RECORD D
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SOUTH WHIDBEY
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 | Vol. 89, No. 78 | WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM | 75¢
Political hopefuls give pitches to chamber
Fishing in the fall
By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record Election season kicked off on South Whidbey this week with six candidates attending a Freeland Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Though only briefly speaking — about seven minutes — to a small crowd of 25 people, including the candidates, it was a prelude to several upcoming forums concerning races that will appear on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot.
By CELESTE ERICKSON South Whidbey Record
“I feel like we have systemic failure at all levels of Island County government.” Ed Jenkins, commissioner candidate Port of South Whidbey
For five of the candidates at Tuesday’s forum, it was an inaugural taste of the political limelight. Curt Gordon, a commissioner for the Port of South Whidbey, is the only incumbent. Freeland Chamber member Louis Muniz moderated the event, asking each candidate two questions. The port candidates were the most divergent, with Ed Jenkins being heavily critical of both port commissioners and district projects, such as the marina. “I feel like we have systemic failure at all levels of Island County government,” he said, later adding that he wants to “remove deadwood throughout Island County.” He argued that the port’s ongoing and highly publicized effort at boosting Island County’s economy — enlarging South Whidbey Harbor in Langley — is a sinking venture. Gordon, the port district’s president, is a stalwart supporter of the $2.4 million South Whidbey Harbor project. Jenkins rejected SEE FORUM, A12
Sign theft, vandalism raise candidate ire
Justin Burnett / The Record
Freeland resident Dana Harkins bundles up Wednesday for a cold day of fishing at Lagoon Point on South Whidbey. Like many on the beach that morning, Harkins sat waiting for the wind and waves to settle down before making her first cast.
Candidate Rocco Gianni had some heated words for those stealing candidates’ signs during a South Whidbey School Board meeting Wednesday. Gianni said seven of his campaign signs have gone missing and has heard his opponent, Betty Bond, has lost some as well. Gianni and Bond are running for Position 5 on the school board. The seat is currently held by Jill Engstrom, who has decided not to seek reelection. Defacing, destroying and stealing signs is “not cool,” he said during a public comment period. Gianni said some signs had profanity written on them, while others were thrown in yards and stolen. “If you’re an adult, shame on you,” he said. “If you’re a student, I’m embarrassed … this is not what I taught you in my classes.” Bond said she was not sure how many or if her signs were stolen or vandalized. As to why this might have happened, there are only theories at this point, she said. “Vandalizing is immature behavior,” she said. “But it’s not the focus of the campaign.” She said she wants people to know that political signs are paid for by those who invested in her campaign, not her. Bond said the sign issue is small; her experience and qualifications are what people need to be focused on, she said. “The signs are not the focus of our message,” she said. “The message is the focus of SEE SIGNS, A12