One really idiotic misconception I read Mark is how the Navy is great for the local economy. True for Oak Harbor's economy, but the base is a tremendous expenditure for the U.S. taxpayer. The need for the base to keep operating is determined by the D.O.D. and its need to maintain national defense, not by the need to benefit Oak Harbor's economy.  
Yet many dingbats up there feel the Navy has an obligation to operate there to sustain the area economy, baloney! 
The money flowing into Oak Harbor retail businesses is merely our  tax dollars, not generated profits from anywhere.
Try getting some folks up there to comprehend this.