Animal shelters, full of wayward and unwanted pets, are never happy places. For years, Oak Harbor’s animal shelter has been more miserable than it should be. The current shelter is located in a dilapidated building hidden away on the Navy’s Seaplane Base.
Governor Inslee has called a 30-day Special Session to begin on May 13th so that lawmakers can complete their unfinished work on the 2013-15 state budget. One of the major sticking points in ongoing budget negotiations is the House’s controversial decision to propose more than $1 billion in job killing tax increases.
Editor, In reference to the idea that businesses should be able to refuse service to whomever they choose, I’m sorry to say I agree. They should be able to pick to whom they offer their services.
Watching my son play rugby this past weekend, suffering his first loss of an otherwise perfect season, was bittersweet in many ways. Aside from the loss, which took the team out of the state playoffs, it was the culmination of many years of trekking to games all over the state to cheer on my son.
Senate Bill 5927, being co-sponsored by state Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, is seriously flawed. Not so much because it flies in the face of anti-discrimination laws that the majority of society supports and subscribes to, but because it’s just so darn hard sometimes to tell who the gays and lesbians are.
Memorial Day weekend to the end of the Labor Day weekend — roughly 100 days — is found to be the most dangerous stretch of time on our nation’s roads. Long summer days and warm weather mean more folks on the road enjoying graduations, picnics, parties, road trips and vacations. But those good times can come to a crashing end with one bad decision: to drink and drive.
Editor, Concerning Ian Jefferds’ comment that he is offended because he may be required to prove his commercial shellfish farm in Penn Cove does not result in “adverse environmental impact,” I submit the following.
Word that Whidbey Island Naval Air Station will be receiving twice as many P-8A Poseidons than expected comes as music to Oak Harbor’s ears. Instead of the expected 24 planes, the Navy now says 49 are coming. Poseidons are submarine hunting jets manufactured by The Boeing Co. The aircraft are based on the 737-800 airframe and is the Navy’s planned replacement for the aging P-3C Orions turbo-prop planes.
Last November, Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, was elected to Washington Senate District 10, representing all of Island and parts of Snohomish and Skagit counties. She carried a hair under 53 percent of the vote while ousting long-time Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen.
Island County commissioners informally agreed this week to seek bids to replace the current public defense contract. With the county and agencies across the nation needing to find ways to pinch pennies, this is a prudent decision.
‘Tis the season for fresh produce, homemade breads, jams, candles, soaps, artwork and other great things local. Whidbey Island has a bounty of farmers markets to explore and enjoy.
Island County has experienced problems over the past several years in the operation of a smooth, community-oriented planning department. It’s my opinion — and that of others, but I speak herein only for myself — that this lack of direction and focus on serving the public comes from the very top of the planning department.
It’s easy to stand back and criticize others. It’s far more constructive to jump in and make a difference. A number of local offices are up for election this year, and the time to step up and be part of a solution is just around the corner.
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