Over time, we have created an abundance of wonderful festivals, chautaquas and holiday celebrations here on Whidbey. Each highlights some aspect of our island life, and all offer our community the chance to come together for a moment and remember why we choose to live here. All require massive quantities of time and energy to plan, implement and clean up after, occasionally utilizing paid staff but relying heavily on the bodies and souls of volunteers. And all add to the backdrop of culture and entertainment that draws visitors to our towns.
For years Oak Harbor has been whispered about as the “Navy’s best-kept secret,” a clue to the desirability of a set of orders here. Those of us who have lived and worked here for many years feel protective about preserving our small town image.
When John McCain’s campaign likened Barack Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears last week, millions of Americans were outraged by the comparison. Others couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened had Ms. Hilton and Ms. Spears been elected, say, eight years ago, and how their first cabinet meeting might have gone.
The primary election is under way. The League of Women Voters forums have ended, voter’s pamphlets have been received, ballots are in thousands of Island County homes and some people have already voted. To add to the public discussion, here are some thoughts on the races that will be decided in the Aug. 19 primary in Island County.
Education is vital to an individual’s success and tops most communities’ concerns. But America’s education statistics offer a grim snapshot.
Thanks to the Whidbey Island League of Women Voters, islanders are becoming more aware that there is an important election starting late this week.
I must respond to M. Anderson’s recent “Sound off” column in the Whidbey Newws-Times as she does not seem to understand what this “real world” is about even with the 9/11 “example.”
For those of us who have ever wondered how we might contribute to the well-being of a child in foster care, an exceptional opportunity is at our doorsteps.
Recent concerns about the spread of pertussis on the island have been intermixed with contradictory and misleading information about the decision many families make regarding whether to vaccinate against this and other diseases.
Whidbey Island’s pertussis outbreak seems to be winding down this week, with fewer cases reported and public concern waning. But it should not be forgotten as parents think about getting their kids vaccinated before another school year begins.
Two years ago, we hosted a community meeting at the Coupeville Library to help us gather information to develop a library district-wide capital facilities plan. The comments we heard in Coupeville that night in the spring of 2006 set us on the course we are on today.
To: Federal Emergency Management Agency
The original and correct name of the so called “Wonn Road Extension” is Greenbank Road. It is identified as a county owned Public Access, site 28, in the Existing Conditions and Site Inventory, Island County Shoreline Access Study. This study and the accompanying map lists all public accesses and public tidelands in Island County and is supposed to be available to the public at the Department of Planning and Community Development. Guess what? They can’t find it.