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Bailey seeks Gregoire’s
support for keeping NAS Whidbey
off base closure list
As Gov. Christine Gregoire
lobbies to keep Washington state’s military bases open,
Rep. Barbara Bailey
wants to make sure the governor makes an extra effort to prevent
closure of the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Oak Harbor.
Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, has
sent a letter to Gregoire inviting her to tour the military base.
"It has been brought to my
attention that the Department of Defense will soon be conducting their
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) review process. Our state could face
challenges in this area. Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey could be
seriously impacted by this process," wrote Bailey.
"Oak Harbor Mayor Patty Cohen and the NAS Whidbey Task Force have
extended an invitation for you to tour NAS Whidbey and our community,"
she continued. "You will see firsthand the importance of NAS Whidbey and
the impact it has on the community. NAS Whidbey is greatly important not
only to Washington State’s economic stability, but to the 10th
District’s economic stability. I would like to personally extend the
invitation for you to tour NAS Whidbey."
Bailey noted that the BRAC
Commission is reviewing the viability of all military installations
within the United States and its territories. Secretary of Defense
Donald Rumsfield says the nation has 25 percent more bases than needed.
Rumsfield is
expected to forward recommendations for realignments and closures to
BRAC by May 16, 2005.
Earlier this month
Gregoire flew to Washington, D.C., where she met with a senior Pentagon
official on the value of Washington state military bases. The governor
did not say whether she was especially worried about specific bases.
However, congressional aides and military analysts say Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station and the Navy port in Everett might be at risk.
Bailey noted in her letter
to Gregoire that it’s not the first time the Whidbey Naval Air Station
has dodged a bullet from BRAC.
"NAS Whidbey has had a
unique experience in the BRAC process, resulting from our inclusion on
the 1991 BRAC list. Because of our inclusion on that list, the City of
Oak Harbor and Island County have joined forces to make significant
changes, both in land use regulations and community involvement, in
support of our NAS Whidbey," Bailey wrote.
In 1991, the Navy plan was
to shift Whidbey’s 250 warplanes and personnel to Lemoore Naval Air
Station near Fresno, Calif., but a citizens’ task force used the Navy’s
own data to persuade the closure panel to reverse the Pentagon
recommendation.
NAS Whidbey accounts for more than $767 million in wages and nearly 88
percent of our local economy on Island County. We cannot afford to get
this close to a base closure again. We need to have the governor’s full
support and put our best foot forward as this scrutiny begins," added
Bailey. "It’s my hope that she will accept this invitation to get the
full picture of the importance of NAS Whidbey, and that we can work
together to keep this vital base off the closure list."
Full text of Rep. Bailey’s
letter:
March 11, 2005
The Honorable Christine Gregoire
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
RE: Invitation to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island
Dear Governor,
It has been brought to my attention that The Department of Defense will
soon be conducting their Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) review
process. Our state could face challenges in this area. Naval Air Station
(NAS) Whidbey could be seriously impacted by this process.
NAS Whidbey has had an unique experience in the BRAC process, resulting
from our inclusion on the 1991 BRAC list. Because of our inclusion on
that list, the City of Oak Harbor and Island County have joined forces
to make significant changes, both in land use regulations and community
involvement, in support of our NAS Whidbey.
Oak Harbor Mayor Patty Cohen and the NAS Whidbey Task Force have
extended an invitation for you to tour NAS Whidbey and our community.
You will see firsthand the importance of NAS Whidbey and the impact it
has on the community. NAS Whidbey is greatly important not only to
Washington State’s economic stability, but to the 10th District’s
economic stability.
I would like to personally extend the invitation for you to tour NAS
Whidbey. I am hoping that your visit will be educational, informative
and enjoyable.
I will contact your office shortly and hope you will accept my
invitation. I am hopeful that your tour of NAS Whidbey will confirm the
importance of our base to my community and to Washington State.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Barbara Bailey
State Representative
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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