Oak Harbor has reached an agreement with developer Pacific North Group, Inc., headed by Scott Thompson, that allows for flexibility in, among other things, adhering to city code concerning the filing of final plats for the development of a housing project on the hill above Walmart. The City Council approved...
Jessie Stensland reports: The city of Oak Harbor and the corporation that is building a 192-house development on the hill across from the Safeway store may enter into a unique agreement that could be a first in the state, according to city officials. City council members will consider the development...
Editor Jessie Stensland wrote an In Our Opinion column in the Nov. 10 edition of the Whidbey News-Times, urging the Oak Harbor City Council to consider changing from a mayor-council form of government to a council-manager system. They Said It Jessie Stensland: …Oak Harbor has had its share of political...
A week after the results of a staff morale survey were released, the Oak Harbor City council unanimously passed a resolution to give a retroactive 2% cost-of-living raise for this year and then another 2% raise for next year to all non-union staff. These raises also apply to to all...
Jessie Stensland reports: A relative newcomer to city politics says his apparent landslide victory over an experienced and established member of the Oak Harbor City Council points to a widespread dissatisfaction with city leadership. Shane Hoffmire predicts significant changes will occur once he and two other newly elected council members...
Jessie Stensland reports: Demand hasn’t been as high as anticipated for what Oak Harbor staff call “Poo-Cheetos.” Mick Monken, the city’s interim public works director, told city council members last week that he wanted to move forward with creating a “biosolids sustainability plan” that would offer several specific options for...
Jessie Stensland reports: An Oak Harbor subcommittee charged with reviewing ideas for spending federal stimulus money came up with a $2 million list of expenses, from iPads for council members to new city employees. They Said It Councilmember Tara Hizon, a member of the subcommittee, said the list is for...
Tying into the controversy surrounding the Oak Harbor City Councils vote of no-confidence in City Administrator Blaine Oborn and Mayor Bob Severns subsequent defense of Oborn, the mayor asked city employees for anonymous comments. In the results, there were shots taken at both sides of the issue. The comments covered...
