Record South Whidbey
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2012 | Vol. 88, No. 37 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
THEY SHINED UP THE DAY
INSIDE: Historic Langley, May series, A28
Special inquiry judge to get Kwarsick case Possible criminal action to be investigated By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
Lorinda Kay / The Record
Mary Richardson and Loretta Wilson let a bit more light into one home by cleaning windows during the Hearts & Hammers work day. The day brightened the lives of many homeowners on South Whidbey by providing rapairs to homes of those in need.
The sun stayed out for the many hearts who came out to hammer By Lorinda Kay Contributing Writer
The weather was perfect. That gave the 450 volunteers of South Whidbey Hearts & Hammers a good start to the annual work day this past Saturday. Volunteers worked diligently all day, bringing a collective sigh of relief to 46 homeowners. Ramps were built, roofs repaired, yards cleaned and windows made brighter. It also brightened the spirits of the volunteers, who gave the day to help their South Whidbey neighbors. Truth be told, this writer has been a part of Hearts & Hammers for over 10 years, joining hundreds of people who help by donating time, materials, money and support to help build a stronger community. But to tell the story best, I went to the source — the home owners. After a long career making
designer window coverings, Christine Lofgren can no longer do the work needed at her home. “I wouldn’t be able to stay in my home without this kind of help,” Lofgren said. This year, her team of “hearts” cleaned out her garage, weeded the garden and repaired a rotten back step. This is the third year H&H has helped the homeowner, having built her a ramp, removed moss from her roof and cleaned the yard in past years. “It’s wonderful what they do,” she said. “They all just jump in with enthusiasm and do it, which inspires me to do more.” Clair and Harold Engstrom, former volunteers for H&H, have come to a time in their lives when they need help. “It is good to have someone to
turn to,” Clair Engstrom said. “We wanted to help in the past, but now the community is giving back to us.” “I always liked the Hearts & Hammers idea,” Harold added, “they really help with things an old man can’t do anymore.” For one of the volunteers, age is not a limitation. Loretta Wilson, 81, is enjoying her fourth year working for H&H. “I really feel I make a difference in my life and in theirs,” Wilson said. She shines with grace as she describes her 14 years working with the Family Resource Center and Good Cheer. Her workday partner in cleaning, Mary Richardson, was very impressed with Wilson’s abilities. see hearts, a26
The Island County prosecutor’s review of Langley Mayor Larry Kwarsick will be a criminal investigation and will include the use of a special inquiry judge. According to Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks, the process to be used is outlined under the Criminal Investigatory Act, which was enacted in 1971 to serve law enforcement in combatting crime and corruption. Banks, who is currently engaged in three murder trials and a separate review of Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, confirmed that he will be leading the investigation himself. He also said the act did not require him to review the allegations against Kwarsick, but that he agreed to do so only at the request of the Langley City Council and after discussions with key people. “Based on what I’ve been told, there is something worth looking at and there is the potential for criminal charges,” Banks said. Kwarsick, who is a former Island County planning and public works director and is the current part-time planner for Coupeville, was just four months into his first term as Langley mayor when he became the subject of a whistleblower complaint. It alleged that he altered previously completed planning documents for a family member’s home after he was hired as Langley’s planning director in early 2011. The whistleblower, current Langley planning chief Jeff Arango, submitted the complaint to the council and it was reviewed in a series of four executive sessions at City Hall late last month. The council released a statement Friday that said Kwarsick did in fact modify the planning documents, but that the council was not qualified to determine if the act was a violation of law. Therefore, the body forwarded see kwarsick, A18