South Whidbey School District

South Whidbey School District, director, position 3

Brook Willeford bwilleford@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/WillefordForSchoolBoard/ https://brookwilleford.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Lze8UHuz4Z9XiKA64-c3x1QleqbrJpBOyKimP2zmjDs8Lz4JXEKcILDs

1.     Why are you running for this particular position? 

As a graduate of the South Whidbey School District (Class of '98), I want my 3-year-old daughter to be as proud of her South Whidbey education as I am of mine. I feel that the school district has lost its connection to the community it serves, and I want to help form a School Board that listens more intently to the input of its parents, teachers, classified staff, and members of its community.

2.     What do you hope to accomplish in this position?  

I have two key planks to my platform: Community and Communication.

I want to foster communities within each of the schools, in the schools themselves, and in the school district as a whole, and then I want to tie that community into our larger South Whidbey community. We have such a vibrant community, and when I was at school here, we did a great job bringing in volunteers, connecting with local businesses, and making sure that the schools were a part of the larger community. Not only can the feeling of community enrich education, but it can also make schools safer, more equitable places for our children to grow and learn.

To build that sense of community, we need to understand one another, and to know what is going on in a timely manner. There have been lapses in communication at the school district at every level. As a former advertising copywriter, I know that perception can sometimes be reality, and that failures in communication can really make a relationship tense. I want to make sure that we have a communications plan in place that gets necessary information – including current progress and next steps – out to those who need to know. After all, I’m going to have a front-row seat to parent-teacher communications in a couple of years.

My goal is to be part of a School Board that directs the superintendent to create community within the schools, tie the schools more closely to the South Whidbey community as a whole, and to improve frequency and transparency of communication within the school district and with the larger community – all while maintaining fiscal responsibility, of course.

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

From my discussions with current parents, teachers, students, classified staff, and community members, and from my own observation of board meetings, it seems to me that there are significant concerns about safety and security of some students in the schools, about communication within the school and with parents and the community, about student engagement (particularly at the middle and high school levels), and about the relationship between staff and administration.

I'm not naive enough to believe that a single School Director can change all of that, but working with the rest of the School Board, I believe that I can work to improve each of these areas by directing priorities in budgeting and administration focus.

4.     What relevant experience do you have? 

As an advertising copywriter, I've worked on clear, transparent communications -- and on improving relationships between a service provider and its community. As the manager of a local, family-run business (The Clyde Theatre), I've learned the importance of a sense of community in making people feel safe, secure, and appreciated. As a game designer, playtest organizer, and volunteer coordinator for gaming companies, I've learned to take feedback from diverse sources and integrate it into complex situations. As a stay-at-home parent, I've learned that the children come first, but that the comfort and appreciation of those working directly with the children is important too. While I don't have direct experience with school districts beyond attending school board meetings over the last year-plus, my wife is a teacher at Coupeville Elementary School, and co-president of the Coupeville Education Association. I agree with her on many issues around education, but even when I don't agree, I absolutely listen to her experience and knowledge.

5.     What will be your operating philosophy in office? 

As every School Director will tell you, the primary philosophy has to be "the children come first," and that certainly holds true for me. Beyond that, I want to create communities within the schools where kids can feel safe and respected, and I want to work to repair the damage between the School District and the greater South Whidbey community by improved and more transparent communication.

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

Most of all, I’m the type of candidate and want to be the type of board member who listens to the concerns and ideas of teachers, students, classified staff, administrators, parents, and other community members, and brings those concerns and ideas to the board. Because if we’re not listening the people in the school district, we aren't going to be able to provide the best possible education to our children.

Linda Racicot llracicot412@hotmail.com           racicotforschoolboard.com

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

I have served for 8 years on the South Whidbey School Board and I’m committed to continue to support our schools and to ensure our district is responsive to the values, beliefs and priorities of our community.

Having been a teacher for 35 years, I am a passionate, lifelong supporter of public education. My roots run deep in our schools. I taught full time at the middle school for 27 years; my husband, Mark, taught at the high school for 30 years; both of my children graduated from South Whidbey; and now my grandkids are thriving as students in our schools. We all share a deep commitment to this district and to the community.

After retiring from teaching in 2010, I turned my attention to volunteering in the schools and attending board meetings. It became important to me to have a voice regarding the issues current at the time and I was elected to the board in 2011. I have been dedicated and committed to this essential work since.

1. 2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position? If an incumbent, what have you accomplished?

I am running as an incumbent and am very proud of the work our board has accomplished. We are only successful as a board if we are able to work together to achieve our goals. No single individual can move an issue forward, and as board chair for the last 6 years I have focused on developing my own leadership skills and promoting positive board/superintendent relations. Our district website contains a complete record of our work and accomplishments and the District Facebook site can keep you current about student activities and successes, but here are some highlights:

Commitment to Academic Improvement

• Student test scores have improved impressively.

• SWHS test scores:

ELA (English Language Arts)

2016-17--- 55%

2018-19---82%

MATH

2016-17---33.7%

2018-19---61%

• Our SWHS graduation rate was recognized by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) as among the very highest in the state at 90. 4% in 2018-19

• Attendance at the elementary school this past year was 93.34%

Improving and Maintaining Facilities

A few of the many projects the District has completed using our long-term facilities plan:

• New track at SW High School

• Tennis courts resurfaced

• Carpets upgraded in all buildings

• Enclosure of upper exposed hallway at the high school

• Major HVAC upgrades in several locations

• New outside reader board at SWHS

• Energy grant provided early upgrades to lighting and communications

• Keyless entry systems in all buildings for safety

Building Community Resources

In 2017 we had many community meetings regarding the closure of the iconic Langley Middle School, and when the decision was made to close it, we respectfully honored the history of the facility and those who worked and attended school there. Our vision was that it would become a community center with a focus on youth and youth services, and that has been fulfilled in a very profound way.

• Rent from the fully occupied building keeps the facility well-maintained. If the district should need it in the future, it is operational and available.

• South Whidbey students take enrichment classes at the Community Center.

• The Community Center is a hub of positive activity for the entire South Whidbey community.

Continuing Support for the School Garden

The school garden is an area we are also very proud of. SW School District was the first district in the nation to sell back their produce to Chartwells, our food service provider. The gardens provide not only hands-on experience to our students, but the work is tied into our science, math, and other curriculum. It is one of the most successful programs in the country and continues to expand.

Prioritizing Equity and Inclusion

The board has made equity and the social/emotional health of our students a priority for the district. Our school district is committed to becoming more inclusive of all persons regardless of race, religion, gender or income level.

• We work to specifically identify and support homeless/at-risk students. We currently have 133 homeless children/youth within district boundaries, 97 children/youth enrolled in SWSD schools.

• Provide assemblies, conversations, and activities on the topics of equity and inclusion.

• Continued staff training occurred this summer regarding these important topics.

Student Athletic Achievements

Our board and the community believe that athletics are a valuable component of a student’s education and our students participate at a very high level. For example, this year:

  o 2018-19, 13 of our 17 boys’ and girls’ athletic teams were recognized by the WIAA (State athletic governing body) for their team (GPA average) academic excellence.

  o SW had 6 conference team champions and 4 Coaches of the Year awards, including 3 District Champions, highlighted by a 2nd Place State finish for Boys Track.

  o We had 62 1st/2nd Team All-Conference performers.

  o Our students participated in District level post-season, including 7 teams and some individual students

participating at State level competition.

  o 3-sport athlete Kody Newman was recognized by the Everett Herald as the "Herald's Boy Athlete of the Year"

Improving Communication

The community asked us for a greater voice. Here are just a few of the actions we took in response:

• Provided opportunities for dialogue

o Forums on specific important areas (i.e. budget, etc.)

o Workshops, seminars.

o Expanded events and discussions on drugs, bullying, depression/anxiety, and more.

o Offered “Coffee and Conversations” with the superintendent

o Our district website has a complete record of board decisions and work.

o Regularly send a district newsletter

o District Facebook page.

o Principals schedule events to encourage parents to get to know them and the buildings.

o Our superintendent is in the buildings on a regular basis, meeting with both staff and students

• Created community advisory teams:

Special Education, Facilities, Social/Emotional Learning, Special Education, Code of Conduct, Discipline and Restorative Justice, Communication and Publicity, Facilities and Bond Planning, Food Service, Culture and Equity, and Enrichment.

In 2016 the South Whidbey School Board was recognized as a recipient of the “Board of Distinction” award by the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA).

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

State funding is always an issue.

Increasing cost of staff benefits without an increase in revenue.

Ongoing maintenance and capital projects

1. 4. What relevant experience do you have?

35 years of teaching experience

8 years of board experience

8 Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) conferences

1 National School Board Association (NSBA) conference

1. 5. What will be your operating philosophy in office?

I believe that developing strong, trusting board relationships creates an effective and high-functioning school board. When that dynamic is in place a school board can do its job most effectively, which is to provide our students with the highest quality education possible while also maintaining our fiscal responsibilities to the public. As board chair for the last 6 of my 8 years on the board I have gained valuable hands-on experience and leadership skills that have contributed to building strong relationships among board members. School board members are problem-solvers and policy decision-makers, but we can only make decisions as a group, not as individuals. Being a team player is an essential requirement,

and my experience shows that I am a team player.

1. 6. What message would you like to convey to voters?

I bring 35-years of educational experience to this job combined with 8 years of board leadership. Serving on the board can be challenging but it is always rewarding, and I am proud to be a part of it. I want every student here to experience the joy of learning and leave South Whidbey well prepared for the career of his/her choosing, as my own children did, and as my grandchildren are currently doing.

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

This is the sort of problem that on the one hand I love and on the other hand I find terribly frustrating. Here we are presented with two outstandingly qualified candidates for the same position. I do dearly wish they had run for separate positions so that both of them would be on the school board.  I am not involved with the school district so don’t know the specifics of management and operations. I am relying on the statements of the two candidates and what I have seen of them in the community over the years.

As I said, I would really like to see both of them on the board. Since I have to make a choice, I’m going to be a bit arbitrary and vote for Brook, mostly on the basis of wanting to see some new blood on the board. I will be voting for Brook Willeford.
.       .     .      .       .         .      .         .         .          .        .         .        .        .        .      .         .         .           .            .           .

UPDATE.   Here is what I consider a very pertinent response from a thoughtful reader whose opinion I respect.

I don’t know why Brook decided to run against Linda for her position on the School Board when he could have run for two other open seats.

But he did, so there we are.

Linda is deeply experienced both as an educator and as a critical leader on the S. Whidbey School Board for several years.  I do know a bit about the Board and about the struggles they continue to face.  And I have to say, that hands-down she is the most experienced of the two.  AND she has not done anything particularly outrageous or controversial on the Board except struggle with declining enrollment, teacher salaries, declining budgets, and delayed State funding.  

Brook has strong opinions about education, which is admirable.  However he has no experience with education at all, except that he was a student in the District at one point, and his wife is a teacher.  I’m afraid that doesn’t make him qualified: it might make him have strong feeling and opinions (which is perfectly great), but it doesn’t mean he understands the depth and complexity of the issues the Board faces. 

I strongly believe that this is not one of those times when “new blood” is a good thing: the issues are way too complex, the funding is diminishing rapidly, and having someone who is knowledgeable is critical.  Brook is a nice man, from a nice family; he is well respected and deeply well intentioned.  But in this instance I wish he’d gone after an uncontested seat on the Board with some humbleness of knowing he has a lot to learn…and then tackled the issues rather than tackling the Board. 

My two cents worth.  

South Whidbey Water Districts and one Fire District

South Whidbey Water Districts and One Fire District

Bayview Beach Water District, Commissioner, position 4

Martin Coombe incumbent martin@marcon.com

Very involved with South Whidbey Parks & Rec
News Flash: Mr Coombe has responded to the questions. Here are his responses:

1. Why are you running for this particular position?

I’m the incumbent and currently serve as the President of the Board, a position I’ve held for the last two years. It’s a small water district of around 450 connections.  Our mission is to provide quality water whilst acting in a fiduciary manner.

2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position? 

Maintain good financial discipline and continue to grow the Districts reserves to allow work on future capital projects.

If an incumbent, what have you accomplished?

We amalgamated our operations and administrative functions at the beginning of 2019 to both streamline our management operations and save the District money. 10 months in – we are seeing clear results

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

 Like many water systems on the island – we are facing aging equipment and a pipe network. Neither aspect is cheap to replace. Balancing the need to replace equipment whilst maintaining financial stability is the challenge we face over the long term.

4.     What relevant experience do you have?

 Served on the Board for over 6 years and as stated – four as Secretary and the last two as its President.

5.     What will be your operating philosophy in office?

 Slowly shifting the District away from being reactive on issues to more proactive. The Board have become more focused on Risk Management, Emergency Preparedness and Conservation. The current Board is experienced, inquisitive and prudent and it’s a privilege to serve with my fellow commissioners.

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

 Having clean water is essential in nearly everything society does. Entrusted by the local electorate to continue providing oversight of BBWD’s service would be an honor.

Steven Myres s-e-i@whidbey.com

Freeland building contractor

I have been able to find pretty much nothing about either of these two candidates. Neither of them responded to my questions. I’m afraid I have nothing to go on so can’t make much of a recommendation. Unless there is something bad happening in the Bayview Beach Water District, based on this lack of information I would vote for the incumbent, Martin Coombe.

And now that he has responded, I see no reason to change my initial choice. 

Scatchet Head Water District, commissioner, position 2

Scott Carr incumbent shifting to a different position shwdcarr@gmail.com

1. 1. Why are you running for this particular position. If an incumbent, what have you accomplished?

I  attended Scatchet Head Water District  meetings for 3 years before being appointed. I would like to see us invest and take back our water system and not be totally reliant on contract management and contract engineering.  I see a need to evaluate these services and examine the condition of the water system.

1. 2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position?

Since I have served only a few months, here are a few items. 

Improve maintenance and over sight of our water system

Improve water quality

Emergency Preparedness 

Implement many capital improvement projects

Proper funding of the water system

Better Customer Service

Establish District web page

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

Replacing and rebuilding an aging water system

Changing a culture of deferring system improvements for over 20 years

1. 4. What relevant experience do you have?

I retired with over 25 years in Public Water Systems. As an Operator and System Manager, I bring hands on experience to our Water District 

1. 5. What will be your operating philosophy in office?

Scatchet Head Water District system should be in better shape than when I started

1. 6. What message would you like to convey to voters?

We have a lot of work ahead of us. We will have to rebuild a lot of our system (some piping goes back to 1958). The last time the District Board acted on a similar project was 1998 and rates have not been adjusted since 2003. We need Water Commissioners that can plan for future and implement a Capital Improvement Program. My opponent has been the president for the Water District for the last 20 years and has not had the foresight to keep our water system up to date over those years.

Thank you for your vote

Duffy Schoeler incumbent duffy@whidbey.com

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

to continue my 21 plus years in this water district

1. 2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position? If an incumbent, what have you accomplished?

I was involved in many major additions such as a new pump house with water treatment equipment and establishing higher water flow at the higher elevations in the district, replacement of older water mains and repainting of the 3000gal water tank.

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

Replacement of aging infrastructure , mains, pumps and filters 

1. 4. What relevant experience do you have?

25 years as a technical manager divided between NY Tel and Pacific Bell:  auto mechanic , teletype repair in U.S. Navy and experience on Board of Directors for Scatchet Head Community Club, many years of electrical and plumbing as volunteer with Hearts and Hammers and Habitat for Humanity.

1. 5. What will be your operating philosophy in office?

Produce the best water possible

1. 6. What message would you like to convey to voters?

I want to participate in achieving progress on the new 10 year plan and have ideas for an emergency water system in case of a catastrophic earth quake.

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

I went to the district’s facebook page and found complaints about disgusting water, cloudy water, high chlorine content, and broken mains. I did not see any response on the facebook page. 

I see two people who have reasonable expertise in the field. One has been in his position for many years and believes he is doing the best for the district. The other challenges, saying that the district is floating along, moribund, not doing the necessary work. I wish I knew more about these two, but an on-line search proved pretty useless. With so little to go on, , if I were to vote in Scatchet Head, I would vote for Scott Carr.  

Scatchet Head Water District, commissioner, position #3

Victoria Simmons has withdrawn 

Jaquelin (Jackie) Guyette jackie_guyette@hotmail.com

1. What do you hope to accomplish in this position? 

1. I have 3 goals...
   1. To ensure high water quality for our residents.
   2. To keep the cost for each resident down.
   3. To ensure that we will not drain our aquifer to the point where we are not able to provide water to the community

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

Communication between the community and the water company/water board. This communication has broken down into personal vendettas. We have community members who are so upset with this break in communication that they are taking matters into their own hands and, as a result, are costing our community thousands in their attempts to get information. I understand their concerns but I believe that there are better ways to deal with it.

What experience do you have?

Not much, to be honest. I have a Bachelor's degree in Science. I have been a community member for 5 years. I DO have experience running meetings from being the president of my 4H club, a part of the WSU IACUC, and a member of the American Association of Laboratory Technicians. I have a history of ensuring that safety and OSHA guidelines are followed, regardless of counter directives.

5.What will be your operating philosophy in office?

 1.Anyone has the right to ask me questions. ANY QUESTIONS!

 2. Anyone is welcome to voice their concerns to me! I welcome it. 

I will always do whatever I can to ensure water quality and keep cost down. This might mean that I propose a community vote on rate changes. I have already lobbied for slower rate changes and have been successful.

1. 1. Message to voters:

I am one of you. I live in this community full time, as opposed to some who try to influence the meetings. I have 3 kids who drink our water, play in our water and bathe in our water. We have a duty to our kids to keep the water clean. We also have a duty to look out for those in our community who are lower income and can barely afford food. These people can not afford a rate hike. We need to find a healthy balance somewhere in the middle! 

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

I was going to leave this one out in the interest of brevity, since the opponent has withdrawn. Then I re-read the responses and am rather favorably impressed, particularly with the statement about ensuring compliance with safety and OSHA guidelines in the face of  ‘counter directives.’  Ms Guyette took the time and energy to respond and she seems to have thought about what is involved and how to do it. If I voted in Scatchet Head, I would vote for Jackie Guyette. 

South Whidbey Fire & Emergency Services, commissioner, position 2

Mike Noblet mikenoblet@whidbey.com

I didn’t send Mike the list of questions because he is running unopposed. I happen to know Mike and what he stands for, and he is very thoughtful, very knowledgeable, and intent on doing the right thing. I would have preferred to see Mike take on something bigger, but am happy to support him at any level. Even though he is running unopposed, I will be voting for Mike Noblet.

South Whidbey Port and Park Districts

Port of South Whidbey, Commissioner, position 3

Upfront, my apologies for the exceedingly long response from one of the two candidates. I made the mistake of setting no limit on length. I have not read the entire statement. Your choice if you do.

Curt Gordon, incumbent curt@whidbey.com

1.     Why are you running for this particular position?

 I'm an incumbent with unfinished business for the Port.

2.     What do you hope to accomplish in this position? If an incumbent, what have you accomplished?

Try to retain a socio/economic balance for the benefit of the citizens of our district.

Since I was elected we've expanded the marina in Langley, saved and acquired the Fairgrounds, rebuilt the Possession boat launch, helped with ADA access at Clinton Beach and lured the Clipper to Langley, among other things.

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

 It's hard to find grant funding for projects and renovations.

4.     What relevant experience do you have?

Small business owner and affordable housing landlord.

20 years as a local park commissioner.

Finishing 10th year as Port commissioner.

5.     What will be your operating philosophy in office?

Run a tight ship.

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

The Port of South Whidbey will strive to promote economic development in a way that meets the ideals of our constituents. An example is our collaboration with the Tulalip Tribes to create overnight parking in Mukilteo so visitors can come to Whidbey and not clog the highways and ferry.

Ed Jenkins edjenkins@msn.com

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

Few people realize that the Port in many ways has more power than any other elected office. It has the unique ability to levy against your property taxes up to a statutory amount of $.45 per thousand with NO vote or oversight! The Port can also in certain circumstances create new levies beyond the $.45 limit, with no vote from the public. The Port can continue to borrow money for any project no matter how harebrained or ill thought out. Why? Because it is backed by taxing power and the full faith and credit of your pocket book! Bond holders do not have to worry about repayment. The Port just raises taxes to cover its poor choices. As it stands now it is a stacked deck ruled by Curt Gordon and two unelected appointees that follow his lead. Since Whidbey does not have an actual cargo port it’s only real purpose is fostering economic growth and offering recreational facilities tied to fishing or water sports. Now this is both good news but often times bad news. 

Since I moved to Whidbey 15 years ago I quickly realized that island culture often times was clashing with solid business practices. I also found that many businesses were created by people hoping to earn enough to afford to live here. In and of itself a great dream but I also saw a huge rate of business failures. Most of these closures were due to lack of sound business knowledge. Many times over the years I tried to work with forward thinking business people to give hands on advice. Sadly I usually ran into the old boys and girls that sat in power and did everything they could to discredit me. It seems they were only interested in deciding who was bringing refreshments for the next meeting. 

As I looked into what a Port Commissioner does and the power to get things done I realized that much could be done economically for Whidbey. To no surprise my continuing opponent was Curt Gordon. Now Curt is a very nice guy and fun to talk to but he has shown he either does not have a basic understanding of sound business practices or worse yet just does not follow them. The fact is that Curt has lived here most of his life and is a deeply entrenched good old boy. I expected more from Curt and the Port but year after year it was more of the same old poorly thought out expenditures. I hope to be given the opportunity to bring my almost thirty years of starting and running my businesses and promotional abilities to create some meaningful economic opportunities. That means good jobs for Whidbey.

1. 2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position? 

The first word that hits my mind is accountability. The second word is honesty and financial transparency and the last word is expertise. Those three things seem like a stinging accusation as to how the Port is being run and it is. Let me take each one and explain. 

Accountability is a big one and let me give a few examples. For years the Port has been giving grants to just about anyone who asked. Now according to Washington law these grants are supposed to be to further economic growth, great goal. Sadly as I watched this process over the years the groups asking gave no outline as to how the money was to be used and absolutely no way to know if it would bring new jobs or bring tourists to Whidbey. I started objecting to this system that seemed simply a means to benefit the good old establishments here on Whidbey. At a lunch with Curt some years back he stated that my ideas that an application must contain precise information as to how that grant would bring jobs and tourists to our island. Sounded great I thought. Well come the next grant time and only one group had actually followed the criteria? The rest simply had no idea how to target advertise and gather statistical data on attendees. Well why let a little thing as not following the grant guidelines stand in the way of handing out our tax dollars. This went on year after year and I believe it does to today. Another boondoggle of wasting tax dollars is the Langley sign near Kens Corner. In 2009 I had a much larger sign that could actually be read at speed by passing cars. There were directions to Langley in letters big enough to read at speed and a place to advertise Langley events. I had approval from wsdot, Senator Haugen and Price Johnson. I had it all paid for by donations of materials and labor. As usual the Langley cabal were furious that I got it done in three weeks and they had been “discussing it” for nine years so it got shut down. Many years later they got the Port to pay for what you see now. A sign that is too small to read at speed, the directions to Langley are way too small to read standing still but the best part is that the metal mess at the top in sun shine (when visitors drive by) cast shadows so that the sign can not be seen? The Port paid every cent as there were NO donations of time or materials from Langley? When I talked to Curt about it he agreed with me but he never tried to get any Port funds back. Also there has not been any maintenance and the paint is dirty and pealing? Doesn’t Langley take any pride about the town? Is a dirty sign how Langley wants visitors to perceive the town? Again where was any Port oversight as to how tax money would be spent and how effective it would be let alone how it has deteriorated. Surely Curt or any of the Port commissioners must drive by the poor old sign several times a week? If this is How Curt looks after your tax dollars how could anyone want him back for another term?

This years round of grants only listed who was getting funds. Strangely there is no place on the Port web site to view the grant applications and what they hope to accomplish? I would think that the Port would have a page to share how their grants have benefited Whidbey. Oh wait, how could they when there is no data to analyze? Someone should not have to dig and ask for copies of the applications. They should be open to everyone to see how our money is being spent and how effective it was. That is transparency and accountability. 

Another part of accountability is writing good contracts for the most bang for our tax buck. After all it is our tax dollars the Port is spending. This history of poorly thought out project contracts goes way, way back but lets start with the Langley Marina expansion. There were numerous cost overruns, all predictable.  Being charitable lets just say this is due to inexperience with contracts of this size. But is still our tax dollars that pay for this lack of knowledge. In all my years in business I can honestly say that I never had a cost overrun I had to pay. 

There are so many accountability issues it is hard to pick out only a few. Curt is only too eager to spend your tax dollars to curry favor. This one really jumped out at me. Years back the Clinton chamber was hell bent on making Clinton a tourist stop? In order to placate them he spent I believe $30,000 for a “possible Clinton village vitalization concept”. Now I am trying not to laugh as I write this but I attended a meeting with island county road people, a guy from Washington DOT and several other Clinton people. Oh yes someone with Beckwith who created the study. I wish I could show you the map with their concept here. You would laugh as hard as I did – until I realized they were seriours. I can guarantee you that someone with Beckwith never actually came her to draw this $30,000 boondoggle. Ok, try to follow this. They drew a traffic circle at 525 and Humphrey Rd. Then they were trying to get traffic flow by drawing a road from Wilson Place to Frost to connect to Bob Galbreath, oh wait. Frost dead ends at a cliff? Then they have another traffic circle at Bob Galbreath and across the circle is a new road that cuts through private property, a county facility and through Dan Porter Park? And on it goes and as Letterman said, you can’t make this up folks. Now I think Curt was getting a little embarrassed at this point, the people from island roads were trying not to laugh, the person from Beckwith was sliding under the table and the guy from wsdot said it would cost over ten million but it would never get done or funded. The Clinton people were trying to figure out how this might slow people down to shop in Clinton and I had the nerve to ask where they would do the tourist thing? Clinton is a simple little community with a few essentials that struggle. I live here and no one can tell me what tourists would stop for other than gas and fast food? And the boondoggles keep coming. If you email me I will send you a copy of this equivalent of the $50,000 air force toilet seat. It is good for a great laugh which is better than crying over our wasted tax dollars. Over the years I seem to keep reading about these financial fiascoes. Sadly I keep seeing Curts name attached to them. Easy for the Port to shrug it off as it is not their tax dollars.

The second word is honesty and financial transparency. To sum it up lets look at the Langley Marina. Let me say up front I am not opposed to the marina. I just believe that 12,000 tax payers should not pay to benefit a few in Langley. I have been shouting for the Port to show how the Marina will ever break even, let alone bring new jobs. Curt will say look at the budget the Marina breaks even. I will stop short of saying that is an outright lie and settle for misleading, cooking the books or misinformation in the grandest federal budget way. The Port puts the harbor income as one heading and the income from slips etc as another heading and guess what they are about the same, the marina seems to break even. HERE IS THE DECEIT. THERE IS ANOTHER HEADING WHERE THE $50,000 BOND PAYMENT IS LISTED! YOU WOULD HAVE TO KNOW WHERE TO LOOK TO MAKE THE CONNECTION! So the bottom line is the marina looses at least $50,000 each year! Curt will jump up and shout that the marina brings business to Langley and creates jobs. Ok Curt show me the data? Well there is no data and yes a few places to eat might get some extra business but show me how many new jobs it brings. Lets get real here how many businesses are there in Langley that are not art related? How many boaters do you see carting a table, a rug or a painting to their boat? I like the marina but if there is any benefit it is strictly to Langley!  So why are 12,000 South Whidbey tax payers paying to benefit less than a hundred Langley business owners? Now this week it is reported that the Port is looking at another marina expansion? There is no indication that the expansion will be anything other than a huge hand in your wallet. If Langley wants to expand the marina let them foot the majority of the huge bill with the Port only playing a minor roll. 

Now the fairgrounds. My fears are that the fairgrounds will be much the same as the marina except for a quantum leap of taxpayers dollars consumed. Sadly those fears are becoming a reality. There was a pretty good study done about the options to expand the fairgrounds into a multi use facility and it seemed like a good project. There were three options offered. The third option got everything done quickly which gave the quickest break-even point and hopefully profits. Yes it was more expensive but the return to taxpayers would come quicker and it actually had the ability to benefit South Whidbey in terms of jobs and income. Of course the Port only put the cheapest option out to the voters and the project is now suffering. Here is what I can not understand and can get no answers from Curt. In order to make the fairgrounds into a desirable event center THERE MUST BE PARKING! Does anyone in their right mind think people dressed nicely for say a wedding will park on the street and slog through rain and mud to get to the event? The third option not offered included buying land for parking. It was just reported this week that some of the improvements being done to the fairground do not follow code? Would you not think that before moving forward with any projects one would not coordinate with city entities? Not this Port and certainly not under the leadership of Curt Gordon. All the Port has done is pass the financial responsibility from the County to US! Makes you wonder what the quid pro quo is from Price Johnson? Oh yes, the study also stressed that a comprehensive business plan be drawn up. By now I think you know the answer. No business plan, no plans for a business plan but plenty of poorly thought out tax dollars waving good by to you. 

The last word is expertise. All the crazy, dumfounding and outright misrepresentation I have shown above and trust me this is just the tip of the iceberg is essentially about expertise and oversight or lack there of. I bring plenty of experience, am happily not part of the good old boy network. I promise you that I would allow none of these silly, stupid and outrageous situations that are obligating you for many years to come.

I would bring an approach to the Port that gets it running like a business, which it is but is not run like one. The Port has a legal mandate and I will follow that mandate carefully. I would never sit around and see so much tax payer money go down the drain. I know how and will get you good value for your taxpayer dollars. I will clean out the dead wood. Either Curt ignores his staff advice or he is getting bad advice from staff. I will not put up with either. Two of the Port positions were appointed, not elected, appointed, not elected! The last one was a shocker. Why was Jack Ng appointed when there were several other people very familiar with the port businesses and much better qualified. Here is a man who has a successful restaurant business but stated that he had no port experience. Here is a quote from the Record Friday, February 13, 2015, He noted ( Ng )that he is “still learning what the port actually does”. What the heck is going on? Still learning what the Port actually does? I hate to believe the worst that Curt thought he would be a puppet vote and at best there is a huge conflict of interest. The Port rents his offices and Ng supplies the food most every meeting. Something is rotten here. Curt Gordon is the only elected commissioner. Curt has stacked the deck it appears to make sure his agenda is not challenged. If either of the two much better qualified applicants were chosen there would have been internal oversight. Now there is none and someone with no track record of making good decisions rules the roost.

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

Just read the above issues as there are plenty of problems. I will have my work cut out for me as the good old boy way of doing business is rampant here. There are so many things that the Port does that to me do not pass the smell test. Here is a quote from the Record about Jack Ng being elected. “Although the commissioners then voted on the appointment, their comments strongly indicated they’d already reached a consensus behind closed doors, which is a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act”. I will follow the law and will never appropriate any taxpayer dollars without a thorough vetting. Part of a thorough vetting of any expenditures of taxpayers money is to see if it is financially feasible to be financially neutral. I am not sure if Curt understands or has ever used a business plan. No bank would ever lend money to a business without one. Certainly the Port under Curt has NEVER had a business plan for any enterprise the Port spends your money on. Now this is not to say that there are some projects that will never be moneymakers. Items like boat ramps and fishing are part of the Ports legal mandate to operate. Items like the marina that only benefits a very privileged few in my book should be shouldered by Langley with the Port only providing support. 

1. 4. What relevant experience do you have?

I have had a wealth of experience covering all sizes and types. Starting with a clothing store chain, converting mini trucks into 4 wheel drive, designing race car parts, retro fit turbo systems, electronic digital instrumentation, import and export, BMW/Mercedes shops and many more smaller businesses in between larger operations. I did all my advertising and was nominated for a Clio advertising Award (did not win but nice to be considered). I learned how to get trade magazines to give free publicity. When I had the BMW/Mercedes shops I was among the first to gather information from customers and target advertise specifically to that customer. I was always very organized and each first shop of a new business I quantified every aspect and position to a manual. This allowed me to expand quickly. As I alluded to above I was responsible for many contracts big and small. I know how to keep my exposure to a minimum. I have written many business plans and Performa financial projections. I know how to protect my money and I will do the same for your tax dollars.

1. 5. What will be your operating philosophy in office?

I understand I am an acquired taste. I am often direct and to the point. I know this is often off putting. Understand you are not electing a best friend or someone to go fish with or I hope you are not. I would think that you would elect someone who will run things efficiently and like a business. I will work hard to see your money gets the best bang for each tax dollar. I will make sure there are no surprises with any project down the line. I will be open to any taxpayers who have questions and if I can not give you the reason I am doing something then perhaps I should revisit it. You will get honesty and transparency. You will get to see a complete examination of Port personnel. If it was an employees fault for some of the boondoggles they will be replaced. If it was Curt then I hope you will give him his walking papers. One thing I would press for would be a small ad in the Record monthly where what went right and what went wrong is spelled out in simple language. It should be easy for you to know where things stand.

1. 6. What message would you like to convey to voters?

I hope I have covered any questions on how I would operate if elected. Unfortunately in small communities people are elected based on like ability, connections, and friends. I have often wondered how people like Curt can get so much campaign support for an unpaid position. I am looking forward to see who Curt’s donors are in his PDC fillings. I will not raise a dime and will not be obligated to anyone. Deny all you want but money precedes favors. Will that work in your best interest? My spiel is very simple. I am 75 years old and have been through a lot of ups and downs. Most good but some hard times. All this gives me the ability to know what it takes to do a good job is and what stinks like high heaven. If elected you will have no issues standing down wind of me. Thanks for reading this. 

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~       .       ~       .     ~

Ok, you can blame me on this one. I told candidates that they could take as much or as little room as they liked. Curt obviously took the short and sweet approach. Ed, on the other hand, has given us an entire diatribe to digest. Imagine sitting in a meeting with this kind of non-stop verbiage. 

I have had personal experience with both these men, and while Curt is by no means my all time favorite elected official, Ed carries some baggage I do not ever want to engage again. At the candidates’ night in Langley (again, thank you League of Women Voters) Curt was his usual composed self while Ed was all but boiling over, about to erupt. It was so bad that the headline in the record read “Port candidate lambastes incumbent at forum.” The story reports that all other candidates were ‘agreeable.’ Not Ed. As he points out in his overly long statement (see #5 above) he is “an acquired taste.” Indeed. Having been at the sharp end of his tongue and watched what I considered unethical behavior in the past, he is a taste I have not acquired. 

I’ll be voting for Curt Gordon for Port of South Whidbey commissioner. 

South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District, commissioner, position #4

Jennifer Cox.  incumbent jacox@whidbey.net no response

Langley realtor

Dawn Tarantino ejdctarantino@hotmail.com no response

Simply Nails and Spa

Interviewed with SWPR board 7-17-19, as a candidate for appointment to elective office.

Talk about shooting blind. Neither candidate responded. I have been able to find nothing concerning their candidacies, either on line or in the press. I did learn that Jennifer Cox is the incumbent. I also found an agenda for a July SWP&R board meeting at which they interviewed Dawn Tarantino for possible appointment to the board – presumably to fill out a position which became empty. I could not find any history, but come to the conclusion that Ms Cox was appointed and is now running for election to that position. 

I am becoming rather unhappy with the South Whidbey Parks & Recreation board for a serious lack of transparency concerning their governance. Their board minutes are so brief they convey no serious information. This will become an issue with the next item – namely, SWP&R asking us for money. 

Based on this serious lack of information, and because I will actually have to vote on this position, I am inclined to retain the incumbent, so will be voting for Jennifer Cox. 

South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District Bond

South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District Bond

Measure Text

The Board of Commissioners of South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District adopted Resolution No. 2019-02 concerning parks and recreational facilities. This proposition authorizes the District to acquire approximately 40 acres of real property in the District and to develop and improve such property for passive and active recreational use; issue up to $379,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a 5 year term; and levy excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as authorized in Resolution No. 2019-02.

Should this proposition be approved?

• Yes 
• No 

Ballot Title Written by Island County Prosecuting Attorney

I find myself in a most uncomfortable position on this issue. In most cases I would, without a second thought, advocate for more park land. Right now I am hearing from disgruntled neighbors of Trustland Trails to the effect that the operations manager is cowboying all over the neighborhood, willy-nilly cutting enormous “trails” that look more like freeways through the forest we thought was being protected, and dangerously close to their property lines – where it was agreed years ago there would be no trails. In the past I have had great respect for Parks Director Doug Coutts, so was a bit shocked and surprised to hear from those neighbors that he had shrugged off their complaints. What’s going on at South Whidbey Parks & Rec? Have they lost sight of the most basic duties of a public organization? Such unresolved questions about how the Parks district treats its forest land leaves me less than eager to obligate myself for the purchase of more of the same. 

I’ve now had a response (not as responsive as I would like) from one of the SWP&R board members, so understand more of what this is about. SWP&R has received an RCO (Recreation & Conservation Office of the state, the people who hand out funds for land acquisition) grant of $300k to buy the 40 acres behind the primary school on Maxwelton Road. A condition of these grants is that there has to be an equal local match – which is why they’re asking for the bond, to make up that match. There has been a long ongoing wish to get that land into public ownership. This looks like the way to do it. I still think SWP&R has a lot to answer for about the Trustland Trails property, but would not hold this acquisition hostage to those answers. So, with some frustration, I will be voting YES on the bond issue.