Saturday, August 2, 2014 • The South Whidbey Record
WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM
Page A7
MARK
Mayor’s beat ‘Crossing the Bar’ — Losing Schell was losing a mentor, friend By FRED MCCARTHY Mayor of Langley
McCarthy
LETTERS CONTINUED FROM A6
lease, I provided Mr. Walker with options for continuing golf course operations. My suggestions were rejected. In early July, the district began draining a large wetland on the 18th hole. Where the water went and what the quality of the water was is unknown because there was no testing conducted and no controls placed on the discharge. The district brought in heavy equipment to begin filling and grading the property, and dug and connected a side sewer. It then connected temporary power and brought in a trailer to act as the new pro shop. Incredibly, all of this activity was conducted without having obtained permits from the county. Mr. Walker stated that he did not think that they needed permits. Once the county was alerted, they required that all construction activities cease until proper permits were applied for and granted. Mr. Walker has been aware for months that we disputed the district’s rights to use our property. Despite this, instead of seeking a determination of their rights before proceeding, Mr. Walker has elected to proceed with his plan for how things should be done, spending an estimated $100,000 in the process. What if he is wrong? What if the court determines that the district has no easement? What is the exit strategy? It is irresponsible to spend the rate payer’s money in this fashion. KEVIN HANCHETT Holmes Harbor Golf, LLC
Bluff Sound Off on shaky foundation Editor, The July 26 “Sound Off” by Kathleen Waters alleges the
This past week the City of Langley lost a passionate advocate for community development, the arts community lost one of its foremost cheerleaders and one of its most generous benefactors, and his lovely wife lost her life companion. Many of us feel like we lost a mentor and friend with the passing of Paul City of Langley is not making proper use of $500,000 in Island County grant funds, originally allocated to a Wharf Street upgrade request eight years ago. Unfortunately, the article has several inaccurate assertions that need to be corrected: 1. The original grant was revised to apply to a funicular/elevator pedestrian access project, so it can no longer be used for Wharf Street changes. In 2013 the original grant request was expanded by an additional $258,000 towards the funicular/elevator proposal, bringing total grant funding to $500,000. Since parking at the marina is very limited, the city and the Port of South Whidbey agree that providing easier pedestrian access is key to expansion of marina usage. 2. The city has undertaken a number of steps to stabilize the bluff, which was subject to surface runoff sloughing last year, not a collapse. Expert consultants advised the removal of a number of overgrown, heavy tree tops because they could cause further sloughing. New appropriate native plantings have been established in the two sloughed-off areas. 3. Most importantly, ground water seepage has been addressed both by moving Cascade Avenue back from the bluff some 6 feet, and by extensive improvements to storm water drainage under Cascade Avenue. These recent improvements, part of the Second Street project, direct excess rain runoff away from the top of the bluff. Additional native plantings are planned for the top of the Cascade Bluff. 4. Acting upon expert engineering advice, the city has set up a laser-calibrated monitoring program along Cascade Bluff, providing accurate data on whether any
Schell. His enthusiasm for life on Whidbey Island and in Langley was contagious. His ability to appreciate the big picture, but also to see the smallest detail was why he was such a successful attorney, developer, and mayor of the City of Seattle. He usually started his conversations with me like this: “Don’t you just love Langley? Look at this beau-
further subsidence is occurring. 5. The current countyapproved grant for either a funicular or elevator for easy pedestrian access from Cascade Avenue to the marina area would have minimal impact on the bluff, much less than major retaining walls and widening of Wharf Street. It should also be a boon to all property owners at the base of the bluff, including the Port of South Whidbey. JIM SUNDBERG Langley City Councilman
Commissioner race
Vote Karla Jacks for commissioner Editor, I pray that people will research who they are voting [for] for Island County Commissioner District 3. If you look at Karla Jacks, you will see she is the obvious choice. Karla has lived on Camano Island for 20-plus-years raising her three sons with her husband Jay. Her family roots go much further back with grandparents owning summer property on Whidbey
tiful Island where we live. Isn’t being the mayor just the best job ever? I loved being the mayor of Seattle. By the way, you are doing a great job!” He and Pam have set a very high bar for us for community development and passionate support of the arts. Life is such a precious gift. We have so many opportunities each day to make a difference in the lives of others. Paul
Island. Her boys will be the fifth generation enjoying the family property on Whidbey, being raised on Camano. She earned her degree at Washington State University and MBA at Oklahoma City University. She has touched so many people’s lives in one way or another from small children to seniors. I will give you just three examples from her long list of accomplishments. Seniors—Karla has been the Executive Director of the Camano Center since 2007 and helped build it to what it is today. One of the programs she has put into place for the Camano Island seniors is the Disaster Registry Program. This program pairs elders with a neighbor who can step in and check on them during heavy snows, storms and power outages. Teens—Karla was involved in Stanwood High School football, wrestling and swimming programs. In 2013 she led a fundraiser to replace the floor in the high school weight room as it was deemed unsafe. She also led fundraising to help the swim team have a place to practice for two years when the only
Time to Right-Size? Come to The Highlands
made a difference in his public service, in his personal life, in his professional life, and in his generous giving of time, talent, and treasure to so many of us. May we return the gift in our own lives by creating a high quality vision for our city, by generously giving of our time and resources, and by serving others every day. Respectfully, Fred
pool in Stanwood closed. Elementary Age—Karla co-wrote and piloted the Peer Buddy Program at Church Creek Elementary in 2000. This is a program designed to build friendships between children with disabilities and their peers. She took this program statewide and spoke to many schools and parent groups around Washington. Karla is/has been diligently meeting with people to learn more about the county and assess its needs. As a part of her heritage she is running for Island County Commissioner to help make the right decisions for what is best for everyone who lives here for years to come. LAUREL NIVEN Camano Island
221-5525 www.theclyde.net Tickets $7, under 17 or over 65, $5
2nd CHANCE WEEKEND
2 MOVIES - CHECK SHOW TIMES
Sat & Sun 5:00
MALEFICENT PG
Sat, Sun & Mon 7:30
Heart-warming drama
BELLE PG
Tues, Wed & Thurs 7:30
Visit the Sandpiper model
Thursday through Sunday, 1-4 pm Starting from $336,500
www.LangleyHighlands.com 360.221.1026
Roger Ebert’s story
LIFE ITSELF R
Coming soon: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Earth to Echo, comedian Brian Moote
THE DATE
• August Publications & Deadlines
•
Coupeville Arts Festival Tab
publishes August 6 & 7 A commemorative look at 50 years of celebrating the arts and giving back to the community
•
South Whidbey School Calendar
sales deadline August 1 publishes August 30 useful for parents of school-age children
•
Fall Sports Guides
sales deadline August 20 publishes Sept. 17 & 18 A guide to High School Sports Activities
•
I Love Coupeville Portrait sales deadline August 28 publishes Sept 11 Photo on September 6th at the Coupeville Farmers Market Green
• September 2014 Deadlines & Holidays: Labor Day Sept. 1 Autumn Begins Sept. 22
•
Central Whidbey Non-Profit Guide
sales deadline August 15 publishes Sept. 11 The ONLY comprehensive directory of non-profit organizations located in Central Whidbey
•
Farm Tour Tab
sales deadline August 15 publishes Sept. 10 & 11 Guide includes a complete tour map and articles about participating farms
•