealt with our Federal government before in this capacity and know all too well their ability to sweep things like this under the rug. I hope for the citizens of this community that I am wrong. Unfortunately, I am not going to stand by and let my family suffer while they do nothing to change it. Both of my children now go into a panic now if they hear any planes going over our house and my five year old looks at me frightened asking me if the jets are coming. I see people with signs in their yard in our neighborhood supporting the OLF, so this gives me hope that there is someone out there that would love to live in our house and listen to the deafening “Sound of Freedom”. I hope you and yours had a beautiful summer and great holiday’s to come. Thank you.
Warmest regards,
Cecilia Askins
I live in Langley and I heard them last night(10/9/2014) in the evening till about 10pm.
Like I said before,our gov’t has enough money to sent aid to foreign countries,then our Gov’t has enough money to get a moth balled Aircraft carrier dragged up here from Bremerton and put off the coast to train on. If they crash and burn they go into the drink and no ones home.I sympathize with you people now that the growlers are here but not when you bought your homes when quieter ones were.Another thing our gov’t should do is buy everyones home from Langley Up to Oak harbor.
john
If the government wants to turn Whidbey into a giant aircraft carrier, they should buy out people that didn’t sign up for “duty”. Otherwise it’s not all about pilot training, non-military people live here too. They have a right to enjoy their property and homes. BTW, it’s Santa Claus.
The EA-18G has done plenty of FCLPs at both Fallon as well as El Centro, according to COER FOIAs, so you are telling me the FOIAs were not true? Did the navy lie on another FOIA. Either that, or perhaps your facts aren’t correct? Check your facts. If you need, I can quote you chapter and verse on the FCLPs in those two places.
I agree with your assumption of the EIS decision of Record will be the navy’s “preferred option” no matter what the “test” results say. That’s a given, everyone knows that.
Your placing the fault on the County is right on, in my humble opinion.
The biggest problem still is the medical damage to those of us without the military cushion of compensation. We receive nothing for stress. We receive nothing for being subjected to 134.2 dB. We receive no compensation like the military does for any noise related medical problems.
We, the citizens of Central Whidbey are collateral damage to a military organization that is a bully, as well as a very bad neighbor.
Can I respond to,
“The biggest problem still is the medical damage to those of us without the military cushion of compensation. We receive nothing for stress. We receive nothing for being subjected to 134.2 dB. We receive no compensation like the military does for any noise related medical problems.
We, the citizens of Central Whidbey are collateral damage to a military organization that is a bully, as well as a very bad neighbor.”
Slight change if I may:
“The biggest problem still is the medical damage to those of us without the cushion of compensation for Beyond Stupid land use policy hurting our homes and our health. We receive nothing for stress. We receive nothing for being subjected to 134.2 dB. We receive no compensation like the military economic generator does for any noise related medical problems. We, the citizens of Central Whidbey are collateral damage to a Island County real estate industry that is a bully, as well as a very bad friend to the US Navy and its servicemembers’ civilian advocates.”
Thank you.
To John Stevens,
There are three John’s in this discussion: you, John with a capital J, and john with a little j. Just to clarify, I never offered any options for relocating the Navy. Regarding eminent domain, the government can and does buy out homes around airports. Your pronouncement about buyouts not happening is based on what authority?
Your rhetoric about the Navy “uber alles” is tiresome. We have heard these same arguments ad nausium. The fact is, OLF is an obsolete landing strip in a wildly inappropriate location. The Navy can and should relocate to a more appropriate area. If they can afford billion dollar destroyers, they can afford a new OLF. The real reason the Navy does not want to move the OLF is one of convenience. They want the 15 or so people who staff the facility during use to be able to go home at night. (This info comes directly from a Navy representative.).
The additional Growlers are at the request of Boeing, not the Navy. Boeing has pressured congress for the appropriations so as to keep the production line in business. As always, it is about money. First it was 22 additional growlers, now it is 36! Oh what to believe, is the Navy lying to us? If the EIS results for the additional planes (oh yah, forgot there is no completed EIS for the current planes) is a forgone conclusion, why bother. But the reality is these planes are obviously deleterious to physical, mental and psychological health. Any normal person who has not been indoctrinated into the military mindset can see that.
I appreciate your mitigation suggestions, but the only logical choice is the closure of OLF, or the creation of crash zones and a proper noise buffer around the field through eminent domain. The status quo is simply unworkable. The Navy has been and will continue to slowly ramp things up until they destroy this Island. Ask anyone who has lived here for a couple of decades and, if they are are honest, they will tell you it is noisier than ever before.
We have always said that the navy doesn’t care about the citizens of their own country. Now you agree. Like I have said before the citizens of Central Whidbey are acceptable collateral damage to the military in this area. You said, ” the navy has more important things to care about”. That is the problem. The navy has lost sight of the reason for existence, and has become a self perpetuating monster. ITs only reason for existence is to continue creating itself. We citizens are harmed, and for what?
Congratulations on the sale of your home in Coupeville. Hopefully, you will have peace and enjoyment in your next location. You did the smart thing for
the welfare of all involved. It must have been sad leaving such a lovely house.