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DISTRICT 1 NEWS
February  2014
For a short month, February is jam packed with community doings. There are some important informational meetings and your input is encouraged. Also I want to highlight the new Whidbey Veterans Resource Center at Bayview. Please share this newsletter with others. All are welcome to subscribe.
 Fairgrounds Planning for the Future
  
In my last newsletter, I let you know about tonight's public meeting to talk about the future of a beloved public asset, the Island County Fairgrounds. I hope you can attend, and hear the presentation first hand. Here is a link to the materials. This is a wonderful community property with a rich history and great potential. However the reality of struggling to maintain too many aging structures and keeping the property viable for the annual fair, must be faced. This will be the topic of the February 18th meeting. It will be held in the evening  at the Coffman Building on the Fairgrounds starting at 7 pm. Your input is important.

 Transportation Planning Outreach

  Island County
Do you want more multi-modal transportation options? Should there be more sidewalks in Freeland? Does Clinton need a traffic signal? Tonight is the first of several public outreach meetings about local transportation needs now and into the future. As part of the County's long range comprehensive plan update there are three kick-off meetings to gather input for the update to the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan:
  • Tuesday, February 18th at Whidbey Island Community Education Center (5611 Bayview Road--Old Bayview School)
  • Wednesday, February 19th at the Oak Harbor Branch of the Sno-Isle Library (1000 SE Regatta Drive)
  • Thursday, February 27th at the Camano Multi-purpose Center (141 NE Camano Drive)

Each meeting will go from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  County staff and their consultant team will be at each meeting to discuss the existing transportation conditions in the County and to get your feedback on what changes you would like to see in the future.  A brief presentation will begin at 6:30, followed by an interactive exercise and an opportunity to ask questions.

After the meeting, the presentation materials will be posted on the Public Works website.  It is vital that community members engage and offer feedback. More public outreach meetings will be held in the future, so please stay tuned.

WHIDBEY VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER
  
Congratulations to the  Whidbey Veterans Resource Center (WVRC) on the grand opening of their newly renovated location in the lower level of the Bayview American Legion Hall.

It was great to be there last weekend for the celebration. Welcoming veterans and their families with both private offices and relaxed open areas, the WVRC  has created a safe portal through which veterans can build resiliency, increase access to available resources, and reintegrate into family and community life. 

The WVRC networks with existing veteran service organizations, community groups and churches to connect  veterans and their families with information, referral and advocacy services. It is their goal to serve as a hub and be a  trusted resource for veterans and their families in the area of medical and mental health services, disability and educational benefits. For example, Island County Veterans services holds regular hours there on Thursdays. For more information about the WVRC visit their website www.whidbeyvrc.org and please help spread the word to veterans in our community and to those who may wish to support this volunteer based effort. 
   
It is an honor to serve you,

 
Helen Price Johnson
Island County Commissioner, Dist. 1

district1@co.island.wa.us 

(360)679-7354

PO Box 5000

Coupeville, WA 98239