COUPEVILLE: In Our Opinion: Port should rethink airport purchase (WNT)
The Whidbey News-Times published an editorial on Mar. 29, 2023 expressing concern over the Port of Coupeville’s plan to purchase the A.J. Eisenberg Airport.
The Port of Coupeville needs to slow down and get community buy-in — as well as a real business plan — before proceeding any further with plans to purchase the small airport near Oak Harbor.
The airport has a long history of complicated litigation and failed commuter airplane service. It’s a story that doesn’t need to be repeated with taxpayer dollars at stake….
While there is value in having a thriving airport on North Whidbey and the port commissioners should be commended for wanting to take action, it’s far from clear that it makes sense for the port district to jump into ownership and management. A community meeting would be a great idea and give the port the chance to state its case.
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They Said It
But at the last city council meeting, Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson cautioned the Oak Harbor City Council about ponying up cash for the airport, pointing out that the port hasn’t provided a detailed business plan or conducted a feasibility study. While port officials say they don’t have the time or money for such detailed plans, Johnson pointed out that the county last year offered $100,000 for a study, but the port never picked up the money.
On the Ballot in November 2023
| PORT OF COUPEVILLE |
| Commissioners. One of the three commissioner positions is scheduled to be on the ballot. In addition, due to a resignation, a second position will also be on the ballot. District 1: David Day. Candidates for district 1 must live in commissioner district 1; see the map at this link. No candidates, including Commissioner Day, filed to run for this seat. The Island County Auditor will have to open a special filing period to allow for candidates to come forward. District 3: John Callahan. Commissioner Callahan was appointed after the resignation of Patrick Kennedy. The position will be on the ballot in 2023 to fill the remainder of Kennedy’s term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2025. Mr. Callahan filed to retain his seat during Filing Week; Angela Ewart filed to challenge for the seat. |
| 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. |
