The second-in-command in the Island County Treasurer’s Office is vying to take the helm of the office against a talented salesman and manager who wants to raise the profile of the office. Chief Deputy Treasurer Tony Lam, a Whidbey resident and Democrat, is facing Richard MacQuarrie, a Republican and Camano Island resident.
Tim Hazelo, a Republican who lives on North Whidbey, is challenging incumbent Commissioner Janet St. Clair, a Democrat who lives on Camano Island. They are running for the District 3 seat, which represents North Whidbey and Camano Island.
The price of feeding inmates at the Island County Jail is increasing, but Jail Chief Jose Briones says the “11% increase is very reasonable.”
A state law that is meant to protect juveniles from pressure or coercion from police officers has inspired strong feelings in Island County’s law and justice system.
Island County has about $9.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funds that commissioners have earmarked for affordable housing projects. The commissioners are now posting a formal request for proposals.
A group of residents voluntarily dismissed a lawsuit that challenged Island County’s award of $1.5 million to a nonprofit organization that plans to convert a Freeland motel into low-income housing.
A judge denied a motion related to a Freeland motel that is being transitioned into low-income housing, but the litigation is not over.
At a hearing Tuesday, Island County Superior Court Judge Carolyn Cliff declined to impose Freeland Concerned Citizens LLC’s request for a preliminary injunction, saying that preliminary injunctions an extraordinary and rare relief and that the LLC hasn’t shown a clear legal or equitable argument that it would likely prevail on the underlying lawsuit.
