Town leaders mourn death of key advisor

New La Conner Emergency Management Commission chair Jerry George had sad news to share when the panel met March 5 at Maple Hall.

George had the unenviable task of announcing the death of commission charter member Duane Carpenter, 64, whose expertise in meteorology was frequently tapped during the board’s inaugural year as it considered flood mitigation strategies.

George said that Carpenter, with an extensive background in cartography and weather analysis, died unexpectedly March 1 from complications following a surgical procedure.

“Duane was particularly valuable to this commission,” George said. “He was also quite pleasant. And we will miss him.”

Carpenter was one of five original voting members on the emergency management commission, launched in response to devastating saltwater flooding here in late December 2022. Extreme weather conditions, coupled with high tides, were major factors contributing to flooding that caused nearly $2 million in property damage along the La Conner waterfront and in its low-lying residential areas.

The commission appreciated Carpenter’s weather-oriented skills set.

His passing renders the commission further short-handed. Its initial chairperson, former planning commissioner and town councilor Bill Stokes, who had led the drive to install flood barriers prior to king tide season, stepped down recently.

The town council has issued a resolution thanking Stokes for his efforts, which included coordination of a summer waterfront walking tour led by Public Works Director Brian Lease that surveyed flood trouble spots and invited proposed remedies.

Carpenter was on that tour.

“The entire town is saddened to hear about the passing of Duane Carpenter,” Mayor Marna Hanneman told the Weekly News. “His contributions to the Emergency Management Commission were invaluable. In the short time I knew him, he always had a smile on his face and had great positive energy. His expertise in helping guide the commission in its beginning stages and beyond will leave a big void.”

The commission is now comprised of Chairman George, Jim White, Doug Asbe, and Jamie Throgmorton, who served last year as a non-voting member.

Hanneman briefly outlined the format for adding a fifth emergency management member.

She said the town will publish a notice inviting interested La Conner residents to apply for appointment to the commission.

“Once the application process has expired,” said Hanneman, “I will review all the applications we have received and make my recommendation to the council for its consideration and concurrence. Duane will be a hard act to follow.”

A celebration of Carpenter’s life will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at Hellams Vineyard in La Conner.