CITY VOLUNTEERS T T T SWEEPERS There are many ways that people pitch in and help the City every day. A group of avid cyclists and regular trail users sweep the Tommy Thompson Trail clear of sea shells dropped by birds seeking the tender morsels inside. The broken shells regularly puncture bike tires so these volunteers sweep on a weekly basis. To support personal fitness goals and a cleaner environment they use a human powered sweeper that collects shell fragments so they can be returned to the beach on either side of the trail. Our thanks to volunteers Marcia Hunt, Steve & Dian Jahn, Priscilla Legg, Victor Garcia, Roy Pringle, Paul Sherman, and to the Samish Indian Nation for providing on site storage for the sweeper.
By Laurie Gere, Mayor
E make your priorities our priorities. very day at the City, we work to
It is our goal to meet the needs of our community by placing a priority on maintaining and improving our infrastructure and services. I greatly appreciate the support that the community has placed in us to bring forward these items. I recognize that there have been rate increases to support our infrastructure improvements. It is important that we provide services that are of good value and that do not take advantage of our citizen’s goodwill. We have seen rate increases to help pay for the water and sewer systems, the sanitation and recycling systems, and the roads. I look forward to you seeing the results of these efforts in our improved infrastructure. Part of being a steward of our community resources is to be a good environmental steward. In the past year, we reduced the amount of storm water entering our sewer collection system, installed three solar arrays on city facilities, and transitioned to energy savings LED street lights. In 2014, we entered the Georgetown University Energy Challenge and our ranking in this communitywide contest continues to improve. We are currently ranked ninth of the 50 remaining cities. If Anacortes is awarded the 5 million dollar prize, it will be used for energy efficiency programs, renewable energy generation, and sustainability education that will benefit all of Anacortes.
2 ATOT Spring/Summer 2016
To help us achieve this goal I challenge you and to just do one thing. Please consider installing a switch and outlet gaskets that can help save energy. These
gaskets are very low cost and are easy to install. Electrical outlets and light switches are one place where cold air can leak into your home. I encourage you to turnoff unused lights, tune up your home’s air envelope, and turn down your heat when you are not home. I am convinced that if we each make some small changes that we have a good chance of winning this contest. I know we can do it! We are in the final phase of our 2016 Comprehensive Plan preparation. The plan provides a 20-year road map of our community’s priorities regarding: • Land Use • Housing • Economic Development • Environmental and Conservation • Parks, Recreation, and Open Space • Utilities, and • Transportation In the next 20 years, we anticipate Anacortes growing by an additional 4000-5000 residents. It is important that we plan appropriately so we maintain what is important to our community and protect our environment. The City Council meets each Monday evening at 6pm. The City Council is thoughtfully deliberating the Comprehensive Plan document. A final public hearing is scheduled on May 16 at 6pm in the Council Chambers. Final adoption of the Comprehensive Plan will be complete by June 30. I thank the many community volunteers and their commitment of hundreds of hours spent contributing to this document. As always, I express my sincere thanks for the opportunity to serve as your Mayor.