But why in the center of town?

At a recent Friday Harbor Town Council meeting, I was astounded to hear a brief statement from a council member that the U.S. Homeland Security Agency is planning to open a large office in the former Windermere building at the corner of First and Spring streets.

The reaction in the council chambers was as though someone had thrown a dead fish on the table. P.U.

I have been very impressed with the council’s recent approach to building up the town economy: a long term redesign of Sunshine Alley; closer cooperation with the Port to make the ferry dock entrance to the town more pedestrian friendly; the welcoming banners and ever more beautiful hanging baskets around town.

But a big Homeland Security office in the very center of town?

I hope the town will now put some questions on the table and bring the community together to seek some answers: Why does Homeland Security need to expand their base of operations here? Will there be holding cells; armed and uniformed officials guarding the doors on that corner? Why must this be at the very center of the Friday Harbor tourist area?

I will look forward to the council involving all islanders soon in a public discussion of the many the issues surrounding this possibility.

Let’s not wait until it’s a done deal before we gather and look at all the consequences of such a big change.

Lee Sturdivant/Friday Harbor