Lodging tax funds dispersed
The second round of grants from the 2 percent Hotel-Motel Lodging Tax have been meted out to various organizations that help bring tourists to Island County.
On Monday, the Island County Commissioners approved allotments from last year’s $84,210 tax package to a total of 7 agencies on South Whidbey and Camano Island.
The biggest chunk went to Langley/South Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, which received $12,000 for its Tourism Marketing & Fulfillment program and the development of a tourism recruitment brochure.
Freeland’s chamber pulled in $6,650 for tourism related efforts, and $2,000 went to Friends of Admiralty Head Lighthouse for visitor services.
The Camano Arts Association and the Camano Island Chamber of Commerce received $1,150 and $5020, respectively.
Police will help Watch Your Car
Do you normally drive your car between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.?
If not, you may want to join a state anti-car-theft program called “Watch Your Car.” Under the new program, Whidbey Island vehicle owners can contact either Oak Harbor Police Department or Washington State Patrol to register their cars and get a reflective “Watch Your Car” decal.
Then if law enforcement officers sees a decaled car being driven between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., they are authorized via the consent forms to stop the driver and see if the car is being driven with the consent of the owner.
For more information, check out the State Patrol Web site at www.waspc.org.
Help conserve our resources
Whidbey Island County Conservation District has an opening coming up for an appointed supervisor position.
Tim Purcell, the present appointee, will not seek another three-year term. His term expires March 31. Anyone interested in serving in the unpaid position is asked to apply by March 1. Supervisors represent landowners and the general public to bring volunteer cooperation in natural resource conservation programs.
If interested, request an application by calling 678-4708 or stop by the office at 504 N. Main St., Coupeville. Besides Purcell, the present board includes Len Engle, Steve Hilborn, Mark Clark, Bob Hulbert, Jr., Norm Banta, Frank Mueller, Dean Anderson and Bill Case. They meet once a month at the Heller Road Fire Station.
County seeks gravel permit
The deadline is Feb. 13 to comment on Island County’s application to re-open its old gravel mine located at the intersection of Taylor and Sawmill roads in the Dugualla Bay Heights area.
Last week, the county filed its State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) application which states plans to excavate about 413,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel on 13.3 acres over a span of 25 years. The plan calls to start mining in a small way and increase use through the years. The application provides for 100-foot buffers and reclamation of mined lands.
The application follows a similar one made by Krieg Construction for an adjoining 20-acres of property. Krieg and Island County have done some joint work to reduce costs.
Many residents of the Dugualla Heights residential area opposed to the pit proposals. Comments on the Island County application may be mailed to Planning & Community Development, P.O. Box 5000, Coupeville WA 98239 or faxed to 679-7306.
