News-Times Whidbey
SPORTS Young runners get a bit of color A9
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013 | Vol. 114, No. 67 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Projected growth seen as boon for OH NAS Whidbey pop. to rise to 2007 levels over five years By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
The number of military personnel at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is estimated to increase by 1,245 people during the next five years as additional P-8A squadrons move in. The increase, if it holds true, will bring the base back up to 2007 population levels. Cac Kamak, senior planner for the City of Oak Harbor, estimates that the increase may translate to 2,530 extra people, both military personnel and their families, living on North Whidbey as a direct result of the new squadrons. Kamak presented the information to the City Council during a recent meeting in which the city adopted Island County’s 20-year population projection. The business community is pleased with the projections. “That’s really going to be a huge economic boost,” said Gerry Oliver, a real estate agent in Oak Harbor. “It’s really a wonderful thing.” Oliver said the growth will help with the current inventory on the market now, as
Photo by Ron Newberry/Whidbey News-Times
Al Montano is part of a subcontracting team working for Oak Harbor-based Waldron Construction, which is building townhouses in Oak Harbor near Fort Nugent Park. Subcontractor Greg Hamming, who owns a framing company, said business has picked up since 2012. well as the rental market. He predicted the growth will also help the bellwether construction industry. Oliver also said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen’s
announcement about new squadrons “gave a boost of confidence to the construction industry” located on North Whidbey. When it comes to municipal planning,
Kamak said projecting population changes is a vital step in the process of updatSee PROJECTION, A24
City Council to examine chamber funding By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
A fight may be brewing over public funding of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Oak Harbor City Council is set to consider renewal of a $72,000-a-year contract with the chamber during its Sept. 17 council meeting.
Councilman Rick Almberg is asking that the contract be considered earlier than usual so that the nonprofit organization will be in a better position to take part in his proposed initiative to lure new Navy families to live inside the city. Mayor Scott Dudley said he will take the opportunity to talk with the City Council about reconsidering the amount the city gives to the chamber. Dudley wants the council to consider looking at other
See FUNDING, A10
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