NEWS-TIMES WHIDBEY
Sports: Wildcats bounce back. A9
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 | Vol. 120, No. 75 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | 75¢
Native remains review cites ‘simple misconception’ By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
Oak Harbor’s own investigation reveals several failures that resulted in inadequate planning for the Native American remains discovered during the Pioneer Way reconstruction project. The city failed to follow the early warnings of state experts concerning a known archaeological site near SE Pioneer Way because of a lack of understanding on behalf of project leaders, the anticipated expense of following the state’s suggestions, and sloppy internal accountability practic-
es, according to a recently completed city-led review. Ordered in June by Mayor Jim Slowik, the review was wrapped up earlier this month. The seven-page report contained the city’s explanation of the foul up, along with suggestions of what can be done to ensure such an oversight is not repeated. Native American remains were found in the area of the Oak Harbor Tavern on SE Pioneer Way in June, resulting in delays to the city’s $7.7-million road project and thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses. Since the initial discovery, it’s become clear that a host of city offi-
cials were told about a nearby site and advised to take specific steps by the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Slowik, who has acknowledged in a recent interview that he also knew about the state’s warnings well before construction started, is calling the review a success. He claims it not only sheds light on just what went wrong but also how poor or unclear advice played a role. However, the report is meeting with mixed review. Several city council members have said they are satisfied with the report and its explanations; one even
expressed relief, saying the results make it clear that the city was never required to follow the state’s recommendations. But others say the review fell short by failing to address some of the most basic questions, such as who knew what and when. Despite waiting more than two months, they complain the public is still no closer to knowing what really happened and who is at fault.
Through the cracks
ined policies and procedures in an attempt to identify shortcomings in the city’s permitting process which allowed the state’s warnings to “fall through the cracks.” Schmidt said he can understand why people may be looking for someone to blame, but this was never meant to be a witch hunt. And even if it had, he discovered no evidence of a “smoking gun.” Rather, this was a case of misunderstanding. “I didn’t find any premeditated intention (to not follow the state’s
The review, conducted by City Administrator Paul Schmidt, exam-
SEE BONES, A7
Student, 9, brings loaded gun to school By NATHAN WHALEN Staff reporter
Justin Burnett / Whidbey News-Times
Fishermen try for humpie salmon at Ala Spit. The popular county park will be closed for about six weeks beginning Monday for a restoration project that will remove rip-rap.
Ala Spit work concerns anglers By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
A project designed to protect and restore Ala Spit on North Whidbey has some local fisherman and park regulars scratching their heads. The restoration effort, which will begin Monday and run through October, aims to reduce erosion, protect long-term public access
and restore juvenile salmon habitat by removing rip-rap put in along the spit’s neck in the late 1960s. But some who frequent the park question the logic behind the plan. They are wondering how removing the rip-rap will work to reduce erosion when that is just what such shore-armoring is designed to protect in the first place. According to Jill Wood,
environmental health director for Island County Public Health, the work that will begin next week has been planned for years. It’s actually the second of what will likely be a three-phase project. The county first purchased the park in the 1990s with Conservation Futures funds, derived from a property tax. Wood said the county hadn’t had the park for long before
officials began to notice that it was changing, namely the neck of the spit just to the left of the parking lot. It appeared to be getting thinner due to erosion. In phase one, the county hiredHerreraEnvironmental Consultants, a regional firm, to perform a two-year feasibility study that investigated the issue. The results largely SEE SPIT, A4
A fourth-grader from Crescent Harbor Elementary in Oak Harbor was expelled Wednesday after employees discovered the child had brought a handgun to school. School officials discovered the 9-year-old boy was carrying a loaded .45 caliber Ruger in his backpack. Oak Harbor Police Chief Rick Wallace said the gun had a full magazine and a round in the chamber. The safety was in the “on” position. Wallace said the student was taken into custody Wednesday morning and then released to his parents. “We don’t have any indication of any planned violence,” Wallace said, adding at this point in time, the preliminary investigation shows the boy brought the gun to school to show off to other students. Wallace said the investigation is ongoing, but it doesn’t appear that the boy or his parents are in legal trouble. The boy is likely too young to be charged and there’s no evidence that the parents were either reckless or improperly allowed the child to have access to the gun. School staff discovered the gun before the opening
bell and police responded at approximately 9 a.m. It appears that Wednesday’s incident was the second time in as many days that the fourth-grader had brought a gun to school, said Joe Hunt, spokesman for the Oak Harbor School District. Hunt said the student allegedly brought a different handgun to school Tuesday. A female student spotted the gun on the bus. She told one of her parents who, in turn, called the school Wednesday morning. The Oak Harbor School District and the state of Washington have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to guns in school. State law and school board policy say any student who brings a firearm to school is immediately expelled for a minimum of one year, according to a letter sent to parents. Hunt said the incident is a good reminder of the dangers and consequences of bringing firearms to school. Hunt said letters outlining SEE GUN, A4