2021 Marianne's Politiblog - intro READ ME

  Welcome to the 2021 edition of Marianne’s Politiblog. 

Yes, you’re supposed to read this part.

Yes, its an off year election. Not all that many positions or candidates. In fact, there were so few candidates that there was no need for a primary and the Elections Office had to hold a second filing period in August to recruit more candidates. Lets hear it for civic engagement.

On the other hand, the level of uncivility, craziness, and hostility toward public officials at all levels makes it understandable that people maybe don’t want to expose themselves to that. 

I will re-run something I raised last year. I continue to advocate for minimum standards for filing as a candidate: 1) be able to write a coherent sentence. 2) be able to articulate the job description of the post for which they are filing. 3) have sufficient internet know-how (or the funds to hire that know-how) to create a net presence. Most particularly in our still Covid limited world, voters should not have to go out physically to find information about candidates. In that regard I have to give credit to the Democrats, the Progressives, Indivisible, the League of Women Voters, and probably some I’ve overlooked for their work to present the candidates and their platforms. Notably absent from this list are the Republicans, who appear to be boycotting public outreach in this election. 

So, on to the basics:

First, you need to know that you are registered to vote. To check, go to https://weiapplets.sos.wa.gov/MyVote/#/login 

Ballots are supposed to go into the mail on October 15. Look for your ballot, and if you haven’t seen one by about October 22, contact the elections office at https://www.islandcountywa.gov/Auditor/Elections/Pages/Home.aspx 

The deadline for registering on line and by mail is October 25. For more information call 360-679-7366 or email   elections@co.island.wa.us. 

So, to make your vote count,

1. Try not to use the US Mail, now that Postmaster DeJoy has announced a very deliberate and planned slowdown. If you really have to use the mail, get your ballot in the mail by the Wednesday before election day, October 27.

2. If you really can’t do it earlier, bring your ballot to the Post Office counter on Tuesday, November 2 during business hours – usually before 4:00 pm. No stamp is needed.

3. Best option: Drop your ballot in one of the 6 ballot drop boxes before 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 2. They are located at:

    Island County Elections Office

    400 N Main Street    Coupeville

    Trinity Lutheran Church

    18341 Hwy 525    Freeland

    Ken’s Corner Shopping Center

    4141 Hwy 525 (at Langley Road)    Clinton

    Island County Camano Annex

    121 N East Camano Drive    Camano Island

    Langley Post Office, front patio

    115  2nd Street        Langley

    Oak Harbor City Hall

    865 SE Barrington    Oak Harbor

Here, once again, is Marianne’s regular disclaimer: I would never presume to tell you how to vote. That is very much your business. I’m merely telling you how I intend to vote (or how I would vote if I could in any particular race) and why. You can make your own decisions from there.

And once again, whatever you do, VOTE. And make sure everyone you know votes as well. Feel free to share this information widely. We have all learned from painful experience these last 5 years what happens when the wrong people are in positions of power. And, for that matter, here in Washington, what happens when the right people are in power at a difficult time. 

Here are the contested positions on the ballot – depending on where you live:

Whidbey Island Hospital District

Oak Harbor City Council

Oak Harbor School Board

North Whidbey Pool, Park, & Rec Board

Coupeville School District

Coupeville Port District

Langley City Council

South Whidbey School District

South Whidbey Fire/EMS

Stanwood-Camano School District

There are also the ever-popular “advisory votes” about convoluted and esoteric issues. Its good to know about them. And the Hospital District is asking for a very large levy lift. 

One issue I need to raise. If you’ve been living on the moon, you may not have noticed the polarization to the point of violence around such issues as Covid safety, equity, and climate change. The 

UNMASKED, UNVAXED, UNHINGED crowd have decided that the way to get what they want (more dead people?) is to invade our schools. This is a nationally orchestrated campaign and it is playing out here in Island County as well. A lot of good, hard-working, caring school board members are being challenged by these unhinged wingnuts. It is really important to know who is who and vote to keep our children safe, both physically and mentally. 

I’ve just receive the link:  https://popular.info/p/the-right-wing-operatives-orchestrating?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyNzY3ODc3NSwicG9zdF9pZCI6NDI1NjI5NjgsIl8iOiJRQjZNdSIsImlhdCI6MTYzNDI0NDQ1MiwiZXhwIjoxNjM0MjQ4MDUyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTY2NCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ._sjTh4hc2zdGl5Hi4l2TKe8huX-SGoo4J0_9ADAyZjc

This is a carefully researched story about the Koch Bros (remember them) sponsored national organization which is grooming, fostering, and organizing the local anti-school actions we’re seeing all over the country. Thus far it has come to near-violence in Marysville, Stanwood-Camano, Oak Harbor, Coupeville, and South Whidbey school board meetings. They weren’t able to get what they wanted smashing in the windows of the capitol on January 6, so now they’re coming after our schools. This is serious and we need to support the people currently on our school boards who are doing the hard work and doing it right.

And with that, we will finally get to the actual positions and candidates. Note that in most cases I have not researched people who are running unopposed.

Advisory Votes

  Advisory Votes

Here are the (thank you Tim Eyman for wasting all of our time and $ on this) Advisory Votes. These are bills which deal with taxes and impositions which have passed the legislature. The Advisory votes have no effect. They’re just an opportunity for anti-tax folks to vent. That said, legislators have been known to count noses before taking a stand on issues, so do make sure your nose is counted on these issues.

Advisory vote No 36 – ESSHB 1477

The legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, a 988 behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention tax on telephone lines, costing $432,000,000 in its first ten years for government spending.

This tax increase should be:

O  Repealed

O  Maintained

In October 2020 Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act. This act designates the number 988 as the universal number in the US for accessing the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline system. The act expressly authorizes states to collect a fee on commercial mobile services or internet voice services to ensure the efficient and effective routing of 988 calls to the appropriate call center and to ensure having personnel and crisis outreach and stabilization services available. 

The funding structure is designed to provide at least a 90% call response rate by 7-22-22. There’s more, about rules and standards for crisis call centers, collaboration with relevant agencies to create those rules, etc. And more and more, details about how all of this is going to work. 

Bottom line: do we want a functional suicide & mental health crisis hotline? For that matter, its not exactly our choice. Congress directed the states to do this, and Washington is doing it. Even without Congress, I think we can agree that we want a go-to number for people in crisis.

I will be voting to Maintain.

Advisory vote No 37 – ESSSB 5096

The legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, a 7% tax on capital gains in excess of $250,000, with exceptions, costing $5,736,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending.

This tax increase should be:

O  Repealed

O  Maintained

We’ve all been hearing about taxing the rich at the federal level, including by increasing the Capital Gains Tax back to somewhere near what it was before the recently removed ex-president dropped the rate. Most states have a state income tax and capital gains are taxed at the same rate as income. Washington is seriously backward in this regard. It has what may be the most regressive tax structure in the entire US. Since it does not tax income, there is (or was) no mechanism to tax capital gains, which is where rich people make a lot of their money. Since Washington is coming up seriously short, the legislature has passed a 7% Capital Gains Tax – but only on revenue of over $250k/year. People who are liable for the tax will be required to register with the state’s Dept of Revenue, and submit their tax paperwork and $ on or before the same day their federal taxes are due. The first taxes will be due in 2024. 

There’s a long list of what is taxable, and then a long list of who/what is exempt. There are a lot of exemptions, including donations to tax exempt organizations and B&O tax.

The first $500 mil taken in per year is dedicated to the Education Legacy Trust Account – which funds early childhood education and child care. 

It looks like this was a pretty contentious bill. It passed the Senate 25:24. 

I am in favor of redistribution of wealth, especially when it benefits those who need it most. Providing pre-school and child care will make it possible for a lot of young mothers to go to work, which means they will be contributing to the economy.

I will be voting to Maintain.

Advisory vote No 38 – 2SSSB 5315

The legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, a tax on captive insurers in the amount of 2% of premiums from owners/affiliates, costing $53,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. 

This tax increase should be:

O  Repealed

O  Maintained

Well, here’s a concept I’d never heard of, a captive insurance. To quote from the Final Bill Report:

“A captive insurance company is one created and wholly owned by one or more non-insurance companies to insure the risks of its owner(s). They may be formed to supplement commercial insurance, or to provide insurance for risk they are unable to cover with commercial insurance.” 

Evidently this system operates all over the country, including in Washington, but Washington never got around to regulating these captive insurers. Our very good Insurance Commissioner initiated an investigation and discovered at least 16 of these “captives” operating here. That investigation is ongoing. And that investigation motivated the legislature to regulate and tax these “captives”, just as it does other insurers. 

An eligible captive insurer is defined as an insurance company:

• partially or wholly owned by a corporation, company, nonprofit, or a public

institution of higher education;

• that insures risk of their captive owner, the owner's affiliates, or both;

• that has one or more insureds whose principal place of business is Washington State;

having assets that exceed its liabilities by $1 million and can pay its debts when they

come due, as verified by audited financial statements and prepared by an independent

certified accountant; and

• licensed as a captive insurer by the jurisdiction in which it is domiciled.

If I get all of this right, these ‘captive’ insurers have been operating under the radar and not paying any fees or taxes to the state. This legislation sets up a registration protocol with annual fees and a 2% tax on premiums taken in. 

This one passed the Senate 49:0 and the House 96:1. Sounds kind of popular.

I see no down side to this, and it does seem only fair that these entities be treated like all other insurers. I will be voting to Maintain. 

Hospital Levy & Hospital Commissioner

Hospital

Local Measures

Whidbey Island Public Hospital District

Proposition No. 1

The Commissioners of the Whidbey Island Public Hospital District, Whidbey Island, Washington (WhidbeyHealth) adopted Resolution No. 418, concerning a proposition to increase its regular property tax levy. If approved, this proposition provides funds to continue operations of WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and Clinics, including replacement of medical equipment and infrastructure, and personnel costs. The proposition authorizes a maximum regular property levy rate of $0.50/$1,000 of assessed value, for collection in 2022. The 2022 levy amount would become the base for computing the limitations for levies in subsequent years as provided in 84.55 RCW. 

Should this proposition be approved?

0 yes

0 no

This is a really hard one for me. I’ve lived here nearly 50 years, and in those years have had the unfortunate need to make use of the hospital’s services. Staff have been great. No complaint there. Management is another story. There have been so many mess-ups, face-plants, mistakes, and abuses that its hard for me to support the hospital. How did they manage to spend upward of $50 million on an expansion and redesign and somehow overlook provision for the in-house pharmacy? Its like building a house and forgetting the kitchen. All of which, of course, led to cost overruns. I do not lay any of this at the feet of staff, who do their best to work under whatever conditions are presented. I very much lay it at the feet of the Hospital Commission and the managers they hire. 

And that’s the nub of the hard part. If I were dealing with a child I would not give him/her any more opportunities to mess up until they had demonstrated some improvement. But the hospital district is not a child. I feel like all of us are being held hostage. We need the hospital, no question. We’re being told to pay up, whatever amount the commissioners decide – with the added twist of the knife that the new levy rate will become the bottom line for calculating a newer new rate in coming years. And if we don’t pay up, we lose the hospital. I hate extortion. I feel like the hospital commissioners are extorting from us. But I don’t see any alternative to giving in to their demands.

I’ve just read several letters to the editor in support of the levy lift, and I do see their points. No, I do not want to see the hospital district become a subset of Gonzo-meds-4-profit. And yes, its true that its been a very long time since a levy lift. Grudge, grudge. But I still want to see more transparency and responsibility on the part of the hospital board. It sure would help if we had honest and competent people challenging the current board members – or even making themselves an auxiliary board. 

I will be voting a reluctant yes – and asking the hospital board to demonstrate that they will spend the increased revenue wisely. 

Hospital Commissioner

Kurt Blankenship

Mr Blankenship is the incumbent, which does not make him a favorite. He also did not respond to my request for information. 

Its hard to find information about him. There’s the WhidbeyHealth profile: https://whidbeyhealth.org/member/kurt-blankenship. That’s a little confusing because it says he is in his 40^th year of practicing law in Louisiana. Kind of a long commute there. Evidently he has taken up permanent residence in January 2016. I admit I just didn’t have it in me to watch Hospital board meetings.

I just found a declaration by Mr Blankenship on behalf of COER in the case of Growler noise. My estimation of the man increases.

 

James Golder – ran against Rick Larsen in 2020. Since it was a crowded field, and he was facebook friends with right wing South Whidbey School Board member Damian Greene, played an awful lot of on line war games, and appeared to have spent no $, I wrote him off as “also ran.” This time around Mr Golder submitted responses to my questions, and even phoned to be sure I’d received them. 

I asked his opinion of masks and vaccines. He is 100% in favor, a firm believer that if everyone did so, we could/would beat the virus. He also credits mask wearing with sparing him and his wife the usual colds and flu. 

His responses:

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to your inquiry.

My family has been on Whidbey since 1980. My wife, Luella worked as a O.R. nurse at Whidbey Hospital for 17 years.
We have six children and six grandchildren , one Doctor and one future Doctor in the family. I have a Juris Doctorate from UPS and Notre Dame. 
I served 8 years as a State Legislator. Chairman of the Business Committee and chairman of the Ways and Means committee and served as a political appointee to the president in Washington D.C.

I am past president and current treasurer of Harris Custer Water Association. Past president Oak Harbor Friends of the Library, past board member Whidbey Library, past president Idaho Consumers Affairs, past president NAIFA.
Former owner Accurate Appraisals, Wallace metal reconditioning company, and an employment agency. I feel that I am qualified to help manage and make decisions regarding our county's only hospital. 

My goal is to improve Whidbey Health's overall reputation, recruit a wider number of health care professionals into service at our hospital and increase the pay for our over-worked and under-paid nurses. There has been low morale among some of the staff, the financial position of Whidbey Health is not consistently strong, and because of these and other issues, quite a few members of our community choose to travel to surrounding hospitals rather than use the local facility. 

My operating philosophy is as always: to do the greatest amount of good, for the greatest number of people.

My message is simple: I think I can help.

He was a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 1977 to 1984. 

And now some new information has come forward. Seems that while he was an Idaho representative, Mr Golder was in process of divorcing his wife and defrauding her of her share of the community property. A court found him guilt of fraud and “overreaching” (essentially bullying)  https://cite.case.law/idaho/110/57/

I do prefer people who represent my interests to be honest. I will be voting for the incumbent, Kurt Blankenship.

 

Oak Harbor City Council, Oak Harbor School District, North Whidbey Pool, Parks District

North Whidbey

Oak Harbor City Council

position 4

Fe Mischo

https://www.electfe.org/

1. Why are you running for this particular position? 

I want Oak Harbor to be the example for a better Washington. We can do that by investing in our residents, much-needed health services, greater resources, and an environmentally stable future.

2. What do you know about the powers and duties of this position? How does this office/board/commission accomplish its work? 

The City Council makes the decisions for Oak Harbor that affect all residents. Such as housing, housing development, business development, city finances, etc. We accomplish our work by voting as a majority. I will use this position to listen to our residents, city workers, and public services to move forward votes that will support them.

3. What do you hope to accomplish in this position? How do you use the powers of this office to accomplish your goals? 

I hope to bring affordable housing options to Oak Harbor, as well as green jobs, more access to social services, and to expand on our childcare and adult care options.

4.What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate? 

Housing has been our biggest problem in Oak Harbor. We know that investing in our residents now will cost a lot less in taxes later.

5.What relevant experience do you have? 

I have been a state and national advocate and know how to work with different levels of government. I have been a local volunteer for over 7 years and have seen and experienced first hand the struggles faced by our most vulnerable.

6.What will be your operating philosophy in office? 

It shouldn't have to happen to you for it to matter to you.

Community - Compassion - Commitment

7.What message would you like to convey to voters? 

I am a concerned citizen who wants better for our residents. I know what it's like to live paycheck to paycheck. I have experienced homelessness and domestic violence. I have lived, worked, and volunteered in Oak Harbor for 12 years. I love Oak Harbor and want the local government to work for all of us.

She has been endorsed by Mayor Bob Severns. 

Dan Evans

https://www.facebook.com/friendsofdanevans/

He ran for Island County Commissioner in 2020. He lost. Here’s from what I compiled a year ago:

Lives and works in Oak Harbor, American Family Insurance Agency. Board president of Oak Harbor Main Street. “This year we have been successful in stopping the LIHI housing project that was pushed by our current Island County Commissioner in an illegal zoning area in the city.”

My take on that: LIHI = Low Income Housing Institute. The proposal was for 51 units of affordable housing with retail businesses both at the Pioneer Way level and down below. 20% of the units would be set aside for veterans. The Pioneer Way business community had a meltdown over the very idea of having poor people actually living right there in the middle of their business district. It is very telling to me that Mr Evans touts proudly his work to prevent such housing. Imagine that attitude on the city council.

So, he hates affordable housing in Oak Harbor, but says he will make affordable housing a primary focus during his first 4 year term. This is more easily explained by knowing that he is the chosen candidate of Scott Thompson, the developer trying to push through Wright’s Crossing, the 1500 house proposal at Monroe Landing, well outside Oak Harbor. That project is dead – for now. As an Oak Harbor city councilman, I have no doubt Mr Evans would agitate to expand the city’s Urban Growth Boundary to include Monroe Landing. 

Last year his top two campaign contributors were named Thompson. This year, like every other candidate, Mr Evans claims to have received no contributions at all.  

Also last year, on July 4, Mr Evans was part of a campaign event with lots of other candidates and crowds of people, all unmasked. Prominent among them were local 3%/Proud Boys/fascists. 

This year Mr Evans signed on to a semi-hysterical anti-student, anti-Covid safety, anti-science letter authored by school board candidate Jessica Thompson. 

Once again, Mr Evans presents no actual vision for the city. And he doesn’t seem to have the least interest in Covid safety.

I have had personal interactions with Fe Mischo and know she’s the real article. She really does care about the people of Oak Harbor and making sure all of them are able to live reasonably. Mr Evans appears to be much more interested in representing the interests of developer Thompson.

If I could vote in Oak Harbor, I would gladly vote for Fe Mischo.

position 5

Joel Servatius

https://voteforjoel.com/

Like so many, Mr Servatius failed to respond to my questionnaire. So I’m looking at his website. First thing I find is that he is endorsed primarily by the real estate and insurance industries, with a sprinkling of Navy. What I don’t find is any endorsements from social service agencies or representatives. I was rather surprised to see his primary endorsement from Rep Rick Larsen. 

He lists his priorities as: public safety, housing, infrastructure, economic development, and technology. While

he lists public safety as a priority, he does not mention Covid. 

There are some sharp comments on his Facebook page about voting against the people in rejecting a very large sculpture offered to be placed near the beach. Also, his info somehow didn’t make it into the Voters’  Pamphlet. 

In his favor, he helped plant Garry oaks with the Garry Oak Society, a favorite group of mine. 

There are comments around Oak Harbor about his “continued allegiance to the Las Vegas developer. That

would be Mr Scott Thompson, who is bulldozing and bullying to get his way. 

Shane Hoffmire

https://shanehoffmire.com/

“success is best shared”

“join me for an affordable future in Oak Harbor”

1)    Why do you seek election (or reelection)? 

I believe that volunteerism and giving back to the community through service is essential. I take great pride in being able to bring change and success through political involvement and to see the fruits of these endless efforts. With results-driven intention, fighting for an affordable future for the citizens of Oak Harbor is the “why” of my campaign. The people deserve to have their voices heard and to be represented by one of their own.

 

My campaign leans heavily on three principles: affordability, accountability and livability. 

 

It's the People that I represent, that's why I serve, and I believe any success is ours together and that success is best shared.

 

2)    What qualifies you to run for this position? 

I served as a twice elected Commissioner for the North Whidbey Pool, Park, and Recreation District (NWPPRD) beginning in 2015 through 2020. During my tenure within NWPPRD, I held every position on the Board, gaining invaluable experience:

 

Under my leadership, what seemed to be the impossible was achieved. In 2017 we reopened the pool, even after the levy failed, while working to secure future funding. This effort was engineered in partnership with the community through miraculous coordinated community efforts by individual citizens, local businesses, and service clubs.  

 

3)    In what ways, or through which organizations, have you served your community? 

Over the last 22 years I have spent hours upon hours volunteering my time to the Whidbey Island Pony Club and the Horse Trials. Coaching North Whidbey Little League baseball in town for many years, I have often felt it is the most rewarding job that I've ever had. Reward is always at its pinnacle when contribution is. 

 

While on the North Whidbey Pool Park and Recreation District board of commissioners I worked tirelessly volunteering thousands of hours to help save the pool. Having the opportunity to serve our community through these organizations has truly been amazing. 

 

4)    What do you believe is the biggest issue facing your community? 

Oak Harbor is going through an affordability crisis, families and individuals are struggling. City utility rates, property taxes, rent and the overall cost of living is increasing. Many residents I have had the opportunity to speak to have expressed their concern that this trend may make it impossible to stay in Oak Harbor.

 

Several factors affect the increasing cost of living, but the most impactful, is that of the ever-increasing utility rates. I know countless residents who dread that bill, myself included. 

 

Local government officials’ accountability is unfortunately fleeting. All too often, decision making at the city level is done for the benefit of the few. Catering to a limited population rather than aiming to represent a community at large is the antithesis of accountability. Our local government and its officials should prioritize the needs of the community rather than getting sidetracked on vanity projects.

5)    How do you intend to help deal with the aforementioned issue? 

My approach to every decision has been, and will continue to be, based on how it affects the average citizen in Oak Harbor and how affordable it will be to its residents. 

 

The ever increasing city utility bill isn't sustainable and is a crisis that must be confronted head on. Using rate feasibility studies, along with real time decision making, I propose that we look at every individual facet of the city utility bill and determine how these numbers can be stabilized and, ideally, lowered.

 

I have several ideas on how to best lessen the cost of living in Oak Harbor. Among these are modernizing development codes, working towards solving the housing crisis, and encouraging economic development. Government can be a sizable part of the solution but first we need to recognize our local government’s role in being a sizable part of our problem.

 

6)    What do you hope to accomplish through your public service? 

It is my goal to turn decision making towards affordability and to return accountability to the City Council. I want people to again believe in our City and leadership. Increasing affordability and accountability in Oak Harbor will help to increase Livability. If I can ease the concerns of how sustainable living in Oak Harbor is for even one family, it will be worth everything.

 

Finally, I want the citizens of Oak Harbor to feel heard and represented. One of my greatest wishes is that everyone would become involved in the political process. 

 

7)    Why should people vote for you? 

With my candidacy, I will bring both experience as an elected commissioner and a commitment to accountability and affordability in government. I have proven my commitment to getting things done and my record speaks for itself. I listen to the people and go to work. I will never let you down. I will use common sense to do the right thing when others either can't or choose not to and I  will not hesitate to ask for guidance. 

 

A vote for me means a vote for a better tomorrow, one in which Oak Harbor is more affordable, government officials are held accountable and there is a sense of security in the livability of our city.

He’s young, he’s service oriented, he helped salvage and rehab the Vanderzicht pool.

He’s running in part on a platform of lowering the city’s extremely high utility rates. While that is admirable, I’m wondering how deeply he has studied the issues underlying those rates and what can be done to provide the necessary services at lower cost. To his credit, his work on the Vanderzicht pool demonstrates precisely that ability. 

A lot of people I know and respect believe he’s right for the job. I have serious concerns about Joel Servatius, who does indeed seem to be representing a developer rather than the people, and who somehow couldn’t manage even to get a candidate statement into the Voter’s Guide.

If I were voting in Oak Harbor, I would vote for Shane Hoffmire.

Oak Harbor City Council position 7

Bryan Stucky

www.votestucky.com

1. 
   
2. 1. Why are you running for this particular position?

I’m running for City Council because I believe I am well connected to the community

and have a knack for listening to people and building bridges. I do not come in with a

hard right or hard left agenda. I enjoy listening to people whose opinion is different from

my own, because I think by doing so new, creative solutions can be found.

 2. What do you know about the powers and duties of this position? How does this office/board/commission accomplish its work?

I have seen a lot of city council candidates in the past create really slick websites. It

seems they have a plan for everything. Then they get into the office and realize it is not in

their power to accomplish all those things. I am doing my best to make sure I focus on the

scope of what city council can and cannot do. In a nutshell city council acts as the policy

makers of the city to create policy on how to move forward. Their job is NOT to

micromanage the day-to-day operations of city hall, but to amplify the voice of the

people on what overall direction they would like to see our city take.

3.What do you hope to accomplish in this position? How do you use the powers of this office to accomplish your goals?

I want those in our community to feel heard. I also want our citizens to feel that they

can pick up the phone and call their elected officials if they have questions. Most of all I

want those living here to feel that they have a voice on the issues and that decisions are

made collectively. It should not be an “Us vs them” when it comes to local government. I

can use my position within the council to amplify the voices of its citizens in city

decisions.

4.What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?

I’m interested in improving economic development, affordable housing, and public

safety. This can be done by working with individuals and groups in our community who

have ideas and expertise to get the job done. For example, it would be very difficult for

the city to revitalize downtown by itself. But by working with Mainstreet and the business

owners on that street, I believe that goal can be accomplished. I also want to help with

problems that the community brings forward that may not have occurred to me.

5.What relevant experience do you have?

 First and foremost I am a local business owner (Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home) so I am

very dialed into the business community. I am a past president of the North Whidbey

Sunrise Rotary Club, Vice President of Help House, and currently serve on the Oak Harbor

Planning commission. These opportunities have allowed me to connect with many

individuals in our community to learn about our local issues and different ways to address

them.

6.What will be your operating philosophy in office?

My philosophy is to work together with others to create solutions, and to that end to

be accessible to those that have ideas/thoughts/concerns. My contact information is easy

to find. I also welcome anyone who wishes to chat to stop by my office. I want everyone

that brings issues forward to feel respected and heard, even if we do not always agree.

I found a link to a short video. He runs the funeral home, which is also the morgue. Yes, suicides and drug overdoses have increased. He tells people to stand up for what they believe in, but with respect and kindness. He tells people to think twice before sending rude or nasty Facebook comments. He asks people to reach out to other people, and closes with “I want to meet everyone out there in the public, not here in the morgue.”

Andy Plumlee

1. 1.Why are you running for this particular position?

I believe there are people in our community whose concerns and interests could be better represented.

2. What do you know about the powers and duties of this position? How does this office/board/commission accomplish its work?

As a committee, the council uses majority vote to carry out the city’s business and operational objectives.

3.What do you hope to accomplish in this position? How do you use the powers of this office to accomplish your goals?

Provide advocacy and representation for the “middle 80%” of our community.

4.What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?

We need more skilled labor and services for community members with special needs.

5.What relevant experience do you have?

This would be my first public office.

6.What will be your operating philosophy in office?

What does the community want/need.

7.What message would you like to convey to voters?

I want to be the voice on Oak Harbor City council that represents the average community member. I will be objective, reasoned, and focused on the needs and concerns of the community.

Checking his Facebook page, I find “10 creative ideas to help the community with the $6.6 million ARPAfunds. I’m not at all sure what strings are attached to those funds, but his list of ideas would definitely benefit ordinary working people in and around Oak Harbor. 

While I’m not sure I agree with some of the ideas expressed, at least Mr Plumlee is expressing ideas. A refreshing change. His support for an independent redistricting commission and for ranked choice voting certainly resonate with me, as do a lot of his other posts.

I do not know either of these candidates personally and have not had the opportunity to hear them at public events. I strongly suspect that either of them would make a good city council member. That said, since Bryan Stucky already sits on the Planning Commission, and Andy Plumlee expresses a great many ideas with which I agree, if I could vote in Oak Harbor, I would vote for Andy Plumlee. 

 

Oak Harbor School District

Be aware that the very same people who brought you Q-Anon, Donald Trump, January 6, and Covid denial – along with the occasional race war – are organizing on a national basis to take over at the very bottom level, and their focus nationwide is on school boards. What is happening in Oak Harbor is also happening in Coupeville, South Whidbey, Stanwood-Camano, Washington State, and all of the US. In the South there are reports of outright violence against school boards, death threats, and mob scenes. Oak Harbor and South Whidbey have experienced some of those mob scenes. Word is that they were actually organized out of Stanwood-Camano and that these people are a traveling circus, picking up local supporters as they move about. 

This is dangerous. Since people are smart enough at the national level not to let our democratic government be usurped by insurrectionists, the new plan is to indoctrinate our kids into believing their vision for the country. These are the people who deny human rights, history, science, and facts and base their actions on – what? rumor? demagoguery?

position 4

John Diamond

https://www.instagram.com/johnldiamondschoolboard/

https://www.facebook.com/JohnLDiamondSchoolBoard/

Mr Diamond did not respond to my request for information, so I’ve had to dig it out for myself. I’ve pasted in excerpts from some items I found. 

1. John Diamond has been in Oak Harbor for over eight years.  Prior to living on the island, John lived in Utah and Southern California.  He has a daughter at the high school along with an Italian Exchange student. John worked in public safety for nine years and currently manages the computer public safety system for Island County 911 (ICOM911).  In addition, John volunteers as a member of the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue on the Marines Search and Rescue Team. He’s also an active member of the Oak Harbor Kiwanis Club.  John graduated from Grand Island Senior high in 1983 and attended Ricks College and Arizona State University.  He earned his certificate in Computer Networking from the Computer Education Institute in 2002 and a diploma from Maric College in 2005.  An avid boater, John and his wife, Nancy can be found on the water crabbing or enjoying time with their two grandchildren. 

“I believe in the principle of giving back where you can. We have a great opportunity to support the system that educates young minds and create great productive citizens for our future.  This is where I believe I can contribute to our community.”

2. Although I don't live in the OH School district any longer, Ann works there and I'm dismayed by the direction a loud minority of people are trying to veer the school board. 

John Diamond and Erik Mann have worked tirelessly over their first term on the school board not only securing massive amounts of federal funding for new school buildings, but leading with a steady hand during the uncharted waters of the pandemic. They understand the big picture of how school boards work and how they interact with state and federal governments to secure the funding our schools need. I urge my Oak Harbor friends to vote for Erik Mann and John Diamond in the upcoming election.

Don Jacques, Jr.

His Facebook page features public events at which all participants are masked. He takes safety seriously. 

3. Long post for Oak Harbor Voters, by Mike Fisher

Well that board meeting was even crazier than the last one. Full disclosure I left prior to the room being emptied as things progressed I felt giving the anti maskers an audience was a bad idea. 

At least tonight both sides were represented (pro mask/anti mask) and we even heard from two local pediatric doctors that said we need masks as a mitigation strategy in order to keep staff and students safe. However, two speakers (one running for school board) after the Doctors spoke accused them of being paid for their speech. 

After the board recessed due to individuals not wearing masks and then going into executive session for the same reason the anti mask group that choose to not wear masks and stayed decided that they should do a “sit in” and began speaking to the crowd instead of leaving when asked. There were many phones taking videos that I'm sure will be posted in the next few days. But if you trust me and want more information of what exactly happened please let me know and I'll be happy to discuss the entire night. I will say there was a state politician that decided to come and stay for part of the meeting however, remained silent as the anti mask group hijacked the meeting. 

I say again this is not who our community is, but if I'm wrong then things are going to get much worse before they get better.

So I'm asking you, honestly I'm begging you, when you get your ballot in a few weeks vote for John Diamond and Erik Mann the last thing we need is for all the great things we've accomplished as a district to be undone by performative politics.

Jessica Thompson

https://jessicathompson201.com/

https://m.facebook.com/pg/Elect-Jessica-Thompson-108811381393160/posts/

Speaking as an English teacher, it is not a good look when you’re running for School Board and you mis-spell the word Director on your front page. 

Her agenda:

1. I will advocate to remove Covid restrictions placed on our children.

2. I will stop the vaccine clinics from coming to our schools.

3. I will say NO to Comprehensive Sexual Education Curriculum.

4. I will push back against the teaching of Critical Race Theory.

She believes schools should teach “the fundamentals” (reading, writing, ‘rithmetic), vocational skills, phys ed, and less politics. 

She home-schools her children. 

She told the school board (about the mask mandate) “your motives are obvious, disgusting, and worthy of all public rebuke.”

She co-authored a right-wing alarmist letter re "teaching socialism & black lives matter, anti-covid measures, etc"  Her website is the classic mix of anti-vax, anti-sex ed, anti just about everything. 

A post on her Facebook page claims the schools are enforcing mask mandates because they have received $10 million to do so. It got more toxic from there so I quit reading.

She’s been campaigning with fellow anti-masker Jason Uemoto. 

I don’t know either of these people personally, but I see their social media posts. Even if Mr Diamond were not a really great school board member, I’d vote for him in order to keep this wing-nut out of the schools.

If I voted in Oak Harbor I would vote resoundingly for John Diamond. 

position 5

Erik Mann

https://www.facebook.com/mann4schools/

campaignmann@gmail.com

“He addresses real issues and is a Covid realist”

He’s involved all over the city, including with Habitat for Humanity and the Oak Harbor Planning Commission, among many others. He’s proud of the historically high graduation rates which he attributes to a lot of changes made during his 1^st term. 

I have to quote this directly: “Teacher and staff compensation has been increased to reflect the professional level of work they do, and to provide targeted increases, providing equity to many classes of employees historically underpaid, and often occupied by women and people of color.” Gee, he thinks it’s a good thing to pay people what they’re worth. What a concept. 

He worked with all parties for a safe early Covid re-opening. And he recognizes the big learning pit created by the time schools were closed. He’s working on bridging that gap. 

From his Facebook page-

My top three priorities:

1. Mitigate lost learning opportunities caused by Covid-19 challenges and expand opportunities for academic achievement.

2. Build four new schools by replacing the expiring bond in February, leveraging $107 million from federal and state sources to reduce the burden to local taxpayers. 

3. Hire a superintendent that will build upon our current successes and lead our district to even greater accomplishments.

Further from the Facebook page: I have been asked several times about my position on Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project. As this is obviously a hot button issue with many people in our community, I thought I would share my views and a recent response to a voter.

CRT is a manufactured issue, and is not something taught in schools. If you would like to explain what your specific concerns are surrounding CRT, I would be happy to address them as they relate to Oak Harbor. We have policies established that guide educators on the process of selecting curriculum, teaching controversial topics, and presentation of multiple views for such topics. The only CRT that exists in our schools is the Curriculum Review Team, made up of administrators, teachers and parents who review all core curriculum, and make recommendations to the board about which materials should be adopted and taught.

I have listened to the New York Times 1619 project podcast. While obviously biased, it illuminates many things often suppressed and previously unknown to me, and is a perspective worth understanding to have a better context of historical events and the current divisive world we live in.

I like a man who can absorb information, think about it, and draw a reasonable conclusion, even if we differ politically.

Jason Uemoto

https://www.facebook.com/UemotoJP/photos

https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/anti-maskers-interrupt-school-board-meeting-again/Jason Uemoto

https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/anti-maskers-to-continue-protests-sunday-in-oak-harbor/

His Twitter account features Donald Trump and sports. 

I found a series of questions and answers from Emily Gilbert at Sound Publishing. She had asked all candidates for interviews. Uemoto and Thompson set criteria Ms Gilbert could not agree to – that they be interviewed in person and together. So she sent questions instead. The responses were not particularly responsive. 

He expressed frustration with the school board for implementing policy coming down from Olympia. He believes they should be completely independent. “They are not puppets of the Governor or State superintendent.”   

He claims on the one hand not to be anti-mask, but on the other hand excoriates the school district for requiring them, and participates in anti-mask events.  He does not seem to be too concerned with Covid safety. “I applaud the district for not closing despite reported Covid cases.”

He is unhappy with both the school board and legislators for going to on-line forums instead of continuing live meetings. “Online format is not good for public discourse and is only intended to silence the parents. This has nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with silencing the opposition.”

He was asked about the proposal to replace a number of schools. 

“I do not support funding for any replacement of schools. I believe our current schools are just fine. I believe that there are more pressing issues that our school board needs to focus.”

He appears to believe that school boards are somehow independent of state law.  “The policies are failing and there has been too much government overreach into the plenary rights of the parents to raise their children. Parents have noticed and now they are standing up.”

“I will not go along to get along. I will not rubber stamp whatever comes down from Olympia. I am not afraid to stand up for our children and our district and will fight for what is right!”

He has participated in sit-ins and demonstrations demanding the right to unmask children in school. He does not seem to understand that children will become sick and some of them will die. 

He questions the efficacy of masks and the constitutionality of the mask mandate.

He patently has no idea of the actual working of the school board, what it does, how it makes decisions, its relationship to the larger educational establishment, or its budgets and funding. His focus is on the dastardly deeds of the school board in doing its best to keep students and staff safe.

Given the choice between a competent, caring, science-based incumbent and what I consider an anti-science screamer, there really is no choice. If I voted in Oak Harbor I would absolutely vote for Erik Mann. 

 North Whidbey Pool, Parks, & Recreation Commission

“The district operates one of the only off-leash dog parks on Whidbey and its playfields serve groups from Little League to adult softball.” And of course there’s the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool. 

Commissioner, position 4

Steve McCaslin

nwprd.position4@gmail.com

Owns & operates The Cobalt Group – professional consultant, business development resources, economic development

Was hired as P&R director 11-10-15

Speaks at Young Professional Speaker event on Adaptive Leadership (June 2021)

Business Succession Planning – May 2021

Developing Corporate Culture 

January 2019 – leads Non-Profit network social

https://juleerudolfblog.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/cutting-the-pool-baby-in-half/

This post claims that Mr McCaslin, as executive director of the Parks district, recommended terminating his own position as the quickest way to save money. 

There’s very little info on line, and of course he didn’t respond to my inquiries. He does not appear to have any campaign.

Brit Kraner

britkraner@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/britkraner

https://britkraner.squarespace.com/blog/why-me?fbclid=IwAR3g2Pex1nlI4E4GWVBl-cQjOs15-ZM_g6TJgbMRetbDdfimnwvwgw-MEYs

Young, newcomer, works at Whidbey Health. She seems competent and sincere.

Well, this is frustrating. There is simply not enough information available on which to make a reasoned decision. Steve McCaslin has a fairly long history with the P&R district and the pool. Brit Kraner is young and enthusiastic. I dearly wish I could hear the two of them debate. 

Knowing so little about either candidate, I don’t feel like I can make a choice. You’re going to have to make up your own minds on this one.