Record South Whidbey
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Gone fishin’ ... A10
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 | Vol. 90, No. 36 | WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM | 75¢
Owner says Dog House Tavern will come down Election
races take shape Dist. 3 county commissioner seat has four candidates By JESSIE STENSLAND South Whidbey Record
Ben Watanabe / The Record
A motorcyclist cruises past the Dog House Tavern on May 1. The historic building’s owner says he plans to tear it down after land use requests regarding renovation fell through.
Permit yet to be filed, city hopes for renovation By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record The owner of the Dog House Tavern, an iconic century-old building in downtown Langley, plans to tear the historic structure down. As of Friday, a commercial demolition permit application had not been filed at City Hall, but Charlie Kleiner, who with his wife bought the building at a 2010 auction, confirmed in a Thursday interview with The Record plans to destroy the building. Kleiner said they bought the Dog House with
plans to restore it, but now feel demolition is the only viable option. “When we bought the building … it was kind of an albatross,” Kleiner said. “But my wife liked it.” “We thought, if things go our way, we’ll keep the building … It didn’t work out, so down she comes,” he added. The Dog House was the site of the first movie shown in Langley, housed several stores and high school graduations, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under its original name The Olympic Club. News of possibly losing the historic building was not welcomed by Bob SEE DOG HOUSE, A20
Photo courtesy of the South Whidbey Historical Society
This image from 1913 shows the former Olympic Club building in Langley after it became the Langley Mercantile and General Merchandise. Its landmark staircase and First Street facade will likely be torn down by the owner.
The general election this fall has the potential of creating a sea of change in Island County government. A total of nine county elected positions are up for grabs. The filing period for those seeking the seats is already close at hand. Candidates must file during the week of May 12. The county positions that will appear on the ballot are assessor, auditor, clerk, commissioner, coroner, prosecutor, sheriff, treasurer and district court judge. In addition, state Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, and Rep. Dave Hayes, R-Camano, are up for reelection and already have challengers; U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat, is likely to be in the same boat. But so far, the only action on the local front appears to be in the commissioner race. Commissioner Kelly Emerson, a Republican representing District 3, said earlier this year that she will not seek re-election. Three Republican candidates and one Democrat have already filed to replace her. Current Republican candidates for commissioner are Robert Bagley of Camano Island, Richard Hannold of North Whidbey and Erhard Hennemann of Camano Island. Democrat Karla Jacks of Camano was the first to throw her hat into the ring. Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks, a Democrat, SEE ELECTIONS, A20