Record South Whidbey
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2012 | Vol. 88, No. 19 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
INSIDE: Kramer takes over, Sports, A7
Island County goes for Mitt Romney BY Jim Larsen
How they all voted
South Whidbey Record
Jamie Boyd
South End loses school principal By Ben Watanabe South Whidbey Record
Jamie Boyd, the principal at South Whidbey Elementary School, turned in her resignation this week. The former special education teacher with the South Whidbey School District will finish the school year. Her work to unify the primary and intermediate schools and improve student learning was appreciated by district leaders. “She’s been a fine administrator,” said District Superintendent Jo Moccia. “I wish her the best. I think she has a lot of good skills.” Moccia received Boyd’s letter of resignation Monday. It signaled the end of almost 20 years with South Whidbey schools. “She wants to pursue other opportunities,” Moccia said. Boyd worked 14 years as a teacher with the school district, including seven in special education. Fred McCarthy, the former superintendent who retired last summer, hired Boyd in 2007 to replace her predecessor who was charged with first degree theft for allegedly stealing school funds. Her main task was to integrate the previously split primary and intermediate campuses into one school. Moccia will begin searching for a replacement soon. She said she is working on a plan to find the new elementary school principal, and will submit it to the school See boyd, A6
Norma Metcalf, the queen of South Whidbey Republican politics, didn’t get her way in the party caucus held in the overflowing high school New Commons Saturday morning. Metcalf was the official campaign spokeswoman for Newt Gingrich, who has a lot in common with Mrs. Metcalf’s late husband, Congressman Jack Metcalf of Langley. Like Gingrich, Jack Metcalf was elected in 1994 and participated in the Gingrichcreated Contract with America, which shook up the establishment for a few years. As Norma Metcalf spoke briefly to the congregation of nearly 300 Republican believers, it was evident she still had faith in Gingrich, despite his wellpublicized financial and marital problems over the years. “This country is in trouble,” Mrs. Metcalf told the crowd, which listened respectfully to the woman whose Republican involvement dates back to the ’60s when her husband was first elected to the state House. “Newt’s a visionary —- but he’s tough!” Later, she added, “Can you imagine Newt apologizing for America?”, a line used several times by different speakers that morning, all eliciting enthusiastic applause. It was in reference to President Barack Obama apologizing to Afghanistan for the inadvertent burning of several of their
Jim Larsen / South Whidbey Record
Norma Metcalf, wife of the late Congressman Jack Metcalf of Langley, ticks off a few points in favor of Newt Gringrich at Saturday’s Republican caucus on South Whidbey. Behind her at right is Brett Wilhelm, Island County Republican Party chairman. holy books by U.S. troops. The resulting uproar resulted in the deaths of six American troops. But when the South Whidbey straw poll was taken at each of the 25 precinct tables, Gingrich finished a distant second to
Mitt Romney, with the former Massachusetts governor receiving 123 votes and Gingrich only 45. Gingrich finished last overall in Island County. Rick Santorum was the only candidate without an official cam-
Here are the results of the presidential straw polls from the three Republican caucus locations in Island County: SOUTH WHIDBEY: Mitt Romney, 123 votes; Newt Gingrich 45; Rick Santorum 37; Ron Paul 31; undecided 14, 1 write-in for Gov. Gary Johnson. Republicans from 25 precincts participated. NORTH WHIDBEY: Mitt Romney 115; Rick Santorum 112; Ron Paul 75; Newt Gingrich 55; undecided 14. Republicans from 40 precincts participated. CAMANO ISLAND: Mitt Romney 76; Ron Paul 56; Rick Santorum 34; Newt Gingrich 32; undecided 6. Republicans from 18 precincts participated. The county totals were Romney 314, Santorum 205, Paul 162 and Gingrich 132. Statewide results showed Romney finished first with 38 percent, Paul was second with 25 percent and Santorum was third with 24 percent. Gingrich earned 10 percent of the vote. paign speaker present on South Whidbey, but he did get 37 votes and a few citizens stood up to speak positively of the former Pennsylvania senator who is See caucus, A6
Testing raises Langley water quality concerns BY JUSTIN BURNETT South Whidbey Record
The Langley City Council got some dirty news this week when it learned of a few water quality issues from a team of county health officials. The group, which also included Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson, attended the council’s regular meeting at City Hall on Monday at the behest of Councilman Hal Seligson. He asked them to come and talk about the county’s septic sys-
tem inspection regulations. While much of the discussion centered on the rules and the general management of water resources in the county, health department leaders also addressed concerns specific to Langley. Keith Higman, director of Island County Public Health, said properly operating septic systems are an essential part of protecting groundwater. Langley gets its drinking water from deep and See water, A9
Justin Burnett / South Whidbey Record
Langley City Councilwoman Rene Neff and Councilman Hal Seligson listen to Island County Hydrologist Doug Kelly, left, during a meeting Monday. Kelly talked about septic system inspection rules and water quality issues.