Joyful news on the Navy
I was joyful to hear from Congressman Larsen at the May 1 Navy League NAS Whidbey Island luncheon that, “The role (that Whidbey’s electronic attack squadrons) play in current and future conflicts in fact only solidifies the importance of Whidbey Naval Air Station in my mind, the men and women who are stationed here, the people who support the base being here. My assessment is that we can plan on the base being here for a long, long time,” a comment which was met with spontaneous applause.
May 15, 2012
0
Bailey dances to ALEC’s tune
Imagine a political system where corporations have secret access to state legislators and then meet with those legislators to craft legislation that directly benefit their bottom line. Then imagine that their proposed legislation is introduced by their cohort legislators in state houses across the country as their own brilliant ideas and important public policy innovations -- without disclosing that corporations crafted the proposed bills.
Such a system does exist and it is directly responsible for the ongoing right-wing assault on democracy across the country. The organization responsible for such devastation is ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. Along with legislators, most of whom are ultra-conservative Republicans, ALEC membership is open to corporations. ALEC was founded by the infamous Koch Brothers.
May 11, 2012
1
Grateful for Hearts & Hammers
I would like to thank the following people who worked on my home Saturday, May 5: Hearts & Hammers team captain Jeff Tasoff, Gary, Susan, Jesse (the electrician) and his wife, Sarah. Jesse did a wonderful job fixing my smoke alarms, which was the main reason I needed Hearts and Hammers in the first place.
May 11, 2012
0
Rain doesn’t stop National Day of Prayer
A letter of thanks to the communities of Oak Harbor and Coupeville is in order. The weather was not so great but the spirits of all those who attended the 61st Annual National Day of Prayer observances on May 3 were high and cheerful. Rain gear and umbrellas were the order of the day. Thanks to all those who committed to be on the programs by praying, singing, leading music and technical assistance. Thanks to both mayors, the military and other community leaders for their support and participation. We truly live on a beautiful island with a lot of great people.
May 11, 2012
0
Where to put the pet poop
We appreciate the front page article about the Pet Poop Patrol on Oak Harbor’s Waterfront Trail. It’s great to raise awareness about the health and water quality hazards that pet waste presents. However, just after the article appeared in the paper, I got questions about what should be done with pet waste, an essential piece of information that the article was missing.
Over the years different agencies have recommended flushing it or composting it, but after studies showed problems with both of those methods (as stated in the article), and because most Whidbey residents get drinking water from an aquifer, we suggest people bag it and throw it in the trash.
May 11, 2012
1
How our beer garden grew
There are so many people to thank for making the Oak Harbor Tavern’s beer garden and street dance such a huge success.
A truly heartfelt thank you goes out to Jill, Katie, and Elise of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce for their support and assistance; Gary Stuntz of Whidbey Island Race Week; Diamond Rentals for donating a generator for our electrical needs; Anacortes Brewery for making such a fine beer for us to sell; Mike’s Mini Mart for providing ice storage; the musicians of KG3, Highway 20, and Article 115 for providing an outstanding night of music. Thank you, Eli Westin, for your offer to perform. We are truly sorry that we were unable to get you on stage due to time constraints. We look forward to seeing you perform at the Oak Harbor Tavern on May 12.
May 11, 2012
0
I’d like to thank my parents, too
As my high school graduation draws near, I begin to think about all the people that helped me reach this goal. First, I would like to thank Mrs. Wolfe because she has helped me a lot ever since I became a freshman here at Coupeville High School. She helped me get through most of my CBA’s (classroom based assessment) I had to do for classes. She helped me study or I should say quiz me when I had an upcoming test. Most of all she was there to help me think out loud about things I had to do. Like career options, how to do an assignment, and just motivate me.
May 8, 2012
0
Men’s Chorus sells out
What a privilege to have the Seattle Men’s Chorus return to Whidbey Island to perform a benefit concert for CADA. The Performing Arts Center at South Whidbey High School was alive with the music of The Beatles as the chorus members performed “Come Together.” And what a privilege to have our community “Come Together” as we work with the men, women and children who are victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
May 8, 2012
0
Don’t blame someone else
Voting for someone for public office requires more than checking a box for a political party, assuming they share your values and will represent you in the office they hold. Character in a public servant is vital. You need to be able to trust, not just in what their qualifications for the job may be, but in how they will hold that office. I have a firm belief that one way to judge the character of a person is in how they treat their friends.
May 8, 2012
1
Not much thought apparent
It appears Commissioner Kelly Emerson (News-Times, May 5) gave as much thought and research to changing her voter’s registration address as she gives to the rest of the county’s business, and now she wants to manipulate the system by having her husband change his registration address and take her place in that endeavor.
May 8, 2012
2
Slow growth, no new bridge
Dave Crawfold wants another bridge. Fortunately, our elected officials, in his words, run from him and won’t return his calls. God bless Reps. Barbara Bailey and Norma Smith!
Our lovely island is slowly but surely being paved and “built out.” In the 14 years I have lived here, I have seen lovely hills sprout houses and roads increasingly heavy with traffic. There is probably no way to stop that process. We can, however, choose to keep it from running rampant so that we don’t quickly lose the beauty and unhurried pace that brought us here in the first place.
May 8, 2012
4
