DISTRICT 1 NEWS

May 2014

Bountiful May

The summer season always feels like it starts in May as the weather is generally nicer than in June and the farmer's markets reopen to tempt us with wonderful produce, flowers and other goodies from local vendors. I hope you are able to get out and enjoy all that Island County has to offer. Below are a few newsworthy items to keep you in the loop.

Fish and Wildlife Policy Update

My predecessors left some unfinished business in the Comprehensive Plan update process of 2005 which has taken a bit of time and effort to catch up on. One of the items left undone was the Fish and Wildlife Critical Area policy. The Growth Management Hearings Board has given the County a deadline of next month to take action. A draft policy is being considered by the Planning Commission now. Once they finish their deliberations a recommendation will come to the Board of Commissioners for consideration and adoption. I welcome your input.

District 3 Commissioner Appointment

With the resignation of Kelly Emerson, the District 3 Commissioners seat is open. Because she left just prior to the candidate filing period, Commissioner Jill Johnson and I must follow state law and select from three names submitted by the Island County Republican party just a few weeks before the voters of District 3 will cast their primary ballot votes.

It is my hope that there be a two step process and interviews will be held on Camano Island so citizens in the district have the opportunity to observe the process; then a meeting will be held in the county seat for a decision to be made. Once dates and times are set, a press release will go to all the County papers and I'll send out a special newsletter. If you have a question you'd like us to ask in the interview, please send me your ideas. I see this appointment process as selection of a placeholder until the voters can make their choice later in the year.

Coffee with the Commissioner June 2

Please join me for an informal discussion of County issues at the new Bayview Farm and Garden coffee shop on June 2 from 2pm-4pm.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Please share this newsletter with others. All are welcome to subscribe.

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