Hayes, County's mayors seek early Phase 2 opening

La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes joined a major letter writing campaign last week.

And no one had to twist his arm.

Hayes, who owns a downtown business closed since the statewide Stay Home, Stay Healthy order was issued in March in response to the COVID-19 crisis, joined Skagit County’s seven other mayors in signing correspondence asking Gov. Jay Inslee to allow the County to apply to enter Phase 2 of his four-phase re-opening plan.

Hayes said science and recent data support the request.

He said the number of COVID-19 cases in the county has dwindled significantly, with none reported several days l...