[COER didn't hire me.]

Excerpts from COER leaders (obtained via public record request via Town of Coupeville) - email: April 29, 2016 at 6:51 :32 AM:

"Michael Shuman is well known in the Slow Money Sustainable Community
circles, both nationally and internationally. Citizens of the Ebey's Reserve, the
pioneering group challenging the Growler training program at the Outlying Field in Coupeville, is thrilled that this super-star economist has agreed to engage with private citizens to do an economic study for Island County."
 
 (read:  a "perfect fit" "economist" with a common agenda was found. )

"We already have received two anonymous and generous matching gift
donations of $10,000, each to help reach our goal of $30,000 for this 6-month study. Time is critical and your help is needed to reach our final matching goal of $10,000. "

(read:  COER can control the "study" scope, complete by EIS deadline, but claim it is not linked to them)