A good year for a caucus | Editorial
Washington residents usually sit back and watch while presidential candidates are picked because the process is pretty much over by the time our political caucuses are held. No so this year, and that should make the Island County Republican precinct caucuses the place to be for conservative-leaning islanders on Saturday, March 3.
February 10, 2012
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A matter of life and death | Editorial
Lives may well depend on the outcome of the levy hike increase requested by Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue. The mail-in election has been in progress for two weeks and culminates on election day Tuesday, Feb. 14.
The fire district is asking for a property tax levy increase to $1.34 per thousand of assessed value, up from the present $1 per thousand. The additional tax on a $300,000 house would be $102 annually, or $8.50 per month.
February 7, 2012
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Golf cart laws evolve | Editorial
The simple golf cart demonstrates the complexity of living in modern times.
State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, got a law passed last year allowing people to drive golf carts in properly established golf cart zones. The idea was hatched by people living around the now-defunct Holmes Harbor Golf Course in Freeland, where roads have such names as Fairway Drive and Chip Shot Lane. All they wanted to do was legally drive golf carts around the neighborhood and on the short stretch of county road that divides the golf course and houses.
February 4, 2012
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One physician’s gone from Whidbey, don’t lose another | Sound Off
This letter is in response to your article, “Doctor Quits Whidbey General Hospital Over Web Furor” published Jan. 11. I would like your readers to understand that the Whidbey General Reformers (WGR) website is full of misleading and inaccurate information shedding an undeserved bad light on a physician that deserves more respect.
February 3, 2012
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Ferries run out of money | Editorial
Department of Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond fired a warning shot across the bow of the good ship Washington State when the Legislature convened early this month.
In simple language, Hammond told legislative leaders that the ferry system is simply out of money. Using its present sources of revenue, it will fall short by $1.3 billion over the next 10 years, or $130 million per year.
January 31, 2012
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Hello? Is anybody home? | Editorial
The Oak Harbor City Council still shows little interest in obeying the Washington state Open Public Meetings Act, having violated it again at a special meeting Monday night.
The full council met in closed session to consider the qualifications of nine candidates seeking to be appointed to the vacant council position. After deliberation, the council members returned to public session to say they had decided on four finalists. End of meeting.
January 27, 2012
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A gift worthy of remembrance | Editorial
Whidbey Camano Land Trust, with a lot of help from property owner Beatrice Morgan, enjoyed another success last week when it announced the 90-year-old, longtime Oak Harbor resident has donated a quarter mile of beach property to the land trust for public use.
January 24, 2012
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Fire chief’s firing was morally wrong | Sound Off
There are injustices in this world, and then there are injustices. As a lifelong resident of Oak Harbor, I have never witnessed one of its citizens receive such unjustified treatment as was just served up to Fire Chief Mark Soptich. His firing by the mayor was not only a huge injustice, it is the sort of injustice that makes one sick to their stomach.
January 24, 2012
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Good lesson: Be prepared | Editorial
This week’s snow and ice events caught islanders by surprise but everyone seemed to handle the few days of inconvenience well. During other storms, we’ve seen far more cars stuck in ditches or abandoned along the shoulder, and we’ve heard more stories of people shuddering in their homes due to prolonged power outages.
January 20, 2012
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Dudley ends his honeymoon | Editorial
Like a bridegroom who goes on a bender on his wedding night, newly elected Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley brought an abrupt end to the honeymoon period that elected officials traditionally enjoy until they have time to settle into office.
Dudley shocked the city only two weeks into his mayoral duties by showing the door to two veteran and highly respected leaders, Fire Chief Mark Soptich and Police Chief Rick Wallace.
January 17, 2012
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Ferry emergency: Rapid response | Editorial
The Washington Legislature receives plenty of criticism, but it can do things right and in impressive fashion. Case in point: Barely over four years since the Port Townsend to Keystone (now Coupeville) route was stripped of its ancient Steel Electric class ferries, the third and final replacement Kwa-di Tabil class ferry was introduced to the community last Friday.
January 14, 2012
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