Happy Valentine's Day!
From the Courthouse

 

District 3 County Commissioner

Kelly Emerson

 

1 NE 7th Street   

PO Box 5000   

Coupeville, WA 98239    

 

Ph. (360) 679-7354 

 

 

e-mail: 

[email protected] 

 

 Commissioner's

 Meetings  

First 3 Mondays at 10am

Fourth Monday at 2pm

 

Click Here for meeting agenda information 

 

 

Commissioner's Workshops

1st, 2nd & 3rd Wednesday's at 9am

 

Click Here for workshop agenda information 

 

Donate to keep WSU Extension programs alive! 

 

 

 

I serve on these boards:

 

IC Council of Governments

IC Board of Health
Chairman

Courthouse Security
Chairman 
 
 IC Transit Board

Reg. Transport. Policy

NW Clean Air Agency
Chairman


NW Regional Council

NW Workforce Council

Farmhouse Gang
 
NACo Public Lands

NACo Rural Area Caucus

NACo Veterans and Military Service

WA Bridge Replacement

WA Counties Risk Pool 


Greetings!


Well we're on the downhill side of winter and creeping up on spring. I'm hoping for some good things to happen this year so, there's no sense in rushing it.

I hope you are able to spend some quality time this Valentine's Day with the loved one of your choice. 

Fly-byIt's Fly-by Time!  


It is sometimes a cold and wet event, but the Port Susan Snow Goose & Birding Festival is now in its eighth year and revving up for lots of excitement.   And, ah, yes it's also the first time of the year for the automobiles to drive erratically on the back roads of Western Skagit County.  

 

Admittedly, this migration is a phenomenal sight to see.  Just be aware: 1. Many people will be taking in the views and perhaps not concentrating fully on driving, and 2. The Skagit Sheriff's team will probably be working their Rexall speed trap a little harder.

 

So consider this your formal invitation to travel the tri-county route for some extraordinary sights and spend a weekend...in Stanwood.  No sense in ending the party there. Come on a little further to indulge in the wholesome beauty of "always sunny Camano."  We have a couple of great restaurants, a winery and now...an extreme zip line.

VSP Is mandatory recycling out with the trash? 

 

I heard you loud and clear.  That's why I asked to revisit the ordinance with the new commissioner on board.

My hope was Jill would support the idea and she did.  So when it came back to a work session for further discussion, my points had to be in order.

I had checked with the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which is the regulatory agency for the industry and no application had yet been filed.  An expansion of the current permit would be needed, which would mean a public comment period after the application was submitted.  So we had some time, but not much.

With Jill's support for considering a repeal, the vendor was asked to hold off on all applications and investments.  That didn't make him too happy, so he visited both of us independently and pitched his case for staying on course.

When it came to work session, the table was stacked with four in favor of forced recycling and two wanting to give the people the right to choose (yes, the democrat demanding action and the republicans being pro-choice).       
 
Jill was not as willing to cut off deliberations at the scheduled time as I was but she eventually got there.  I confirmed with the department head his direction from a majority of the board.  So, next up, another public hearing. 
Camano Kate retires
 

It was a bittersweet Valentine's Day on Camano as we lamented Kate Kappel's departure from us and celebrated with her as she liberated herself from the daily routine of the working life.   

 

Kate served Camano Island's residents with respect, compassion and humor for a joyful 23 years.  Her institutional knowledge made her a quick study with whatever project you brought to the counter, her retention of all things Camano made her the person to see regardless of your need and her easy going, fun loving personality made you always feel welcome there.    

 

We wish Kate and Bill health and happiness as they embark on this new journey. 

It is an honor to serve you.

 

Sincerely,

Kelly Emerson
Island County Commissioner - District 3