OAK HARBOR CITY COUNCIL: Grants may lead to Serendipity Lane construction [VIDEO] (WNT)
Rachel Rosen reports in the Whidbey News-Times from the Oak Harbor City Council meeting of Tue., Mar. 7, 2023.
Serendipity Lane, a walkable pathway connecting Pioneer Way and Bayshore Drive, may be one small step closer to becoming a reality.
The creation of Serendipity Lane, which is estimated to cost $200,000, is meant to create an inviting, safe and lighted walking path to and from the city’s historic downtown and waterfront parks and transit station. The city of Oak Harbor and the Oak Harbor Main Street Association are partnering on the project.
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, council members voted to approve a grant application for an AARP Community Challenge Grant to provide $20,000 for the project.
They Said It
The News-Times reported in 2021 that the decision to fund only half the project was due to some council members, including Bryan Stucky and Eric Marshall, expressing concern that Serendipity Lane would not yield any economic benefit for Oak Harbor residents and, therefore, did not meet the requirements to receive ARPA money.
On the Ballot in November 2023
| CITY OF OAK HARBOR |
| City Council: Four of five council positions are on the ballot. Position 1: Tara Hizon Councilwoman Hizon filed with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) to run for re-election. Position 2: Beth Munns Christopher Wiegenstein, a commissioner with the North Whidbey Pool, Park and Recreation District, filed with the Public Disclosure Commission in April to run for a City Council seat, but did not specify which position. During Filing Week, he filed to run for this seat. Former mayoral candidate Patrick Harman and Andy Plumlee, who was not selected for the Position 4 vacancy, have also filed for this seat. Position 3: Eric Marshall. Councilman Marshall was appointed after the resignation of Jeff Mack. This election will be for the remainder of Mack’s full term, which ends Dec. 31, 2023, and the succeeding four-year full term, which ends Dec. 31, 2027. Position 4: Christopher Wiegenstein Councilman Wiegenstein was appointed after the resignation of Dan Evans. This election will be for the remainder of Evans’ full term, which ends Dec. 31, 2025. announced his intention to apply for vacancy and run for the council on Apr. 28, 2023. Three of the shortlisted applicants, Barbara Armes, John Chaszar, and Wismine D’Avilar, have filed to run for the seat. |
| Mayor: Bob Severns Mayor Severns announced that he will not run for another term. Craig Nurvic, Councilman Shane Hoffmire, Oak Harbor businessmen Ronnie Wright and Nick Green filed to run during Filing Week. |
