News-Times Whidbey
INSIDE: New sculpture dedicated
A3
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014 | Vol.124, No. 76 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | 75¢
School bd. prez new chamber director By JANIS REID Staff reporter
The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce announced Friday that Oak Harbor School Board president and local businesswoman Christine Cribb was appointed as its new director, effective Monday. “We live in a phenomenal community,” Cribb said Friday. “I’m humbled and excited.” Her predecessor, Kathy Reed, was fired Friday, Sept. 12. The board met and voted unanimously to end Reed’s employment, effective the CRIBB: same day. The board has not “We live in disclosed the reason for the a phenomfiring other than it wanted to enal commugo “in a different direction.” nity … I’m “We knew time is of the humbled and essence for finding someone excited.” to lead our organization,” Chamber President Jason McFadyen said. The chamber released an announcement Friday that Cribb had accepted the position. “She will bring not only her business career, public service, political background, and wealth of experience volunteering in our community, but she brings a commitment, the will and the tenacity to see Oak Harbor be all it can be,” McFadyen wrote in a statement to chamber members. SEE HIRED, A20
Photo by Jessie Stensland/Whidbey News-Times
Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley, at right, discusses ongoing financial problems at Island Transit as IT board member Jim Sundberg listens. Dudley was appointed to the board on a temporary basis and made it clear he wanted Rose out.
Rose out as transit chief By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
The embattled executive director of Island Transit quit Friday after a tense meeting with the board of directors and an hour-long executive session. It was unclear whether the board asked Martha Rose to turn in her keys during the closed-door session, or even whether she retired or resigned. The board members voted unanimously — with Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson participat-
ing via speakerphone — to accept Rose’s letter of resignation. Afterward, Rose said she was retiring, not resigning. Rose previously said she had no plans to leave, but changed her tune after the Oak Harbor City Council appointed Mayor Scott Dudley to the transit board on a temporary basis. He is filling in for Councilman Jim Campbell, who’s on an extended vacation. Dudley made it clear during the meeting and in an interview with the Whidbey News-Times Thursday that he would call for her to be SEE TRANSIT, A20
Mayor, ousted organizer battle over rights to marathon Facebook page By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
City of Oak Harbor administration and the former coordinator of the city-owned marathon are playing tug-of-war over a social media venue.
Mayor Scott Dudley said he was outraged that Tamra Sipes won’t hand over the proverbial keys to the Whidbey Island Marathon Facebook page. He maintains that the city owns the page because she was under contract when she created it.
Dudley said he will pursue the issue in court, if necessary. “If she really, truly cared about the community, if she cared about the marathon,” he said, “you would think she would make the transition easier than she has.”
Sipes said it’s her page and she has no plans to give it up. She said she worked hard to create something that has gained attention statewide and beyond; it’s valuable to her as a professional event planner based on Whidbey SEE PAGE, A20
Memory Care
Compassionate care tailored to your loved one. Medicaid Certified
1040 SW Kimball Drive | Oak Harbor, WA. 98277
(360) 279-0933
THE
BEST OF
WHIDBEY READERS CHOICE AWARDS