Here’s the 2023 off-year edition of Marianne’s Politiblog
What if they gave an election and no one paid a whole lot of attention? The off-year ballot is short (for individual districts) but there are important races and issues to be decided. Have to say though, that one has the distinct impression not a whole lot of people are excited at the prospect of public service at the local level. I would like to remind you all that democracy is a participatory sport.
You’ve no doubt heard all about Moms for Liberty (recently referred to as the Minivan Taliban), the latest version of MAGA, and their attacks on schools. Well, its for real. This year they’re trying to take over the Oak Harbor and Stanwood-Camano School Boards. If you care about your schools, you’ll vote.
I’m re-running once again Marianne’s minimum standards for any candidate:
1) be able to write a coherent sentence. Maybe even two in a row.
2) be able to articulate the job description of the post for which you are filing.
3) have sufficient internet know-how (or the funds to hire that know-how) to create an on-line presence.
Once again, this election is so low key most folks don’t even know its happening. The League of Women Voters are helping by holding virtual candidate forums as follows:
Oak Harbor – October 18
mayor,
council 2, council 4
school board positions 2, 3, 4, 5
North Whidbey Fire & Rescue position 1
Coupeville – October 20
mayor
school board positions 1, 4
Port of Coupeville commissioners 1, 3
Langley & Island Health – October 24
mayor
council positions 3, 4
hospital commissioners 1, 5
Sure would like to be able to give you the times and the zoom links, but the League people are being coy, “we will be posting the Zoom log-in information closer to the forum’s scheduled dates.” I’ll try to get that information and post it. Since ballots are expected to drop on October 17, we should all have them in hand just about in time of those League forums. Sigh. That said, we all owe the League for putting on these events. They are necessary and appreciated. Keep checking https://www.lwvwhidbey.org/
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/#/
If you’re not registered, you can do that online or by mail until October 30. If all else fails, you can register in person at the Island County Elections Office, 400 Main Street, Coupeville, up to 8:00 on November 7, election day.
Ballots are supposed to go into the mail on October 17. Look for your ballot, and if you haven’t seen one by about October 23, contact the elections office at https://www.islandcountywa.gov/423/Elections-Voter-Registration
For more information call Election Supervisor Michele Reagan at 360-678-8290, micheler@islandcountywa.gov
or Voter Registration Coordinator Scott Works 360-240-5590, Elections@islandcountywa.gov
So, to make your vote count -
SPECIAL BULLETIN FROM AUDITOR SHEILAH CRIDER.
Ms Crider asked me to emphasize to voters that you must SIGN THE BALLOT ENVELOPE for your vote to be counted. Please do that. We don’t want your votes wasted.
1. Try not to use the US Mail, since Postmaster DeJoy continues his deliberate and planned slowdown. If you really have to use the mail, get your ballot in the mail by the Wednesday before election day, November 1.
2. If you really can’t do it earlier, bring your ballot to the Post Office counter on Tuesday, November 7 during business hours – usually before 4:00 pm. No stamp is needed.
3. Best option: Drop your ballot in one of the ballot drop boxes before 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 7.
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
Langley Post Office, front patio
115 2nd Street Langley
Island County Camano Annex
121 N East Camano Drive Camano Island
Oak Harbor City Hall
865 SE Barrington Oak Harbor
Auditor Crider warned that she was getting reports of “unofficial ballot drop boxes.” Don’t be fooled. There are only the 6 official drop boxes listed above. Use those or the Post Office and nothing else.
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.
Be aware that I have mostly not researched people who are running unopposed.
Issues and offices are in the order I found them in the Sample Ballot.
The Board of Directors of the South Whidbey School District approved Resolution #674 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition would authorize the District to install security upgrades, renovate and modernize building exteriors and interiors, improve ADA accessibility, HVAC, building systems, and parking lot circulation and safety, construct new playgrounds and outdoor covered educational structures, and update stadium and fields at District school facilities by issuing $79,800,000.00 of general obligation bonds maturing within 22 years, and levying excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as described in Resolution #674.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
This bond was run in the spring and it failed, largely because so few people voted at all. So the school district is trying again. They have to. Washington has a very backward tax structure. Since it has no income tax, most of the state’s expenses come out of property taxes. Yeah, that’s a big hit, since the state has ever and always underfunded schools. So if we want our kids to be educated, we’re going to have to pay for it.
Guess what? Schools, just like your house, your car, and you, deteriorate with age. You hire people to work on your house. You take your car to the mechanic. You take yourself to the doctor. Well, its time to take our school system to the repair shop. And just like that new roof you should have had done last year, the list has grown longer and the cost has increased. I’ve seen the complaints about expense, but what is the alternative? Do we really want to waste the investment we have all made in our schools by refusing to fund the necessary maintenance and upkeep?
There’s only one item on the long list that gives me pause, and that is the proposal to use artificial turf on the football field at the high school. I don’t like plastic. I particularly do not like plastic smothering a wetland. Yeah, that was a stupid place to put the football field, on top of the wetland, but there it is. I also do not like the very high accident rate for people playing on Astroturf. I have spoken with one school board member who tells me that this particular item on the long list can be reviewed.
I trust this school board. I don’t think they’re asking for any more than they really need. And I believe they will review that Astroturf line item.
Long and complicated story about why there is no "pro" statement in the Voter's Pamphlet.
Here is what should have been in the Voters’ Pamphlet:
The students and teachers of South Whidbey deserve modern, safe and healthy schools. A yes vote on this bond demonstrates our commitment to our youth and to our community.
We need funds now because our last bond was passed over 30 years ago. Capital levies allow our school district to address ongoing maintenance. A bond is different. The bond lets us take on necessary projects that are not a part of routine maintenance like replacing the high school roof. The roof is one of several urgent projects. Passing this bond provides funds for much needed upgrades to both the interior and the exterior spaces of our schools and will provide additional security for our students and staff. Improvements to mechanical and electrical systems will lessen environmental impact.
Bond proposals include modernizing classrooms to meet the needs of our 21st century learners. Today’s schools must incorporate welcoming and flexible learning spaces. It is in these spaces that dynamic learning happens.
This bond has the power to positively affect many aspects of the district’s schools. Our community must support Proposition No. 1.
Val Brown and Betsy Hofius
Co Presidents South Whidbey Education Association
Here is what an ardent school supporter has to say:
South Whidbey School District is trying a bond initiative again in November. The first one in April got 58% of the vote, but a state law requires a 60% supermajority, so it failed by about 150 votes. This initiative is approximately the same as the first, though slightly smaller in size, and targeted at the projects deemed most critical for the buildings' longevity and our students' health: building repairs and upgrades; accessible bathrooms and playgrounds; and compliance with the new energy- efficiency standards.
School bonds are commonly misunderstood, so here's a bit of background: our state funds public education based on enrollment in each district. However, those funds are directed entirely towards teachers, nurses, supplies, etc. The government does not provide funds for major infrastructure projects, and instead directs school districts to finance them via bonds or levies. Levies place the entire financial burden on the community in the first few years, and the major projects would require multiple levies to complete, which is why the district is using a bond.
One example project is the roof on the middle/high school building. The roof is failing because it's past its 30-year lifespan. It lasted this long due to regular maintenance, but now it's leaking into classrooms and needs to be replaced before it gets worse (i.e. more expensive and dangerous).
So the question in front of the community is HOW to pay for repairs, not IF. We can do the cheaper thing (in the long run) and pay for them now with a bond. Or we can signal to the district that they have to take a more expensive route for the community (e.g. emergency debt).
Now for some specifics: the bond is $79.8 million, payable over 20 years. It will increase property taxes by about $0.72 for every $1,000 of assessed value. A $500k home would have an additional $30 in taxes per month. South Whidbey's property tax rates for education are among the lowest in the area (we haven't approved a bond since 1992), and even if this bond passes they'll still be among the lowest. As property values increase over the life of the bond, the tax rate will go down since the bond amount is fixed.
In addition to the roof, the bond will also cover mandatory energy-efficiency improvements. New laws in our state require energy-efficient retrofits of large buildings, otherwise the district faces penalties. In other words, we have the choice between spending to address these mandated improvements to make our buildings more efficient. Or spending on penalties that go into the state's coffers.
A YES vote is a vote to prioritize healthy air and safer structures as well as job opportunities and safe places to work, learn, and play. Reducing our district's carbon footprint will lead to cleaner air, less waste, and operational cost savings. All of this will help the district focus its limited resources more equitably and contribute to better health outcomes and a safer future for our children.
Please vote YES on the South Whidbey School District Bond.
I’ll be voting YES to fund school maintenance and repair.
The Board of Fire Commissioners of Island County Fire Protection District No. 1 doing business as Camano Island Fire and Rescue (the "District"), adopted Resolution No. 2023-04 concerning a proposition to authorize the District’s regular property tax levy. This measure would authorize a regular property tax levy of $1.25 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation in 2023 (for collection in 2024), and the resulting levy dollar amount would thereafter be used for the purpose of computing the limitations for subsequent levies under RCW 84.55.050.
Should this proposal be approved?
Fire District #1 is on Camano.
Kind of a no-brainer. When you call 911, it's nice to know that there is someone at the other end who can and will respond. Consider it a form of insurance. The price seems kind of low for the service. I notice that no one even bothered to submit a “con” statement for the Voters’ Pamphlet. Sounds like a bargain to me. If I voted on Camano I would vote YES.
The Board of Fire Commissioners for Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue adopted Resolution No. 23-05 proposing an increase in the fire district’s regular property tax levy. In order to fund four additional full-time firefighters/EMTs, this proposal authorizes a maximum levy rate of $1.18 per $1000.00 of assessed valuation for 2023 and authorizes annual increases up to the annual CPI-W for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue as reported in June of the levy year for each of the five succeeding years. The levy amount in 2028 will be used to compute limitations for subsequent levies.
Should this proposal be approved?
Well, I guess we have some options. Approve the levy lid lift and have a fair certainty that when you call 911 there will be someone there to respond and deal with your emergency – or save those few bucks and take your chances in a serious pinch. Personally, I like knowing that if something really bad happens, I can make that call and expect prompt, professional backup. And I notice that no one has submitted a “con” statement for the Voters’ Pamphlet. Subtle hint there. Because I am not a gambler, if I voted in the Central Whidbey district, I would vote YES.
The Board of Commissioners of the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District adopted Resolution No. 2023-3 concerning a proposition for funding aquatic and recreational facilities. This proposition authorizes the District to design, develop, and construct an aquatic recreation center, including pools, multipurpose rooms, and recreation and staff space; to issue up to $27,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 29 years from issuance to finance such center; and to levy annual excess property taxes to repay such bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 2023-3.
Shall this proposition be approved?
You can find out a whole lot more about what is being proposed at the website. Or you can attend one or both of these meetings:
10-5-23 5:00 – 7:00 @ Parks District Office - discussion of bond & levy
10-19-23 6:00 @ Trinity Lutheran – discussion of design & details of the proposed center
I will spare you a reiteration of the website info, but I find all of it good.
I have to say I am heavily biased. I’ve been missing swimming for so many years. Our lakes are yucky, with people getting swimmer’s itch at Deer Lake and Lone Lake full of algae. The simple fact is that South Whidbey desperately needs a place to swim. As I have mentioned before, there is painful irony in people living on an island and not knowing how to swim. Will it cost? Yeah, but not nearly as much as the ill health suffered by so many of us who have no access to the one form of exercise which will keep us functional.
I will be voting an enthusiastic YES.
Coupeville Mayor
neither candidate responded to the Politiblog questions
Molly Hughes, incumbent
She’s been mayor of Coupeville since 2016. I’m not all that thrilled with her performance – some good and some very not good. A News Times story reports her priorities: improving parks in town, continuing to collect data on climate change impacts on the shoreline and mitigating those impacts, boosting tourism, continuing maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure. What is glaringly not on her agenda is dealing with PFAS contamination of Coupeville’s water by OLF. I think people have a right to clean water. Other than that, it feels like Molly is doing a reasonably good job. She is good people and she tries to do the right thing.
Meg Olson
https://www.megforcoupeville.com/
Owner, Kingfisher Books
Ms Olson either failed to submit or missed the deadline for inclusion in the Voters’ Pamphlet. That’s kind of strange. There was a story in the News Times about a glitch in the Voters’ Pamphlet, but that claimed that there was a second copy of Molly Hughes’ statement in place of a Langley Council candidate’s. Are you confused yet? I certainly was. Bottom line: Ms Olson missed her chance. That is not a good look for a serious candidate.
All of that aside, Ms Olson’s website focuses on her proposal to hire a town manager to deal with what she describes as the growing challenges of sea level rise, aging infrastructure, and affordable housing, among other things. She proposes to reduce the mayor’s salary to provide funding to hire that manager.
She’s actually bringing up a very interesting issue. We all got the basic civics lesson about the 3 legs of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. In small places like Coupeville, those functions are often jumbled together, so that the mayor finds him/herself acting in both an executive and legislative capacity. But there is a town council to cover the legislative function, so if the mayor is limited to the executive function, what is the town manager doing?
I wish there were more, but I’m not finding anything. I have to conclude that Meg Olson is not terribly serious about becoming mayor.
Given what we are able to deduce about the two candidates, if I voted in Coupeville I would vote for Molly Hughes to continue as Coupeville’s mayor.
Langley Mayor
Thomas Gill
https://www.facebook.com/thomasestongill/
Please tell us why you have chosen to run. Please include your GOALS, VALUES or pertinent information that will help inform voters. I am running for Mayor of Langley as an advocate for Langley and good governance. I’m knowledgeable about the municipal work of a city and the duties of the elected officials, having served 2 terms as a City Council Member, and 4 years as a Planning Advisory Board member and Board Chair. I have lived in Langley for 34 years.
As Mayor, I will professionally lead with a vision that balances responsible growth with the preservation of our unique character. I believe in fostering a vibrant and inclusive community that welcomes diversity, where everyone has equal access to opportunities and services. I am dedicated to creating an environment where our businesses thrive and create solid jobs and economic stability. Preserving our natural resources and enhancing sustainability are major priorities close to my heart.
Transparency and community engagement are core values that guide my approach. I will actively listen to concerns and ideas, ensuring your voices are heard in decision-making processes. I will insist that this city offer in-depth training for new city staff, as well as strong training for citizen committees, especially regarding the WA Open Public Meetings Act, created in 1971.
By electing me as Mayor, you are choosing a dedicated advocate for each of you, and for the city as a whole. I am driven by a genuine desire to serve well, and create positive change.
Together, let's build a future that we can all be proud of.
Have you previously run for office or served on another person’s campaign? If so, please elaborate.
I currently serve as an elected Langley City Council Member, I have served two 4- year terms, and am currently in my second term.
If you are elected, what do you anticipate to be the hardest part of the job? The hardest part of the job of mayor is to be certain that the full community of voices are heard in a way that balances the diverse perspectives and interests in our City. It is my honor to listen to you.
Please name a person who is serving (currently or recently) as an elected official, either locally or nationally, whom you particularly respect – and why? Tim Callison, former Langley Mayor. He didn’t do a perfect job, and he would be the first to admit that. But he learned and grew as Mayor, and was quite effective at managing the city and steering Langley through all of the issues during COVID. I’ve learned a lot from him during my first term of council office when he was Mayor, and into my second term.
(He agreed with all of the following statements) 1. Elected officials are employees of the people. 2. Libraries and schools should provide age-appropriate materials presenting diverse points of view on current and historical issues. 3. The backbone of our democracy is a free, universal public education system designed to develop lifelong learners who are critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers and engaged citizens. 4. Access to health care and human services must not be denied based on residency status. 5. A woman’s right to choose is a fundamental freedom. 6. Secure vote-by-mail systems improve election integrity, which is fundamental to a healthy democracy. 7. All American citizens must have equitable access to the political process.
Please note any specific comments on the above statements.
We do have issues with our education system in our state. We need to allow more flexibility in how students are taught to best suit their needs, but as we provide for that flexibility, we must not negatively impact the learning results. We must focus on helping our youth not only learn, but also enjoy their school years, as they grow into their future roles within a well informed and open society.
Many of the questions in the Statement grid 1 - 7 are often used as 2023 political hot-buttons, but that doesn’t make them bad questions. I’m prone to logical decisions, and I believe logic insists that we treat everyone respectfully, and equally.
Kennedy Horstman
She responded to the Politiblog questions
1. Why are you running for mayor of Langley?
I’m running because I care about our community, I care about democracy, and I have the skills and experience to make a positive difference for Langley and the broader community
I want our City to be financially healthy, to have a plan to achieve continuity of services and to build for the future. I want Langleyites to feel confident that staff have what they need to work toward the plan. I want people who engage with the City to find it responsive, transparent, and accountable to deliver on shared goals. This is how the City needs to operate to meet what I believe are our most pressing challenges -- and opportunities -- of affordability, sustainability and inclusion.
With over 25 years of professional leadership experience, I have a proven track-record building service delivery organizations – which is the essence of a government administration -- and leading them through change to better serve their constituents. I am deeply motivated to put this experience to work for our community.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of the mayor? What is the relationship between the Mayor, the City Administrator, and the City Council?
Langley continues to operate under a mayor-council form of government, which means that both the Mayor and the City Council are directly elected by voters. The City Council is the legislative body defining policy and ordinances (local laws). The Mayor holds executive/administrative authority and ensures that the policies and ordinances, as defined by the City Council, are carried out. The Mayor also acts as the ceremonial head of government and can function as a liaison with “external” entities like county and state governments.
Like the federal system of checks and balances, there are some overlaps: - City Council has no direct authority over City operations but they do retain authority for approving the budget - The Mayor attends and presides over City Council meetings, builds and proposes the budget for approval, and may cast a vote to decide a tie or to veto (but the veto may be overridden by a majority vote of Council plus one vote).
The Mayor is ultimately responsible for all aspects of City operation, supervises the City Clerk/Administrator and has the authority to hire/fire the City Clerk/Administrator. The City Clerk/Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the City, directly supervises department heads, acts as the H.R. manager for the City and administers the City’s legal obligations including records, notices, and contracts.
3. What do you hope to accomplish as Mayor? How will you use the powers of the Mayor’s office to accomplish your goals?
My goal is that the Langley government works well for Langley and for the broader Whidbey community. We have historically spent too much time on aspirational policies and not enough time focusing on outcomes -- where the rubber meets the road. Improving operational capacity requires both internal focus - ensuring that City Hall has the advocacy and support required - and an external focus - partnering with City Council and the broader community. To start, my internal focus areas include:
- - Ensuring that the City has a clear grasp of its current and long-term financial position by leading staff and Council in disciplined budgeting and financial management and replacing the finance system. (It is important to modernize other City processes and technology but financial management must come first.)
- - Establishing the City Clerk/Administrator role, so that the City can count on professional management, ongoing operational improvement, and continuity across administrations.
Initial external focus areas include engagement with county and state government agencies, particularly regarding partnership and funding opportunities to address housing affordability and utility systems stability and resiliency.
4. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
Langley has arguably always needed effective service delivery and solid operational capability, but it’s even more critical now as we face an affordable housing and a climate crisis. Unfortunately, City Hall - staff, processes, and systems - have for too long existed in a state of “benign” but increasingly dangerous neglect. That neglect has resulted in staff attrition, poor process, and outdated, inefficient systems which in turn negatively impact City services and the ability to meet new challenges. I am running for Mayor because I believe that addressing this neglect is critical to the City’s ability to thrive moving forward.
5. What relevant experience do you have?
As a tech sector professional with 25+ years of management experience, I have a proven track-record leading service delivery organizations through change to better serve their constituents.
- - Langley provides utility and public safety services on a 24 x 7 basis. I have built 24 x 7 teams delivering service to companies like the Wall Street Journal and United Airlines.
- - Langley desperately needs better IT and records management. My team implemented a document management system for Perkins Coie, the largest law firm in the PNW.
- - I have held asset management and information security policy responsibility at Boeing - both areas of concern for Langley.
- - More recently I've worked with companies that build websites for cities, counties, water utilities and public libraries.
In all of this work I focus on what matters over the long term:
- - Designing solutions that work in the real world for real people,
- - Maintaining systems for functionality and security over time, and
- - Building healthy and resilient organizations that can weather and respond to tough situations.
I have also served on Langley’s Dismantling Systemic Racism Commission since its inception in 2020. I currently serve as Chair. Through this service, I have:
- - Worked with diverse constituencies about complex issues that impact people personally,
- - Led public meetings and dealt with public notice requirements, and
- - Advanced policy proposals for Council consideration, in appropriate and effective ways
Trust is the most critical component of any healthy human system. I work first to establish trust. I then work to maintain and expand trust over time by empowering everyone – not just those at the top of an organization or inside of it – to hold each other accountable to the values of transparency, accountability, and service.
I work to break long term aspirational priorities into short term, actionable, and measurable chunks that are incorporated into quarterly work plans. This approach delivers immediate incremental progress, the opportunity to learn and course correct quickly, and measurable progress over time.
This “go slow to go fast” approach can be frustrating initially for those who desire immediate outcomes, but immediate outcomes are rarely effective over time, while building an increasingly robust foundation delivers lasting results.
7. What message would you like to convey to voters?
Pay attention and do your research. Democracy works best with an engaged and informed electorate. This is why I’m grateful for the opportunity to respond to these questions and I’m grateful for everyone who takes the time to read and consider my responses.
Please be both persistent and patient. Democratic change takes time.
8. How will you address the homeless issue?
Let’s start with some facts about homelessness:
- - The cause of homelessness is insufficient housing.
- - Market forces have contributed to the lack of housing and without intervention will continue to worsen the crisis.
- - Being unhoused is not a crime and people who are unhoused should not be treated as criminals.
- - People who are unhoused, whether “living rough” or doubled-up in others’ households, are particularly vulnerable to crime and exploitation, and deserve extra diligence regarding equitable due process.
Langley is a very small “city” and can do relatively little to solve this international crisis, but we’re trying. Langley has passed an amazing array of policies to incentivize affordable housing. We’ve really been on the vanguard, but as anyone can see, the macroeconomic forces are strong in the other direction. We can, however, have an immediate positive influence on homelessness by:
- - Doing a better job of providing reliable and impactful funding to local organizations like the Whidbey Homeless Coalition who are working directly to address homelessness and provide related social services,
- - Improving the policies already adopted to increase their effectiveness in creating actual units that are affordable for the long term, and
- - Building a more robust partnership with the County, where most of these services are coordinated including:
- - Working with the County to ensure that an appropriate portion of the 1/10th of 1% sales tax, that Langley gave up to the County, is deployed in Langley.
- - Lobbying the state for continued resources passed down through the County, for supportive services as well as “housing first” financing for rural communities;
Finally, through my work with the Dismantling Systemic Racism Commission, I’ve become aware of racial discrimination in our local private rental market, which prevents people of color from obtaining housing here. We need to work to address this through various means, including education, creating avenues for reporting, and other ways of ensuring compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act and Washington’s laws against discrimination.
(Link to top)
9. How will you address the stalled infrastructure improvement project?
The current LIP “stall” is associated with delayed input required from the Army Corps of Engineers regarding ecological assessment and potential mitigation investigation. Public works projects require these extra layers of time consuming but necessary due diligence.
In order to mitigate the challenges associated with a lengthy and necessarily bureaucratic process most municipalities ensure that dedicated project management resources are funded as part of the project so that delays can be “bird dogged” and moved along as quickly as possible and do not adversely impact full-time municipal staff who have other pressing responsibilities.
Project management is not an “extra” or an “extravagance,” but a necessary component of managing projects of this size, complexity, and cost. It is unclear why dedicated project management was not initially included or whether there are sufficient resources at this point to fund project management, but I bring extensive, hands-on project management experience and as Mayor, I will work to ensure that project obstacles are identified and addressed as expeditiously as possible.
10. How will you address the possibility of Langley growing by 25 – 33% in one project? Where will the funds come from to support such growth?
While the Mayor has no direct authority regarding the approval of the pending Coles Valley planned unit development (PUD) application or the related development agreement, she would nonetheless be responsible for accommodating it should the Council accept it.
The size of the proposed development - a total potential of 165 dwelling units and over 24,000 s.f. in commercial space - presents significant impacts associated with traffic, utilities, and public safety. It will add miles of water mains, new roadways and sidewalks that require maintenance over the long term. Although they will have public amenities and commercial services within the development, residents of this development will be a part of our town and drive downtown to access groceries, the library, the post office, the beach, etc..
Because Langley does not have impact fees, there is no method to make the development pay for those impacts, beyond the added property tax base, and the increased sales tax during construction phase. As of this writing, there has been no analysis on fiscal impact to the City, the School or Fire Districts, outside of the sewer utility, though the former is a requirement of the PUD code per LMC 18.26.090 (D)3.
It’s fairly obvious that a sewer plant expansion would be required. The expansion would theoretically be funded by the developer, but how this would happen is unclear.
Langley's sewer rates seem high because the plant was expanded based on an assumption of units hooking up that have not, in fact, hooked up. As a result, the ongoing costs for the expanded facility are shared by a smaller group of ratepayers. The Coles Valley PUD would instantly trigger the process for expansion, but it could be decades before those other ratepayers come on line. (And there is no guarantee that the full PUD would ever be developed, any more than the Development Agreement of 20 years ago has been.)
The PUD presents both risk and opportunity. The opportunity for the City is the potential for market rate and affordable housing units. Unfortunately, the development application features a very weak section regarding affordable housing and disregards the related requirements mandated by the City in 2022.
Further, whatever the final Development Agreement commits must be enforced and the City has proven historically ineffective in enforcing original requirements when developers request leniency. Unfortunately, at that point the City must choose between giving up its prerogatives or the units don’t get built at all.
It is incumbent upon the City’s negotiating team and Council to ensure that if the City accepts a proposal, the developer assumes the appropriate financial responsibilities and that the benefits of actual affordable units built are commensurate with the risks and costs of the development overall. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I have known Thomas Gill for quite a few years, beginning when he was the tech volunteer around city hall. His services were invaluable. I have seen him as a Planning Advisory Board member and as a Council member. In the past he has been very vocal about his Libertarian philosophy. I have been pleasantly surprised by some of his decisions, which were decidedly not Libertarian.
I have been hearing that he is very much opposed to the city having an administrator. I have watched Langley long enough to have seen it operate both with and without such a person. I can say pretty unequivocally that things run better when there is someone on board to handle the administration. The last two mayors have done without, and it has been way less than optimal. But, an administrator must be paid. It is proposed that the mayor take a major cut in pay to cover that cost. Makes sense to me. It does not make sense to Thomas, who is reportedly very much opposed to having an administrator or a mayoral pay cut. Fact is, the administrator has already been hired. I met him a few weeks ago.
I have been hearing about Kennedy and her amazing abilities for a while now. I met her recently and we have had several rather long talks. I very much like what I see. Here is a no-nonsense person who knows how to run an agency, a department, a work group, and get things done. She has a keen understanding of project management and of budgets. Both those skills are painfully lacking in Langley right now, and it shows.
Among other things, the Public Works director has solicited, and received approval, for another loan, this one for $3.5 million. The city administrator points out that this is more like a line of credit than a loan. My heartburn is with the fact that this was not the subject of any sort of public discussion or debate. I would very much like to hear from both Thomas and Kennedy what they think of the process that was followed and of the increased municipal debt this will incur.
Thomas is good people. Kennedy is super, with a skill set the city desperately needs. If I voted in Langley I would vote for Kennedy Horstman.
Langley City Council
position 3
Kathleen Kenneweg
no on-line presence
360-774-0935
She responded to the Politiblog questions:
1. Why are you running for Langley Council?
I was told to run for city council by Langley town people and I love Langley. I will be an asset to Langley city council because I am ethical and honest. I respect others. I have knowledge about Langley city and businesses. I listen to the town residents and businesses and want to move forward together.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of the council?
What is the relationship between the Mayor, the City Administrator, and the City Council?
The City Administrator is under the authority and direction of the Mayor. The city administrator/clerk manages and coordinates the activities and functions of the various city officers, departments, commissions, and boards in implementing the requirements of city ordinances and the policies of city council. Attends all city council meetings and others if requested by the Mayor and members of the council. Produces meeting minutes. Reports to the Mayor and Council concerning status of assignments, duties, projects, and functions of the various departments. Prepares and administers the City budget and works with the Finance Director. Supervises expenditures. Administers a variety of city forms, processes and functions.
City Council. Five members are elected at-large to staggered four-year terms. The Council enacts ordinances and resolutions, holds public hearings, approves development plans, receives citizens’ suggestions and complaints, authorizes payment of city funds, approves contracts, creates committees and boards to assist in the operation of city government and much more.
The Mayor’s position is chief administrator and presides over City Council, drafts agendas for Council, hires/fires all upper-level staff, serves as primary press contact, interviews all applicants for positions on volunteer commissions, reviews all contracts and agreements. Serves on numerous regional agency boards, as the chief HR manager reviews and approves all city expenditures, presents a preliminary budget to Council and other duties. This may change as a new mayor will be elected along with several other city council
members. Would be great to have more people sitting and observing the city council members and taking part in citizen comments.
3.What do you hope to accomplish on the council?
Get things done.
How will you use the powers of the council to accomplish your goals?
Convince the city council to vote positively on what I submit as my constituents request.
4.What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
The council members voting against or moving it to next year or make another ad hoc committee. Not enough money in the budget to finish project.
5.What relevant experience do you have?
Working with people for a common good. Former candidate for city council.
6.What will be your operating philosophy in office?
Let others be heard. Treat fellow members with respect. Focus on what needs to be accomplished and finished.
7.What message would you like to convey to voters?
Go to the City Council meetings and see what is going on in person or Zoom. If you have concerns please contact your Mayor or City Council member.
8. How will you address the homeless issue?
Continue to tell people where to go for assistance: Housing Support Center 105 NW 1st St. Coupeville 1-360-678-8284 Good Cheer Food Bank 2812 Grimm Rd 360-221-4868 has a Housing Support person there on Thursdays. Island County Web page contains subsidized apartment listings. Drewslist has housing wanted listed and house-sitting positions. As a council person I would vote for affordable work force housing.
9. How will you address the stalled infrastructure improvement project?
Vote to pass the loan that is requested and considering can we pay it back? Unless a grant is available. A question I have is does everyone want to give up septic and go to the city sewer? Have city engineers finished what is required to do the project? Have all permits been approved for the project?
10. What is your long-range vision for Langley?
To maintain Langley unique small-town character and conserve its green spaces, trees, gardens and maintain fragile bluffs and shorelines. Assist long term residents in being able to live here by being affordable. Continue with community music and art events and family events. Maintain safe sidewalks and streets. Invite other communities to celebrate with us. Have an emergency preparedness plan in place.
Please tell us why you have chosen to run. Please include your GOALS, VALUES or pertinent information that will help inform voters. I chose to run because I want to be part of city government and make decisions for the future of Langley.
My goals are to maintain Langley City by the Sea's unique atmosphere while addressing subjects such as climate change, affordability of housing for workers and town people, transparency of city government, and keeping city government fiscally solvent. Keeping the city accessible for all is important. Multi-cultural sensitivity awareness, mental health, and suicide awareness that will enhance the health and safety of its citizens is also important. Maintaining the beautiful parks, gardens and trees in town is also important for our townspeople and tourists to enjoy.
If you are elected, what do you anticipate to be the hardest part of the job? Keeping the City Council meetings focused on the agenda.
Please name a person who is serving (currently or recently) as an elected official, either locally or nationally, whom you particularly respect – and why? Joe and Jill Biden. I felt I could be safe and breathe again and respect his guiding the United States towards a future.
She agreed with all of the following statements. 1.Elected officials are employees of the people. 2.Libraries and schools should provide age-appropriate materials presenting diverse points of view on current and historical issues. 3. The backbone of our democracy is a free, universal public education system designed to develop lifelong learners who are critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers and engaged citizens. 4. Access to health care and human services must not be denied based on residency status. 5. A woman’s right to choose is a fundamental freedom. 6. Secure vote-by-mail systems improve election integrity, which is fundamental to a healthy democracy. 7. All American citizens must have equitable access to the political process.
Chris Carlson
https://chrisforlangley.com/
Please tell us why you have chosen to run. I am running for City Council because I care about Langley and want to help it thrive. I believe that everyone has a role to play in a healthy democracy, which is why I have volunteered for the City of Langley and South Whidbey nonprofits. This experience has given me insight into what is working at City Hall, what is not, and the community's values.
Langley faces generational challenges such as unaffordable housing, staffing shortages, and the growing impacts of climate change. To address these challenges, we need expertise, professionalism, and focus. I believe that my public-sector education and experience are what the Langley City Council needs.
My values guide my priorities and every decision I make. They reflect what Langley residents can expect from me as their councilmember:
Equity: Everyone deserves a fair opportunity to live a thriving life, however they define it.
Collaboration: We must act inclusively and communicate respectfully so that everyone feels safe to speak up and be heard.
Pragmatism: Incremental progress represents sustainable movement toward progressive priorities.
Optimism: I have steadfast hope that we will do what's necessary to ensure a better future for our children.
Environmental Conservation: I respect our natural environment and believe it's our responsibility to protect our surrounding ecosystems.
My legislative goals reflect what I see as the most important challenges and opportunities currently facing Langley:
Affordable Workforce and Family Housing
Develop a Sustainable Year-Round Economy
Earn the Public's Trust Through Competent Governance
Modernize our Infrastructure
If you are elected, what do you anticipate to be the hardest part of the job? The most difficult aspect of joining the city council that I can anticipate will be to keep other council members and city staff focused on the community's priorities. I've seen how easily the current council and staff can with good intentions be sidetracked by the "topic of the day" and lose focus on the things that matter most to the community. I intend to be extremely disciplined in evaluating each agenda item, resolution, ordinance, and expense in the context of our long-term and annual priorities. I will only support the investment of scarce time and resources if it contributes to our agreed-upon community priorities.
Please name a person who is serving (currently or recently) as an elected official, either locally or nationally, whom you particularly respect – and why? The elected official I admire and respect the most is former President Obama. Public leaders should unite us, inspire us to act on common priorities, and be diligent workers on our behalf. I believe President Obama best demonstrated these key qualities in my lifetime. His work to pass the Affordable Care Act is a prime example of this. He made the compelling moral argument that healthcare should be a right. This moral argument was used to define the stakes of action versus inaction and brought millions of people into the movement. Through pragmatic negotiation, he was able to secure passage of the ACA, which improved the lives of millions and made an important incremental step towards achieving what had previously been considered impossible in America - universal healthcare.
He agreed with the following statements, with some comments. 1. Elected officials are employees of the people. 2. Libraries and schools should provide age-appropriate materials presenting diverse points of view on current and historical issues. 3. The backbone of our democracy is a free, universal public education system designed to develop lifelong learners who are critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers and engaged citizens. 4. Access to health care and human services must not be denied based on residency status. 5. A woman’s right to choose is a fundamental freedom. 6. Secure vote-by-mail systems improve election integrity, which is fundamental to a healthy democracy. 7. All American citizens must have equitable access to the political process.
I somewhat agree with the statement that elected officials are employees of the people. While they are elected by the people and serve the people, they are also more than just employees. They are representatives of the people and their actions have a profound impact on the lives of citizens and non-citizens alike. The level of responsibility and accountability that should accompany this sacred trust should go beyond a simple employee-employer relationship.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chris’s website informs us that he currently chairs Langley’s Finance & Personnel Legislative Commission and Civil Service Commission. He served previously on the Ethics Advisory Board. He is Tech Program Manager at UW. I have trouble imagining what that involves. I’m not going to repeat everything on his website, but I find all of it very positive. We’ve had several conversations, some of them quite long. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Chris knew the planning jargon some of us use, had read the city’s comp plan, knew how to use MRSC, had read GMA – all those things I complain people in government don’t know, he knows. That’s a huge head start.
I’ve known Kay Kenneweg for a few years now. She is very much a mother hen to lost souls around town. She knows how and where to find them help. That is a major piece of work she is doing. She works to protect the trees and open spaces in and around town. I really appreciate that. And she attends council meetings, which speaks to more patience than I can muster. Like me, she is not particularly tech-savvy.
I would direct you to Chris’s Voters’ Pamphlet statement, but once again the Elections office oopsed. All the other information is correct, but the statement is actually that of Coupeville mayor Molly Hughes. I am seriously unimpressed with the Elections office’s work this year.
What Chris has is the education and the training to take over from day one. He’s been involved enough with city government to know how it is currently working (or not). The man understands a financial statement, an ability I envy. He understands the workings of large bureaucracies – and smaller ones.
I would like to see Kay in a position with the city that focuses on her people skills. I would like to see Chris as a council member working to pull Langley into shape and deal with some of its enormous problems. If I voted in Langley I would vote for Chris Carlson.
position 4
Craig Cyr
1. Why are you running for Langley Council? I seek reelection because I am hopeful and passionate about Langley’s future. It is an anti-racist future where people of all colors, identities, and abilities feel safe and included. I have led and will continue to lead on issues of inclusivity, sustainability, the environment, workforce housing, and municipal financial integrity.
I serve as Council liaison to the Dismantling Systemic Racism (DSR) and Public Works commission, I am a member of the Financial Personnel Legislative Commission, and I am currently Vice Chair of Island Transit. Each of these influential positions provides a platform for my voice in shaping important public policy and I want to continue in those roles.
Also, I’ve used the voice that Langley voters gave me in 2019 to engage on regional and statewide public policy issues. For example, I wrote the Council Resolution opposing Military Special Forces training in WA State Parks. This resolution influenced other public entities to pass their own resolutions. I will continue to engage on issues such as this when they affect Langley residents.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of the council? What is the relationship between the Mayor, the City Administrator, and the City Council? The City Council is the legislative body of the City. The Council establishes the official public policy of the City and is responsible for the municipal code. It is also responsible for passing an annual budget as well as receiving reports from the City Commissions among a host of other duties.
The City Administrator is the “Chief of Staff” and: • supervises and holds the Directors accountable to ensure that the policies and resolutions of the City Council are implemented • “makes the trains run on time” • ensures that all statutorily required actions are completed
• mainly internally facing
• is accountable to the elected Mayor
The Mayor is the head of the Executive branch of the City. In my vision, the Mayor is the “CEO” and “Secretary of State” in Langley. Essentially, the face of the City.
3.What do you hope to accomplish on the council?
How will you use the powers of the council to accomplish your goals?
• I will be supportive as Council liaison to the DSR as it continues to do the work required for Langley to become an anti-racist city. And there is much to do.
• I will continue to be a strong advocate for energy resilience for the City of Langley as well as Island Transit. I will support actions that reduce energy consumption while simultaneously identifying future opportunities for solar & battery storage.
• I will continue to support the emerging tribal relationships that are a direct result of Langley removing its fake “totem poles”.
• I still have hope that Langley will establish a dog park. I have much more informed ideas and a strategy on how that can be accomplished.
• I hope to continue to use my voice to assist in banning fireworks in Island County, but at least on South Whidbey.
4.What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
• The internal functioning of Langley City government has had great difficulty due to a lack of effective leadership and communication in the Mayor’s office. I will support the new Administrator as the role becomes operational and as a new Mayor will take office in three short months.
• Workforce housing – Langley needs more workforce housing and I have been and will be supportive of efforts to provide more. See below answers.
• Island Transit has had difficulty hiring more drivers. I am pushing for changes that will make driving for Island Transit more attractive and lucrative for beginning drivers so that Island Transit can continue to expand its service.
5.What relevant experience do you have?
• Langley Councilmember: 2020 – 2023
• Langley Public Works Commission Council Liaison
• Langley Finance Personnel Legislative Commission Member
• Langley Dismantling Systemic Racism Council Liaison
• Island Transit Board Member (Vice Chair): 2020 – 2023
• Island Transit Finance Committee Member
• King County Fire District 5 Commissioner
• Lake Forest Park Library Commissioner
Also, professionally, I am a project manager and a data analyst. I am organized and bring a data driven approach to public policy. And I listen closely.
6.What will be your operating philosophy in office?
If this question is asking about the essence of how I want to work and shape the work of Langley’s staff and volunteers, I will bring a focused, organized, and prepared approach, that listens to the subject matter experts whether they be staff or commission volunteers. I will honor the work of the Commission volunteers and their work product. And I will collaborate with them to craft a solution to the policy question in hand.
7. What message would you like to convey to voters?
A vote to re-elect Craig Cyr is a vote to continue the journey towards an anti-racist future. It is a vote to continue to support solar power in Langley, and at Island Transit facilities so as to have a more resilient energy infrastructure on South Whidbey. It is a vote in favor of continued tribal engagement. It is a vote to defend the State Parks from invasion by the military. It is a vote for a thriving community where all are welcome.
8. How will you address the homeless issue?
Langley can make an impact by working to provide workforce housing. Because due to high rental rates much of Langley’s workforce is “housing insecure”. Indeed, this is why Langley businesses close early for lack of workers. A near term opportunity for workforce housing is Goosefoot’s project on 2nd St & De Bruyn. Goosefoot is navigating its way through the new infill code and as the first applicant to do so, likely will discover code that could make it difficult to implement features of the housing development.
Habitat for Humanity is also a near term opportunity for more housing. If policy adjustments are necessary, I will be as responsive as I can be.
9. How will you address the stalled infrastructure improvement project?
The LIP is stalled because of two reasons: 1) Primarily, the continued delay in Army Corp of Engineers approval and 2) shortfall of funds due to significant cost increases. If Langley is approved for a very low interest public works loan recently applied for, I will vote in favor. That vote is the most consequential action I can take to fully accomplish the original vision of the LIP.
10. What is your long-range vision for Langley?
My vision of Langley’s future is an anti-racist future where people of all colors, identities, and abilities feel safe and included. While on this future journey, Langley will come together in community to accomplish great things. Such as developing an energy resilient community. And planning for the needed adjustments to our physical infrastructure to react to the threat of climate change. 20 years from now, I hope the future residents of Langley will look back at this time when the Community came alive to all of the challenges in front of it and bravely addressed them head on.
Scott Chaplin
“I’ll have a platform and website up tomorrow night. No worries if you endorse Craig.”
Its hard to know why Scott chose to run for Council. He has worked hard as Mayor but his term has not been smooth. He submitted no Voters’ Pamphlet statement. He has not submitted anything for the Politiblog. He has not campaigned. I don’t believe he is serious about this race. He recently referred to Langley as a sinking ship. In spite of some differences in policy and priorities, if I voted in Langley I would vote for Craig Cyr.
Oak Harbor mayor
Shane Hoffmire
Elected to City Council 2021, elected Pool, Park, & Rec director 2015-20
No college, but various certifications.
His Voter Pamphlet statement:
Following his election to City Council, Hoffmire was appointed to the American Rescue Plan subcommittee lobbying for critical infrastructure repairs and increased public safety. His efforts allowed for successfully delivering on his campaign promises to lower utility rates. His resolve is stronger than ever with the goal of an affordable Oak Harbor (OH).
Hoffmire continues advocating for intentional economic development focused on making OH safer and more livable for its citizenry. Communication between local government and OH citizens has been at an all-time high, however there is still work to be done. It's through community partnerships that we can build a stronger foundation in which OH residents can have access to more diverse job market opportunities, activities, entertainment, and mental health programs.
As Mayor, Hoffmire will bring his outstanding track record and continue his work encouraging civic engagement. He will continue to expand on the growth he has helped afford OH and will protect his successful changes thus far. Oak Harbor citizens are largely concerned about the affordability of their beloved city. A vote for Shane Hoffmire is a vote for continued progress towards an affordable, livable, and more transparent Oak Harbor.
In response to questions by the Democratic party, he talked about his focus on affordability, accountability, and livability, and on restoring the voices of the people in city government. He talks about fiercely advocating for the community. He sees rebuilding trust in government as the hardest part of the job and sees his openness and transparency as tools to further that rebuilding. He says the one elected official he respects most is Dave Paul, because Dave works to represent the entire community.
Ronnie Wright
ronnie@ronniewrightformayor.com
Mr Wright did not respond to the Politiblog questions
He is Managing Partner, Pacific Grace Tax & Accounting, and ex Navy.
MBA in accounting
His Voter Pamphlet statement:
As the only qualified candidate for the Mayor of Oak Harbor, my vision for Oak Harbor includes fiscal responsibility, continued partnership with the Navy, building bi-partisan relationships with county, state and federal elected officials to reduce taxpayer burden for Oak Harbor while delivering capital projects on-time and within budgeted goals. I will bring real solutions with real numbers that deliver the result you have been waiting for.
The Marina is the gem of our city and will remain a priority of mine. The Marina is key to our downtown Main Street Merchants, recreational fisherman and our local economy.
We need to continue to work with the County and State Legislators to allow us to be more proactive in our policing as it relates to public safety, as well as support our local law enforcement in keeping our community safe.
As Mayor, like in all of my previous leadership endeavors, I will maintain an open-door policy. I welcome your input and feedback and will see to it that we continue to have a consistent and professional message coming from our City.
The Wright Direction for our City is a vote for Ronnie Wright!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
There were letters to the editor about Mr Wright. The one endorsing him came from an employee. Hmm. The one opposing him challenged him to define ‘integrity’, saying that he misuses the term. The letter implies that his exit from employment with IRS was less than honorable. He endorsed Jill Johnson for County Commissioner. Neighbors report that he is “just plain mean.”
And now we find out about that “just plain mean” part. Mr Wright has accused Shane Hoffmire of violating the campaign finance reporting regulations – all over the Whidbey News-Times, with precious little time for Mr Hoffmire to respond. The story is full of suspicions and innuendo, but rather short on facts.
What I have seen of Mr Hoffmire is someone with very different political views from my own, but with integrity and intent to serve the public behind his actions.
Something about Mr Wright does not sit well with me. I don’t like “just plain mean” people. I don’t like unsupported allegations made such that there is little opportunity to respond. By contrast, Shane Hoffmire has been quite open and willing to discuss his plans. I wish I’d had more time to check out his website. You might want to go there and have a look.
If I lived in Oak Harbor I would vote for Shane Hoffmire.
Oak Harbor City Council
position 2
Chris Wiegenstein
chris@electchris.org
licensed mental health therapist.
3rd generation Oak Harborite
And now he has responded to the Politiblog questions.
Not surprising that in his “statement to Oak Harbor voters” he stresses mental health, along with affordability and support for small business. To quote: “His vision encompasses creating opportunities for economic expansion while ensuring the well-being of the community and providing support for those in need.” He lists his priorities as: bringing people together, promoting mental health, promoting workforce housing. He is endorsed by people in public service positions.
Chris replaced Dan Evans (who was an authoritarian at heart). That means that Chris has some job experience. Not a newby. I see that as a good thing.
1. Why are you running for Oak Harbor City Council?
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of council members? What is the relationship between the Mayor, the City Administrator, and the City Council?
3.What do you hope to accomplish as a council member?
How do you use the powers of the council to accomplish your goals?
4.What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
5.What relevant experience do you have?
6.What will be your operating philosophy in office?
7.What message would you like to convey to voters?
8. How will you address the homeless issue?
9. How will you address the PFAS issue?
To address the PFAS issue in Oak Harbor, I will prioritize collaboration with the US Navy, who have taken a leading role in addressing this concern. They have been actively involved in data review, advocating for regulations and treatment, promoting transparency in public awareness, and supporting funding, monitoring, and research efforts. This collaboration with the Navy is vital for effectively addressing PFAS contamination and ensuring the well-being of our community and environment.
Andy Plumlee
https://www.andyforcouncil.com/index.html
Mr Plumlee did respond to my questions. See below.
He owns a candy store. This is his 5th run for the position.
1. Why are you running for Oak Harbor City Council?
-I am running because I believe I possess a viable vision for the future of our community and the leadership and managerial skills necessary to achieve a more positive and productive future for the city of Oak Harbor.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of council members? What is the relationship between the Mayor, the City Administrator, and the City Council?
- Oak Harbor is currently a "Strong Mayor" city. This means the Mayor is a separate and distinct office from the city council and has full authority and leadership responsibility for the city's public staff. As an elected position he is chosen by the people and not the council. The city administrator works at the direction and behest of the Mayor.
3.What do you hope to accomplish as a council member?
- I hope to stop the outflow of financial resources at a rate greater than that flowing in. I hope to slow or stop the financial squeeze that is forcing long standing members of the community to move off the island they call home.
How do you use the powers of the council to accomplish your goals?
- By networking and collaborating with other public leadership to ensure Oak Harbor's interests are represented at all levels of government.
4.What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
- I don't expect to correct or alleviate any specific problem. What I hope to do is leverage my extensive experience to create viable and creative solutions that move us closer to solving the large intractable problems our community faces such as homelessness, job losses, and limited professional services.
5.What relevant experience do you have?
- I have been in leadership and management positions for over 20 years.
6. What will be your operating philosophy in office?
- What decision best meets the needs/wants of the community while preserving the most amount of public resources possible.
7.What message would you like to convey to voters?
- Our problems are not that big if we just get to work solving them
8. How will you address the homeless issue?
- I would like to work with other local leaders to consolidate services on island to an agreed upon location away from our residences and businesses.
9. How will you address the PFAS issue?
- This is a large nation issue and the best thing we can do in Oak Harbor is support Anacortes leadership since we obtain our water from them.
I listened to an interview with Mr Plumlee by something called Political Lens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5woW8Ux2mWo In that interview he said that too much money was being spent on homeless people. He said there were the deserving homeless and the undeserving, and that funds should be limited to the deserving only. He also said that non-profits serving the needs of homeless people tended to lose sight of their goal and focus on the money instead.
I’m old enough to remember Ronald Reagan telling us about the deserving and undeserving poor, and how there were “welfare Cadillac queens” out there. Mr Plumlee’s remarks trigger the same reaction I had then – disgust. I think he has some interesting ideas, but his attitude toward people is sufficiently lacking that I would not vote for him.
It is reported that at a forum this past summer he described himself as “a self-proclaimed Libertarian.” I have a problem with Libertarians.
By contrast, Mr Wiegenstein has a focus on the health and wellbeing of people – without judgement as to their financial status. And he’s been doing the job. I have to admit a prejudice: his web page shows an absolutely beautiful husky. I am very partial to huskies.
If I lived in Oak Harbor I would vote for Chris Wiegenstein.
Oak Harbor City Council
position 4
Barbara Armes
https://barbaraarmes4citycouncil.com/
Unfortunately, the website provides no information.
Unfortunately, the Facebook page is no better.
She is a retired Licensed Practical Nurse. Her Voters’ Pamphlet statement is completely bland. She says she has been attending council meetings and that her issues are replacing the aging sewer system and promoting tourism.
She did not respond to the Politiblog questions.
John Chaszar
He claims to have a Facebook account but I was not able to find it.
He did not respond to the Politiblog questions.
I’ve just spent too much time reading and listening to interviews with both of these candidates, and feel somewhat frustrated. I’m feeling sorry for the citizens of Oak Harbor. Ms Armes appears, from stories not available on line, to be a full blown election denier who spends time with fascists, while Mr Chaszar wants to suspend property tax for affordable developments.
Ms Armes comes across in an interview as someone with not a whole lot of information who is trying to fly under the radar until she’s in a position to reveal her currently hidden agenda. She repeats constantly the mantra that she has no specific personal goals but just wants to do what the people want. And who decides what the people want?
Mr Chaszar comes across as someone who is educated (since he is currently employed as a substitute teacher, we hope that is the case). He states his various cases clearly and appears able to think from problem statement to potential approaches to solutions. I’m not sure he understands the economic impact of some of his proposed solutions.
Both of them recognize that Oak Harbor’s sewer system is dying and in most desperate need of repair or replacement. Both of them realize that this will cost more arms and legs than all the people in Oak Harbor can provide. They propose somewhat parallel solutions: “Help, big government. Come bail us out.” I’m not sure they quite understand that “big government”, whether the state or the federal government, gets those big bucks by taxing all of us. Ultimately, whether we pay it in local property tax or through federal income tax, we pay for all those public services. As fiscal conservatives they should be ashamed to go begging from the big "socialist" government.
Between the two of them, I think Mr Chaszar is probably more able to see fiscal and political realities when they are laid out before him. It will be for people in and around Oak Harbor to lay out some of those realities, most particularly the relationship between property taxes and provision of public services to new residents.
I hate the “lesser evil” vote, but in this instance, if I voted in Oak Harbor, I would hold my nose and vote for John Chaszar.
Oak Harbor School Board
The League of Women Voters (big shout out to them) will hold a candidate’s night for Oak Harbor positions, including school board positions, October 18, 2023. They’re being way too coy about what time and what zoom link. If I knew, I’d tell you. Keep checking https://www.lwvwhidbey.org/
Board, position 2
Jessica Aws, incumbent
She got back to me about the Politiblog
She’s been on the school board for 6 years now. In that time I’ve heard nothing but good about her. I like her priorities.
1. Why are you running for this particular position?
It has been an honor and privilege to serve on the Oak Harbor School Board for the past 6 years. In that time, I have demonstrated my commitment to maintaining and expanding strong partnerships between the district, students, families, the military, and the community. I want to continue this. I believe it is essential to foster an environment where students and families feel safe, welcome and heard. We must continue to elevate student voice, set high standards for academic excellence, and support the mental and emotional well-being of our students.
In addition to serving on the Oak Harbor School Board, I have been the coordinator of the Oak Harbor Youth Coalition, which supports Oak Harbor with community substance use prevention.
I am proud of the ever-expanding opportunities OHSD provides students to prepare them for success after high school, especially our robust CTE programs, phenomenal JROTC program, and rigorous college readiness options. We still have a great deal of work ahead of us, including navigating the long term challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the construction of two new elementary schools made possible through an 80% grant through the DoD and efforts of our 10th district legislators to secure matching state funds, and supporting staff and students through necessary budget reductions. I appreciate the trust placed in me by the community over the past six years, and look forward to continuing to serve
for another term.
2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position? If an incumbent, what have you accomplished?
I hope to continue to oversee our district on the path of success by being actively engaged in policy making, budget oversight and accountability, and representing community interests. I am thrilled to support the district’s efforts towards sustainability and career and technical education, in particular. We are building two new schools through grant funding from the Department of Defense and the state. We have also focused on elevating student voices in a place where it wasn't before, as well as making sure parents, families and staff voices are heard.
3. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate? I will continue to work with the rest of the board to hold the administrative team accountable, and ensure that tax dollars are being used appropriately, with student-centered learning the priority in everything we do. We are currently navigating through post-COVID budget reductions, while also embarking on a large strategic planning process, as well as building two new schools through grant funding from the Department of Defense and the state. Each one of those things would be challenging in it’s own right, and balancing all of them while keeping a laser focus on the needs of our students and families will be a heavy lift, but one I am prepared for.
4. What relevant experience do you have?
As the incumbent in this position, I’ve spent the last six years learning every aspect of this position. With continued support of other board members, I feel that I am in an excellent place to continue this work for the next four years. Additionally, I am a former youth librarian at the Oak Harbor Library and the coordinator of the Oak Harbor Youth Coalition. As part of my job with the youth coalition, once a trimester, I go into the high school and have discussions with students about refusal skills, substance use prevention, peer pressure, and healthy coping skills. I am dedicated to our community’s youth in both my personal and professional life, and spend much of my time interacting with and supporting our students both in school and out of it.
5. What will be your operating philosophy in office? Ensuring that the work of the Board of Directors helps to create and maintain an environment of student success through respect, servant leadership, empathy, support, advocacy, and accountability.
6. What message would you like to convey to voters? I've been on the school board for six years and feel the parents, students, and staff I've met with and talked to have enriched our community and school district. Every graduation I've attended, every student I've said goodbye to has been sad and yet I feel optimistic about their future and what they gained from Oak Harbor Schools. I still believe, as I did four years ago, that this generation of students can change the world and have a lot to offer our community, state, and country. It is an honor and privilege to help shape the environment that will inspire, support, and educate them from the time they first set foot in kindergarten until they cross the stage at graduation. I would love to continue this work for the next four years, and hope that I have earned your vote and made this community proud. I hope to see you all at future school board meetings.
In response to someone else’s questionnaire, she states the following: I have demonstrated my commitment to maintaining and expanding strong partnerships between the district, students, families, the military, and the community. I believe it is essential to foster an environment where students and families feel safe, welcome and heard. We must continue to elevate student voice, set high standards for academic excellence, and support the mental and emotional well-being of our students.
She’s been endorsed by State Representative Dave Paul.
Karen Lesetmoe
There appears to be no current website or Facebook page
She did not respond to my Politiblog questions
What we know about Ms Lesetmoe comes from her run for State Rep against Dave Paul last year. What I found then was a very close connection with screaming MAGA types. I discovered that she had (imp)lied about being an immigrant. She was in fact born in Hawaii to a US Navy dad who later was deployed to the Philippines. Her whole narrative about the poor little immigrant girl who made it big in the wonderful US was a George Santos type story. I find that seriously offensive and believe people who resort to such tactics have no place in public life.
In a League of Women Voters event last year, she responded to a question about student mental health issues by saying that without parental oversight schools might make matters worse. This is code language for the viewpoint of Moms for Liberty – recently dubbed “the Minivan Taliban.”
While its not a school issue, last year she was anti-abortion but didn’t want to talk about it. She was heavily funded by PACs which were traced back to the fossil fuel industry.
At an AAUW event last year she said Covid was a blessing because it revealed the shortcomings of the public education system, which is failing kids. She did not elaborate and to my knowledge has not done so in this campaign.
In her closing statement at that event she made a rather telling mis-statement. She referred to “one hundred thousand dollars” before correcting herself to say “one hundred thousand people” she would represent. Kinda says it all for me.
So, we have a choice between a competent, sympathetic incumbent and a front for the Minivan Taliban. Is that really a choice? If I voted in Oak Harbor I would vote for Jessica Aws, and urge all my neighbors to do the same.
Board position 3
Fred Wilmot
He ran for school board in 2019.
1. Why are you running for Oak Harbor School Board?
I am concerned that our nation's education system is continuing a downward slide in the world's overall ranking which has been caused primarily by insufficient time devoted to reading (and to a lesser extent, STEM) proficiency. I also want to ensure parental rights and encourage greater parental participation. I have a unique background to reverse this trend, in that I witnessed this while teaching Naval Science in high school classrooms for 18 years, along with coaching varsity football and baseball as a second career. My first career was as a Naval Aviator, having served as a Test Pilot, an Instructor Pilot, Commanding Officer of a Prowler squadron (VAQ-135) and a Program Manager back in Washington, DC, managing a multi-million dollar budget and personnel in the Navy.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of School Board members?
School Board members hire/supervise the Superintendent, implement the curriculum and manage the school district budget.
What is the relationship between the School Board and the city?
The School Board liaises with the city regarding street accesses et al, but represents the District, which encompasses an area larger than the city limits of Oak Harbor.
What is the relationship between the School Board and NAS Whidbey?
There is no official relationship between the Board and NAS Whidbey, but the Board should take such action as is necessary to ensure that Navy families' children are welcomed in and out of the Oak Harbor School District seamlessly.
3.What do you hope to accomplish as a School Board member?
I hope to raise the students' proficiency-in-grade percentages (which are currently between 49% and 79% proficient in grade level) to where ALL students are proficient in their grade level. Overall, I hope to enable the education system in Oak Harbor to prepare every student to continue their education in college or to becoming productive members of our society upon graduation.
How do you use the powers of the School Board to accomplish your goals?
Work with the Board and Superintendent to establish policies and manage the school budget to reflect those goals.
4.What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
The primary problem is many students not achieving proficiency at their grade level but being socially promoted. More teaching time should be devoted to the "3 R's", especially reading, and if a student needs more time to acquire that proficiency, consideration of holding him/her back to achieve that (rather than lower the standards).
5.What relevant experience do you have?
As noted above, the 18 years I devoted to teaching and coaching students in high schools in Las Vegas and in the Department of Defense Dependent Schools overseas.
6.What will be your operating philosophy in office?
Above all else, transparency and addressing problematic areas of concern in a timely manner. I will work with my fellow board members to ensure our students get the best possible education.
7.What message would you like to convey to voters?
I have the experience, practical leadership and desire to bring about necessary modifications to the Oak Harbor School District's curriculum and operating procedures to improve our education system and graduate young men and women ready to make positive contributions to our society
8. How will you address the homeless issue as it relates to schools?
I will ensure that students coming from homeless families are monitored for health problems, as well as psychological concerns. A recent study indicated that nearly three-fourths of all students (and I would expect that would be especially prevalent in the homeless) expressed depression concerns, which need to be addressed. An adequate number of psychologist counselors need to be added to the school staffs to address this.
9. How will you address student health and safety?
I will ensure each school has the appropriate staff (school nurse/counselors) and students are aware that they may seek help from them. I will also ensure each school has an action plan (which would include keeping all access doors except the one opening into the main office locked once the school day starts) to address emergency situations such as an active shooter, et al.
10. How will you address book bans and free speech in schools?
I'm not for "book bans" per se, but schools should make books available on an age-appropriate level. I will ensure that free speech is maintained in schools.
It would appear that Mr Wilmot is now 85 years old. Aside from his age, I have noted in interviews that he wants schools to teach more Christianity and less about other belief systems.
Josh MacLean
He has responded to the Politiblog questions
The man certainly keeps a low profile. I’m finding nothing on line beyond his Linked In listing and a News Times story on applicants for a vacant school board position this January.
Linked In says he is a materials management analyst at Skagit Valley Hospital
Whidbey News Times reports that he applied for the vacant position in January. He has 5 young children, a set of triplets and a pair of twins, in Oak Harbor schools. “He said communicating about the motives behind decisions is important. He was please to see the bond issue reworked to make it more palatable. He said managing construction of 2 new schools would be a lot of work.”
But now we have his responses:
1. Why are you running for Oak Harbor School Board?
I believe the School Board has a responsibility to represent our students and parents. Good work is being done here, and I believe I can further support our students with the eye of a parent. I am an active participant in teaching my young children, the focus of the school district will be the needs of our individual students when I am elected. The current board has very few members with school age children. I don’t expect that to change much in this election, but I have 5 children in elementary school and would love to have a voice on the board.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of School Board members? What is the relationship between the School Board and the city? What is the relationship between the School Board and NAS Whidbey?
I read a great summary of the school board and how it should be viewed: "The school board does not run the school district, rather, it ensures that the district is well run." This is not to say that the board does not have an active role. They oversee the big picture items in how the district is run, but the day to day is obviously handled by the superintendent. The Superintendent reports to the school board.
The school board and their connection to the City and the military is an interesting question. The school board obviously has a connection to the city administration, but it is loose; Most funding comes from state and federal funding, with a minor remaining from local taxes (11%). If you mean the city as a population, that is a more interesting connection. The population gives their approval to the school district, and funds extra programs and capital projects (buildings) through Levies and Bonds. The Military is a more direct connection, which is counterintuitive, since they provide more direct funding to the district.
3. What do you hope to accomplish as a School Board member? How do you use the powers of the School Board to accomplish your goals?
Clearly a large part of our time should be focused on ensuring our students can get back to proficiency in the core subjects in the short term. I am also interested in looking at the budget for the district and how money is allocated for the various projects. Those projects are the long term success of our school district and the children we are helping.
4.What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate? My family had difficulty with how special needs education was started for our children, I believe this stems from the program not being very well run. I would like to dig into that (I don't have a bone to pick, I think everyone was doing their best). We have a very large population of special needs children in the district (reported as >20% in the most recent board meeting).
Bullying and depression are problems within our district that I have heard from multiple sources. I don't think we have had a great impact on this so far. I would like to hear more about how this issue is being dealt with.
5.What relevant experience do you have? I am very good at analyzing data and subjectively assessing situations. I have a degree in mathematics and spend my day analyzing data at Skagit Valley Hospital looking at ways to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
6.What will be your operating philosophy in office? The guide for the School District's operation should be on the student, any issue that is not focused on educating students belongs somewhere else. This is a non-partisan office, and I will adhere to that.
7.What message would you like to convey to voters? We need to work with parents and kids to continue the growth we have seen in reading and math scores, the other subjects are downstream of these fundamentals. I am encouraged that we are ahead of the state average on these scores, but proficiency is still far below what I would wish. I would like to expand programs that have demonstrated their success.
8. How will you address the homeless issue as it relates to schools? There was a recent report to the school board about how they support homeless students. I was very impressed by the outreach they perform and the administrator in charge of the program was very dedicated to the well being of these distressed students. I would be proud to be a part of this program.
9. How will you address student health and safety? Depression and bullying are serious problems within the district. It is a difficult issue, but it is vital to the well being and continuing improvement of the children and teenagers in the district. I know the district has a focus on these problems, but I would like to look at these efforts to see what can be done to further help.
10. How will you address book bans and free speech in schools? I am not a fan of book bans. It is obvious that there are books that are not appropriate for certain aged children though. In high school I was reading books that would probably be considered for banning and I believe mature children (ie: teenagers) need access and exposure to more challenging and thought provoking material. It's a big world and their eyes are already open with access to the internet. We should train them to interact with difficult material rather than try to shield them from it.
By free speech in schools maybe you are referring to the Laramie Project that was rejected as a play at the high school? I was impressed by the students that came to speak to the school board about how they were disappointed in the rejection of the play. The decision to not allow the play should be rooted in similar decisions about other plays the students have wanted to perform. The students’ free speech and their desire to be heard should be respected. I do not know enough to say, or assume, that their rights were not respected. I am speaking more to the general idea of encouraging highly active students as much as possible.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I am very favorably impressed by Mr MacLean’s responses. I can see that he does indeed have analytic skills. That is always useful. He attends school board meetings. A good sign. And he seems to have a good deal of respect for the teachers who are the heart of the schools. I particularly appreciate his nuanced response to the question about book bans and free speech.
This is a pretty straightforward choice. if I voted in Oak Harbor I would vote for Josh MacLean.
position 4
Nicole Tesch, incumbent
Ms Tesch did not respond to Politiblog questions.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tesch-553143110/
Her Linked In page has some very good things to say:
Demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Skilled in Research, Public Speaking, Public Relations, Customer Service, and Microsoft Office. Strong community and social services professional with an Associate's degree focused in General Studies from Skagit Valley College.
She’s been on the school board for about 1.5 years. All reports are that she is doing good work there and people are quite happy with her.
She is co-chair of Citizens for Better Schools, which works to pass those obnoxious but necessary levies.
She has worked for some years as the Executive Assistant to the Oak Harbor City Manager. Having done that kind of work myself, I am very aware that the Executive Assistant is the engine that keeps it all working. I respect people who can do that job well.
From the School District website: An Oak Harbor native, Tesch is currently employed by Amazon Web Services. Her previous work experience includes many government agencies, such as Anacortes, Oak Harbor, and Island County. These experiences led her to understand how to read and follow Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and Revised Code of Washington (RCW).
Tesch has five children, four of which are in Oak Harbor Schools, three attending Broad View Elementary, and one at Oak Harbor Intermediate. A staple in the community, Tesch has been highly involved in several groups, like the PTA, managed the Whidbey Island Marathon, and assisted in the effort to fund the pavilion and west kitchen at Windjammer Park. She was also the co-chair of the Citizens for Better Schools Campaign, which led the successful effort to pass the district’s levy in 2021.
"I have a strong track record of placing students first and will work tirelessly on behalf of our community to ensure the quality education in Oak Harbor Public Schools continues.”
Her Voters’ Pamphlet statement says that she wrote the grant applications which resulted in nearly $30 million to rebuild two schools.
She’s been endorsed by State Representative Dave Paul.
Everything I’ve seen and heard about Ms Tesch is positive. That’s pretty impressive.
Jessica Thompson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-kristin-thompson-48ab07221/
Of course she did not respond to the Politiblog questions.
She describes herself as “Operations Manager at Blockchain Mining Pool.” Since I had no clue what that was, I looked it up. Remember Bitcoin? Well, it involves extremely expensive ($30k - $70k) computers and very large electric bills. If you’re lucky, it generates a bitcoin, which I’m told is running around $28k these days. If you’re not so lucky, you’re out a lot of bucks. So people pool their time, electricity, and computers. Evidently Ms Thompson manages one of these pools. If you’ve been tracking the Sam Bankman-Fried trial, this is the down-home version.
Ms Thompson is a local leader of the “Minivan Taliban”. She has led demonstrations and shouting matches at Oak Harbor School Board meetings. She has presented to the Board about her opposition to any green technologies and instead focusing on “the basics.” She worries about “perversion, CRT, and indoctrination.” (that translates to gay, black, and history). The purport of the letter she read to the Board was to ask that Washington Schools withdraw from the national association because it was imposing “wokeness” on local boards.
She wrote an op-ed for the Whidbey News-Times objecting to the bond issue early this year because she said it didn’t give people the option to approve only one school instead of both. The incumbent against whom she is running could have explained it to her.
She ran for School Board in 2021, having disrupted two School Board meetings by refusing to mask.
Here is what I wrote back in 2021:
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 about "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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bottom line: Incumbent Nicole Tesch has been doing great work for the School District and for the community. Jessica Thompson has been endangering the health of the community, disrupting the work of the School Board, misunderstanding school finances, and making education all that much more difficult. Not a hard choice, eh? If I voted in Oak Harbor I would vote for Nicole Tesch.
position 5
Will Smith
Director of technology, Coupeville School District
Voter Interests interview (sorry, the link was too long)
He did not respond to Politiblog questions.
Please tell us why you have chosen to run. Please include your GOALS, VALUES or pertinent information that will help inform voters.
I have chosen to run for the Oak Harbor School Board because I am deeply committed to the education and well-being of our students. My primary goal will be to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment.
One of my core values is the belief that every student deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. It is essential that we foster a supportive atmosphere where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Transparency and accountability are crucial to building trust within our community. I will advocate for open communication channels between the school board, parents, teachers, and students. I believe in being responsive to the concerns and feedback of all stakeholders and ensuring that decision-making processes are transparent and accessible to the public.
Honesty and integrity will guide my actions as a board member. I will prioritize making well- informed decisions based on evidence, research, and the best interests of our students. I will seek input from experts, educators, and community members to make informed choices that support our district's mission and vision.
Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to a school district that prepares students for success in a rapidly changing world. I will support initiatives that foster innovation, critical thinking, and the development of essential skills. By working collaboratively and embracing the diversity of our community, we can provide our students with a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
If you are elected, what do you anticipate to be the hardest part of the job?
If elected, I anticipate that the hardest part of the job will be ensuring that every decision we make benefits all students. It is a complex task to consider the diverse needs, backgrounds, and aspirations of every student in our district. Balancing competing priorities, addressing achievement gaps, and promoting equity require careful analysis and thoughtful decision- making.
To overcome this challenge, I will actively seek input from students, parents, teachers, and community members. I will engage in open dialogue, listen attentively, and consider various perspectives to make informed choices. Collaboration with stakeholders and experts will be essential in finding innovative solutions that prioritize the well-being and success of all students.
I am committed to upholding the principle of educational equity, ensuring that every student has equal access to resources, opportunities, and support. By keeping an unwavering focus on our students' best interests, I am confident we can navigate the complexities and challenges ahead and make decisions that positively impact every learner in our district.
Please name a person who is serving (currently or recently) as an elected official, either locally or nationally, whom you particularly respect – and why?
Glenda Merwine, a former director of the Coupeville School Board, is an individual whom I particularly respect and admire. Over the course of five years, I had the privilege of knowing Glenda both professionally and personally, and I can attest to her unwavering dedication to putting students first.
Glenda's genuine care and compassion for the well-being of students were evident in every decision she made. She consistently prioritized the needs of students, advocating passionately on their behalf and working tirelessly to ensure they had access to the resources and opportunities necessary for their success.
What truly sets Glenda apart is her ability to connect with students on a profound level. She not only listened to their concerns and challenges, but she also actively sought solutions and implemented strategies to address them. Glenda's tireless efforts in creating a safe and inclusive learning environment fostered a sense of belonging and empowerment among students, inspiring them to thrive academically and personally.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Glenda is a dear friend and role model to me. Her integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to education have left an indelible impression. She embodies the qualities of a true leader, someone who leads by example and uplifts those around her.
Glenda Merwine's impact on the Coupeville School Board and the lives of countless students cannot be overstated. Her selflessness, caring nature, and dedication to educational excellence make her a remarkable individual and a source of inspiration for all. It is an honor to know her and witness firsthand the positive influence she has had on her schools and community.
I am committed to representing all students, schools, staff, parents, and community members in a nonpartisan manner if elected. I firmly believe that education is a bipartisan issue that transcends political affiliations.
As a nonpartisan representative, my primary focus will be on the well-being and success of every student, irrespective of their political beliefs or backgrounds. I am dedicated to promoting educational equity, fostering an inclusive and safe learning environment, and ensuring that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
I believe in engaging in open dialogue and collaboration with individuals from diverse perspectives to make informed decisions that benefit our community as a whole. By transcending political divisions and focusing on the shared goal of providing an exceptional education for all, we can work together to create positive change.
I am committed to upholding the principles of fairness, integrity, and transparency in my role as an elected official, and I will prioritize the needs and concerns of the entire community. My aim is to foster unity and create an educational system that serves the best interests of every student and prepares them for a successful future.
Thank you for considering me as a candidate, and I look forward to the opportunity to represent and serve all constituents, regardless of political affiliation, if elected.
In response to the following questions:
1. Elected officials are employees of the people. I wholeheartedly support the belief that elected officials are employees of the people, particularly in the context of school board candidates. When individuals are elected to serve on a school board, they assume a crucial role as representatives and advocates for the community they serve.
School board members are entrusted with the responsibility of making decisions that impact the education and well-being of students. They are accountable to the community, and their primary duty is to act in the best interests of the students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.
By considering elected officials as employees of the people, we emphasize the importance of their role in serving the needs and priorities of the community. Like any employee, they are expected to be responsive, transparent, and accountable in their actions and decision-making processes.
Recognizing elected officials as employees of the people reinforces the principle of public service. It reminds us that those who hold these positions are not above the community they represent but rather are servants of the public interest. This perspective encourages open communication, collaboration, and active engagement between elected officials and the constituents they serve.
School board candidates who embrace this belief demonstrate their commitment to being accessible, listening to the concerns and feedback of the community, and making decisions that align with the best interests of the students and the overall educational goals.
Ultimately, viewing elected officials as employees of the people fosters a sense of shared responsibility and empowers the community to actively participate in shaping the educational landscape. It is through this collaborative approach that we can work together to create schools that provide the best possible opportunities for every student's success
.
2. Libraries and schools should provide age-appropriate materials presenting diverse points of view on current and historical issues.
As a proud veteran and firm believer in the principles enshrined in the First Amendment, I stand against limiting books and censorship. I strongly believe that individuals should have the freedom to access a diverse range of ideas, perspectives, and narratives, regardless of their popularity or controversy. The First Amendment guarantees our right to free speech and expression, and it is through open dialogue and exposure to different viewpoints that we can foster critical thinking and a better understanding of the world.
However, I also recognize the vital role of parents in guiding and shaping the education of their children. Parents should have the right to determine what is age-appropriate for their own students. It is essential to respect the values and beliefs of families when it comes to selecting reading material for their children. Collaboration between educators, parents, and students is crucial to ensure a balanced approach that respects individual rights and parental involvement in the educational process.
By promoting open-mindedness, respect for diverse opinions, and responsible decision-making, we can create an inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment for our students. Instead of limiting books, let us focus on fostering a culture of critical thinking, providing students with the tools to analyze and evaluate different ideas, and engaging in constructive dialogue when conflicts arise. This way, we can honor our veterans' sacrifices, uphold the principles of the First Amendment, and empower parents to make informed choices while preparing our students for the challenges of a diverse and ever-changing world.
3. The backbone of our democracy is a free, universal public education system designed to develop lifelong learners who are critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers and engaged citizens.
A free, universal public education system serves as the backbone of our democracy, nurturing the values and skills necessary for a vibrant society. It is designed to develop lifelong learners who possess critical thinking abilities, innovative problem-solving skills, and a deep sense of civic engagement.
By providing education to all, regardless of socio-economic background, a universal public education system ensures equal opportunities for every child to unlock their full potential. It empowers individuals to think critically, analyze information, and make informed decisions, fostering an active and informed society.
Therefore, we must champion and invest in a free, universal public education system as it not only shapes individuals but also strengthens the very foundation of our society. By prioritizing critical thinking, innovation, and civic engagement, we ensure that future generations are prepared to navigate the complexities of our world and contribute positively to its progress.
4. Access to health care and human services must not be denied based on residency status.
5. A woman’s right to choose is a fundamental freedom.
6. Secure vote-by-mail systems improve election integrity, which is fundamental to a healthy democracy.
7. All American citizens must have equitable access to the political process
Re:Statements 4-7: As a nonpartisan candidate for the Oak Harbor School Board Director position, I believe in focusing on the core responsibilities and priorities that directly impact our students, staff, families, and community. Therefore, I choose not to answer statements 4-7 as they do not pertain to the specific role of a school board director.
My commitment is to represent and serve all constituents, regardless of their political affiliation. I firmly believe that education should be a unifying force that transcends partisan divisions. Our students' success and well-being should be our top priority, and I am dedicated to ensuring they receive the best possible education and opportunities for growth.
I will approach decision-making with fairness, integrity, and transparency, valuing the input and concerns of all stakeholders. It is crucial to foster a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are heard and respected. By actively engaging with the community, I will work to understand and address the needs and aspirations of our students, staff, families, and community members.
My focus is on supporting educational excellence, promoting equity, and advocating for the best interests of every student. I am committed to building bridges and fostering unity in pursuit of our shared goal: providing a high-quality education that prepares our students for a bright and successful future.
Sharon Jensen, incumbent
She did not respond to the Politiblog questions
I could find no on line presence. I did find that she teaches in a church group and is a Republican functionary.
From the School District website: Jensen is a finance and human resources manager for CONE Architecture. She has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Washington and nearly 20 years of experience in accounting, budgeting, and hiring.
Jensen has always considered herself a strong proponent of public education. She is the parent of four adult daughters who attended Oak Harbor schools. As a stay-at-home parent for 15 years, she actively participated in PTA and volunteered in leadership roles with after-school activities, clubs, and fundraisers. She also has extensive experience with mentoring and coaching youth of all ages.
“I am committed to working together with my colleagues on the board, and the administration, to serve students, parents, teachers, and the public to the fullest extent. I promise to be open-minded and well-informed on all sides of issues prior to casting a vote and, with a listening ear, will always welcome comments from the public.”
From a post to Voter Interests Project:
The core principles of a school board, as documented by the WA State School District Association (WSSDA) is below. Please see page one (pdf pg 3 of 20) of this link. Additionally these correlate directly with the OHPS School Board policy 1005 – “Key Functions of the Board” (which can be found here on the OHSD website). My priority would be to fulfill the role of a school board director to the best of my ability.
Five core principles
The School Board Standards comprise five core principles:
1. Responsible school district governance
2. Communication of and commitment to high expectations for student learning
3. Creating conditions district-wide for student and staff success
4. Holding the district accountable for student learning
5. Engagement of the community in education
I originally applied for the vacancy created by Director Mann’s move out of the district because I was concerned about the divisive rhetoric within education (as seen on TV) and our family had an overall favorable experience within both the OH and Shoreline school districts. I still believe in the importance of a strong public educational system and thought I could bring an open mind to the position and willingness to collaborate with the board as to policy updates and evaluation of the administration. Additionally, my business and accounting background allows me to more fully understand the budget, which the board approves annually.
All this said, much has changed since my girls graduated (most recently from HS in 2016) and within the culture. There is much to learn and be sensitive to. I am wanting to keep learning and strive toward protecting parents’ rights while at the same time, honoring and respecting the students. First and foremost, I would like to see our academics continue to improve and the behavior issues decrease.
We have a wonderful opportunity to continue to promote strong academics and seek to find solutions that are most favorable to the highest majority. The schools are an extremely important part of a child’s education, but family and other institutions and avenues play an integral part as well. My hope is that the School Board experience that I’ve gained since January will position me to continue to be an inquisitive voice of reason, and a team player as we strive to work as #oneOakHarbor on behalf of students and families.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This is a tough one. I could find out very little about either of these people. One is an incumbent and appears to be doing a reasonable job. The other does tech work for another school district. I am put off by Ms Jensen’s teaching church classes and wondering how closely that is related to her statements about parents being the prime educators – which nowadays translates to all manner of irrationalities. I am by no means accusing Ms Jensen of any such thing, but it does make me nervous. And then there is Mr Smith, who has not yet learned that “brevity is the soul of wit.” I am put off by his unwillingness to answer questions not immediately related to running a school district but still indicative of general world view. Makes me wonder if he’s got something to hide or if he’s just being very principled. I did listen to a half hour interview and find that his writing and speech are quite similar: wordy but well intentioned.
Based on a lack of information and gut feeling, if I voted in Oak Harbor I would vote for Will Smith.
Coupeville School District
Only one of the candidates responded to the Politiblog questions. I feel slighted. Sniff.
All of the candidates say all of the very general right things in the Voters’ Pamphlet. Doesn’t give any insight into who they are or how they operate. So I have to dig a bit deeper.
position 1
Leann Leavitt leavitts4@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/leann.mastersleavitt?locale=es_LA
Well, at least I found her Facebook page. Aside from part of it being in Spanish, the focus appears to be on fundraising events for school athletics. Not a bad thing. She appears to have been involved in PTA, Girl Scouts, and probably a lot of other extracurricular activities, but I’m not finding much of anything on line. She expresses a wish to participate in decision making, but I’m not seeing any meat there. I’d like to see what she knows of how the district operates, what its budget is and how its allocated, what the problems are and how they might be addressed. Not seeing anything like that.
Charles Merwine merwinecampaign@gmail.com
No serious internet presence.
Mr Merwine comes by his familiarity with the job by way of his wife Glenda, who was on the board for years and was evidently loved and admired by all. She fell ill and resigned. He was motivated to join the board. By all accounts he is doing a good job. He has been a longtime board member of Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools, which raises funds for the schools.
Please tell us why you have chosen to run. Please include your GOALS, VALUES or pertinent information that will help inform voters. I believe public schools are important to maintaining our democracy and it is important to allow the educational professionals the freedom to promote critical thinking and social norms of tolerance and compassion.
School boards have an important role in making sure schools are a place that inspires all staff and students to be the best that they can be. The students of today live in a different world than when I was in school. We must adapt to that world and prepare students to navigate that world.
I am familiar with schools and the challenges they face and the reality of the world they live in. Too often people run for school boards with an unrealistic view of what schools can do and end up being a negative and disruptive influence. I am basically running to not be that.
If you are elected, what do you anticipate to be the hardest part of the job? There are two particularly hard parts of the job: 1. Hiring and firing of Superintendents. School boards don’t run districts, Superintendents and staff run districts. Making the correct choice for a Superintendent is vital. Realizing you made a mistake can be vital also. [This isn’t about Coupeville, just a generalization about the tasks of boards.]
2. Deciding what gets funded. Schools don’t get to decide how much money they get to work with, they just get to divvy it up. There is only one pie and slicing it up always involves compromise and decisions that will make some people unhappy.
Please name a person who is serving (currently or recently) as an elected official, either locally or nationally, whom you particularly respect – and why? I particularly respect Dave Paul because he is always working hard to help people and create a better society for all.
He agreed strongly with all of the following statements:
1. Elected officials are employees of the people. Elected officials are employees of the people, but sometimes to be a good employee you must tell your boss they are wrong.
2. Libraries and schools should provide age-appropriate materials presenting diverse points of view on current and historical issues.
3. The backbone of our democracy is a free, universal public education system designed to develop lifelong learners who are critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers and engaged citizens.
4. Access to health care and human services must not be denied based on residency status.
5. A woman’s right to choose is a fundamental freedom.
6. Secure vote-by-mail systems improve election integrity, which is fundamental to a healthy democracy.
7. All American citizens must have equitable access to the political process.
Given the answers to the questions above, and the knowledge that Mr Merwine has been on the board and doing the work, if I voted in Coupeville I would vote for Charles Merwine.
position 4
Alison Perera, incumbent https://alisonperera.wixsite.com/schoolboard
https://www.facebook.com/people/Alison-Perera-for-School-Board/100092651322315/
She responded to the Politiblog questions. Yay for her!
1. Why are you running for Coupeville School Board?
I applied for the open position on the board last winter because after more than 10 years of working with various organizations to support the education and wellbeing of Coupeville kids, and several years of learning all I could about our school board operations, I thought I had skills and perspective to contribute to the school board team. I’m running for a full term now because so far, it’s definitely been a worthwhile experience and I feel like I’m making a positive difference for our kids!
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of School Board members? What is the relationship between the School Board and the town? What is the relationship between the School Board and NAS Whidbey?
Six months in, I feel like I know a good bit about the job (but I’m also always learning.) I am committed to showing up informed and engaged to board meetings, committee meetings, and school events. I am committed to my own continuous improvement and professional development around educational practice and school systems, so I can better understand the initiatives brought by our staff and how a well-functioning district ought to work. And I am committed to doing my part to be part of a board team that listens to and respects each other and the ideas and strengths we each bring to the table. The powers of the school board are limited to the actions we take as a whole body, which means that our ability to work productively together is fundamental to our ability to move our district forward.
The District works with the Town of Coupeville on matters where their spheres of influence meet, like traffic patterns at the Elementary School, or the construction projects near the High School. But I would love to see the school board cultivate that relationship more by sending a board representative to Town Council meetings occasionally.
The School Board does not often work directly with NAS Whidbey, but we appreciate the Navy’s support for our military-affiliated students, such as through the military support liaison they provide, and the federal Impact Aid dollars that we are eligible for.
3.What do you hope to accomplish as a School Board member? How do you use the powers of the School Board to accomplish your goals?
If elected for a full term of service, I hope to be able to look back after those four years at a District that works well for everyone it touches, and to have that success shown through specific, targeted improvements with measured data points. I’m particularly hoping for outcomes relating to student educational success – improvement and growth for every student, from every background and educational need. I think that the role of Director is well-positioned to accomplish this through strategic direction (adopting and improving the district Strategic Plan, which I was proud to have a hand in developing), and through demonstrating collaborative relationships and continuous improvement. If we as a board are always listening to each other and always learning about how to get better, it’s easier for us to be a part of a system of professional educators and staff who do the same.
4. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
I notice a tendency in our district for people to stay quiet about the challenges being faced, until they grow too big to ignore. I also notice a tendency to adopt an “us vs. them” mindset, assuming that others will be unwilling or unable to change in the face of evidence. And I sometimes notice an attitude that we can’t control the demographics of the students who arrive in our district, so we need not feel like it’s our responsibility to expect high levels of achievement for all students. But the truth is there’s no problem we need to hide from as long as we’re willing to face it together, there’s no student whose background keeps them from achieving at high levels if we identify and provide the supports they need, and there’s no one person who has all the answers – so if any of us has a better idea, they should speak up and expect to be heard. I hope that being relentlessly transparent and accountable and cohesive as a school board team will help to cultivate that shift in mindset for our district.
5.What relevant experience do you have?
My years of service in Coupeville organizations like the CES PTA, Central Whidbey Soccer Club, and Coupeville Farm to School have helped me to understand how to work as part of a group to accomplish a mission for the good of others, and how different parts of our community interact with our district. Coaching robotics in the Middle School has helped me learn to identify and clarify a problem before trying to find a solution; plus, working directly with students has shown me just how important, powerful, and difficult the job of the teachers and staff can be!
6.What will be your operating philosophy in office?
I think my operating philosophy is pretty well summed up by the Coupeville School District Core Values: Students First, Transparency, Accountability, Sense of Belonging, and Educational Equity. Every student should feel like they are the priority of the district, and should receive the resources and supports they need in an environment where they feel secure and welcome. And the community should be able to count on the district leadership – including the school board – to take ownership of the decisions they make, with as much openness and integrity as possible.
7. What message would you like to convey to voters?
I think that everyone who runs for school board does so because they have the best interests of the students in mind, believe in fiscal responsibility, and want to make a positive difference. I’m no exception! But beyond that, I believe that I am the right choice for this role right now, because I am well-prepared with a clear idea of the way to accomplish those improvements. I am poised and ready to keep working with this board team to support the initiatives in the strategic plan that I have helped develop since 2019, and to pave the way to accomplishing our strategic goals as a board and as a district.
8. How will you address the homeless issue as it relates to schools?
I am proud of the district’s efforts to support, lift up, and include students experiencing homelessness or inconsistent housing – a designation that applies to about 10% of our student body. Our student support coordinator and the funding she secures help us to provide a huge range of resources that help all our students, including those experiencing homelessness, to access their education. I’m also grateful for and proud of the Open Den youth re-engagement high school, which is going into its tenth year of changing lives for youth aged 16-21. They do this by giving students the opportunity to continue their progress toward a high school diploma, while also having access to “wrap-around” services like social work, job connections, and even food and clothing as needed. Our board legislative representative is actively advocating with the state to help expand access to these resources, and I look forward to lending my voice to those efforts, too.
9. How will you address student health and safety, including noise impacts?
Issues affecting our student’s health and safety at school include mental health, physical safety (including everything from earthquake readiness to securing the campuses against intruders), disease prevention, bullying, health education. In keeping with our district Pillar of Promoting Student & Staff Well-Being, I look forward to continuing to hear reports and progress on district initiatives around suicide prevention, social/emotional learning, partnerships with local public safety, changing school start times, and more. In particular, I would love to encourage more community participation in the district Wellness Committee, so that new ideas can be formulated, prioritized, and brought forward to the board for consideration and inclusion in policy.
10. How will you address book bans and free speech in schools?
Free speech is an important right, and school should be a safe place for students to learn to express themselves. But there sometimes comes a time when one person’s right to free expression bumps up against another person’s right to a safe and inclusive educational environment. So fair rules need to be enacted and enforced, in order to maintain that sense of belonging that Coupeville Schools holds as one of its core values. That said, I think that CSD’s current policies for student expression are clear and fair. We also have made great strides this year in our textbook adoption (instructional materials) process, something I’ve seen first-hand as an Instructional Materials Committee member since last October. By following CSD policy and procedure, our committee chooses high-quality materials that support excellent education and evidence-based practice. Our policy and procedure also ensure that we are evaluating materials based on whether they represent and reinforce the needs and experiences of a diverse student body. Our professional teaching staff, community members, and board members all have roles to play in selecting, reviewing, and approving the materials we use in our classrooms, and I look forward to continuing to be part of that process.
David Ford ford4board@gmail.com
https://voterinterests.com/elections/coupeville-perera-ford-vie-for-school-board-wnt/
He did not respond to the Politiblog questions
For a software engineer he sure has a low (like no) on-line presence.
Ex-Navy, Boeing software engineer, youth sports coach. His Voters Pamphlet statement implies that there is something broken in the Coupeville School District and that he will “jump in and get (your) hands dirty.” You can read it for yourself. It sounds kind of boiler-plate.
There’s a post about him starting a Wednesday and Saturday running club.
His responses to Voter Interests say that his Navy and Boeing career make him an ideal School Board member. Really? The rest of his responses are the same boilerplate I’ve had to read from the dozen or more school board candidates in various districts. Come on, folks, say something original. What I have heard, from sources I trust, is that he tends to be argumentative and hard to deal with.
So, we’ve got a very thoughtful incumbent and an argumentative Boeing software engineer. Not even close. If I voted in Coupeville I would vote for Alison Perera.
Whidbey Health Board of Directors
Mostly we think of this as a narrow and specialized field. And much of it is. But it has some serious ramifications for those of us who live here and make use of Whidbey Health. You may be aware that Providence has been “affiliating with” Swedish and Virginia Mason, among others. So what does that matter? Well, Providence is run by The Sisters of Providence, a Catholic order. As we know, they have some strong opinions about women’s bodies and what women should be allowed to do with them. It seems that their ‘affiliation’ has caused Swedish and Virginia Mason to rethink their policies about what services they will provide to women. All of that led me to think about what might happen if people with certain religious opinions were to become the majority on the Whidbey Health board. That is actually an issue this time around. Read on.
Board position 1
Morgan Cooper, incumbent
cooper4whcommissioner@gmail.com
She says her candidacy is self financed
She responded to the Politiblog questions
1. Why are you running for WhidbeyHealth Board?
• I was appointed to the Board on February 1st, 2023 to fill the remaining seat time of Grethe Cammermeyer. I am running to retain my seat.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of the Board? How does the Board accomplish its work?
• As with all public servant board members, it is my duty to serve fairly while representing the community as a whole. The WhidbeyHealth Board of Commissioners has one employee, and that is the CEO of the Hospital. It is important to hold the bar for administrative transparency, hospital activity, finances, and services. Each Board member must be accountable while seeking the best outcomes for our publicly owned and financially supported hospital.
3.What do you hope to accomplish on the Board?
• My hope is to bring new eyes and a community-driven mindset, backed by prior hospital marketing and clinic administration experience.
• We, as a community, found our hospital in a pretty unhealthy state this past year. It was barely able to build a foundation of health that could serve our community. Due to poor management (Former CEO), the hospital was within days of closing with barely 3 days cash on hand. Employees felt unappreciated and worried about their jobs, and there were strong internal battles going on. There is no easy “pet” answer, because it is multi-leveled, but I can assure you that the board is working hard to see important changes are made. Leadership had to change, vision had to be established, and finances and billing had to be addressed in order to move forward. The culture and work conditions are being addressed so that a healthy workplace can be fostered.
• The power of the seat is holding the bar high, and being accountable to the seat, which is a privilege I do not take lightly. The seat isn’t to “accomplish my goals” but to move our critical care hospital to a place of health and a place where services important to our community of all ages are addressed and offered.
• I have been seated since February 1st so I am still processing, but from day one I have been engaged in the finance committee, I attend the provider meetings so I can hear real-time concerns and watch the team-building aspects that are going on. It honestly is a beautiful thing to see providers rolling up their sleeves and engaging in ways to improve services. I am also sitting on the board for the quality improvement team where outcomes are being measured along with accountability. There is a distinct effort being made at all levels of care and function. Recruitment is happening and we are now seeing individuals who once worked off Island at Skagit or Providence, now choosing to work locally at WhidbeyHealth.
• I am currently working on a few things that I believe are important and one is how our hospital “touches’ the community. Many communities have a “vial-of-life” program utilized by the first responders, but it is often a program that is poorly funded. Critical moments count and this program provides access to information first responders need in those life-saving moments. I have experience in growing and promoting this type of community program and would like to further develop it for our communities. The community experience has not been favorable and I believe that is one of our steepest challenges, while it is already correcting itself due to the foundational changes that are taking place.
• We recently held the WhidbeyHealth’s Rural Health public forum and we had both the Navy and the Program Coordinator for the Whidbey Veterans share their challenges. It’s a lot to unpack here, but I do feel it is important to mention that the payor mix (insurance coverage) is primarily Tricare, Medicare, and Medicaid. All three pay pennies on the dollar for services rendered at the hospital and that places a burden on our services. Larger hospitals have a bigger pool of population to draw resources from, especially with commercial insurance which pays more realistically what services are billed at. There have already been some fruitful conversations with our legislators and we will continue to advocate for help in our community.
• Mental health and behavioral health needs are increasing in all communities and Whidbey Island is no different. We recently received a sizeable grant that allowed us to hire a full-time provider and she is already booked out beyond the end of this year. We have a new behavioral health provider coming on in November as well. We still need to recruit additional providers and seek additional funding opportunities to ensure that our community members can receive the care they need close to home.
4. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
• Please see above.
5.What relevant experience do you have?
• I have over 18 years of hospital marketing and representing specialty services like cardiology, orthopedics, specialty radiology, bariatrics, behavioral health and clinic administration experience in weight loss, bariatrics, and plastic and reconstructive surgery for cancer patients. Our clinic at Swedish was one of the first to launch EPIC and we spent a year and a half fine-tuning billing and documentation to support those services, measuring staff needs, and growing support services. I believe my ability to establish processes and staffing while managing care patterns is a plus for the board as I am the only one currently with this skill set.
6. What will be your operating philosophy in office?
• To be a strong voice for our community and build a stronger community connection. To lead by example and with care for the entire community.
7. What message would you like to convey to voters?
• I have lived on Whidbey Island since 1973 with the exception of 12 years, and I want to serve my community in a way that and through an avenue that I know and love. This board seat is not a paid position and I think a lot of people don’t know that as I get that question pretty regularly. J I am at a place in my life where my children are grown and I want to give back.
8. How will you address Covid safety?
• Covid safety is well established at WhidbeyHealth and we will continue to practice safety measures for staff and patients alike. Much of this is guided by the state and OSHA and we will continue to put safety first. WhidbeyHealth was recognized by the state as one of the top hospitals in Washington for staff responsiveness. These are based on HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems). This data was collected during October 21 – September 22, while we were still dealing with COVID. It should also be noted that the hospital continued its excellence regarding infection prevention and best practices and has been free of any surgical site infections for over a year.
9. How will you address PFAS contamination of Coupeville’s water?
• To be honest this isn’t just a problem in Coupeville but island-wide. I have a close friend who does ecological water systems on Orcas and he has shared some of the concerns we are and will be facing. I do not feel that the board has a say in the matter specifically unless it is brought forward as a health risk which we deal with as a public health issue or at the hospital level.
10. How will you address financial solvency?
• Continue to be watchful, make sure billing and appropriate coding is being followed, and that our new CFO is providing the board with timely reports. We went years without a financial statement and since adding the new CFO (and while he worked as interim), we have monthly financial reports that make sense and have value. These reports are shared monthly in the public Board Meeting. Additionally, reviewing and providing billable services that give WhdibeyHealth a “leg up” in meeting the needs of the community.
11. How will you address staff turnover?
• Changing leadership, culture, and pay are already well into the process. In order to have quality employees and to build retention, all people must feel valued, and appreciated, and understand the goal of the organization they work for. That is true for any business. I believe we have a clear focus there now. As I mentioned above, individuals who once chose to drive hours off the island to work are now choosing to work at WhidbeyHealth. This, along with leadership will empower the positive change that is now taking place. Foundational aspects cannot be overlooked because eventually, it affects the rest of the structure. Employees are a key and essential part of WhidbeyHealth and the board recognizes this.
Neighbors have reported that Morgan Cooper’s house sported yard signs for all 3 “Minivan Taliban” MAGA School Board candidates in 2019. I am now informed that one of those 3 candidates was in fact her daughter. She also objected to something in the Politiblog, calling it “misinterpretation.” Now we have a report, with video, of her enthusiastic attendance at a MAGA skit at the Deer Lagoon Grange Hall. She proudly reports the placement of her yard sign on public property, a violation of election law. Her personal Facebook page features the statement “Love God, family, and country.”
Marion Jouas
marion4ourhealthcare@gmail.com
https://www.marion4ourhealthcare.com/
She responded to the Politiblog questions
1. Why are you running for WhidbeyHealth Board?
I’ve been a health care professional for over 40 years, a resident of Whidbey Island since 2015, and President of WhidbeyHealth Foundation for the last three years. I’m running to ensure that all of us who call Whidbey Island home have access to quality health care, to bring my experience to the board, and to ensure that it fulfills its financial and other oversight responsibilities.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of the Board? How does the Board accomplish its work?
The board’s duties include financial oversight of the hospital, planning for the future, real estate purchases or sales that impact the hospital district, and the hiring of the hospital CEO. I’ve viewed many meetings of our Public Hospital District Commissioners, whose powers are addressed by the Revised Code of Washington, and observed how they accomplish their work through discussion, questioning, and consensus building.
3. What do you hope to accomplish on the Board?
The board does not currently have a healthcare professional among the commissioners. I want to add my years of experience to their expertise, discussions, and decisions. I will be a commissioner that listens to the public’s concerns, and at the same time, tells the story of WhidbeyHealth to the community, about the great healthcare professionals who work at our hospital, their achievements, and the outstanding care they provide.
- How do you use the powers of this office to accomplish your goals? While the legal “power of this office” is the shared duty to hire the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer and provide oversight of their administration, the most important power of any commissioner is the ability to be part of a team, to form consensus among the board members, and to make decisions that better our hospital and the care it provides. That responsibility is delegated to us by the voters, whose interests help shape our goals.
4. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
Commissioners provide oversight and set future direction. I will closely monitor the financials, ensure reviews and audits are done on time, and monitor expenses. I’ll research opportunities to better meet the needs of our community, including looking at how other rural hospitals operate. These may include a better mix of insurance payers, increased Tricare reimbursement, and obtaining State and Federal support for rural health care.
5.What relevant experience do you have?
I am a career registered nurse with over 40 years’ experience in numerous ICU, emergency, and management roles. I served my country around the world for 21 years as an active-duty and reserve Air Force nurse and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. I have worked in large and small civilian hospitals across the US and served on several boards as a member and in leadership positions. For the last 3 years I have been President of WhidbeyHealth Foundation, during which time our team and generous community raised over $2 million for life saving and quality care equipment for WhidbeyHealth. Lastly, I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University and a Master’s Degree in Health Systems Management from Georgetown University.
6.What will be your operating philosophy in office?
The same as my campaign motto: Marion 4 our Health Care. I will represent the people of our island and do all I can to ensure they have access to quality health care in a well-run, solvent, and respected hospital. Our community has a stake in using our health system services, including labs, radiology, clinics, maternity care, and so much more. I want to make WhidbeyHealth the community’s health care of choice.
7.What message would you like to convey to voters? I am your advocate for quality health care on our island and have the experience and skills to provide the oversight our hospital requires. I will do my best in a 6- year term to monitor finances, support and oversee an excellent CEO, and increase the flow of communication between WhidbeyHealth and the community it serves.
8. How will you address Covid safety?
I would insist that any renovations on HVAC and similar air handling systems include the latest technology for air filtration to remove viruses, molds, smoke, and other pollutants. I would push for improving existing systems with better filters, UV light treatments, or other means. As in any hospital, hand washing and masking for staff per infection control standards, with masking for patients and visitors by personal risk and preference.
9. How will you address PFAS contamination of Coupeville’s water?
The Navy and local government must keep WhidbeyHealth fully informed of changes in contamination levels. In addition, the Navy must abide by the agreements and solutions it committed to in response to the contamination. I also expect the water utilities to frequently test and mitigate any contamination in the water supply. If it becomes necessary, I would ensure that WhidbeyHealth has a plan in place for filtration of the water coming into any of its buildings in Coupeville.
10. How will you address financial solvency?
All healthcare, and especially rural healthcare, face slim financial margins. Low reimbursement from insurance providers, uninsured patients, and increased costs for staff, equipment, and supplies is an ongoing problem. The best way to maintain financial balance is for forward- thinking Commissioners and the CEO to plan and work together, ensuring there are appropriate services to meet community needs, supporting and rewarding staff for excellence, obtaining fair insurance contracts, and advocating for additional State and Federal funding for rural healthcare.
11. How will you address staff turnover?
As an Air Force veteran, I have often dealt with staff turnover. Pay is a factor in retention, but so is quality of life, recognition, and staff being acknowledged and listened to for issues and innovative ideas. Those doing the work every day have terrific insights, and I would encourage the CEO to hear what they have to say.
https://voterinterests.com/elections/whidbey-island-interview-with-whidbeyhealth-commissioner-position-1-candidates-video-voter-interests/ Both she and her husband are retired Air Force. She will have to step down from the chair of the Whidbey Health Foundation to serve on the board. She has worked with international off-base groups. She has served on the board of WICA. She is looking at dedicating 6 years of her life to keeping this vital resource. She served on the levy lid lift committee, the first in 50 years. She has learned a lot about hospital districts and their administration. She has helped raise funds over the last 4 years for COVID response, equipment, and more. The Whidbey Health Foundation is very careful with its funds.
What about joining a for-profit hospital system? She gave several good reasons not to. First is the issue of independence. The board sets the tone. Commissioners are elected in hopes that they are good stewards. Are they listening to people? How do we target trends to our population? If we did sell out, a large corporation would evaluate what services to cut. They could always send you to Providence or Swedish. Those would all be losses to the community. Such decisions would be made 2000 - 3000 miles away, by people who have no idea about ferries or local concerns. We are Whidbey, not Vashon, Bainbridge, or the San Juans. Fifty years ago local people did the work and created Whidbey General. We should not fail their mission. We deserve our local hospital, but its on all of us to maintain.
Public funds are a very small part of the operating budget, about 1% - 2%. It all helps meet expenses, but most of the budget in rural hospitals comes from patients and their insurance providers. The hospital was seriously lacking in board oversight. The board needs to check the financials by checking in with the CFO. A very large proportion of Whidbey residents are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare. All three of those have very low reimbursement rates. She expects to speak with our congressional delegation, hoping to provide federal support for hospitals impacted by the military presence, just as schools receive federal impact fees. She sees this as a chance for Whidbey Health to be a model for others.
She has an MA in Health Systems Management. The current CFO is doing a great job.
She would focus on the Prudential and the Nursing Quality subcommittees.
With the financial crisis past, she wants to improve the cash on hand position from 50 days to 100 days. And she wants to work to improve the image of Whidbey Health, which has suffered from false claims. Yes, the hospital is indeed accredited. That accreditation is reviewed regularly and reports have been good.
She sees one part of the Commissioner’s job as being a strong advocate, someone who is in the public, attends events, schedules town halls, and listens to the public’s concerns. They should also provide clear concise information.
She has heard the stories about people in emergencies demanding to be taken anywhere but Whidbey Health. She wants to turn that perception around, so people insist on coming to Whidbey Health. She says people are loving the South Whidbey walk-in clinic.
She wants to assure that Whidbey Health is equipped for emergencies and disasters. The new wing is built to earthquake standards, but there are other emergencies – a ferry or aircraft accident, a huge fire, an industrial accident. She wants the hospital to be ready with immediate care in such instances.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Well, this one is pretty open and shut. On the one hand we have a MAGA enthusiast with background in medical management. On the other side we have a Registered Nurse with a Master’s degree in Health Systems Management. I will be voting for Marion Jouas.
Board position 5
Eric Anderson, incumbent
https://whidbeyhealth.org/member/eric-anderson-dvm
Yet another opaque candidate. He is a veterinarian in Oak Harbor, and in that field he is well known and much respected. He’s been on the Hospital board for some time. Can’t say as I’ve heard much about him in that role, either good or bad. His Voters’ Pamphlet statement is painfully short. My impression is that he’s good at doing what he does and really bad at talking about it. Reports are that he is not showing up for Board meetings. Even when he's there, he's a bump on a log, not particularly participatory. He has been on the board for 7 years, so was present during the hiring of the financially incompetent CEO who nearly bankrupted the hospital.
Kate Rose (Mary Anderson)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-rose-b5553775/
She did not respond to the Politiblog questions.
She is listed as the project manager for something called Leadership Whidbey.
https://leadershipwhidbey.org/
She has completed the Certified Community Leadership Program
https://alpleaders.org/news_manager.php?page=29756
She was appointed to the Oak Harbor Parks board in August.
I was informed by a helpful reader (and then lost that reader's post) that there are several people at Whidbey Health named Kate Rose, and that I had confused the links for 2 of them. I think I caught that and removed it. I would appreciate the helpful reader getting back to me.
I’m finding absolutely nothing on line beyond what is posted above, so will resort to the Voters’ Pamphlet.
She has a Masters of Public Health and has worked in the field a long time. With that background it seems odd that she is a Staff Accountant, which seems more in the bean counter/number cruncher field. ( I think this is where I got confused. I believe the Staff Accountant is the other Kate Rose.)
I am told that she is the former Mrs Eric Anderson. . . . . . . . . . . . .
I feel like I’m being asked to pin the tail on the donkey, complete with blindfold. I don’t blame anyone else for throwing up their hands and leaving this one blank. I'm beginning to get feedback from some of my informants, who tell me that Ms Rose is painfully shy in public situations, but good at her job. So – given that it appears Dr Anderson is missing in action much of the time, and given that Ms Rose actually has a degree in Public Health, I will be voting for Kate Rose.
South Whidbey School Board
position 1
Joe Greenheron
position 3
Brook Willeford
position 4
Marnie Jackson
I don’t usually endorse people who are running unopposed. For these three I make an exception. South Whidbey is super lucky not to have any of the “Minivan Taliban” running for school board this year. I put this down in part to the fact that the entire board is such a functional, competent, truly great bunch of people that there is just no room to wedge anyone in there.
I do vote in the South Whidbey School District and I will happily vote to demonstrate my support for all three of these incumbent School Board members, Joe Greenheron, Brook Willeford, and Marnie Jackson.
Stanwood Camano School Board
position 3
Miranda Evans, incumbent
MirandaEvans4schoolboard@gmail.com
She did not respond to the Politiblog info request.
Tell us why you have chosen to run. Please include your GOALS, VALUES or pertinent information that will help inform voters. I am running for re-election to the Stanwood Camano School Board because I am proud of the work I have done in my four years on the Board, but know that there is still a lot of work to be done and want to be a part of that work. My goal on the Board is to continue our work in clear, timely and transparent communication with the community. I was part of the process for creating the District Strategic Plan, and want to follow through on the implementation of that plan in order to execute on our Promise, “Every student in the Stanwood-Camano School District is empowered to learn in an inclusive setting and is prepared for the future of their choice”, which I am a firm believer of.
If you are elected, what do you anticipate to be the hardest part of the job?
The hardest part of the job is figuring out how to best get accurate and necessary information to the public using their preferred method of engagement. There are so many sources of misinformation available on the internet and social media, it is hard to combat rumors or false information in a timely and productive manner.
Please name a person who is serving (currently or recently) as an elected official, either locally or nationally, whom you particularly respect – and why?
I respect Ken Christoferson. He was on the Stanwood Camano School Board for around 20 years. In all of his time on the board he was fair and reasonable, advocated for students in all things and embraced changes with a positive outlook. He was extremely helpful to me as I navigated being a new School Board Director.
She agreed with all of the following statements.
1. Elected officials are employees of the people. 2. Libraries and schools should provide age-appropriate materials presenting diverse points of view on current and historical issues. 3. The backbone of our democracy is a free, universal public education system designed to develop lifelong learners who are critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers and engaged citizens. 4. Access to health care and human services must not be denied based on residency status. 5. A woman’s right to choose is a fundamental freedom. 6. Secure vote-by-mail systems improve election integrity, which is fundamental to a healthy democracy. 7. All American citizens must have equitable access to the political process.
Brittney Trammell
brittney.for.school.board@gmail.com
She did not respond to the Politiblog information request
I’m just not finding anything on line.
Her Voter Pamphlet statement reveals that she is Autistic, but obviously very high functioning, since she has a degree and has worked as a social worker. She raises very reasonable issues of student safety and how to deal with a shrinking budget.
I don’t feel like I have enough information on this one. The incumbent seems to be doing a reasonably good job. I’m not seeing any warning flags. The challenger raises a very few issues, all of them matters of concern. I’m afraid you’re on your own on this one.
position 4
Betsy Foster
https://www.betsyfosterforschools.com/
Checking her website, I find a focus on
• Academic success for all
• Accountability and safety
• Budget and performance
I’m a bit bothered by what sounds to me like code language about social agendas and “Government schools must not override family values or parental rights.” She appears to be a realtor.
Stephen Hendrickson
steve@hendricksonhomestead.com
He did not respond to the Pollitiblog questions
The link above is to his first Facebook video. Not bad, actually. He tells us that three of his four kids are in Stanwood Camano Schools. His oldest son has graduated and joined the Marines. He “was not a huge fan of school.” He tried the GI bill, but was better working with his hands so earned a plumbing license. He worked for many years in the private sector. Then he decided that spending time with his family was more important than making money, so took a regular 9-5 job which provided predictability and family time. “If I don’t advocate for my children, I don’t know who will. I Want to advocate for all children. Parents need to be heard, and have a strong voice in their children’s education. Parents have the ultimate responsibility. I’m an open book, and will talk to pretty much anybody about just about anything. I try to see things from all different viewpoints. If you have any questions, reach out to me and I will do my best to answer.”
I sent him an email, but have not yet had a response.
The Voters’ Pamphlet says he is a former Marine, former corrections officer, and currently a maintenance tech at Lake Stevens School District.
I have learned precious little about these two people, but from what I have found, if I had to vote in the Stanwood Camano School District, I would vote for Stephen Hendrickson.
position 5
Phil Snider
https://www.philsnider4schoolboard.com/
Please tell us why you have chosen to run. Please include your GOALS, VALUES or pertinent information that will help inform voters.
My most important reasons for running for school board are my two grandchildren registered in the district.
During the primary election campaign, I spoke with many groups and individuals about what they expect from the board. I’m running because I believe, like so many of the voters, that parents (and grandparents!) should have more authority in determining the course of their children’s education. They want directors who are willing to represent their values, and they want their children to receive a solid, fundamental education in reading, writing, calculating, computing, and civic responsibility. They are concerned that curriculum should be appropriate to the age and emotional development of the students, and that texts, presentations, and classroom discussions should be directly related to approved course outcomes. They seem also to be apprehensive of training and direction given to faculty and staff that is divisive, setting interest and identity groups in opposition to one another. They feel, as I do, that when we are divided, each of us are small and weak, but when we are united, we are all strong. In each of these areas, the voters have set for me very clear and important objectives.
I believe that elected officials are obligated to represent the goals and values of the community. I try to be clear with the voters about my values, and if they share those values and chose me to represent them, that is the course I will follow.
If you are elected, what do you anticipate to be the hardest part of the job? The toughest task that the incoming board, as a whole, will face is to recover the trust of the Stanwood-Camano community. The voters have rejected the previous two levy proposals. These weren’t requests for new money. They were proposals to renew long-standing revenue sources. I spoke with the writer of the opposition statement for the latest proposal. She said that the voters don’t oppose levies per se, but they rejected the last one because the Board wasn’t transparent about how they would use the money. During the Covid shut down, many parents were also unpleasantly surprised to discover some of the details of curriculum and initiatives that do not reflect community values. Greater transparency will be one of my goals while serving on the board.
Please name a person who is serving (currently or recently) as an elected official, either locally or nationally, whom you particularly respect – and why? I respect and admire Sen. Mike Lee of Utah. Sen. Lee has not used his position to build a political base or pursue greater ambitions. He is a known and respected Constitutional scholar who deliberates the actions and laws proposed in the Senate by the standard of the Constitution of the United States. I respect any official who will govern his own actions in accordance with established principles, and not by ambition or expediency.
He agreed with all of the following statements, with comments noted. 1. Elected officials are employees of the people. 2. Libraries and schools should provide age-appropriate materials presenting diverse points of view on current and historical issues. 3. The backbone of our democracy is a free, universal public education system designed to develop lifelong learners who are critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers and engaged citizens. 4. Access to health care and human services must not be denied based on residency status. Our well-established system of free emergency services for all should be maintained, but on- going or routine care should be subject to the requirements of legal residency. 5. A woman’s right to choose is a fundamental freedom. Freedom to make choices—all choices, not just elective abortions—is the right of all, but when rights are in conflict, their exercise must be prioritized. There is no right to eliminate the life of another human being.
6. Secure vote-by-mail systems improve election integrity, which is fundamental to a healthy democracy.
Including the concept of security in the statement makes an assumption not in evidence. The vote-by-mail system currently in use in Washington State requires significant adjustments before it might be considered “secure.”
7. All American citizens must have equitable access to the political process.
He is endorsed by Tracy Abuhl, a toxic “Minivan Taliban” leader.
Steve King
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPUVOAOU-Bs
He did not respond to the Politiblog questions
Professional Experience
Instructor, Professor, and Program/Department Head: Long Beach City College, 37 years (retired); LBCC Academic Standards, Curriculum, and AS Degree Committee Member; Board Member, California Aerospace Education Association; Board Member, University Aviation Association; Aviation Maintenance Technician; Railroad Brakeman.
Education
B.A. Social Sciences - Anthropology; Eight years vocational training and college including Aviation (AMT), Electronic, and Automotive technologies; Professional Pilot
Community Service
National Park Service volunteer Ranger-guide (2012-present); Seattle Architecture Foundation tour guide (2012-present); Center For Wooden Boats at Cama Beach and Seattle (2012-present); Board Member, Schools for Africa (2600 students, 22 schools, 8 states in rural Nigeria) (2020-present)
Statement
My focus as a Director of SCSD will be to help students prepare for vocations or careers that will be rewarding and personally satisfying, and to guide them to achieve that with little-to-no student debt, whether their path is vocational training, an Associate, Bachelor, or PhD degree, or a custom combination. This will include excellent academics and career guidance, and, starting in the primary grades, teaching personal qualities important to prospective employers and to individual happiness. Examples of those personal qualities are strong work ethic, personal responsibility, and thankfulness (which is the key to happiness).
I envision a multi-step workforce preparation process, with introductory work experience as student interns alongside industry mentors, then work in one or more occupations related to their ultimate goals leading to the ability to pay for more advanced degrees. By following this path, I completed my 8 years of vocational and college with no debt. I hope to facilitate connections between Stanwood High School and employers, similar to what Raisbeck Aviation High School (Seattle) has with Boeing.
See my website for more information and endorsements. (wish I could. Haven’t been able to find it)
His biggest goal if elected is to drill in on vocational training for students. “We need to be helping them, starting in elementary school, develop personal qualities that will be attractive to employers, like work ethic, and responsibility and so on — as well as thankfulness,” King said.
Recently, King took a tour of the new Stanwood High School and said he was impressed with the shop classes.
“It’s better here than anything in Southern California when I was teaching,” he said. “That’s absolutely amazing.”
King said he wants students to realize that not everyone has to go to college, and many students might be able to get the training they need for a high-paying job right here, during high school.
He also hopes he can guide students to career paths where they will end up with little to no student debt. He completed eight years of vocational training and college with no debt.
My goal for our students … is that they will get whatever they need to prepare for life, whether it’s a Ph.D., bachelor’s degree, associate degree or just high school graduation — carefully focused to give them the career they want.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I don’t know either of the candidates, but I do know code words when I see them. Mr Snider is enthusiastically endorsed by one of the louder, more dangerous leaders of the “Minivan Taliban.” In answering the 7 questions he tells us that our elections are not secure and that women should not have bodily autonomy. Yeah, I know, what does that have to do with running a school district? Well, it tells me that Mr Snider would most likely impose those ideas and others that tend to go with them on his fellow board members, the staff, and the students. I don’t feel like he could be trusted to treat girls equally with boys in offering up opportunities, for instance. And I wonder what he might impose on the school library.
Mr King appears to be more neutral on these subjects, with a very strong focus on alternatives to the academic track. His ideas seem more temperate and he seems to have a better grasp on the workings of a school board. If I voted in the Stanwood Camano School District, I would vote for Steve King.
Port of Coupeville
Commissioner Position 1
Bradley Duncan
The News Times reports that Mr Duncan is “a relative newcomer.” It appears he has lived in Coupeville since 2021. I will give him at least some leeway about not responding to the Politiblog questions. The WN-T also reports that Mr Duncan is an attorney, and that he sees his abilities as useful in assuring the longterm financial stability of the Port. On the other hand, his bio with his law offices says that he has over 35 years’ experience in dealing with insolvency. I hope he doesn’t think those services will be needed by the Port.
A late report from a port district watcher says that Mr Duncan has not attended any Port District meetings.
Marianne Burr
Ms Burr is what I would call an art quilter. Her pieces are beautiful but I can’t imagine tossing one on a bed. They belong on walls.
Ms Burr responded to the Politiblog questions, as follows:
I was active in the formation of Crockett Lake Water District in 1985 and have been a Commissioner for almost 20 years. I've learned to listen to the people I serve, to follow the statutes, the costs of grants and loans, working with staff, and the importance of compromise. I know how Special Purpose Districts work and am ready to step into the Port Commissioner role with knowledge and experience. As an elected official I look forward to having the opportunity to work with the public to keep our very special historic Port affordable to maintain and operate at a high level once the restorations are completed.
I’ve followed Port actions since 1997 and in recent years have attended most of the meetings. The Wharf is iconic and the public open space of the Farm becomes more and more valuable to the community as our population grows. Both are essential in marketing Central Whidbey’s historic identity. The Port was created with the Wharf over 50 years ago and we have owned Greenbank Farm just over 25 years. I want to share in the work it takes to maintain and operate both of our Port properties so that they can remain the community resources we have had for so long.
It is important that the rehabilitation of the Wharf and the Farm take precedence in the work of the Board. This is not the time for new expensive projects. I want the Port to be fiscally responsible. The special short term IDD tax which ends in 2027 is providing the funds to rehabilitate the wharf and will pay for the necessary upgrades and repairs to the Farm utilities and structures. I want to ensure that the rehab makes future maintenance and operation as efficient and economical as possible.
The Board must always be alert to the possibilities of new ways to enhance the use of the existing Wharf and the Farm. Community Groups can be encouraged to continue to use our public Port properties creatively. Being open to public input has always been a strong position for the Port.
Both the Wharf and the Farm provide public access to open space which is essential for people of all ages. Residents and Visitors alike are drawn to the beauty and serenity that the Port properties provide. Local businesses benefit from being located in historic Central Whidbey. Our Port is providing public access to the natural environment of Central Whidbey in a straight forward way that draws visitors and enhances opportunity for local small business.
Climate change and sea level rise are a concern for Coupeville and all of Whidbey Island. I learned at a recent open public meeting that the plans for the Coupeville Wharf have been engineered to make an eventual extension of the pilings that support it becoming taller to deal with the need that is being projected. I look forward to the completion of all the necessary work on the Wharf and Farm that we have wanted for so long.
If elected I will work to see that our public money continues to be spent on the operation of the Wharf and the Farm, not on failed start-up businesses the Port cannot afford.
Our Port is not a big commercial center supporting multiple business ventures directly. The economy of Central Whidbey depends on visitors. Visitors are drawn to the businesses in the Town of Coupeville because of the iconic Coupeville Wharf. Greenbank Farm is a special treasure for Whidbey Island and a must-stop for visitors. This former farm boasts a cafe, and several shops. On the grounds, there’s a demonstration garden, and several dog-friendly walking trails. The Port of Coupeville is the driver of economic development just by existing.
The current Port Board has already enhanced our region’s economic development by passing the additional non-voted short term (ends 2027) IDD levy which is funding the restoration of the Wharf and the Farm to extend their operational life. I will challenge the Board to prioritize the nature of fiduciary responsibility. I will help to present the Port financial picture clearly so that there can be no misunderstanding of what tax income is limited to restoration (the larger IDD tax) and what income goes for maintenance and operation of the Wharf and the Farm (rental revenue and the small general tax).
The challenges to the Port have always been financial. If elected I will work to clarify and prioritize the clear understanding of the Port income and expense with the hope of forestalling great new business ideas that the Port cannot afford to pursue. As many economists have stated, “economic development” is more than just new business start-ups. Our Port’s approach to economic development is more subtle but no less important. It develops the economy of Central Whidbey just by existing.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Both candidates waited out the filing period but finally came around during the special filing period. In a way I like that. They were not chomping at the bit, but rather gave it a whole lot of thought before jumping in. I like the fact that Ms Burr is a fiscal conservative. I also like the fact that she has been attending Port District meetings for years. She is obviously engaged. She knows the local mind. I think Mr Duncan could serve the Port District – or the Town of Coupeville, or Island County – with his legal talents. I would like to see him start as a volunteer in any of the many committees and organizations which help run things around here. If I voted in the Coupeville Port District I would vote for Marianne Burr.
Commissioner Position 2
John Callahan, incumbent
He did not respond to the Politiblog questions.
The Whidbey News-Times reports that Mr Callahan was appointed to fill a vacant seat in October 2022. It cites his extensive business, legal, management, and engineering experience.
The impression I get from the WN-T and the Voters’ Pamphlet is that he’s been everywhere and done everything.
A district watcher reports that Mr Callahan announced at a recent meeting that for health reasons he intends to submit his resignation after the election and endorse his opponent.
Angela Ewert
https://www.facebook.com/WhidbeyVotersforEwert
She responded to the Politiblog questions, as follows:
1. Why are you running for Port Commissioner?
I have decided to run for the Port of Coupeville Port Commissioner because I want to have the opportunity to be more involved in my community in a meaningful way. I recently bought a house in the Holmes Harbor community near Greenbank Farm and I have a deep desire to give the community an opportunity to use these spaces for generations to come.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of the Port District? How does the Port District accomplish its work?
To oversee and manage the properties it owns, namely the Coupeville Wharf and the Greenbank Farm. The Port of Coupeville accomplishes this work by managing a budget that exercises fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers within the district and finding new and creative revenue streams to help support their work.
3. What do you hope to accomplish as a Port Commissioner?
As a Port Commissioner, I hope to find new opportunities to invite community to enjoy the Greenbank Farm and the Coupeville Wharf including annual events, fairs, and opportunities for local businesses to showcase their offerings to community and visitors while simultaneously generating revenue for the Port and the businesses in the community.
4. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
Like many organizations and government entities, operational and maintenance costs of the properties will prove to be a challenge for the Port. As labor, materials, and service costs continue to increase, the Port will need to find innovative and equitable ways to fund its operation and maintenance.
5. What relevant experience do you have?
I currently work for a Snohomish County Councilmember as a Legislative Aide. In this position, I’ve learned a lot about fiduciary responsibility, being accountable to the taxpayers, transparency, and advocating for your community. I would be honored to apply this experience and knowledge in my own way as a Port Commissioner.
6. What will be your operating philosophy in office?
If elected, I plan to be accessible to constituents, open to new ideas, and transparent in my motives to serve the community. I don’t take this position or the voter’s trust lightly and I hope I have the opportunity to serve a wonderful, involved, and intelligent community.
7. What message would you like to convey to voters?
I want voters to know that I am committed to the community and finding solutions and opportunities that serve the community and future generations. If voters have questions or concerns that they want to chat about ahead of the General Election, they can contact me via email or phone and I will do my best to provide answers to their inquiries
8. How do you propose to finance the very large costs of maintaining and restoring the Coupeville Wharf?
Currently, the restoration is funded by two grants awarded from the Washington State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation totaling around $635,000. It is key to leverage local, state, and federal dollars for these vital projects and it takes committed leaders to foster the connections and build relationships that shed light on opportunities like the grants awarded for the Coupeville Wharf.
9. What are your long range plans for the Greenbank Farm?
Long term, I would love to find more opportunities that bring the community together at the farm, whether it be a harvest fair, car shows, art shows, or a holiday market. I also want to maintain the partnerships that we have at the Greenbank Farm with local farmers and producers as well as maintaining the off-leash dog park recreation area.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Early this year the Port commissioners, including Mr Callahan, voted unanimously to acquire the Eisenberg Airport outside Oak Harbor. We note that this airport has been a rotting albatross around the neck of every owner for decades. In the end they changed their minds and did not purchase the airport. It certainly makes me nervous to have a Port commission which could even entertain such an investment.
A note from our port watcher says that Ms Ewert has not attended any Port District meetings. Hmm.
Based on the airport adventure, and based on Mr Callahan’s reported intention to resign and endorse his opponent, if I lived in the Coupeville Port District, I would vote for Angela Ewert.
North Whidbey Fire & Rescue
T J Lamont
Scott E Jackson
Well, neither of these two responded to the Politiblog questions. Neither of them appear to have any on line presence. They are ghosts. So all I have to go on is their statements in the Voters’ Pamphlet. You can read that directly so I’m not going to reprint it here.
Both have long histories with Fire & Rescue. Mr Lamont has been with NWF&R for a long time. He knows the ins and outs of running the place. I am a little surprised to read that they are saving up cash to pay for some rather significant purchases. Those fire trucks don’t come cheap. Neither does a new station. Mr Lamont is of my generation so I’m kind of presuming that he is not out on fire calls.
Then there’s Mr Jackson, a whole lot younger and with EMT training along with fire training. No clue what his management or budget talents may be, although he does mention levels of service.
I’m glad I don’t have to vote on this one. It’s a matter of tried and true vs new and different. I suspect how you vote will have something to do with your age. I strongly suspect that either of these two gentlemen will do a reasonably good job. Your choice on this one.
