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Examiner The Whidbey
News from the Heart of Whidbey Island
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012
Needy students short on supplies
VOL. 18, NO. 5
Back in the swing of things
By Betty Freeman Staff Reporter
Remember the fresh-start feeling of shiny, stiff shoes and new supplies on the first day of school? Every child deserves to start off the school year with the supplies and clothing they need to fit in, but not all families can afford to meet all the requirements on school supply lists. The Readiness to Learn Foundation serves qualified families throughout Whidbey Island by outfitting children with school supplies. The organization spends about $120 per child to provide basics like backpacks, paper, pencils, and calculators. Readiness to Learn also gives each child a $30 voucher to Walmart for items not available through the group’s distribution sites. Gail LaVassar, Executive Director of the Readiness to Learn Foundation, said it takes about $100,000 a year to meet the needs of children returning to school on Whidbey Island. “At this point, we’re running low on some supplies and not quite able to meet all the needs of families who come to us for help,” LaVassar said. The Coupeville Readiness to Learn program opened its doors to families on Aug. 29 with only enough supplies for 70 students. “We’ve got 80 children signed up for the Back-to-School program already, and expect to serve up to 120 children before we’re done,” LaVassar said. The Coupeville distribution site is in the art room at Coupeville Middle School-High School. In Oak Harbor, Readiness to Learn works in collaboration with the Opportunity Council, which sponsored a Back-to-School Giveaway program in early August. Throughout the year, Oak Harbor Readiness to Learn also helps foster and homeless children who arrive at school without needed supplies. “We’ve already identified 117 homeless children starting school in Oak Harbor this year,” LaVassar said. “And the Department of Children’s and Family Services office in Oak Harbor has referred another 20 foster children to us.” See SUPPLIES, page 6
Kasia Pierzga photo
First grader Lillyanna Tennis takes a break on the playground during her first day at class at Coupeville Elementary School. Labor Day weekend marked the end of summer freedom for kids in classes 1 through 12; kindergartners start classes on Friday.
Officials tap brakes on Parker plan By Justin Burnett Staff Reporter
Central Whidbey residents who were worried about Island Transit’s plans to re-align Parker Road and Highway 20 are breathing a sigh of relief this week as agency officials have vowed to take a second look at the proposed configuration. Robert Pelant, a member of a community committee formally opposed to the original design, said he was pleased Island Transit leaders appear to have taken to heart the public’s concerns. It’s a shame, he said, that last week’s public meeting – the event that served as the catalyst for the change in direction – didn’t take place sooner. People were as frustrated about the proposal itself as they were about feeling as though they had been left in the dark about the agency’s plans, he said. “Yes, it was about the Parker Road triangle, but it’s also about government transparency,” said Pelant, who is also CEO of the Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship. Island Transit has held multiple public meetings on the topic, but Pelant said he felt
this was the best-advertised and best-attended gathering yet, yielding a crowd of more than 70 people. The following day, Martha Rose, executive director of Island Transit, confirmed that her agency is “going back to the drawing board.” “We’re going to be looking at all kinds of alternatives, from roundabouts to rumble strips,” Rose said. She made it clear no promises are being made but said state and county partners in the project had already begun working with Island Transit officials on possible solutions. She declined to offer specifics, but said any new plan may incorporate Morris Road, which was the subject of concern at the meeting. She said she was optimistic that a solution
will be found. Island Transit is in the process of building a new headquarters at their current base on Highway 20 just south of Coupeville. Part of the plan is to create a second entrance and realign Parker Road. The existing end would be closed off as would Old Smith Prairie Road. The triangle-shaped section of field would be bisected by a re-routed Parker Road that would intersect with the highway. The plan has been ruffling feathers in the community since it was unveiled. Most of the concerns are safety related and centered on the lack of a left-hand turn lane for motorists traveling south down the highway. Island Transit officials have cited a lack See PARKER, page 6