Record South Whidbey
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2012 | Vol. 88, No. 31 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
INSIDE: Peace on earth, Island Life, A11
Langley’s a ‘safe haven’ for medical pot users
Meerkerk magic
By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
Medical marijuana access points will not be allowed in Langley but the community will be a “safe haven” for qualified patients and those who follow state law, the city council decided at their regular meeting Monday. Held at the Methodist Church on Third Street to accommodate an expected large crowd, the council made several decisions related to Freeland resident Lucas Jushinski’s recent application for a business license to open an access point in Langley. Holding firm to a consensus reached at a March workshop, the council refused to budge from its position that adopting land use rules or issuing business licenses for such “businesses” would leave the city liable to federal prosecution or other legal problems. Several council members addressed the issue, saying they had been optimistic that some city rules could be adopted. However, in the end the legal problems with such an Jim Larsen / The Record
Sisters Lora, 3, and Lily, 9, Zustiak of Coupeville make a fine pair of fairies. They enjoyed a day at Meerkerk Gardens in Greenbank with their mother Heather Zustiak and grandmother Lynn Garrison, also of Coupeville.
Garden plays host to fairies
Mayor rethinks Second Street BY justin Burnett
Jim Larsen
Staff reporter
Record Editor
Meerkerk Gardens was festively infested by fairies on a glorious, sunny Saturday in Greenbank. With hundreds of rhododendrons and other plants in bloom over acres of gardens, little fairies sporting wings, fancy dresses and garlands in their hair flitted from flower to flower, stopping to pose for pictures taken by proud parents and grandparents. The number of fairies at the annual “Meerkerk Magic” day, which draws lots of girls and a few boys from throughout the island, surprised even veterans of the event. “It’s a wonderful turnout,” said
see haven, page a6
Jim Larsen / The Record
Amelia Gardiner, 8, of Freeland, shows her hand-made pine-cone fairy. volunteer Susie Reynolds, who has been donating her time at Meerkerk
See fairies, A20
Despite its popularity among some members of the business community, a proposal to temporarily reinstate a commercial truck loading zone on Second Street in Langley will not move forward. The ordinance was put forward by Councilman Hal Seligson and essentially proposed to hit the “reset button” by reinstating the loading zone, albeit with a few changes, until a more permanent solution could be established. The meeting Monday was held at the Methodist Church on Third Street in anticipation of a healthy crowd of merchants and business leaders showing up to talk about the controversial loading zone, which was recently removed in an See second street, A6