RECORD D SOUTH WHIDBEY
INSIDE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013 | Vol. 89, No. 88 | WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM | 75¢
Goodies galore
South Whidbey seniors claim final home win See...A8
Whidbey General Hospital says again, partnership not in future By NATHAN WHALEN South Whidbey Record With Whidbey General Hospital asking voters to approve a bond to pay for an expansion, one critic is arguing for hospital leaders to try something different. Mark Borden, one-time hospital emergency room physician turned staunch Whidbey General critic, thinks it would be a godsend if the hospital would partner with a larger company, such as Providence Health and Services.
Celeste Erickson / The Record
Jessi Lacewell, 3, and Piper Pontius, 4, think long and hard before deciding on a piece of candy while trick-or-treating Thursday.
Hungry trick or treaters find fun, treats on South Whidbey By CELESTE ERICKSON South Whidbey Record Residents roamed South Whidbey sidewalks and events Thursday with one goal — candy. Langley’s Spooktacular drew many ghosts, supermen and Disney princesses to the business center seeking treats.
approval of the larger number. “I think the council will opt for the lower-end numbers,” said Mayor Fred McCarthy. Water rates were changed in 2012 to a monthly base rate of $30 up to 3,750 gallons for residential units. Under the plan proposed by Public Works Director Maria Cablao, a single family residence would pay a fixed, bi-monthly rate of, at most, $88.90 or, at least, $86.38 for up to 8,000 gallons. SEE BUDGET, A20
SEE HOSPITAL, A13
SEE HALLOWEEN, A20
Langley budget calls for rate hikes, mayoral raise
Ben Watanabe / The Record
Boy and Dog Park stair renovations are part of Langley’s proposed 2014 budget.
Water, sewer and stormwater rates may rise for Langley residents. Utility fees for Langley residents could spike as much as 6 percent next year, according to Langley Mayor Fred McCarthy’s 2014 budget proposal. McCarthy will present the draft plan to the city council Monday, Nov. 4, at City Hall. The included rate adjustment proposes a hike of 3 to 6 percent, and McCarthy is not expecting
Mark Borden, medical doctor
“It would make the difference between a crummy hospital with a terrible reputation in our community and a good hospital,” said Borden, a Coupeville resident. He blasted the leadership of current CEO Tom Tomasino, accusing him of dismantling the medical staff. He said the changes outlined in the hospital’s proposal, which includes single patient rooms, are unnecessary. “Voting ‘No’ opens the door on hospital reform,” Borden said. Whidbey General leaders, on the other hand, said such partnerships would sacrifice local control and could lead to a loss of health services and jobs on Whidbey Island. Borden has an acrimonious relationship with Whidbey General Hospital, where he had worked in the emergency room for years. In 2011, his position with Northwest Emergency Physicians, the company
Four-year-old Piper Pontius dressed as Rapunzel for the night along with her sister Jessi Lacewell, 3, who wore a costume she conceived herself — “spiderina.” This was their second Halloween trick-ortreating in Langley. Pontius said she enjoyed decorating her house and getting candy
By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record
“Voting ‘No’ opens the door to hospital reform.”