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SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015 | Vol. 91, No. 56 | WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM | 75¢
SW parks leaders dream of overnight camping
Fireworks ban a bust with recalling of ‘core values’ By KATE DANIEL Whidbey News Group A ban on fireworks in Island County seems unlikely now after one commissioner changed his mind on the potentially explosive policy change. They may, however, have come to an agreement on changes to the fireworks rules that would limit discharge of personal fireworks to July 3-5. The three commissioners met with Sheriff Mark Brown, who also serves as the county fire marshal, on Wednesday at the board’s weekly work session. A county attorney was just beginning to present a proposal when Commissioner Rick Hannold interjected. Though he previously supported a total ban on personal-use fireworks, he said he changed his mind after receiving a “considerable” amount of feedback from the community. “It’s very widely debated in the community,” he said. “But in my exuberance to put forth something that I thought would be enforceable by the sheriff and the prosecutor, I kind of lost track of who I really truly am and what I consider my core values, which are holding people responsible, making sure people are responsible for their own actions and holding them accountable.” “I think to ask for an outright ban at this point, considering the feedback I’ve gotten from people in the community, from both islands, would be ill-advised,” he said. Giving the fire marshal the authority to issue a ban on fireworks in the event of an emergency situation would be best, Hannold said.
By EVAN THOMPSON South Whidbey Record
Ben Watanabe / The Record
Jean Streitler nets a king salmon reeled in by Don Heggenes on Thursday near Port Townsend.
Ransom for a king
Season opener finds South Whidbey anglers eager to pay time tribute for a chance to hook the big one By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record The early bird gets the worm, and only the earliest of anglers can get the king. A veritable fleet of small boats loaded with anxious anglers took to the waters between Coupeville and Port Townsend this week with the hope of hooking into the most regally named sport fish in Puget Sound, the king salmon. Also called chinook, the king season is short and sweet. Opening day in Marine Area 9, the west side of Whidbey Island, was July 16. The season lasts until Aug. 15 but can close earlier depending on how many are caught. That means opening day is often frantic. On a Triumph fishing boat with a few South Whidbey die-hard king salmon anglers Thursday, the day started while the rest of Whidbey seemingly slept. Wake up was at 3:20 a.m., and the drive from the Maxwelton Valley to Bush Point and Lagoon Point saw only two other pairs of headlights, both heading south and away from the buzz of king salmon action. The boat launched by 4:45 a.m. and the first lines set up with the downrigger by 5:15 a.m. Then came the waiting. Ben Watanabe / The Record
SEE FIREWORKS, A16
SEE KING, A3
Jean Streitler holds a chinook to remove the hook from its mouth.
The South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District is looking at getting into the campgrounds business. The commissioners and district staff discussed the possibility of purchasing 30 acres of land adjacent to Community Park for a campground at its regular monthly meeting Wednesday. The property is owned by the Dora Gabelein Trust, and details such as cost were discussed in executive session. In a later interview, Director Doug Coutts said the district is still negotiating a purchase price. Coutts said he doesn’t know what the project will cost. There isn’t a concrete determination for how Parks and Recreation plans to use the land, Coutts said, but the main idea would be to create a campground with a design and layout similar to the South Whidbey State Park. “We’ve discussed the idea that a campground is a good idea,” Coutts said. “We haven’t looked at design, layout; we’ve discussed potential amenities, things that would be necessary and that would be needed for a campground. It’s not going to be your standard, asphalt RV park.” Following the state’s decision this spring to close the campgrounds at South Whidbey State Park due to the presence of tree rot, the South End has been without one of its prominent places for overnight camping. The nearest spot to camp is now in Coupeville. Advocates for an overSEE CAMPGROUNDS, A5