News-Times Whidbey
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Turning cheese into gold Page A11
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013 | Vol. 114, No. 94 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Parks director throws in the towel Walker cites discord over tax-funded pool programs By SARA HANSEN Staff Reporter
walker
North Whidbey Park and Recreation District Director Bill Walker resigned at the end of the commissioners’ meeting
Thursday. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to work for the taxpayers,” Walker said. Walker submitted his 30-day notice. His last day will be Dec. 21. The news followed a lengthy discussion about balancing the budget. “I’m reporting to a commission as a body that is dysfunctional and too focused on one program,” Walker said.
Walker was referring to the North Whidbey Aquatic Club and Masters programs. During his 18 months as director, Walker said he’s defended the programs. Almost all residents who are not involved with NWAC or Masters do not understand why tax dollars go toward supporting the See resigning, A5
Navy to deliver sewer answer Monday PHoto by Janis Reid/Whidbey News-Times
A contracting crew places more than 1,000 cement blocks along the perimeter of Outlying Field Coupeville, a long-planned security measure to keep out unauthorized vehicles, said Navy representatives.
Jumbo blocks planted at OLF Navy beefs up security at field; closes Maylor trail By JANIS REID Staff reporter
More than 1,000 large cement blocks connected by thick cable are being installed around the perimeter of the Navy’s Outlying Field Coupeville.
AnniversAry
C e l e b r At i o n
The blocks are stamped with the words, “Government property, do not trespass.” They are a security measure to ensure unauthorized vehicles do not drive onto the field, according to Tony Popp, community relations director for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Popp said the Navy has not changed its security posture at OLF and has intended to install the blocks at the outlying field for some time. See security, A14
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December 2 – December 19 eArn tiCkets now!
For months, Sasha Castaneda told a tale that only seemed to raise eyebrows. A tale about spotting an enormous bull elk, sporting a “huge” rack of antlers. An elk so big and so still as she approached along a country road on North Whidbey in June that she was sure it was fake, clearly one of those life-size plastic imitations that people place in their yards. She was convinced of that until she slowed down and got an up close look at the animal standing in a field just off the road. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, this thing is huge,” she said. “When I looked at it, it turned. It looked at me. I kind of freaked out.” Castaneda remembers speeding off on that June morning, around 6 a.m., and heading to work with one wild story to tell. As it turned out, the tale wasn’t so wild after all. See lonely elk, A5
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Call of the wild: Lonely elk in search of a mate Staff reporter
Staff reporter
See sewer, A14
An image from a video clip shot in October of the bull elk on North Whidbey.
By RON NEWBERRY
By JESSIE STENSLAND
City officials may finally get an answer from the Navy base Monday on whether it will partner with Oak Harbor on a new sewage treatment facility. The answer could affect ratepayers’ bills to the tune of about $6 a month. Capt. Mike Nortier, commanding officer of Whidbey Naval Air Station, will be at City Hall at 10:30 a.m. Monday to deliver the answer in person. The city will host Nortier during a special meeting open to the public, said Mayor Scott Dudley. “I’m assuming what we will hear is the official ‘yay’ or ‘nay,’” he said, “and from what I’ve heard so far, it will most likely be a ‘nay.’” Dudley said Navy officials usually ask Councilwoman Beth
Photo courtesy of Sasha Castaneda
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