Record South Whidbey
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Whidbey talent returns for PianoFest See...A10
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014 | Vol. 90, No. 30 | WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM | 75¢
Fair plan revenue forecast a steep climb
Multi-state 9-1-1 outage included Island County
By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record The old adage of spending money to make money is evident in the $10.12 million makeover proposal for the Island County Fairgrounds. Financed by non-voterissued bonds and a fundraising foundation, the plan would see the 12.8-acre property go from a rustic, authentic, rural look to one of modern design and updated utilities with 15 fewer standing structures. In order to make the property more profitable and fix several claimed deficiencies with the buildings and grounds, the proposal calls for a major overhaul of what is now essentially a fourday-a-year moneymaker to a revenue engine that plan supporters hope will bring in cash 365 days year. The plan has seen fierce opposition, with Whidbey residents questioning revenue estimates and even going so far as to form an opposition group. In the face of vocal dissent, the proposal’s backers remain resolute that it has value for the fairgrounds and the county. “The concepts of making the property more usable year-round are valid,” said Commissioner Helen Price Johnson, also a member of the proposal’s steering committee. Here’s a look at some of the key elements of how the property would be funded, where its money would be spent and what other fairs are doing to address failing buildings.
SEE FAIRGROUNDS, A13
By JUSTIN BURNETT South Whidbey Record
“I keep hearing that [about services], but I don’t see it,” Haggan said. “There’s a lot going on out here, and everyone has a different story.” One new organization, the South Whidbey Homeless Coalition, was formed in January when the annual point-in-time count revealed a pervasive homelessness problem. Kathy McCabe, executive director of Good Cheer food bank and coali-
South Whidbey was included in a massive 9-1-1 outage that is believed to have spanned several states and lasted more than six hours Thursday morning. Tom Shaughnessy, director of I-COM, Whidbey’s 9-1-1 dispatch service, said the outage on Whidbey began at about 1:20 a.m. and lasted to about 7:40 a.m. He said the cause is still unknown but that the problem originated with CenturyLink — the company that owns the 9-1-1 network used by agencies across the state and West Coast. Shaughnessy said the outage was statewide. He added that service was down in parts of Oregon as well, and the disruption may have stretched as far south as Las Vegas, Nevada, though the exact extent of the outage has yet to be confirmed. Shaughnessy was not pleased with the incident, saying redundancies are built into the contract with CenturyLink that are supposed to make such an outage impossible. “This should not have happened — bottom line,” he said. According to Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division officials, the first problems were reported in Lewis, Thurston and Clark counties at about 1 a.m. More reports followed and made it clear this was a
SEE HOMELESS, A3
SEE 9-1-1, A20
Janis Reid / The Record
Stephen Haggan, a Vietnam vet who panhandles near Walmart, said he and his family are going to be kicked out of their temporary living situation.
A Whidbey homeless shelter? New Island County homeless programs raise debate over ‘Housing First’ model
By JANIS REID South Whidbey Record Those working closely with the island’s growing homeless population offer a resounding “yes” when asked if the island needs a homeless shelter. They will also tell you that Whidbey Island will likely never have one. And that is forcing the county to think outside the box. “We’re all just seeing the need grow,” said Jackie Henderson, Island County human services director.
“And, through our churches and communities, we’re seeing more people who are a day away (from homelessness).” Stephen Haggan, a 51-year-old Vietnam veteran who was panhandling near Walmart in Oak Harbor Friday, said that he hears that there are services for the homeless, but hasn’t seen them materialize for him. While he isn’t homeless yet, Haggan said he and his family are about to get kicked out of their temporary housing.