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DISTRICT 1 NEWS
February 2013
It is Good to Live and Work Here
Every day I feel blessed to live and work in this great community. We come together in amazing ways to support each other. Sometimes we need to tackle difficult issues and I am especially proud when we can do so with mutual respect. There are a few examples of each to let you know about.
Sequestration stretches safety net  
The pending sequestration cuts are going to have impacts on our local economy and safety net.  Some cuts will affect paychecks and some will affect programs. Some people will lose access to services. In Oak Harbor it is estimated that 1200 civilian employees at NAS Whidbey will have their pay cut 20% through furloughs. From children across Island County's school districts losing special education support, to cuts in grant support for Citizens Against Domestic Abuse, to fewer seniors receiving meals on wheels the local repercussions of sequestration will unfold over the coming year. Here is a report from Congressman Larsen with the details.  Our community will need to come together in new ways to take care of our most vulnerable citizens.  This is frustrating and unsettling and I am watching it unfold with you. We must position our community to respond in ways which makes sense for us - for our neighbors and our future. Please share your ideas with me as this difficult challenge unfolds.
No Shooting Areas
About this time last year approximately 150 citizens in District 2 petitioned the Board to consider putting a process in place for densely populated neighborhoods to request designation of a no shooting area.  My interest is to respect the rights of the many responsible gun owners in our county while addressing the real concern of  firearms target practice in close proximity to children playing in their back yards. The Board received considerable public input and I personally met with a local gun club to gather comments. Here is a copy of the proposed ordinance as it stands. This is a draft document, and we have received suggestions for further  improvement. The commissioners will discuss next steps during our work session on Wednesday, March 6th. Your feedback is welcome via email, phone or during our Monday meeting March 4th at 10am. Given the currently charged climate locally and across our country on anything concerning guns, should it move forward, I will be advocating for evening meetings around the county for further community dialogue before consideration of a final ordinance.
Recycling Update     

Curbside recycling has been a long discussed program here. It was available back when people could put a clear bag of recyclables in their trash can for pick up. That service went away years ago, and folks have been working to get something like it back. Because of our remote location our options are more limited and more expensive than most areas.  Allowing the private hauler to offer this service will decrease the overall cost of solid waste in our County and divert about 20% more waste out of the landfill. Also, I need to correct my earlier newsletter and let you know that a recent energy audit of Island County found that a roadside pick up recycling program would be the largest single reducer of our community's carbon footprint  (mostly through the reduction in methane produced by our trash at the landfill). Many families don't currently recycle because it is inconvenient for them. Others like the way the system works now.  So, the Board will soon decide whether to reconsider the curbside recycle service slated to be provided by Island Disposal. A date has not yet been scheduled for this decision.

Sunnyview Village
Workforce housing is needed on South Whidbey. As property values rise it is harder for local workers to find affordable homes for their families. The Sunnyview Village project started in 2008 when Phil Bakke was the District 1 County Commissioner and a decision was made at that time to allocate local housing funds to the Island County Housing Authority  (ICHA) to purchase property from Ray Gabelein, Jr. for  the purpose of building 26-units of  low income housing. The ICHA is a separate entity from county government. The property is located in Freeland along Scenic Rd.   That project has now received funding for construction and permit applications have been submitted. There are challenges to the proposal  going through, primarily concerning septic treatment. County officials are reviewing the applications and holding the ICHA to all health and safety standards.  Many neighbors  have shared their concerns about this issue and others. It is encouraging that the ICHA is now reaching out and communicating with Freeland residents to address their questions.
 If their permit challenges prove insurmountable I hope the ICHA can find an appropriate, buildable property to meet this need in our community.

Be sure to forward this email to others who may be interested. Thanks for your interest. It is truly an honor to serve the citizens of Island County. 
 
Best regards,

 

Helen Price Johnson
Island County Commissioner, Dist. 1

[email protected] 

(360)679-7354

PO Box 5000

Coupeville, WA 98239