 I’ve really been enjoying these lovely summer evenings.
Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 35th week of 2026.
See below for information on the weekly candidate meetings scheduled at Freeland Hall each Monday at 6 pm through mid-Oct. Next Monday: Meet Grant Shaw, candidate for County Commissioner District 3.
As you know, one of my priorities is Emergency Preparedness. I am thrilled about this new video celebrating South Whidbey Prepares: https://vimeo.com/1219305651?fl=pl&fe=ti.
I received a nice message this week regarding our outstanding Deputies that I wanted to share with you:
On Monday, Deputy Figarelle and Deputy Hollingsworth responded to an unresponsive male on a tractor and arrived within 3 minutes of the call being dispatched. The deputies lowered the man to the ground and started resuscitation efforts with ventilations and an AED. The AED did not advise to shock so the deputies continued providing resuscitation. Deputy Moles arrived a couple of minutes later and jumped in. The deputies completed affective resuscitation, and pulses were regained on the man. Fire and EMS arrived and continued with resuscitation efforts as pulses were lost and gained. The man was transported to the hospital for ongoing care. Our deputies saved his life.
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The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/cff85491-2728-4df7-8b54-90f3e9a43045.
- We heard four public comments on the Wildes Road logging project.
- We scheduled a public hearing on the Shoreline Master Program for September 15. The discussion can be found at mark 00:18:02 in the video recording. The draft SMP is attached to the agenda, link above.
- We held 8 public hearings, all sewer franchise renewals on Camano Island. All were approved.
- The agenda for the Board meeting for Tuesday, September 1 is here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/0685973e-2dca-4335-ad8f-17ee35a1cf27. On that agenda: the continued public hearing for the County’s Six-year Capital Improvement & Clean Water Utility Programs for the Years 2027-2032.
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Budget Workshop: Our next Budget meetings will be held Wednesday September 2nd and Thursday September 3rd. The zoom links to both meetings can be found at the end of the Tuesday Board meeting agenda, https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/0685973e-2dca-4335-ad8f-17ee35a1cf27.
- Wednesday, 9 am: Clerk, Sheriff, Assessor
- Thursday, 9 am: Information Technology, District Court, Auditor
- You can find the most recent version of the 700+ page Budget Book here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/231/Commissioners-Budget-Information. Note: the PDFs will be updated at the end of each week after the Commissioners make changes.
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Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):
- Tuesday, Sept 1: CIP (continued from 8/4)
- Tuesday, Sept 15: Shoreline Master Program
- Tuesday, Sept 22: Greenbank Estates (franchise)
- Tuesday, Sept 22: Sunset Ridge (franchise)
- Tuesday, Sept 22: Park Acres (franchise)
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The Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) met on Wednesday, August 26 to discuss the Human Services Transportation Plan Draft and Regional Transportation Improvement Plan Policies. We expect to approve the HSTP draft at our September meeting.
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Whidbey Climate Action is kicking off another season of Island Conversations the first week of September: What’s Really Raising Our Electricity Rates? You’ve probably noticed that electric bills have risen in recent times, but perhaps you don’t know all the reasons for PSE’s rate increases. The speaker, Charlee Thompson, is the Sr. Policy Associate with the NW Energy Coalition. Charlee will explain what's really behind the rate increases we all pay, and how to participate in ensuring that Washington's energy goals are met with affordable, clean energy. Thursday, September 3, in St. Hubert’s Community Room, at 804 3rd St. in Langley. They begin with snacks and socializing at 5:45; the program begins promptly at 6:00.
- I will not be hosting any more Monday afternoon community meetings until November, but:
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I am sponsoring a weekly meeting for citizens to meet candidates for County offices. These are not forums or debates—each week will be just one candidate talking with voters interested in hearing their message.
- These meetings will be held at the Freeland Hall from 6 – 7 pm each Monday through October 19, excluding September 7 (Labor Day)
- Tentatively scheduled so far:
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Monday, August 31, 6 pm: Commissioner Dist 3 candidate Grant Shaw.
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Monday, September 14, 6 pm: Sheriff candidate Tavier Wasser
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Monday, September 21, 6 pm: Clerk candidate Deirdre Butler.
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Monday, September 28, 6 pm: Commissioner Dist 3 candidate Matt Van Pelt
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Monday, October 5, 6 pm: Clerk candidate Maria Hazelo
Melanie
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.” ~Dolly Parton
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