News-Times Whidbey
OH Garden Club making wreaths A11
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 | Vol.124, No. 98 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | 75¢
Defense bill funds five Growlers in 2015 By JANIS REID Staff reporter
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a national defense bill Thursday that grants funding for five EA-18G Growlers for the Navy, according to Congressman Rick Larsen. The $450 million earmark falls short of the Navy’s request earlier this year for 22 additional Growlers in the 2015 federal budget. However, the additional aircraft should allow the Navy to increase the size of its squadrons from
Council replaces mayor on IT board
five to seven, according to the United States Naval Institute. The bill must still be approved by the U.S. Senate. After that, it would go to the president for signature. Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley said the Growlers contribute to the vital role the base plays in the island’s economy and in the Navy’s strategic plan. “We’re in support; we welcome them with open arms,” Dudley said. “We think NAS Whidbey makes a whole lot of sense from a strategic position and also from an economic
Legislators press for ‘hush house’ By JANIS REID Staff reporter
North Whidbey resident Becky Spraitzar said a “hush house” on Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is one potential solution to aircraft noise complaints. In response to feedback from Spraitzar and others, legislators SEE HUSH HOUSE, A20
SEE GROWLERS, A10
Pass experience
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‘I’ve been the only one who’s been passionate about righting the ship’ By JESSIE STENSLAND Co-editor
Oak Harbor City Council booted the mayor from the Island Transit board for the new year. On Tuesday, council members criticized Mayor Scott Dudley while a handful of audience members asked them to let Dudley stay and berated Councilman Joel Servatius for trying to take a seat on the board during the last IT board meeting. “I saw a display of childish political grandstanding by Councilman Servatius,” said Jeff Lauderdale, former Island County commissioner candidate, “and I think he
embarrassed himself, this council and the city of Oak Harbor.” The majority of council members defended Servatius, saying that it’s up to the council to decide who represents the city on the IT board, and they wanted Servatius at that meeting. Several council members also chastised Dudley for visiting the Langley and Coupeville councils to urge their elected officials to change their representatives on the transit board. “It is not up to us, or our representative, to go around telling other municipalities SEE COUNCIL, A10
Photo by Ron Newberry/Whidbey News-Times
Haylee Fortinberry, 4, shows off a shell found on the beach at Deception Pass State Park during a late afternoon visit this week. Washington’s most popular state park, Deception Pass has drawn 2.7 million visitors in 2014, including more campers (125,000) than in any other year. See full story about Deception Pass on page A11.
Class-action lawsuit taking aim at island real estate companies By JANIS REID Staff reporter
A class-action suit filed against two Whidbey Island real estate companies claims they did not disclose to buyers the dangers of jet noise.
The lawsuit was filed against Windermere Real Estate and RE/MAX Acorn Properties. Filed Nov. 18 in Island County Superior Court, the lawsuit alleges that the real estate agents’ “deceptive acts or practices have
occurred in their trade or businesses and were and are capable of deceiving a substantial portion of the public.” Only two plaintiffs are identified by name, but the class action suit asks for injunctive
relief for anyone who purchased real estate located in the county’s Airport Environs Mapped Impacted Areas on or after May 11, 1992. SEE LAWSUIT, A20
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