Results 11 - 20 of about 25580.
Jul 03 2008, 8:42 PM I wonder why the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue levy did not include any mention of the marine rescue program. Why cant Island County and Skagit County form a joint partnership to get resources in place to provide a necessary life-saving program? If it requires the sheriffs departments of both counties and the fire departments, wouldnt it be great after all these years without the service to get some cooperation in place to get the job done? Council process worked fine
Jul 03 2008, 8:42 PM As one of the applicants for the City Council position that did not make the short list I would like to make a few comments.
First I totally support this newspaper in seeking an open government. There are only a few reasonable exceptions to the open meetings statute. I, however, am glad that the full council did not follow your recommendation to hold public interviews with all of the applicants. It may have provided some entertainment, but I believe it would have been a lengthy, unnecessary, and tortuous exercise for the applicants and the City Council. The process was published and agreed to ahead of time. I thought the process was well designed to be fair and manageable.
Life on Whidbey: Best way to fight is to know your foeJul 03 2008, 7:39 PM By Eileen Brown Saturday paper likely late
Jul 03 2008, 11:14 AM The Saturday, March 15, edition of the Whidbey News-Times will likely be late in reaching the homes of subscribers. Sound Off: Ferry solutions in the works
Jul 03 2008, 10:55 PM By Sarah Richards
The Keystone/Port Townsend ferry situation is about three years from being resolved completely and well have some difficulties between now and then. After having been very active in trying to work with elected officials in making appropriate plans for resolution, I would like to commend Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, Reps. Norma Smith and Barbara Bailey, and Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard for having listened to the concerns of the community and put forward plans and actions that I believe will be the best in the long run. At this point WSF is planning to build three boats, one of which will be the same as the leased vessel now in use and will not be a long-term solution for the needs of this run. The other two boats will be built using a design that is almost exactly the same size as the ferries that had been serving that route for 80 years. The new ferries will carry slightly more cars, many more passengers, and have the draft and maneuverability to get in and out of the Keystone Harbor. They can handle more severe weather than the Steel Electrics which means fewer cancellations due to harsh weather conditions.
Sound Off: It all starts in the mirrorJul 03 2008, 10:55 PM By Patricia Kuenzi
While I enjoyed reading your recent column regarding attempting to save money and energy and the Catch-22 you were caught in, it also triggered some thoughts regarding our national energy/environmental policy.
Money was already thereJul 03 2008, 8:42 PM I guess we should pat Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen on the back when she gets done patting herself for adding money to the supplemental budget for extra ferry runs this summer from Keystone to Port Townsend, but did I miss something or did we not already have money to operate two ferries during the summer months? I guess Im going to have to start attending some of these town meetings about ferry service if for no other reason than to see how real bookkeepers work and maybe figure out how to move my own money around. County takes use of property
Jul 03 2008, 8:42 PM The Island County commissioners unanimously approved rezoning a large portion of land on North Whidbey as crash zones without notification of any property owners holding less than ten acres per parcel located in one crash zone category (APZ1). Those property owners that were notified were told that the only effect this zoning would have is the property owners would not be allowed to subdivide their property.
This is not true! We have been lied to by virtue of omission! This zoning significantly removes our ability to use our property! All attempts to persuade the commissioners to proceed with the interests of the property owners to be affected have apparently fallen on deaf ears. The commissioners have essentially given the Navy our property without adequate discussion or fair and equitable compensation.
Rate structure encourages wasteJul 03 2008, 8:42 PM Waste prevention is a top priority in Island Countys waste management plan. However, the rate structure for customers of Island Disposal Inc. totally contradicts this priority.
If you are able to limit your household waste production, and use the least-waste option offered by Island Disposal, you will pay a hefty premium for your trouble. In fact, the more you conserve, the more you pay; the more you throw out, the cheaper it gets. The difference is considerable, and the disincentive to conserve is consistent through the rate structure.
Learn about Puget SoundJul 03 2008, 8:42 PM Kathy Fletcher, executive director for People of Puget Sound, was guest speaker at the Feb. 21 League of Women Voters meeting. Ms. Fletcher, a strong voice in the efforts to improve the quality of Puget Sound, presented an optimistic view of the states new Partnership for Puget Sound.
