Examiner The Whidbey
First place winner, 2014 WNPA General Excellence
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
www.whidbeyexaminer.com
Thursday, October 16, 2014
50¢
Think Pink! VOL. 20, NO. 10
Finding strength Four apply
for port’s top spot By Megan Hansen Co-Editor
Port of Coupeville commissioners should be choosing a new executive director next month. The port received four applications for the position and plans to interview the candidates during the next regular meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the Coupeville Library. After interviewing the candidates publicly, the board will convene in executive session to discuss whom to choose, Commissioner Marshal Bronson said. Current executive director, Tim McDonald, was hired in December 2013. He submitted his resignation this summer for personal reasons and said he’d stay until the end of the year. Of the four candidates, two are familiar with the port. Damon Stadler, current handyman for the port, submitted his application. In his cover letter, Stadler suggested combining his current position and the executive director position. Citing his field experience and current relationships with suppliers and officials, Stadler suggested it would be a good fit. “I believe with the proper adjustments this could aid in the port’s needs,” he said. Current port volunteer David Day also applied for the position. Day has currently been working on an application for the National Heritage Preservation Grant for the port. He has also been volunteering and shadowing McDonald on various projects including the fuel float replacement project, drafting the request for proposals for Greenbank Farm management and other various port operations. In his various efforts, Day says he has gained an understanding of how the port operates with its mission, vision and goals. Day has been involved previously in the community, serving on the Town of Coupeville’s Planning Commission, the Ebey’s Forever Fund Board, and the Friends of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, serving as board president. “I feel that the position of executive director for the Port of Coupeville offers
See PORT, page 16
Megan Hansen photo
When Lynda Eccles was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she said she found a strength she didn’t know she had. With a positive attitude and the support of her friends and family, she survived cancer not just once, but twice.
Positive attitude key in survival By Megan Hansen Co-Editor
When Lynda Eccles was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she’d already lost one sister to the disease and watched another go through the same diagnosis six months prior. “When my doctor first told me my initial reaction was, ‘Get it out of me,’ ” she said. “I wanted it gone. “It was back when the 'C' word was terrifying. I was absolutely terrified, but not once did I think I was going to die. I eliminated that thought from my head.” Throughout the experience, Eccles said she found a strength she never knew she had. Much of that strength, she said, was with the support of friends and family. Her sister having just gone through it helped, she said, and provided the support she needed. Eccles is originally from England and moved to the states after her first sister was diagnosed. She moved to Coupeville eight years ago and serves as the executive director of the
Coupeville Chamber of Commerce. “While thousands of miles apart, we were constantly on the phone to each other comparing our treatments and how we felt,” she said. “Being so far away from all your family when you go through something like this is difficult, but I am so lucky to have a wonderful and supportive husband and two amazing children and the support of friends surrounding me.” Eccles’ first brush with cancer required a lumpectomy and chemotherapy and radiation treatments. While everyone’s experience with treat-
ment differs, Eccles’ response with chemotherapy wasn't the best. During the time, whenever she could, Eccles fought for normalcy, going to work on good days. “With a woman, it’s all the emotions that go through it” she said. “You just got to fight, not let the negative get to you.” When Eccles lost her hair, she wore wigs and made a point to have fun with it. “What helps is if you find some humor out of something,” she said. “I really, honestly be-
See SURVIVAL, page 16