Sheriff: Report crimes to 911 first

Reporting at the Sept. 10 La Conner Town Council meeting, Sgt. Brad Holmes, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office La Conner detachment administrator, made a plea to residents and an apology to the council.

He addressed concerns voiced at the Aug. 27 council meeting over deputies’ response times to a nighttime burglary and theft incident around North Third Street that month.

Holmes said that deputies had arrived in La Conner within 20 minutes of the crimes being reported and immediately began patrolling for the suspect vehicle, which staff learned was stolen.

He said the initial call to deputies was made several minutes after the fact.

“I can’t emphasize enough,” said Holmes, “to try and call when something’s happening.”

He acknowledged that specialized medical equipment had been taken from a residence.

Holmes apologized to the council that the matter was brought to them before it was brought to him.

“Ask the sheriff’s office first,” he implored residents. “Give us a chance to get the information out.

“My main point,” Holmes emphasized, “is to set the record straight. It wasn’t quite how it was portrayed.”

Holmes said that when humans are involved mistakes will invariably happen. But, he vowed, law enforcement officers will own up to theirs.

“If we screw up,” he said, “we’ll fall on our sword.”

In his report, Fire Chief Aaron Reinstra said he was “excited for Oct. 9,” the day South First Street will convert to one-way southbound traffic. Reinstra has supported the change, citing the difficulty of navigating emergency vehicles down the narrow street with parking on both sides of the street.

The meeting opened with a show of generosity, a trait not always realized in a timely manner.

South Second Street resident Jean Wharton shared her three-year effort to donate a handsome artisan fence from her home for installation in the La Conner Civic Garden Club’s butterfly garden.

Wharton, a retired clinical psychologist, has offered to cover the estimated $15,000 cost to install the fence.

Using her native English charm, Wharton outlined the unexpected and extended ordeal of trying to make a significant civic donation. She said that 13 separate contractors since 2021 have turned down the project.

“I sort of gave up on the process,” Wharton conceded.

Enter Public Works Director Brian Lease, who said his work crew can handle the installation on a time-available basis.

That time now appears to be next spring – if everything falls into place – ahead of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

Wharton lauded Lease, referring to him as “his lordship” – “I’m English, after all,” she said.

“Brian was brilliant,” she stressed. “He’s always made himself available.”

Wharton also lavished praise on Assistant Planner Ajah Eills, Planning Commissioner John Leaver, Civic Garden Club President Kim Good-Rubenstein and famed local artist Tracy Powell.

“And Ajah,” Wharton added, “is absolutely brilliant. She is an absolute asset to this town.”

Councilmember Mary Wohleb recalled that the parks commission has endorsed the fence installation plan.

Mayor Marna Hanneman pledged that the project will happen early next year.

“We’ll check and see if anything is scheduled for March at the Garden Club,” she said.

“It’s just a matter of us lining up a time for the project,” Lease said.

Hanneman expressed gratitude that Wharton didn’t give up on the fence donation.

“We’re very thankful,” Hanneman told Wharton. “We greatly appreciate your time and generosity.”

Wharton, in turn, commended the entire community.

“I love that this town appreciates art,” she said.

Hanneman later reported meeting with Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Shelter Bay representatives.

“It was a great meeting,” she said. “Chairman (Steve) Edwards participated and said we should have a potlatch in the spring and that Swinomish would bring the oysters and fish.”

Councilmember Rick Dole said that the town’s emergency management commission is looking to fill two vacancies.

“The commission,” said Dole, “could be down to three members.”

In new business, the council approved a resolution appointing Josie Adams as the Arts Commission non-voting student representative from La Conner Middle and High School Principal Christine Tripp’s recommendation.