News-Times
Living: Drama returns to high school stage A11
Whidbey
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013 | Vol. 114, No. 35 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Whidbey getting 49 P-8As Navy more than doubles Poseidons planned for base By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter Jessie Stensland/Whidbey News-Times
Wayne Lewis’ sculpture of a Native American, proposed for Pioneer Way, will be sent to be cast in bronze.
‘It’s what I do’: Artist giving works to city
The Navy this week said it plans to more than double the number of P-8A Poseidons destined for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Instead of the planned 24 planes, the Navy will station 49 of
the sub-hunting jets at the NAS Whidbey, said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, a Decond District Democrat. “If there was any lingering concern about the future of our naval bases, this news will lay it to rest,” said Larsen. “I have worked for over a decade with local leaders to make the case to the Navy why Northwest Washington is the best place to base these assets.” “The Navy clearly agrees.” Larsen was briefed Friday morning on the Navy’s strategic lay down plan for 2013-20, which outlines the change. See DOUBLED, A20
Ecology hears shoreline plan concerns
By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
It’s taken a couple of years of negotiating, but North Whidbey artist Wayne Lewis may soon send his 3-foot clay sculpture of a Native American to be cast in bronze. Lewis is donating the intricately detailed sculpture, named “Island Spirit,” to the city of Oak Harbor for display on Pioneer Way. He’s asking the city to foot the $6,500 bill for casting. He also has another gift for the city up his sleeve: He’s working on a sculpture of the Barringtons, a couple who were among the earliest pioneers in Oak Harbor. “I’m really interested in Whidbey Island history,” Lewis said. “I live here and I think people would really like to see these sculptures,” he added. “It’s my community service. It’s what I do.” Lewis’ statues will likely join other high-profile art pieces that have graced downtown since the renovation project on Southeast Pioneer Way was completed. The city’s Arts Commission directed the purchase of three pieces — the bronze Stumbly Ducklings and mermaid and the silvery Moon Waves — over the last couple of years at a cost of $30,000 each. During a recent City Council workshop, Senior Planner Cac Kamak said that the Arts Commission hopes to purchase an “eye-catching” piece for the entrance of the downtown area. He said the members plan to work with one of the artists who’ve already created downtown artwork. The estimated $30,000 is available in the Arts Commission budget. Kamak also informed the council members about Lewis’ sculpture of an Indian, which he said will be placed across the street from the mermaid statue. They were excited about the bronze artwork, but one councilman said they wished it was full-sized to match the mermaid. Lewis, known for creating the bronze Dutch Boy at Windjammer Park, said he decided to make a sculpture honoring the native people of Whidbey Island. It features See ARTWORKS, A20
Justin Burnett/Whidbey News-Times
Tim Jones, operations manager for Penn Cove Shellfish, inspects a string of mussels on one of the farm’s rafts Friday morning. Earlier this week, company officials voiced concerns at a meeting about Island County’s Shoreline Master Program.
Language in plan offensive, says Penn Cove Mussels owner
By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
Concerned residents and business owners took one last opportunity this week to voice their thoughts about Island County’s Shoreline Master Program. On Wednesday, the state Department of Ecology held an open house and public hearing in Coupeville. The agency, charged with reviewing and approving the county’s recently adopted program, will accept written comments for several more weeks,
but this was the department’s only scheduled public meeting before Ecology officials make a decision. Critics didn’t waste the opportunity as more than 35 people attended the three-hour event. Many of them took to the microphone to complain about specific sections of the program. AS WITH the many public meetings held last year, the hottest topics concerned aquaculture rules and regulations surSee COMMENTS, A8