Opinion Wednesday, June 13, 2012 • The South Whidbey Record
www.Southwhidbeyrecord.com
Page A5
Letters Current events
Saving lives, saving money To the editor: I manage the volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) program for South Whidbey Fire/EMS. I thought your readers might be interested to know that we have more than 75 volunteers donating 25,000 hours each year to help people in the South Whidbey community. This is a valuable program. Relying on volunteers saves our taxpayers $1.15 million each year in personnel costs. It’s even more valuable in that it saves lives every day. In 2011, our volunteers responded to 1,900 emergency calls for help. Volunteering with the fire department is a way of life for South Whidbey residents. Some of our volunteers are even second and third generation! In November, you will have a chance to vote on a levy lid lift to continue funding our volunteer program. The taxes you pay make sure that our volunteer firefighters and EMTs are trained and have the equipment they need for fire and medical calls. Please feel free to ask us if you have questions about the levy. On behalf of all of us, thank you for your support. Paul Busch Operations Chief
Arts
Frost/Nixon enlivens history To the editor: I have just been to the play Frost/Nixon at WICA. My 13-year-old daughter and I were captivated and impressed by the acting in particular. Everything about the play was superb. It was completely believable and we would highly recommend it. (There are some cuss words used, for anybody who is sensitive to that). I was 20 years old when Watergate began. I well remember the shock that the entire country felt when the original news hit the TV that there had been a break in at the Democratic headquarters and it was then revealed that there had also been a presidential cover up of the break in. This followed on the heels of years of enduring television viewing of the horrors of the Vietnam War and the deaths during the U.S. protests. (I lived near Isla Vista when the burning of the bank occurred in 1970.) The actual Frost interviews were high drama, and to have lived during that emotional time makes this play all that much
more interesting. The true test, though, was the reaction of my daughter. She became inquisitive and engaged in learning more about the events depicted. I consider her new understanding of history to be invaluable and want to commend everyone involved with this fine play. Joan Govedare Langley
Kudos
South End mentors thanked To the editor: As the school year draws to a close and I review the many opportunities students can take advantage of, I am once again impressed with how supportive a community we live in. In coordinating the Apprenticeship Program at Langley Middle School, I ask business owners, agency directors, classroom teachers and others, over and over again if they will mentor students for an hour a day, nearly
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every day for a quarter, semester or school year. What I hear over and over again is, “Yes!” Through the knowledge, guidance and patience of these generous adults, students have had opportunities to learn about small business operation, customer service, childcare and tutoring, animal health and horse training, culinary arts, cosmetology and technical theater skills. In experiencing what goes on behind the scenes and in developing relationships with caring adults, students gain confidence, develop communication skills while working with people outside of their peer group, get a taste of what having a job entails and begin to explore career choices. I would like to express gratitude and appreciation to the owners, directors, staff and volunteers of the following establishments for the experiences and guidance they have provided by taking middle school students under their wings this past school year: A Special Touch Grooming, Bliss Hair
STAFF
Publisher.............................................................................Marcia Van Dyke Editor................................................................................................Jim Larsen Island Life Editor..................................................................... Patricia Duff Reporters .................................................Justin Burnett, Ben Watanabe Columnists........................................... Margaret Walton, Frances Wood Office Manager......................................................................... Lorinda Kay Advertising Manager...................................................... Lee Ann Mozes Advertising Sales...................................................................Bobbi Moore Production Manager.......................................Michelle Wolfensparger Creative Artist.....................................................................Rebecca Collins
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Salon, The Boatyard Inn, Critters & Co., Pet Center, the elementary school (classrooms of Ms. Ploof and Ms. Sage), Flat Rock Productions, Good Cheer Thrift Store, HOPE Therapeutic Riding, South Whidbey Commons Coffeehouse Bookstore, Langley Salon and Spa, Moonraker Bookstore, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Pacific Window and Door Store, Pickles Deli, Prima Bistro, Rumors Hair Salon, Star Store, Sweet Mona’s, Wander on Whidbey, Whidbey Children’s Theater, WICA, and Z-pulley. Thank you for so generously volunteering your time to mentor the young people of our community. You make a difference. Diana Shirley, Coordinator Langley Middle School
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