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The $640,000 the state invested in the La Conner Swinomish Library, is only the project closest to home for greater La Conner residents. Before the state legislature adjourned its 60 day session March 10, it passed three budgets: capital, operating and transportation. Rep. Greg Gilday, R-Camano Island, a member of the House Capital Budget Committee, noted, “Unlike other state spending plans, the capital budget is truly bipartisan – proving that lawmakers from across the ideological spectrum can come to a consensus that benefits all W...
Late U.S. House speaker Tip O’Neill famously said that all politics is local. La Conner town officials have taken that adage a step farther with the council unanimously adopting an impassioned resolution drafted by Town Administrator Scott Thomas supporting Ukrainians in their spirited defense against the deadly Russian military campaign terrorizing their nation of 40 million people. Dan O’Donnell, a retired U.S. Navy captain and past mayor, first suggested the town issue a resolution in sup...
The March 8 La Conner Town Council meeting covered a lot of ground. Member MaryLee Chamberlain reported the newly formed communications committee is making progress. “We’re currently planning a public workshop or forum to increase the general understanding about what’s happening with growth in town. We want to provide information in context about what growth is looking like in town and get feedback from a panel of experts.” Member Mary Wohleb said the town parks commission is starting to look at designs reflecting results of a citizens’ survey...
Humans are so resilient. After early shocks to us, individually or collectively, humans find a new equilibrium, developing a new normal. If the disruption is not too great, say a coronavirus pandemic, kids, teachers, businesses, fire fighters and even healthcare workers develop alternatives that in time stop being new and become routine. It is two years ago last week that the world – the world – ground to a halt, everyone – even New Zealand – floored by the coronavirus pandemic. Locked down was the term, the policy and...
We got a gift Sunday morning, at the start of daylight savings time – bright sun and a springlike breeze. Ah, that sun. It is clearly moving north, heading for next week’s equinox. Its journey will take it both higher and farther into the northern sky for the next three months. Shadows really stand out; they are brighter, bolder, more distinct, creating twins of trees and fences. The breeze is not warm yet, but was not cold. Sunday morning it was a tease, whispering winter is over, which it almost is. At 9:30 a.m., which is really 8:30 a...
Introduction: As John Leaver wrote last week of his family members (still) in Kyiv, we all live in an internationally connected world. We here feel Ukrainians’ pain as TV and the internet bring their lives home to us. “Why?” being my favorite word from before two on, it came out of me the moment the all-clear siren sounded. May 1940, England’s southeast coast, inside our garden’s air raid shelter, mummy, baby Peter and me. “Why do they drop bombs on us?” Not till we were in the kitchen with Peter safe again in his cradle and mummy making...
Kudos to La Conner resident Dan O’Donnell for his persistent and astute analysis of local and county financial matters, especially regarding taxation (letter, March 9 Weekly News). The Swinomish taxation of Shelter Bay “improvements” – only the homes, not the land – is an anomaly. For those who do not know the history or have forgotten, it is the consequence of a lawsuit brought in Thurston County by the Chehalis Tribe over property taxation of Great Wolf Lodge, in which they had a majority interest. Local courts ruled in favor...
We, the citizens of La Conner, elect a mayor and a town council. The mayor appoints a town administrator and a planning director. Regarding the oversized and imposing 20 unit development proposal in the 300 block of Center Street, Town Planner Michael Davolio has made a few statements that are troubling, at best. (Weekly News, March 9): 1. Davolio informed the duly elected town council, that they will have no role in the approval process of said proposal. 2. Davolio stated that “the staff recommendations will rest solely on our determination a...
MOUNT VERNON – Drivers traveling across the Skagit River using the Division Street bridge on State Route 536 will see an unusual site for another week – barges in the water. Contractor crews working on behalf of the Washington State Department of Transportation will mobilize equipment to repair the part of the bridge that was damaged during the historic floods in November 2021. The bridge remains safe for vehicle and pedestrian travel. Contractor crews began repairs by removing the...
On March 1, at a public hearing before the Skagit County Board of Commissioners, representatives of several organizations expressed concerns about the absence of references to climate change and sea level rise in the February 2022 draft Shoreline Master Program. Molly Doran of Skagit Land Trust described “planning” as the most effective way to reduce impacts on shorelines, homes, farmland and infrastructure. With another update not due for eight years, many fear it will be too late. The SMP is going in the wrong direction said Tim Mann of Ska...
Law enforcement and crime prevention has been a major town government topic since onset of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago. A new outdoor security camera in La Conner’s downtown historic preservation district might focus the town’s answer. Resident Bruce Bradburn raised the matter during the council’s March 8 Zoom session. A Town planning commissioner, he was among those who had windows in their parked vehicles shot out downtown earlier this year, “It might not be a bad idea,” Bradburn said of installing an outdoor camera on or near Firs...
Sarah Cook has consistently recorded big numbers for the La Conner High School girls’ basketball team, filling the stat sheet with points, rebounds, assists and steals. It was a no-brainer when it came time to vote for top post-season honors. Cook was chosen the NW2B Girls’ Most Valuable Player in recent balloting conducted by league schools. She helped lead her team to fourth-place at the state Hardwood Classic in Spokane earlier this month, scoring 25 points in the team’s second round victory over Lake Roosevelt, The next day she had 18 po...
Top youth wrestler Delaney Cobbs did not let potential success slip through her grasp despite La Conner High School not having a mat program of its own. Cobbs was able to compete at the high school level thanks to a co-op arrangement forged between La Conner and 2A wrestling power Burlington-Edison. A senior and student rep on the district’s school board, Cobbs made the most of her opportunity. She posted a 24-4 mark this past season while placing second in the girls’ 190-pound weight class at...
The La Conner School Board accepted a donation of 900 COVID-19 rapid tests from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community valued at $7,000 at its Feb. 28 meeting. “This is a huge deal,” Board President Susie Deyo said. “We really want to thank the Swinomish Tribal Community for this donation.” During surges in positive cases earlier in the school year, athletes had to be tested several times weekly. The board voted 4-0 to accept the donation, with member J.J. Wilbur abstaining as he serves on the Swinomish Tribal Senate. Elementary School Princip...
When Jens Peder Nielsen came to La Conner from Iowa with the Hulburt family early in the 20th century, land was on his mind. Soon J. P. Nelson, as he began calling himself, was using earnings from his job with the Hulburts to buy small parcels as they became available. Many small parcels became substantial holdings for the Danish farmer. Through the Skagit County Farmland Legacy program, J.P.’s niece Nancy Dunton recently protected 170 acres of his prime farmland from development. “Nobody is...
Local emergency response volunteers will sport less gray hair if a recruitment drive by Skagit County Fire District 13 and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is successful. An effort by the tribe and fire district to grow the ranks of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) was announced by Capt. Ted Taylor during the monthly District 13 hybrid meeting Friday morning, March 11. Swinomish Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Geer is leading the effort. “Brian is way out in front on this i...
The expansion of homeless shelter services in Skagit County is on the horizon. Gov. Jay Inslee toured Skagit First Step Center March 7 to hear Mayors Steve Sexton and Jill Boudreau’s pitch for increased funding for homeless services in Skagit County. Skagit First Step Center opened June 14, 2021 and provides temporary 24/7 shelter and care to those struggling with homelessness. There are 45 individual cabins made by Pallet, a rapid-response shelter construction company based out of Everett, W...
Monday, March 7 11:24 a.m.: Tied up cows– Concern for some cows tied to a fence. Moore Rd., Greater La Conner. 1:15 p.m.: Vehicle prowled again – A vehicle was broken into for a second time. Multiple items were taken and the caller reported the catalytic converter was missing. It appears that subjects continue to return to this vehicle. Avon Allen Rd., Bow. Tuesday, March 8 12:19 p.m.: Mistaken contact – Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle striking another vehicle in the parking lot. Deputies determined that no actual...
It was one bullet point in Rep. Dave Paul’s, D-Oak Harbor, list of projects the state Legislature funded in the 10th legislative district: “Over $640,000 to complete construction of the La Conner Swinomish Library,” noting “La Conner will finally get a 21st century library.” The funds, requested in February by Town of La Conner and library district officials through efforts initiated by Mayor Ramon Hayes, are in the $64.1 billion supplemental capital budget passed late March 10 before the Legislature adjourned. Monday Hayes noted the 10th dist...
About 40 years ago, I baked this bread on a regular basis. I am bringing it to Aqiimuk’s Kitchen in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day. My first loaf in 40 years looks a bit rustic but it rose beautifully. This week also marks the 10 year anniversary of Aqiimuk’s Kitchen. I wish to thank all the readers who mention how they enjoy this column and those who try the recipes. Yes, plans are in the works for a cookbook. Ingredients Flour, 4 cups, all purpose Sugar, 4 tbsp Baking soda, 1 and &frac...
