Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper
Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 28
Half a loaf is better than none. And in the age of COVID, even a quarter loaf now looms large. Just ask La Conner Regional Library Director Jared Fair and Lincoln Theatre Executive Director Roger Gietzen. Both received a welcome dose of good news last week when Gov. Jay Inslee modified COVID-19 library and theater restrictions. The governor approved guidelines allowing libraries and theaters to operate at 25 per cent capacity in Phase Two of the state’s Safe Start plan Oct. 6. Skagit County has been in Phase 2 since June. But Fair and G...
A plethora of political signs there this election cycle has in the view of many turned the La Conner roundabout into an eyesore. But that is about to change. The roundabout area is getting a well-deserved makeover, the effects of which will be visible long after the polls close and candidate signs come down. Two local businesses and service club members have teamed up to launch a long-term beautification project at the roundabout at the east entrance to town. With the iconic Pioneer Monument,...
Spikes on the volleyball court would be a most welcome change from those in COVID-19 cases. The hope is that will soon be the case. Especially in La Conner, where the two-time defending state champion Lady Braves are cleared to resume full team activities under anti-COVID guidelines set by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), which governs school sports and extra-curricular programs in the state. “The WIAA is allowing full team practices for activities and sports that are considered low or moderate at-risk if they a...
Bay View author Carl Molesworth has been fascinated with the life of famed Flying Tiger pilot Bill Reed for over four decades. But he was only recently able to get around to writing about the highly decorated though ill-fated World War II aviator. Molesworth is now practicing the same patience he showed in researching and developing the book when it comes to rolling it out to local readers. He was scheduled to launch “Flying Tiger Ace: The Story of Bill Reed, China’s Shining Mark” at a sprin...
Election ballots were mailed today. You received your state voters guide last week. When the ballot come, review your decisions, fill it out and put it in the mail or the elections drop box at the library or on the Swinomish Reservation. Do it by the end of the week, or soon after you have your ballot in hand. Your vote will definitely be counted if you return it to a county drop box and most likely if it is in the U.S. Mail by Oct. 26. Voting early ensures your ballot is delivered by Nov. 23, the last day ballots are counted. and eases the...
The word ubuntu comes from the Bantu tribe of South Africa. It was introduced into general use by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and prioritizes inclusivity over exclusivity, community over competition, hospitality over hostility, dialogue over confrontation, and respect over domination. A few years ago, when the archbishop visited Seattle, I was privileged to have a scheduled meeting with students from the University of Washington with Archbishop Tutu presiding. He reminded the students of the difficulties he experienced with the education of his...
What Donald Trump was Allen Elliott referring to in his Sept. 30 column? He is certainly a totally different president Trump than the one my husband and I support. I suspect he is the verbally contrived contortion of the likes of CNN, MSNBC, CBS, etc., the news outlets that now have become dangerous propaganda machines. While still in grade school, I recall a statement made by my teacher which made an indelible impression on me. She commented that it is very dangerous for a country when the news media (at that time newspapers) align themselves...
Two weekends ago, at October’s start, under cover of darkness coward operatives stole Republican campaign signs, including Trump signs, from dozens of front yards in our area. Members of the so-called “party of tolerance” apparently think they are entitled to engage in criminal activity, including trespass and theft, if they disagree with the 50% of Americans who voted for the current president. Trump supporters come in all colors, cultures and gender identities, and are bonded by a love of and respect for our country and our const...
The most important issue we will be looking at this year when voting for legislative candidates is their stance on the recently passed sexual education bill (ESSB 5395). As grandparents who care deeply about their grandchildren, we are appalled to see the state mandating this curriculum be taught throughout the state. Without question, this bill takes away local and parental control in schools. Local school districts exist to decide what is best for their community. At our local school board, we can clearly voice our opinion and be heard;...
Why? Most importantly to help keep Skagit from becoming a charter county. There is a strong push for Skagit County to transition from its county commission form of government to that of a charter. Contrary to claims, our county commission form of government, not perfect by any stretch, is not broken. So why try to fix something not broken, because it would benefit myriad environmental, progressive and other special interest groups – not the majority of us living here. Before moving to Skagit County, I was active in King County politics,...
As a retired medical professional with a master’s degree in public health, I am responding to Val Mullen’s “scientific” view point on mask wearing for COVID-19 protection. (letter, Oct.7) First, some explanation: This teeny virus which scientist Mullen states is 125 nanometers is carried by bodily fluids varying in size from misty aerosol droplets to spit balls. As anyone who has worn a mask for 15 minutes can attest to, a lot of those droplets are caught in the mask. One also sees this moisture on a cold winter’s day when your breath fr...
A self-proclaimed biologist from Sedro-Wooley has decided that she is smarter than the leading scientists in Japan, Germany, Russia and the United States among many others and is certain that we do not need to wear masks to combat COVID-19. It is so dangerous when you combine hubris with carelessness, especially when you are not only subjecting yourself to the disease, but also all those you come into contact with. I could understand someone saying that they do not think the science is clear enough yet but let us err on the side of caution...
I am appalled at the recent flyers that have been arriving via the mail, trashing Angie Homola, candidate for the 10th Legislative District. Apparently her opponent Greg Gilday does not have the fortitude to stand behind these tactics, so the flyers are being sent by a shady Republican group out of Bellevue. The flyers claim that Homola was fired from Island County Planning Department because of hostility and poor performance. That is, at best, a gross misrepresentation. I have known Angie for years, and at the time Angie was working...
Helene Louise Suit (Johnson), age 77, passed away at home on October 2, 2020 following a brief battle with an aggressive brain cancer. She was born June 28, 1943 in Seattle, Washington to Iver and Louise Johnson. On March 6, 1964 she eloped with her best friend and love, Terrence (Terry) Roy Suit, to the “Hitching Post” in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Helene grew up in Bothell, Washington and graduated from the Bothell High School in 1961. Helene worked at the Arlington School District from which...
Personal background I graduated from Anacortes High School, Western Washington University and Washington and Lee University School of Law. I come from a large, close-knit family that taught me the values of hard work and service to our community. My husband and I have two wonderful children and two dogs. Qualifying experiences As a senior deputy defender with the Skagit County Public Defender’s Office, I am an experienced trial attorney with a background in both civil and criminal law. I previou...
Background / qualifying experiences My wife Teru and I married 42 years ago, raised a family and live in a house we built in Skagit County. As a commercial fisherman for decades, I successfully helped solve difficult issues, including a quota system for overcrowded Alaskan fisheries and a bycatch-deterrent for an endangered seabird. From my three years serving on the county’s Planning Commission, I know that Skagit County has the same kind of issues: environmental, economic and social. H...
Background / qualifying experiences Currently general manager for Wells Nursery, have been employed there for 28 years. I am serving my fifth year on the Mount Vernon City Council. I have also been a community volunteer for many years, currently on the Board for Home Trust of Skagit County and The Skagit Community Foundation, past president of the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation and past treasurer for the Skagit County Farm Bureau. Handling the pandemic through 2021 You have the power to...
Personal background Age: 59. Residence: Bow. Married to wife Dianne for 21 years. Qualifying experiences B.A. Political Science, Minor English, State Univ. NY Plattsburgh 1982. Juris Doctor, Willamette Univ. School of Law, 1986. Master of Management/MBA: Willamette University, Atkinson Graduate School Mgmt., 1986. Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney, 2002-2006; trust and estate officer, Rainier National Bank; deputy prosecuting attorney, Skagit, San Juan, Whatcom and King Counties; private law...
“Skagit County, we’re in trouble. COVID-19 cases are rising at an alarming rate, and we need your help to reverse the trend and keep us out of major trouble.” That is Skagit Health Officer Dr. Leibrand’s first sentence in an Oct. 8 Skagit County press release with the title phrase “startling upward tick in COVID-19 cases.” This is a drastic turnaround from an Oct. 5 statement when new cases were dropping toward a bi-weekly total of 25 per 100,000 residents, the metric for advancing in the state’s Safe Start: Reopening Washington plan “Our rat...
Background / qualifying experiences I have been a Skagit County Commissioner. I am fourth generation dairy farmer and businessman. The Wesen family operate an organic centennial dairy farm in Bow-Edison. I am a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Louis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree, I have a long history of leadership in the agricultural community. Handling the pandemic through 2021 Skagit County Public Health has been dealing with COVID-19 since early March,...
Background / qualifying experiences Attorney at the Law Office of Cole & Gilday (2005-present); Managing Broker at Windermere (2013-present); Board Director at Land Title & Escrow (2013-present, President and Chairman of the Board,2018-present). Juris Doctor, Seattle University School of Law, 2005; MBA, Seattle University, 2005; B.A., Western Washington, 2000. I have served on the board for the Stanwood Camano Rotary Club (member since 2006), the Stanwood Camano Food Bank, and the Safe Harbor Fr...
Background / qualifying experiences I have been a resident of La Conner for 16 years. I Am a former La Conner Town Council member where I served on the Parks Commission, Park and Port Committee, Utilities Committee and helped to develop and approve La Conner’s budgets. I also served on the Association of Washington Small Cities Advisory Committee. I have 30 years of practical business experience that includes being a property manager; former realtor, estate planner and town merchant. State e...
Background / qualifying experiences 2001-07 South Whidbey School Board Director; 2008-20 Island County Commissioner; 2013-14 president, Washington State Association of Counties; Education: Mills College B.A. Administration and Legal Processes. I grew up on Whidbey Island and am a third-generation small business owner. I have spent my adult life giving back to the community I love. My husband and I own a residential construction company, raised our four children here and put them through college....
Background / qualifying experiences I am an architect, small business owner and former carpenter, laborer and machinist with a Masters Degree in Environmental Law and Policy. Whidbey Island has been my family’s home for 23 years. During the Great Recession I served as Island County Commissioner balancing the budget and promoting transparency and accountable government. I have the experience, accountability and compassion to help steer our state out of tough times and to set us on course for a s...
Background / qualifying experiences I’m an educator and community leader and I have worked at Skagit Valley College since 2008 and served on the Oak Harbor Educational Foundation since 2009. I have had the honor of serving in the State Legislature for the past two years. Voters can trust that I will continue to listen to all constituents and work hard to find bipartisan solutions whenever possible. The legislation that I have sponsored to protect veterans, support education and improve transport...
