Record South Whidbey
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Falcons take to the courts See...A8
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014 | Vol. 90, No. 81 | WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM | 75¢
Forks police nab alleged South Whidbey burglar
Arts board plans plaza party, future work By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record
By JUSTIN BURNETT South Whidbey Record One of South Whidbey’s most wanted is in police custody this week. Christian Shorey, 34, was arrested in Forks on Sunday after allegedly burglarizing a bar. He was ar raigned Thursday in Clallam County Superior Court, and Shorey is facing charges of second-degree burglary and theft in the second degree — both felonies. He’s being held in the Clallam County Corrections Facility in Port Angeles on $10,000 bail. Shorey has been on the lam in Island County for months. He is a person of interest in the September armed robbery of Wells Fargo Bank in Clinton, and is also wanted on a $10,000 felony warrant for Burglary second degree and failure to appear in court. It’s unclear just when Shorey will make it back to Island County to face charges here, but Sheriff Mark Brown said he was confident it will happen at some point. “I can’t see that not happening,” Brown said. “The question is when.” “The good news is he’s in custody,” he added. Shorey was arrested Sunday morning in the Rain SEE SHOREY, A11
Justin Burnett / The Record
Democrat and Island County commissioner candidate Karla Jacks speaks a forum in Freeland Wednesday while Republican Rick Hannold listens.
Candidates vie for voter favor at Freeland election forum
By JANIS REID South Whidbey Record There was more than one surprise at Wednesday’s candidate forum in Freeland where both local and national issues were discussed by general election candidates. Island County commissioner candidate Rick Hannold told the audience that the threat of global warming is largely overstated. “I feel it’s just part of the natural course of things,” said Hannold, a Republican. “You can skew the facts either way depending on who’s paying for the study.”
No matter how you view climate change, said Hannold, the county leaders need to be good caretakers of environmental resources with balanced solutions that aren’t “at the expense of our businesses.” His Democratic opponent Karla Jacks disagreed stating that climate change is a real threat that needs to be mitigated. “We are experiencing global warming,” said Jacks. “I think we need to help promote protections of our cli-
Judy Thorslund knows firsthand the importance of “empowerment through community.” President of the board of directors for the non-profit South Whidbey Homeless Coalition, Thorslund has spent decades working to help those without permanent housing and is no stranger to nights spent out in the cold — she was once homeless herself.
With Whidbey Island’s homeless now estimated to number in the hundreds, it’s an issue Coalition members like her say is crying out for public attention. Some needs to be done, and the group is ready to lead the way.
By the numbers According to Good Cheer Food Bank & Thrift Stores, there are an estimated 400 people on Whidbey Island
“Sue’s work is a beautiful sculpture.” Frank Rose Langley Arts Commission
who are without permanent housing, including those who are couch surfing or living temporarily with other families while in search of permanent housing. According to the South Whidbey School District, approximately 80 or more are children. That compares to about 44 people in San Juan County, about 9,294 in King County and 18,839 statewide.
small turnout but thrilled with the quality. He cited the quick turnaround from the formation of the commission to the September deadline for entries and target date of Nov. 1 for installation as reasons for the small number of submissions. “Next time around, we’re going to really get the word out,” Rose said. Both selected works are towering sights. “Ocean Waves,” by Langley artist Sue Taves, stands nearly 7 feet high and is made of Eastern Washington basalt. The finished cuts undulate like the waves just offshore
SEE HOMELESS, A9
SEE ART, A11
SEE FORUM, A19
Fight for homeless continues on South End By KATE DANIEL South Whidbey Record
The Village by the Sea’s first city-financed public art installations will feature works inspired by sea and sky. The Langley City Council approved the Langley Arts Commission’s recommendation Monday to display “Ocean Waves” and “Sun Catcher” in the plaza on Second Street for a year. Now the arts commission is preparing for an unveiling party at 5 p.m. on Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31. Only three sculptures were submitted to the arts commission for consideration. Frank Rose, chairman of the commission and himself an artist, said he was disappointed in the