Here’s what was happening in the news this week:
100 years ago
Several years prior, farmers had organized a telephone company with a central office located in Coupeville. The Coupeville town council claimed that, due to nonpayment, the farmers had lost their rights. The council had passed an ordinance demanding that all phone and telegraph poles and lines be erected according to the ordinance and state law. The light company and Sunset company had poles and wires, though it was claimed these were in compliance with the law. The council claimed that the farmers’ poles and wires were dangerous, and thus tore them down. Farmers felt this was unjust.
Oak Harbor was in need of protection against fire. It was editorialized that, should a fire start in any part of the business district, the town would be “doomed.” Proposals to remedy the issue included a dam in the tide-water slough at Main Street with a pumping engine and fire-plugs, or a “very practical looking chemical engine and equipment.” A number of citizens volunteered to contribute toward the purchase of the latter, which was estimated to cost $500, half of which would be paid by insurance companies.
75 years ago
During a meeting of the Oak Harbor town council, a delegation representing the property owners of the southwest section of Oak Harbor requested sewer and water service extensions in that area. After much discussion, it was determined that it would be impossible to make extensions in that area in the near future. The delegation was advised to install septic tanks and other sanitary equipment until sewer service could be provided.
Vocational classes to fit in with the newly established national defense program were expected to start soon in schools. Superintendent Jack Wood of the Oak Harbor School District received notice of these classes from Superintendent J.A. Reeves of Everett. Reeves noted that the classes would prepare young men for work at Boeing and at the Bremerton navy yard.
50 years ago
Oak Harbor City Council adopted an estimated budget of $533,847.40 for the following year. The amount was approximately $10,000 less than what was required to operate the city in 1965, despite the fact that the assessed valuation and population increased. The town’s valuation was set at $4,825,000 in the estimated budget. Items included in the adopted budget included streets, garbage, sewer, water, library, parks and playgrounds, police and fire protection.
A fleet of 15 cruisers carrying members of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Marine Industries, known as the Mosquito Fleet, was expected to arrive on Whidbey to host members of local Chambers of Commerce and Naval officials at a luncheon. The Mosquito Fleet made a yearly cruise to Puget Sound communities and military bases in an effort to establish an informal liaison link between them and the leadership of Seattle.
Nearly 80 Teenage Republicans met with the nation’s youngest governor at Camp Casey. Governor Dan Evans was still a Young Republican at the age of 39. The Teenage Republicans were representatives of a growing organization sponsored by the Young Republicans. The meeting was the climax of a week-long political camp for young people.
25 years ago
The Island County Health Department began focusing on more direct services to assist AIDS patients. Island County had four official cases of AIDS recorded, though that number omitted the increasing number of people infected elsewhere who had come home — eventually to die. Gary Childers, Island County HIV/AIDS project coordinator, said AIDS was a growing problem in rural areas and more services were essential. Childers added that education was still essential, especially for “risky” groups such as sexually active teenagers. Childers would connect patients with doctors as well as services to help them deal with emotional, financial, spiritual and legal problems.
