“Harbor PrideWhat: Beautification group will examine progress on Blueprint for Change and ask business leaders for comments on what Oak Harbor should become in the future.When: 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20 Where: Oak Harbor City Council chambers at City Hall, 863 SE Barrington Drive.One year later an Oak Harbor Committee is still trying to make some positive changes to the city’s atmosphere and economy, and will take another look at the direction the group should take.Harbor Pride, a committee formed last year to focus on a new image for Oak Harbor, received help from the Northwest Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, which put together A Blueprint for Change. The Blueprint focused on revitalizing Oak Harbor to make it more appealing for visitors and residents.Harbor Pride members said they have noted some small advances over the past year. On Sept. 20, the group will go over that information with community members and business leaders, and ask for their feedback on what Oak Harbor should become in the future. Chaired by Terry LeDesky, an Oak Harbor architect, the committee will highlight and touch bases on what happened and what didn’t of the Blueprint, LeDesky said at Thursday night’s committee meeting.Some of the ideas presented in the Blueprint include connecting State Route 20 to Old Town, putting up better gateways and signage, better access to the waterfront with passageways from Old Town, and addition of facilities such as a Performing Arts Complex, a city library, a city pier, and a resort and conference center.While none of these projects have moved forward during the past year, LeDesky said there are some small successes. U.S. Rep Rick Larsen has committed to requesting $200,000 in federal funding for construction of a city pier and has stated that he is working with Congress to prevent any future round of military base closures, LeDesky said.The city will need about $4 million to build the pier. LeDesky said the Blueprint has gained the support of the Citizens’ Task Force, which looks at projects and makes recommendations to the city of Oak Harbor.That’s the kind of support we need, LeDesky said.However, rather than a definite statement of support, the Citizens’ Task Force’s recommendation was that the Blueprint should be reviewed to determine if any projects within it should be examined during the city’s comprehensive planning process for next year, said Steve Powers, the city’s director of development services. While he said he admires the committee’s efforts, one Oak Harbor resident doesn’t think any of the Blueprint will ever get done.It seems to me that we’re looking at another committee, Gene Coleman said. There have been numerous committees for change.Oak Harbor cannot change and improve without the funding to pay for the projects.Hell, people don’t even want to pay school taxes here, Coleman said. Without higher taxes the city of Oak Harbor is never going to have money for improvements, he said.The Sept. 20 presentation is to take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the city council chambers at City Hall, 863 SE Barrington Drive. You can reach News-Times reporter Christine Smith at csmith@whidbeynewstimes.com or call 675-6611 “