Words matter.

That’s been a common refrain heard nationally during a period of tense political division.

Here in La Conner, it was two words that especially raised eyebrows the weekend before last.

Those were “Locals Only.”

The two-word message, which some found too harsh, appeared at the roundabout entrance to town April 11 as part of signage designed to encourage social distancing and limit access here by visitors to help stop spread of the coronavirus.

The Locals Only sign was quickly removed after Mayor Ramon Hayes was beset with complaints about its tone, mostly from local busine...