'Locals Only' sign debated as COVID-19 cases climb

Words matter.

That’s been a common refrain heard nationally during a period of tense political division.

Here in La Conner, it was two words that especially raised eyebrows the weekend before last.

Those were “Locals Only.”

The two-word message, which some found too harsh, appeared at the roundabout entrance to town April 11 as part of signage designed to encourage social distancing and limit access here by visitors to help stop spread of the coronavirus.

The Locals Only sign was quickly removed after Mayor Ramon Hayes was beset with complaints about its tone, mostly from local business owners, for whom tourism during tulip season is vital.

“There was a huge amount of pushback on Locals Only.” Hayes said. “They came to me and said, ‘We didn’t see this coming’ and ‘We’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing’ (in regard to social distancing).”

The softer “Limited Access” signage remained in place and was posted again last weekend as local growers began topping tulips.

But the discarded Locals Only sign was still the talk of the town, or at least of the Town Council, at its April 14 video-conferenced session.

Councilmember Jacques Brunisholz said the controversial sign was appropriate given the threat posed by COVID-19. He alluded to prior sunny days when people were seen closely congregating in town.

“Locals Only is okay,” Brunisholz said, stressing that the term ‘local’ isn’t limited to town residents, but also applies to those living in the vicinity of La Conner.

Councilor John Leaver expressed concern, however, that Locals Only could create a lasting stigma as La Conner eventually rebuilds its economy after the virus crisis passes.

Hayes said the “Limited Access” approach proved effective on its own, minus the grief caused by the Locals Only sign.

“It did have an impact,” said Hayes, “though not 100 per cent. The goal was to thin out the herd and permit social distancing. There weren’t nearly the crowds and no shoulder-to-shoulder (congregating).”

Council member Mary Wohleb said it is understandable La Conner would continue to attract visitors despite the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival being cancelled and stores here being closed while the statewide ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order is in effect.

“I saw people escaping Seattle to see the tulips because everything is closed down there,” she said, “and then coming into La Conner because it’s a cute town.”

The Locals Only sign is likely retired for good, Hayes indicated.

“I can’t take that kind of pushback again,” he said of the sign flap. “My entire Saturday [April 11] was consumed with phone calls. If you go with Locals Only (again), prepare for the backlash.”

But two weeks later Hayes was rethinking the volume of town visitors. Monday, the 20th, he said the quantity of tourists and their behavior the day before, Sunday, made him uncomfortable. In a phone call to the Weekly News he expressed his intent to reach out to community leaders, which could include the county commissioners and the sheriff’s office.

Hayes is clearly worried that the coronavirus can be brought into La Conner by out-of-towners from larger communities.

Numbers matter as much as words. The Skagit County Department of Public Health’s daily reports show a disturbing rise in COVID-19 cases since April 13. Since then positive test cases have climbed from 193 to 255, a 32% rise. Hospitalizations are up 50%, from 24 to 36. Another person, the seventh reported, has died. And while 32 people have recovered, there are 30 more active cases, 168, versus the 138 on April 13. More troubling is the report of 14 new cases each on April 14 and April 18. the highest single day totals reported to date.

Friday Public Health reported the number of confirmed cases in the 98257 zip code to be less than 10. A Skagit County COVID-19 Cases by Zip Code map, updated weekly.

In other Council business:

*Hayes said he and Town Administrator Scott Thomas met recently with Swinomish Tribal Community General Manager Allan Olson and Police Chief Lou D’Amelio. “The goal of the meeting,” Hayes said, “was to do a ‘meet and greet’ and get acquainted since there’s new leadership on the Tribal Senate.”

*Council member Bill Stokes asked Hayes and Thomas to address the issue of persons living in their vehicles at the west end of Caledonia Street. “It’s an increasingly bad situation,” Stokes said. Hayes vowed that the Town would “move on this in the most kind, compassionate manner possible.”