It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board of Island County Commissioners. It has also been a dream come true for someone who covered government beats as a newspaper reporter and editor, but still wondered what else goes on behind the scenes.
I can understand Tom Leahy’s (Letters, Dec. 22) concern regarding Whidbey General Hospital’s retention of Moss Adams as their consultant for financial forecasts and planning. But I don’t think it should be considered that they retained a hired gun.
Looking back at the end of another year is interesting but nonproductive as you can’t do anything about what’s already happened. It’s looking ahead to the next year, in this case 2011, where you can make your fortune or repent your sins, depending on your outlook. Here’s some of what we can expect in Island County in 2011.
The term New Year’s resolution seems almost synonymous with the term getting in shape. A quick Google search reveals that losing weight or becoming fit tops nearly every list of popular 2011 resolutions. Some people have no trouble hitting the gym or the pavement before work or on lunch hours, but those aren’t the kind of people needing resolutions. Fitness resolutions are generally made by those who cringe while thinking about the relentless motion of the treadmill or shudder at the thought of skin-hugging, muffin-top revealing spandex shorts.
Enough of this Great Recession. Island County residents are getting tired of continuing budget cuts gutting important government services. They’re tired of the growing lines at food banks and the endless list of people seeking adequate, affordable housing. From Clinton to Oak Harbor, every community is marred by empty storefronts.
What’s been happening at the Trillium forest since the celebration in October?
The short answer is “lots,” according to a news release from the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, which raised $4.2 million in donations to buy the 664-acres of forest land near Freeland.
A North Whidbey man lost his West Sleeper Road home Saturday when it was destroyed by an early morning fire.
According to North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Chief Marv Koorn, the blaze appears to have started just after midnight. A neighbor called 911 at 12:13 a.m. and by the time firefighters got there, flames were coming through the roof.
Oak Harbor Police Department officials have confirmed that an investigation concerning a recent shooting is underway.
Oak Harbor Police Dept. The following items were selected from reports made to the Oak Harbor Police Department: Sunday, Jan….
The owners of a Central Whidbey gravel mine with a history of violating environmental rules want to expand sand and gravel surface operations by 100 acres to excavate about 10 million tons of the road-building material.
Kelly Emerson cast her first votes as the newest member of the Island County Board of Commissioners Monday morning in a brief meeting punctuated by civility.
Slick road conditions were the likely cause of a rollover accident that sent a Coupeville woman to the hospital Monday.
According to Washington State Patrol Trooper Jason Nichols, 37-year-old Stephanie Wilson was heading northbound on Highway 20 shortly after 8 a.m. when the 2002 Suzuki XL7 SUV she was driving veered off the roadway, hitting an embankment and rolling over.
The Bellevue Community College Tournament wasn’t a holiday treat for the Oak Harbor boys basketball team as it dropped all three games, the final one a 54-50 loss to Eastside Catholic Thursday, Dec. 30.