Whidbey News-Times, November 14, 2012

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News-Times Whidbey

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2012 | Vol. 113, No. 91 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢

LIVING: Fest of schools opens eyes to learning. A14

Power struggle continues with council, mayor money to boot. Since taking office in January, Dudley has fired It took an hour of meanderthe city administrator, the ing arguments, but the Oak police chief, the fire chief Harbor City Council came and two city attorneys. The to an unanimous decision on majority of council members the latest in a series were critical of of maneuvers that Dudley for firerode Mayor Scott ing the leaders Dudley’s authority. and for not actAt the meeting ing quickly to last Wednesday, the fill many of the council members empty positions. approved a motion Councilman that directs staff Joel Servatius, members to prepare who made the an amendment to the original motion, city’s employee poli- Scott Dudley said his motive cy manual to limit was to ensure the mayor’s ability to that “key leadership posiappoint interim employees tions” are filled in a timely in administrative or departmanner. ment-head positions, such as Grant Weed, the interthe city administrator, fire im city attorney, said he chief and police chief. researched the legality of Specifically, the motion the motion and found that would allow the mayor to there’s little guidance in appoint interim administracase law. He said state law tors to two 90-day terms, clearly gives the mayor the after which any extension authority for hiring employwould require approval by ees and managing the day-tothe city council. day operation of the city; on As the policy currently the other hand, he said the stands, the mayor can recouncil has the authority to appoint employees to serve confirm the mayor’s adminas interim administrators istrative appointments. every 90 days in perpetu“An indefinite series ity. Several members of the of interim appointments council were especially concerned that Dudley hasn’t See POWER, A11 made any progress in finding a permanent city administrator; he appointed Larry Cort to fill the position on an interim basis, arguing that filling the seat isn’t a top priority since Cort is doing a great job and saving the city

By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter

Kathy Reed/Whidbey News-Times

Women veterans of World War II wave at spectators during the first Veterans Day parade Saturday in Oak Harbor.

Paying tribute to Oak Harbor vets By KATHY REED Staff reporter

See PARADE, A13

Kathy Reed/Whidbey News-Times

Grand marshal Harry Ferrier, a survivor of the Battle of Midway, smiles from the front seat of a classic convertible during the Veterans Day parade.

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Oak Harbor’s first Veterans Day parade was an unqualified success. Mother Nature poured on the sunshine and hundreds of people lined Pioneer Way downtown to watch the procession, which honored all branches of the Armed Forces, police and firefighters. Two EA-6B Prowlers from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 got the parade rolling with a flyover down Pioneer Way. A Marine Corps color guard preceded the grand marshal, who was none other

than Oak Harbor’s sole Battle of Midway survivor, Harry Ferrier. NAS Whidbey Island, Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, the Maj. Megan McClung Marine Corps League, Oak Harbor High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion also carried the colors to honor both veterans and active duty personnel. NASWI commanding officer, Capt. Jay Johnston, walked alongside members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, who rode in classic cars provided


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