Olin misstates Bird Fanciers’ history

In a recent article based on a Port Orchard City Council meeting, Councilman Fred Olin is quoted making statements regarding Olympic Bird Fanciers.

Unfortunately, those statements are utterly false and give an ugly impression of a fabulous, community-spirited, valuable group.

Olin intimated that the club has been kicked out of a number of different meeting locations.

That statement could not be further from the truth.

Olympic Bird Fanciers has met in two locations during its existence. The last few years it has been the Active Club in Port Orchard.

In years prior years, we met at the Port Orchard Armory.

Contrary to Olin’s derogatory statements, we left the Armory on good terms as evidenced by a letter written by SFC R. Andringa, the building manager at the Armory.

Andringa states, “Olympic Bird Fanciers was a welcome organization at the Port Orchard Armory.”

He also affirms that “the club left the facility due to rate increases, not as a result of a refusal by the Washington State Military Department to rent to the club.”

It’s unfortunate that those false statements were read by so many and we have no recourse but to ask for an apology that is not forthcoming from Olin.

The best we can hope is that those reading this letter will walk away with a better, more accurate impression of Olympic Bird Fanciers.

SUE MARSHALL

president, Olympic

Bird Fanciers

Port Orchard

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