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Thursday, AUGUST 21, 2014
VOL. 20, NO. 2
Proposed marijuana business pulls out
Cria culture
By Megan Hansen Co-Editor
One of three applicants for recreational marijuana-based businesses on Whidbey Island is pulling its application. Ester Bandelin Rodriguez said the planned Coupeville-based Salish Sea Industries is withdrawing its land-use permit due to federal regulation conflicts. Rodriguez, along with Judy and Josh Harvey, and Mark Rodriguez proposed to build a 3,833-square-foot barn for the production and processing of marijuana on Edgefield Lane off Engle Road. The problem, Rodriguez said, was part of the property includes a conservation easement with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust. “As there is a federal component to this easement, which provides little to no flexibility at present time, we simply do not wish to enter into a protracted legal battle with the federal government at taxpayer expense,” Rodriguez and her counterparts said in a prepared statement. Pat Powell, executive director for the Land
Trust, said she notified Salish Sea Industries that the terms of the conservation easement would not allow them to do something that is in violation of federal law. Powell said part of the $75,000 easement was paid for with federal funds. “The Land Trust has no position on this issue,” she said. “We just have to make sure property owners comply with easement regulations.” The proposed location for Salish Sea Industries lies within Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. County officials initially proposed banning pot businesses from the area, but that changed after Coupeville farmers said they were against restrictions that would treat Central Whidbey different from other areas of the county. While the permit was still in process, the public was invited to comment. One resident wrote against the proposed business, but Rodriguez said he was misinformed and thought all property within in the reserve is federally owned, when in fact a large
See BUSINESS, page 5
Port executive director submits resignation letter
Megan Hansen photo
Greenbank alpacas welcome visitors
It’s baby season at Pronkin’ Pastures Alpaca Ranch in Greenbank, and owners LeeAnna and Ron Jorgenson welcome visitors. The ranch, which will be a stop during the Whidbey Island Farm Tour next month, is right in the midst of birthing season with five baby alpacas, known as cria, and two more expected in the coming weeks. The most recent birth occurred last week, with the addition of Aladdin, who was named in honor of recently deceased actor Robin Williams. Regular hours to visit the ranch are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays and 12-4 p.m. Mondays or by appointment. For information, go to www.pronkinpastures.com
Tim McDonald, executive director for the Port of Coupeville, submitted a letter of resignation last week. It is a necessary transition, McDonald said. “For totally personal reasons, I need to move on.” McDonald is making his resignation effective Dec. 31, but said he is willing to stay on temporarily in the event the port does not find a replacement by then. “I want to thank the port board for providing outstanding leadership during my tenure,” McDonald wrote. “I have worked in the public sector for more than 35 years, and I hold
this current port board as the best and most dedicated board I have worked with.” McDonald started in his position in December 2013, replacing former executive director Jim Patton. The port will begin McDonald the process of finding a new executive director. The position is currently a salaried position earning $3,200 a month, or $38,400 a year.