The Island County Democrats publish a monthly newsletter, which we are posting here. We believe that the statements made by the leadership of each party is of general public interest.
Message from ICD Chair, Jennifer Haase Morris
Reflections from the Fair
Jennifer Haase Morris, Chair
Island County Democrats
July 30, 2023
I started writing this month’s message dictating into my iPhone as I was driving home from the Whidbey Island Fair. My car is now covered in a solid layer of dust, my heart is filled with joy, and my bones are tired. Two of my best friends asked me if the Fair was as fun as we all remembered our last time at the county fair in our hometown in Kansas. I remarked that it was certainly a different experience than when we were 18. And for all of you who volunteered in our tent this year, I know that our experience as Island County Democrats was certainly different than we have enjoyed in previous years. I will visit the Stanwood-Camano Fair next weekend and look forward to sharing in the fun of making mocktails.
Our time at the Fair was filled with sounds and smells that are so familiar to us, with fun conversations, with teens being teens, and many people in search of a baked potato! And what a thrill it was to be working the booth when a woman asked Art Huffine his name, remarking that “he is really good-looking” as Merri and I stood by. You never know what will happen at the Fair….
- Very few kids walked by without spinning the wheel and trying to guess the name of the politician. That sparked some good conversations with middle- and high-school age kids about what the attorney general does, what role a county commissioner plays, and how cool it is that we have two female Senators.
- We will be dropping off several voter registration forms on Monday. It was great to know that we were helping someone engage in our democracy simply by showing up.
- I ran into Maria Hazelo one day as I was heading out and she was coming in, and we hugged, happy to see each other. She and I worked together on a non-political project. I think the people I was talking to were caught off guard seeing us hug, knowing her husband and I are chairs of our opposing political organizations.
- So many people shared their past experiences with the Fair and with the challenges of the Democratic Party when we disagree on an issue or a candidate, offering me great insights into how we can continue to grow and transform.
- One 20-year-old Libertarian stopped by several times for conversation and debate, and I hope that the exchange of information that he hadn’t previously known or considered will stay with him.
I come away from the Fair with the understanding deep in my tired bones that the work we are doing is hard. That we can transform the difficult relationship we had with the Fair this year by building new connections and committing to turning the page in a strong, positive, future-oriented direction. That nobody can be defined by one single issue, one single vote, one single characteristic. That we are complex creatures and the problems we are trying to solve are complex. That we as Democrats can build our tent large enough to hold those who see that we are stronger together, even when we don’t always agree. It’s hard work. And every now and then it’s going to break our hearts. I think the hard work is worth it. I hope you do, too.
Report on Summerfest from WIDC
SUMMERFEST 2023
Island County Democrats again gathered to share and meet elected officials and 2023 candidates on July 22nd. 2023 Summerfest was coordinated by the Whidbey Island Democratic Club (WIDC) which is grateful for your donations. These funds will help keep WIDC running to bring us together for more informative events.
The weather was perfect, the location was as beautiful as ever, and the snacks delicious. Our auction brought out the best desserts and competitive bidding. Our new format allows for more interaction with the officials and candidates and your feedback indicated that this change works. Thanks to all who made the event happen.
We heard from a number of our elected officials including: Rep. Rick Larsen, Attorney General (and 2024 candidate for Governor) Bob Ferguson, State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, State Representative Dave Paul, State Representative Clyde Shavers, and County Commissioner Melanie Bacon.
Many of us met Marion Jouas and Kate Rose, new candidates for the Hospital District Board. Local officials and candidates for positions across Whidbey were also able to share information and introductions as we head into this year’s election cycle. We are currently working on providing information about the candidates in various key races for City Councils, Mayor, and School Boards on the Island County Democrats website. Stay tuned for an update on that. There are some great candidates who deserve your support, and I hope you will learn more about those in your communities.
Please let the WIDC Board know if you have any suggestions for next year. If you did not receive one of the many invitations from WIDC, please send them an email (whidbeyislanddemclub@gmail.com) and get on their mailing list. Their website is https://whidbeyislanddemocrats.org.
My thanks to each of you for attending. Hope to see even more Democrats next year!
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
Dear Friends,
As we see record breaking temperatures across our nation this summer, I want to take a moment to recognize this as an impact of climate change and take a moment to talk about what the County has been doing in response. In September 2022, the Board of Island County Commissioners (BOICC) passed a Climate Resolution with a commitment to specific actions that align with science, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and strengthen resiliency. Less than a year later, I am pleased to report the following:
- We completed our Northwest Clean Air Agency grant-funded study to update our GHG baseline study from 2011 and reported on the recommendations, beginning to incorporate those recommendations into a climate action plan.
- As a small county, our capacity is constrained. We chose to contract with a statewide company (ESCO) to build an operational plan with specific recommendations to reduce GHG emissions, improve energy efficiency and build resiliency.
- Our facilities director, Ryan Beach, received a million dollar grant from Washington State Department of Commerce to address climate mitigation and begin implementation of those recommendations, including the replacement of an outdated diesel boiler in our HVAC system.
- This week, the BOICC approved a contract to begin that work as well as several other actions to improve energy efficiency and protect our historic Island County Courthouse (now Administration Building) in Coupeville.
- Island County also received a grant for electric vehicle charging stations and construction of those EV stations on Camano Island is near completion.
- Working collaboratively with other municipalities, Island County is now pursuing a Climate Resilience Regional Challenge Grant with NOAA.
These are just some of the actions we have taken as a result of the advocacy and effort to assure our local government acknowledges and addresses climate change impacts. The Board has also implemented a “Climate in All Policies” lens for our policy work so we align our work with the values in our climate resolution. I will continue to support this work as well as other environmental priorities such as shoreline protections, forest stewardship and conservation. I appreciate your continued advocacy, particularly on the thorny challenges where there are inter-jurisdictional complexities with our partners in state and federal government.
Janet St. Clair, Island County Commissioner
Message from Island County Commissioner, Melanie Bacon
I write this on the first day of the Whidbey Island Fair. I enjoyed spinning the Wheel of Democrats at the Island County Democrats booth–my picture is placed between President Obama and Governor Inslee, which is a pretty terrific location. My thanks to whoever put that wheel together.
I enjoyed seeing many of you at Summerfest last weekend–big thanks to Gretha, Diane, and the Whidbey Island Democrats for a great afternoon.
I have decided to seek reelection in 2024 as your Island County Commissioner for District 1 and have already registered with the PDC. I am not starting a campaign yet (that will be many months away), but I am putting the message out now because I know there are people who might be wondering.
The Board of Island County Commissioners have embarked on the most important work I will probably ever do to serve our county residents: we have begun working on the 2025 island County Comprehensive Plan update. We will be reviewing codes and policies throughout all the functions of the County through the triple lenses of equity, climate, and health, to ensure that Island County is prepared for the challenges of the future. That document is very important to me, and I expect to be Chair of the Board in 2025, the year the plan will be adopted. I am running for reelection because of my commitment to serving the residents of the future as well as the citizens of the present.
I am very grateful to be serving you as your Commissioner.
Melanie
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
I’ve heard from so many constituents about the importance of workforce training, especially in rural areas like Whidbey Island and Camano Island. I’ve made it a top priority to improve educational and training pathways to living-wage jobs, including those that don’t require a four-year college or university degree. Here’s a quick update on that work.
In this year’s budget, I secured funding for the Northwest CTE Dual Credit project to increase credential attainment for high school students in vocational and technical programs. Over the last month, I’ve met with K12 educators, community and technical college professionals, and staff from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Northwest Educational Service District to begin the implementation of the project. I’m excited to strengthen K12 vocational training programs and help students earn college credit for completing these programs. It’s also terrific to work with educators, labor groups, and businesses to help high school students transfer directly to postsecondary training and apprenticeship programs after graduation.
We know that apprenticeships are great for both students and employers—in fact, many 2nd-year apprentices are paid a living wage while they are getting trained. Our region has many outstanding apprentice programs, and I recently had the opportunity to tour the International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 751 training facility in Tukwila. It was terrific to see the state-of-the-art facility—and even and try out the welding simulator. I’ll be looking for ways to help apprentices earn their associate degree while completing their workforce training.
Finally, I met with Island County Commission Janet St. Clair and Stanwood-Camano School Board Director Charlotte Murry to discuss ways of bringing an apprenticeship tour to Island County. This would allow high school students to get a hands-on introduction to the skilled trades—and see what great career opportunities are available after graduation.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your representative.
Dave
Message from US Representative, Rick Larsen
As someone who uses public transportation every day, I understand the importance of safe, efficient and affordable public transit systems — especially buses. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, our communities will soon enjoy cleaner and greener bus service.
Our local transit agencies in Whatcom, Island and Skagit counties were awarded $22,171,265 in Low-No grant funding, care of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s “Low or No Emission Vehicle and Buses & Bus Facilities initiatives” through the Federal Transit Administration. This initiative is based on legislation I co-authored, and I am proud to see it coming to life at home in Northwest Washington. Here is how this may look on your neighborhood bus route:
- Whatcom Transportation Authority was awarded $9,644,865 to purchase 11 diesel-electric hybrid buses to replace three diesel buses and eight hybrid buses;
- New South Whidbey Island Transit Center will be designed, engineered, and constructed thanks to a $7,526,400 Bus and Bus Facilities grant;
- A new Maintenance and Administrative Facility for Skagit Transit is in the works because of a $5,000,000 Bus and Bus Facilities grant; and
- Funding will be provided to support workforce training, apprenticeships, and more to diversify and grow the workforce.
With local transit agencies like Everett Transit and the Whatcom Transportation Authority expanding electric bus fleets, they are helping to keep people moving while reducing maintenance costs, lowering energy consumption and reducing their carbon footprint. Washington is leading the way in making cleaner and greener buses the new norm.
As always, there is more we can do.
I will continue to champion a bold, FDR-like investment in electric buses — and the overall transit system to create well-paying jobs, drive economic recovery and build a cleaner and greener transportation network.
Together, we can create dependable, eco-friendly bus service that connects our communities and reduces traffic congestion.
Rick
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