RECORD D SOUTH WHIDBEY
INSIDE
WHIDBEY WRITERS
CONFERENCE SEE...A12
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013 | VOL. 89, NO. 79 | WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM | 75¢
Strained labor talks spark debate over county budget By JESSIE STENSLAND South Whidbey Record The Island County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild claims that county officials don’t understand their own budget and demands that they retain an outside budget expert before any labor negotiations continue. The 33 commissioned deputies who comprise the guild have worked without a contract since 2008 in what has been a contentious
process involving two lawsuits brought by the guild. The contract was submitted for a hearing before a neutral arbitrator. The guild sent “a strongly worded letter” to the county’s labor contract negotiators earlier this month, criticizing the county officials for claiming they were broke while sitting on a “massive” reserve fund, according to a guild press release.
In response, the Island County Board of Commissioners sent a statement to the South Whidbey Record disputing assertions made in a letter written by Jim Cline, attorney for the guild. “The claims made in Mr. Cline’s letter are untrue, distorted, or greatly exaggerated. His letter creates an inaccurate public perception of the status of the negotiations, rather than a serious proposal to the county,” the commis-
sioners’ release states. The guild’s skepticism about the state of the budget comes after the commissioners removed the law-and-justice levy proposal from November’s ballot. The measure would have funded additional deputies in the office. SEE GUILD, A10
Running with the pack
Lorinda Kay photo
Thirteen-year-old Langley resident Alex Low (red shirt) and Julie Buktenica (blue shirt) with her dog, Lizzie, were the first to cross the finish line at the Pawz by the Sea 5K run/ walk in Langley on Sunday. They began the race at the head of the pack, competing with more than 100 other participants.
Langley PAWZ race hailed a howling good time By LORINDA KAY For the South Whidbey Record It was a day for the dogs Sunday when the first PAWZ by the Sea 5K run/walk was held in Langley under an almost clear sky. Over 100 participants joined the event from all across the Puget Sound region including Kent, Tacoma, Snohomish, Oak Harbor and South Whidbey. Despite high winds and rain during the weekend, the dog god must have been watching over the crowd as run-
ners were hit with only a brief shower. In fact, the wind was calm and the clouds parted offering a hint of blue sky for the race start. Dogs small and large, dressed in rain gear and tutus, were running, walking and even carried over the finish line on Second Street. Perhaps the most pampered was the little terrier, Giblet, who rode in a stroller wrapped in a blanket the whole distance, pushed by owner Stephanie Barber of Kent. But paralyzed Oliver was the dog hero of the day, completing the entire course with his rump cradled in a
two-wheeled cart. Owner Bobbie Mayer of Clinton had to hustle to keep up with his pace across the finish line. Announcer Scott Ohsman set a festive tone as each runner and walker was greeted at the finish line with encouragement, applause and spontaneous awards. Fashionista winner was Daffodil with her slick yellow rain cape and hood, perfect attire for the day, according to owner Mary Douglas. SEE PAWZ, A24