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Updates and news from your District 1 Commissioner

Greetings, I am trying a new "mobile-friendly" format to my newsletter. Please let me know your thoughts. There is so much going on, I will send two newsletters this month.  
It is an honor to serve this community.
Thank you, Helen Price Johnson
Island County Comprehensive Plan Update
The County is updating the Comprehensive Plan. This is a wide ranging document which sets the direction for the future of Island County, and we need your input. Recently 800 surveys were mailed to a random sampling of county folks. If you received one, please take the a few minutes and share your thoughts with us. In addition, several public meetings are scheduled to gain input as well.

The Rural Lands Public Meetings will be held in each geographic area of the County during the last two weeks of October, and everyone is encouraged to attend. The meeting agendas will be posted as they are made available. The dates, times and locations for the meetings are as follows:

Wednesday, October 21:
6-8pm Coupeville Public Library

Thursday, October 22:
5-7pm Oak Harbor Public Library

Tuesday, October 27:
5-7pm South Whidbey Elementary Community Room

Thursday, October 29:
5-7pm Camano Multipurpose Center
If you are unable to attend any of these meetings, feel free to submit your comments to Future Planning Commission and Board of Commissioner meetings on this topic will provide further opportunities for public comment as well.

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Planning Department Reorganized

Recently the Board took action to accept the resignation of Director of Planning and Community Development, Dave Wechner. His reason for leaving County employment is the Board of County Commissioners wishes to head in a different direction for the Planning Department. We bid him well in his future endeavors.
             
The Board has determined that the County's needs will be better served with a division of the responsibilities of the Planning and Community Development Department. This will best support the Current Use permitting operations and the Comprehensive Plan update. At last week's work session the Board appointed Hiller West as the new Director for Community Development Department (current use and permitting operations) and Keith Higman as the interim Director for Long Range Planning through the 2016 comprehensive plan update.
             
We have confidence in these individuals to move forward with these important tasks in a positive manner and hope you will give them your full support.
Whidbey and Camano Islands get TEDx

I love to watch TED talks on YouTube. Maybe you do too. If so, you'll be excited to know about Sno-Isle's inaugural TEDxSnoIsleLibraries taking place from 9 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.  Admission is also free, and there is no age restriction.  Register with your local library: Camano Island, Coupeville, or Freeland where people can watch the simulcast and discuss TEDxSnoIsleLibraries in real time. 
Link to Additional Resource
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Farm Creatures Great and Small

Pacific Rim in Coupeville is the place to be this Saturday for anyone interested in learning more about farm animal health and wellness. From 9:30 am - 3:00 pm enjoy this free, fun and informational event. Register here, or for more information contact Stinger Anderson,stinger.anderson@wsu.edu
or (360)240-5558.
 Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson| (360)678-7353 | district1@co.island.wa.us| www.islandcounty.net
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