Record South Whidbey
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 | Vol. 90, No. 77 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
Jokinen
Parra
Shimek
Stephens
Stevens
Gilbert
There can be only one
MR. SOUTH WHIDBEY By KATE DANIEL South Whidbey Record Andy Gilbert is on a mission. On Oct. 4, Gilbert, co-founder of Whidbey Makers, will exit the lab and take to the stage at Freeland Hall to compete for the prestigious title of Mr. South Whidbey 2014. For this Freeland resident, the incentive to win the title is twofold: it is a chance to give back to his community as well as an opportunity to impress his wife, Mitsuru and his two-year-old son, Will. “There are not a lot of pageants for nerdy people,” said Gilbert with a chuckle. He noted that this will be his first time performing in an event of this kind.
“I was excited to see that this one accepted all kinds of people,” he added. After leaving Silicon Valley for a return to Whidbey, Gilbert said he was inspired by the island’s numerous “do-gooders,” and decided to take his high-tech knowledge to the nonprofit sector as a means of giving back and gaining fulfillment. “On Whidbey Island it’s not all about stuff that people have, it’s not a materialistic culture,” Gilbert said. “It’s more about what you do than what you have, so I just saw that there was an opportunity to do a lot more [good] things.” Although Gilbert opted to keep the details of his act secret until the night of the pageant, he said it will be much akin to “a ride at the fair,” incorporating lights, music and of course, technological enhancements.
“[Mr. South Whidbey] celebrates goofiness. I think this is good for the world. There are competitions like Mr. Universe and body building competitions and other ‘manly competitions.’ But this one is probably nothing like those,” Gilbert said with a laugh. The ninth annual Mr. South Whidbey pageant will contain all of the traditional elements such as Q&A and talent presentations, though as usual, contestants such as Gilbert may have their own surprises planned. According to Christi Ruscigno of the Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund committee, that element of the
Attentive neighbor rescues South Whidbey man squashed by stone
Commissioners approve fish, wildlife update By JANIS REID South Whidbey Record
No one is happy with fish and wildlife protection regulations approved Monday, but Island County commissioners are saying it’s a place to start. “I understand people’s
frustration with this,” said Commissioner Jill Johnson. “I straight up get it.” The ordinance update was required by the Growth Management Act SEE RULES, A16
SEE MR. WHIDBEY, A11
By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record
Record file photo
The Island County Commissioners on Monday adopted the fish and wildlife critical areas rules update. The regulations, a requirement of the Growth Management Act, has ruffled the feathers of farmers and environmentalists alike.
A Clinton man considers himself lucky to be alive after being crushed by 400-pound granite slab. Jim Grilliot’s neighbor Matt Kukuk heard his cries for help and ran over to the Hilltop Drive home on Sunday, Sept. 14. That’s where SEE HERO, A16