With summer nearly upon us, I hope your spring has gone well.

It's time to remember our fathers, for all the parts that they played.  Yes, they may have spent the most of their time coaching the sons baseball, but the daughters always knew they had the heart strings.

Luckily for all of us, the men are generally pretty easy to please.  May I suggest a trip to the new Cabella's in Marysville.  You can always head over to the casino and play some slots if time allows.

I wish you a delightful father's day!

It's been 200 years since the United States first went to war to ensure the freedom of the seas.  Yes, this month marks the beginning of the bicentennial celebrations of the War of 1812. 

Being a Navy Leaguer, and having a new found passion for American History, I crafted a resolution proclaiming the full 2 1/2 year term of the war for celebration of the bicentennial. (click here to view the resolution.)

This met with some resistance from my colleagues on the board.  They showed concern for my reasons to celebrate such a thing and thought the cost of having staff process the document would be burdensome.  I insisted that many on the islands would not be troubled with the trifle expense. 

Here's my thoughts on this history:

The War of 1812 is sometimes considered "the Forgotten War." Many are unclear of its origins, the goals or even the outcome. Well, it was started for all the reasons stated in the Proclamation, but what the Proclamation doesn't say is how much sea power played a fundamental role in this war.

 

In the first stage, the USS Constitution defeated four English ships. Each time it returned to the harbor in Boston, it raised American morale and laid rest to the myth that the Royal Navy could not be beat.

"Don't give up the ship!"

 

 

Commander Oliver Hazard Perry sent American morale soaring with the victory in "the Battle of Lake Erie." This win allowed us, the Americans, to reclaim Michigan and put an end to the fighting on the western frontier.

   

 

One of the best sea battles in the war was fought in Lake Champlain, New York.  Our victory there turned the British back from Canada and gave impetus for the upcoming peace.

 

It was also a small naval squadron off the coast of New Orleans that delayed and harassed the oncoming British, giving General Andrew Jackson time to prepare for his battle.

 

I celebrate this bicentennial because I recognize what united us in that effort to secure a safe and prosperous future for our posterity.

 

When the word came to Baltimore that our White House was set on fire and the British were on their way, mariners from around the northern Chesapeake began lining up their vessels and then sinking them with strategic placement to block the harbor and save Baltimore.

 

When General Andrew Jackson put out the call for help in New Orleans, he armed Americans of every race, creed and gender to back up his gallant troops. Indians and blacks fought alongside white men and white women. Folks came from out of the woodwork, kinda like a Tea Party, to defend their right to be Americans.

 

So I ask you, all of you that can hear me wherever you might be: Let us focus not on what divides us... but on what unites us, our American exceptionalism.

 

It was 200 years ago today that the United States first went to war to ensure the freedom of the seas. And it will soon be 200 years since that moment of inspiration that gave us our national anthem.  Let the celebrations begin! 

 

You might remember last year my telling about a fortunate and timely AG response that relieved Island Couty from dire financial straits.  Whether you do or not, it bears repeating.

We have a basically untouchable reserve fund that is required by law to be a certain percentage of our current expense budget.  Then we have an "unreserved" reserve fund that less than four years ago contained over $5 million.  That is not an excessive amount for a fund which is used for things like unexpected or extra ordinary legal defense, rainy days, etc. 

When the recession hit, the board believed it would be temporary and made no significant changes what so ever.  With their rose colored glasses, they focused on full cost recovery for services and tax increases, failing to recognize the private sectors pain.  (I was in the privates sector on Camano trying to tell them.)

After the first nearly 3 million dollar ding to those "unreserved" funds, the board sobered up.  They got to work on some cuts and cost saving measures.  Unfortunately, it was "a little too little and a little too late." 

When I took office, that fund had dropped to near $880,000... Dangerously low.  Yet the budget, which I alone voted against, was still based on tax increases and assumptions of increasing interest revenue.

Admiralty Bay from Port Townsend

Now the rest of the story:

Some time back, we were told we were performing a particular accounting process incorrectly, thereby causing us to undercut the state.  Since our legal counsel didn't agree, we challenged the state's decision.

The difference in revenue was placed in a sort of escrow account to remain until the attorney general could weigh in.  He did so last summer, and he decided in our favor.

Eureka!  Our reserves were substantially replenished! 

It may not have demanded any management skills, but at least we can breath easier for a bit.

I'm pleased to announce my nomination of Jim Hall from Camano for Planning Commissioner was accepted.  He will soon be joining Wayne Havens from Camano along with those from Whidbey, in the unrewarding, grueling work of advising the county commissioners on land use issues.

Jim and I don't necessarily agree ideologically, but that wasn't going to stop me from reaching out to someone I thought would be an excellent choice to fill the vacated position of William Lippens.  Many of you agree; thank you for the letting me know.

These volunteer positions are often hard to fill, especially from Camano.  To my surprise, this one did eventually generate some response. 

I also thank the other two gentlemen who were willing to give there time for this community function.  Hopefully they will be willing to step up for some other looming need, we have plenty.

Welcome Aboard Jim!