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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2012
Coupeville deputies moving on
VOL. 18, NO. 6
Back to the future
In lieu of a tax increase, the Marshal’s Office may reorganize or contract with another force. By Elisabeth Murray Staff Reporter
The 24-hour patrol services provided by the Coupeville Marshal’s Office may have come to an end – at least for awhile. Within a three-month period, the town will lose 75 percent of its deputy force. Two members of the town’s police force have already left, and one has given notice that he will leave in mid-October. Deputy James Covert’s last work day was on Aug. 24, while Deputy Adrian Kuschnereit departed on Sept. 1 and Deputy Chris Peabody will leave next month. “I have spoken with all three and there is no indicator that there is a problem in the department,” Marshal Lance Davenport said. “I have heard directly that the department is moving in the right direction.” According to Davenport, Kuschnereit accepted a position with the Burlington Police Department because of the increase in pay and opportunities for professional development and advancement. Davenport declined to comment on Covert’s departure, but said it was not performance related. Peabody has signed a conditional offer of employment with the Oak Harbor Police Department and expects to begin his new job around Nov. 1. Davenport said police pay in Oak Harbor is significantly higher than in Coupeville. The Town of Coupeville pays its deputies significantly less than all other surrounding jurisdictions, Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard said. A full-time Coupeville deputy is paid between $43,720 to $49,170 per year, plus benefits. The marshal’s annual salary is $63,752 per year, with payment in lieu of benefits. The pay range for an Oak Harbor police officer is $57,792 to $72,240 per year, plus benefits. Coupeville recently created a position for a higher-paid sergeant to serve as a mid-tier position with additional responsibilities beyond that of a deputy. Once filled, the position would replace a deputy position. As a result of the unprecedented turnover, the Coupeville Town Council will begin disSee DEPUTIES, page 6
Joe Novotny photo
Coupeville resident Joanne Roomes, left, looks on as her mother, Mildred Eisenhauer, 101, signs the guest book at the Coupeville library’s 50th anniversary celebration Saturday at the Coupeville Farmers Market. The guest book and other items from the celebration will be placed into the wooden time capsule at right. Library enthusiasts were given an opportunity to say, “Why I Love My Library,” either on bookmarks or on paper “talking bubbles.” The time capsule will be stored in the library’s cupola to be opened at a future date.
Big plans for Community Green parking, according to Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard . The plans were tacked onto the walls of the Shoppers at the Coupeville Farmers Market on Holbrook Outbuilding, a historic barn-like structure donated by Dan Miranda and transported to Saturday had a chance to weigh in on the future the site last spring from its previous location a few of the community green, the grassy field behind blocks east. the public library that is owned by the Town of Each of the proposals includes the intention to Coupeville. The green is used for the weekly market from leave a central open multi-use space, Lewis said. What varies is the different locations for certain April through mid-October as well as special events and parking during large events such as the elements, such as a playground or restrooms, he said. Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival. Two locations have been proposed for the play At Saturday’s open house, people looked over drawings of the three alternative master plan proposals for the almost four-acre property. Landscape Architect Craig Lewis of JGM Landscape Architects in Bellevue designed the proposals with input from a local committee that brainstormed ideas. The consensus of the committee is to keep the area looking like an open field, but improve upon it for use during special events and for overflow By Elisabeth Murray Staff Reporter
area, either at the south end of the property near the neighborhood or at the northwest corner. The restroom could either be separate from the Holbrook Outbuilding or integrated into the structure. Although the proposals show several locations for the outbuilding, a permanent site for the structure has already been selected. The building was moved in March onto the green next to the parking lot in order for Miranda to begin construction on a residence where the structure had previously been situated. See GREEN, page 7