News-Times Whidbey
BUSINESS
Zombie crawl this weekend in Oak Harbor A4
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013 | Vol. 114, No. 39 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Paggao faces off against Iraq vet By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
Voters will choose in the upcoming election between the elder statesman on the Oak Harbor City Council and a former bomb disposal technician who would undoubtedly bring a new level of intensity to the elected body. Councilman Danny Paggao, the mayor pro tem, has served 20 years on the council and is seeking another four. He said his goal is to help make the city the “most livable” in the country. “We were named as one of the top 10 most livable cities,” he said. “I would like to see us at No. 1.” Michael Piccone served two back-to-back tours of Iraq. His Explosive Ordnance Detachment team defused roadside bombs and trained Iraqi solders; he was medically discharged due to a back injury. He is a stay-at-home dad for two young boys and wants to bring new ideas and renewed energy to the city. “It is time for new thinking and fresh ideas on the City Council,” he said.
By JANIS REID
Patricia ‘Annie’ Martin
Staff reporter
Breast cancer survivor
Photo by Sara Hansen/Whidbey News-Times
A beaming Patricia “Annie” Martin, above, finished the last of her treatments in December. Below left, the chemotherapy medicine reminded Martin of the blood of Christ. She said that gave her strength during her treatments.
Faith, friends and family crucial in defeating cancer
Paggao and Piccone have very different styles of leadership. Paggao is a consistently calm voice on the council and has never been involved in the bickering that occasionally reared up over the last 20 years. Paggao explains his position, but rarely expresses strong feelings about issues. One exception, however, is See Council, A12
County to hold hearing on pot
‘Look beyond the storm, and you can find the good’
By SARA HANSEN
A Staff Reporter
Photo provided by Todd Martin
fter a long Labor Day weekend in 2009, Patricia “Annie” Martin learned she had breast cancer. Shortly after the discovery on Oct. 6, 2009, she underwent a lumpectomy to remove the 4.7 centimeter tumor, along with the 13 lymph nodes. This was only the beginning on
her road to recovery. Martin said the fear of not knowing what the treatment entailed was scary, and she asked God to show her a sign that it was going to be OK. During her first chemotherapy appointment, when they brought out the red medicine, she said she saw it as a symbol for the blood of Christ. That, she said, gave her the strength she needed. See SURVIVOR, A13
See POT, A12
YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER
SELLING QUALITY JEWELRY FOR 22 YEARS Wanted: quality consignments.
830 SE Pioneer Way Oak Harbor
• Diamonds & Bridal Jewelry • Gold, Silver & Fine Jewelry • Vintage & Estate Jewelry • Buy & Trade Jewelry • Repairs & Consignments • Layaway Welcome
We Buy Gold, Silver, Coins, Diamonds, & Estate Jewelry
With little discussion, Island County commissioners set a date for the public hearing on a proposed moratorium on new marijuana production and sales. The commissioners will hear public comment at 10:15 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in the commissioners’ hearing room at the county courthouse. The county is following the lead of the Oak Harbor City Council, which adopted a sixmonth moratorium on new marijuana production and sales on both recreational and medical marijuana last month. The move to control the industry is in response to the passage of Washington State law Initiative 502, which allows for the production, sale and use of recreational marijuana. While the commissioners agreed last month to inform the state of their plans for a moratorium, they have yet to review draft moratoriums or talk about specific regulatory options. While the details of the law are still being hammered out, the state Liquor Control Board announced plans to roll out specific procedures and criteria by Dec. 1 2013, according to the resolution to adopt the moratorium. A six-month moratorium would allow the county to
2013 Est 1991
360-679-3700
Tues-Fri 11-5:30 • Sat 10-5
22 years at the same location • Ask for Gloria!
We Buy Gold, Silver, Coins, Diamonds, & Estate Jewelry