Record South Whidbey
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 | Vol. 91, No. 31 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
A South Whidbey metropolitan parks, recreation district? By KATE DANIEL South Whidbey Record South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District officials continued a discussion last week of a possible ballot measure that would fundamentally alter its constitution by transi-
tioning to a “metropolitan” designation. Director Doug Coutts said he initially proposed the idea because it would allow commissioners and staff to plan further ahead with a set budget for maintenance and operations, which would stay constant for more
than six years. At a regular business meeting Wednesday evening, commissioners and Coutts took public comment and answered questions on the matter. Lou Malzone, a Freeland resident, noted
that he had reviewed state law and had not found any language that says a district could move to place a measure on the ballot on its own, that it could only do so via a public petiSEE DISTRICT, A24
Ben Watanabe / The Record
People walk up Second Street from Anthes Avenue for the annual Welcome the Whales Parade in Langley on April 18.
Tons of fun but no whales at parade Large crowd enjoys sunshine, community at annual event
By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record Whales, orcas, jellyfish, salmon, a sea star and a ghost shrimp were all spotted strolling through Langley on Saturday during the annual Welcome the Whales Parade. Langley continued its yearly tradition of welcoming the whales April 18 as people, many of whom dressed like the aforementioned creatures, flowed through Second and First streets. The sight, much like a whalewatching trip, drew plenty of onlookers for pictures of the cavalcade, following them down to Seawall Park for a short ceremony of readings, music and
a blessing. Participation was open to the public. The parade snaked from Anthes Avenue and Second Street up to Cascade Avenue, down First Street and hooked up with Anthes again to the park looking out over Saratoga Passage. People eagerly awaited any sign of whales, especially given the buzz that some gray whales were seen that morning in Everett and were headed west toward Whidbey Island. Alas, eager whale watchers were left largely to their own imaginations of the massive marine mammals spy hopping, spouting or rolling through the ghost shrimp-filled Langley shore. “We hope that, along with all the cel-
ebration and fun, you’ll learn more about these gray whales that visit us every year,” said Susan Berta, co-founder of Orca Network during the ceremony, wearing an Orca Network shirt and an orca-shaped hat. Demureness went out the window as people throughout the parading throng donned whale and marine-themed attire. Adults and children alike dressed as sea life, including Langley Mayor Fred McCarthy — reprising his 2014 parade role as the resident ghost shrimp — sporting the antennae, tail and large SEE PARADE, A15
Ben Watanabe / The Record
Adelynn Franks, 7, of Clinton shows off her seahorse face paint before marching in the Welcome the Whales Parade in Langley on April 18.