The year 2015 could easily be dubbed the year of change for many of Central Whidbey’s largest governments. The year brought the announcement of several retirements, and with it new community members stepping up to take leadership roles. But with all this change, there was still the steady drum of continual volunteerism and business the community has come to expect. Here’s looking back at a busy 2015.

January

-The Coupeville Chamber of Commerce and Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association teamed up to start Pennies for Preservation, a campaign to raise funds for repairs to the Coupeville Wharf. Donations jars are placed around town to collect customer’s spare change

-Artist Mike Wise was selected as the 2015 poster artist for the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival. His impressionist painting of the festival on Front Street was made into a poster and later raffled off at the festival.

-The Pacific Rim Institute explores opportunities for the future after finalizing the purchase of 175 acres it leased and managed since 2009.

-A group of about 40 Seahawk fans rally in Coupeville in support of their favorite team.

-A couple of Central Whidbey residents were miffed over a neighbor’s decision to cut holes in a beaver dam on their property without consent.

-Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue responded to the call about a dam breach at Willow Pond. Water was running through private property and into Puget Sound south of Race Road.

-Central Whidbey squash king Dale Sherman estimates there’s still about 130 tons of squash. But he isn’t worried because the farm has special barns to keep the family’s signature crop longer.

-For the first time in years, Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island  performed on Central Whidbey.

-New deputy chief for Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue, Charlie Smith, was sworn in after a nationwide recruitment and rigorous assessment process.

-Coupeville Councilman Bob Clay gave up his chairmanship on the Island Transit board. Transit staff moved forward with plans to restore some service lost due to budget cuts and were considering a fare system.

-Soroptimist International groups on Whidbey Island teamed up to help raise funds and awareness for women’s heart health with the Red Dress Ball.

-The Island County Historical Museum unveiled a new exhibit called “Native People — Native Places,” which featured large collection of artifacts, pieces and photographs that represent the area’s earliest inhabitants and were long stored away in the basement.

-“Deep Sea” owner Rory Westmoreland, a Renton scrap-metal dealer, was sentenced to 75 days in jail and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine in Island County District Court for the fire and sinking of the derelict vessel in Penn Cove. He was also fined and/or sued by other entities.

-Coupeville Middle and High School started working on a new class schedule structure that offers more course offerings for the 2015-16 school year.

-A group of Central Whidbey residents were trying to stop a road project that’s supposed to improve safety and provide additional stops for Island Transit buses. Barbara Vaughan said she and a group of neighbors are concerned that the Washington Department of Transportation’s plans to reconfigure the intersection of State Highway 20 at Parker Road would actually make the area less safe. They also questioned the wisdom of proposed bus turn-outs.

February

-Coupeville School Board made the move to authorize full-time kindergarten starting in the 2015-16 school year.

-Billie Barb shares her love of vintage valentines in a display at the Coupeville Library. Her collection spans from 1880 to the mid-to-late 1940s. Most of the cards were made in Germany.

-The Victoria Clipper returns to Coupeville, but only makes half the appearances it normally does each spring. Due to tidal issues and other concerns, half of the tour vessel’s Whidbey Island stops were moved to Langley.

-Whidbey General Hospital’s board of commissioners hired a new CEO to replace Tom Tomasino this spring. Geri Forbes, one of the three candidates interviewed during an invite-only luncheon with community representatives, took over as Whidbey General’s CEO position in mid-April.

-More than a dozen people gathered to raise awareness for Divestment Day. The issue of divestment involves pulling money from fossil fuel investments and instead focusing efforts on renewable energy, said Gary Piazzon, event organizer.

-After nearly a year into the Island County Sheriff’s Office providing police services to Coupeville, Town Marshal Rick Norrie said crime statistics reveal a fairly quiet town.

-The Trust Board for Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve explore the question: What exactly is a reserve? The board looks at ways to educate the public and visitors on the area’s unique structure and protect private landowner rights.

-A suspected car thief and burglar who was caught after he passed out behind the wheel was recently sent to prison.

-Coupeville councilwoman Jackie Henderson began serving on the board of directors for Island Transit.

-Coupeville seeks applications to fill a full-time planning director position after making changes to town structure, including changing the job from a contracted position.

-Coupeville High School’s Wolf PAC Theatre Troupe performs “Swing Fever.”

March

-Penn Cove Shellfish celebrates 40 years of farming Penn Cove as it gears up for the annual Musselfest weekend.

-Coupeville High School brought back its Career Fair after a 15-year hiatus. The event included community representatives from a variety of industries and professions.

-Approximately 24 acres of forestland off Wanamaker Road were clear cut to remove diseased trees, and about 10,000 new ones planted in their place.

-Coupeville High School’s Science Olympiad team competed at the Northwest Regional Science Olympiad competition on Feb. 28 at Seattle Central College. Coupeville was one of only four schools from the event to advance to the state competition to be held at Highline Community College in Des Moines in April.

-Despite concerned murmurs in the community about the fate of the Greenbank Farm, the Port of Coupeville and management group continue negotiations on a new contract with the focus now on budgets. The Greenbank Farm Management Group was the only applicant to submit a proposal last fall to manage the publicly owned property.

-Work began on the new Engle Trail in the Admiralty Inlet Preserve. Opening of the trail was slated for June.

-Longtime Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard announces she will not seek a fifth term. Two of three council seats up for election will also be vacated by longtime council members Molly Hughes and Bob Clay.

-Coupeville School District looks at taking out a state loan for $105,000 for new bleachers in the gymnasium.

April

-Months after the Coupeville Town Council approved an ordinance to change part of Front Street to a one-way road, city workers finally put up signs, causing some confusion for drivers. The ordinance changes Front Street from South Main to Gould Street to a one-way road. The council members made the change as a way to mitigate a small landslide along the road that took out part of the pedestrian walkway.

-The large attendance at Musselfest prompts town leaders and even organizers to evaluate and address parking concerns within the small town.

-Coupeville Soroptimist held its 25th annual Easter Egg Hunt with roughly 3,200 plastic eggs in Town Park.

-The Coupeville Farmer’s Market kicked off its 37th season with more produce than normal due to a mild winter and early spring.

–Coupeville Councilwoman Molly Hughes announces her bid for mayor. Hughes ran unopposed and was later voted into office.

-A historic ferry landing ramp in Coupeville was inadvertently reduced to rubble this week during a demolition project designed to remove an aging structure that rested on top of it. Island County Public Works spent Monday demolishing a small World War II-era spotting station once used by the Navy at its county-owned Driftwood Park along the Keystone Spit.

-Residents of a Central Whidbey neighborhood struck by a massive landslide two years ago filed lawsuits against Island County. The residents are claiming that the county was negligent and contributed to the landslide. They also say the county failed to properly maintain a public road.

-25-year-old Keaton Farris died of dehydration at the Island County Jail. Investigation revealed systematic failures with jail staff and the family later settled with Island and two other counties for $4 million.

-After nearly six months of negotiating, the basis of a contract for management of the Greenbank Farm was approved last week, dispelling rumors the publicly owned farm was at risk. Prior to the meeting, speculation circulated about the farm’s fate. More than 20 members of the public spoke of their strong connection to the farm and their desire to help and support the Greenbank Farm community and pleaded with Port of Coupeville commissioners to approve an agreement.

-Oak Harbor High School hosted a youth sailing regatta in Penn Cove, drawing sailors and spectators from all over the Northwest.

-The Port of Coupeville approved an agreement with Greenbank Community Solar LLC, a Mount Vernon based company, to lease the three remaining plots at the farm. Per the five-year agreement, Greenbank Solar will raise $250,000 from up to three dozen local participants.

-Island County leaders banded together to pressure state leaders for a fair share of marijuana sales tax revenue. The move is part of a larger protest from law enforcement and county leaders from around the state who are tired of the state and federal government rolling out new requirements that counties must fund, implement and enforce.

-Mike Beech, a former Island County sheriff’s deputy, opened Coupeville Cycle and Sport, a home-based shop on Fort Casey Road.

-Coupeville School District announces that continued declining enrollment would result in the reduction of 4.5 staff positions beginning in the fall. Retirements and relocations would account for all of those positions except for one. Larry Walsh would not be retained as principal of the high school and middle school. Instead, Shank will assume those administrative duties in the fall to go along with his role as superintendent.

-Coupeville School District’s $5 million capital facilities levy passes, much to the delight of district officials.

-A citizens’ group that filed a lawsuit in 2013 filed an additional action to force the Navy to stop flying the EA-18G Growlers over Coupeville. The Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, or COER, filed a motion in federal court asking a judge to rule that the aircraft be forced to stop using Outlying Field Coupeville until the Navy completes an Environmental Impact Statement.

May

-The Penn Cove Musselfest was named the top promotional event of the year by the Washington State Main Street Program.

-Central Whidbey Hearts and Hammers works on 17 community service projects with the help of about 100 volunteers.

-Coupeville residents Catherine Ballay and Lisa Bernhardt file for open seats on Coupeville Town Council.

-John Misashek and William Bell both file for open board seats with the Port of Coupeville.

-Gifts From the Heart food bank and the Coupeville Boys and Girls Club started collaborating to provide a summer free-meal program called Kids Cafe.

-The community rallied in support and appreciation to surprise Prairie Center Red Apple owner Ken Hofkamp and all he does for the community.

–Coupeville teacher Wilbur Purdue earned the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award during Washington State History Day.

-Canoe clubs and tribal representative from all over the region gathered in downtown Coupeville to compete in canoe races and share native traditions.

-The Whidbey Island community gathers in Coupeville for the annual Memorial Day parade and celebration.

June

-Coupeville was named this week as one of the country’s 100 best small towns in 2015. The list, compiled by Livability.com, recognized cities and towns that have that tight-knit community feel, but also have amenities expected in larger cities.

-The Island County homeless count revealed that nearly half of the island’s homeless population is working.

-Newly hired town planner Tammy Barconi said changes within her department should lead to better service for the community.

-A meter error with Puget Sound Energy causes the Coupeville School District to receive a $103,000 bill.

-Rumors that the Port of Coupeville and Washington State University were looking at a partnership at Greenbank Farm appeared to be true. After negative response from the community, the university said it did not wish to go somewhere it was not wanted.

-The need for repairs at the Coupeville Wharf prompted port leaders to broach the subject of running a levy in the near future.

-More than 250 people, many of them from Lopez Island, took part in the protest of the Island County Jail, where 25-year-old Keaton Farris died from dehydration in April. The protesters handed out water bottles.

-A start date for construction of Phase 1 of the Madrona Way Project was still up in the air at the end of June. Staff for Town of Coupeville were still reviewing bids and had yet to make a recommendation. Once the project got underway, it was slated to be complete in early November. As of press deadline, the project was incomplete.

July

-Former Coupeville residents David and Pat Howell returned to town and purchased Local Grown, a coffee shop at the Coupeville Wharf. They later renamed the shop The Salty Mug.

-Little rainfall prompts concern from local farmers. Their concerns were later validated with wilting crops making it a rough season for some.

-In a 2-1 vote, commissioners for the Port of Coupeville vote to cease further negotiations with the Greenbank Farm Management Group and resume management of the farm itself. The vote came after months of negotiations and an already approved terms sheet between the two entities.

-Coupeville High School graduate Jerry Helm is promoted to captain with Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue.

-With management plans up in the air with the Port of Coupeville, tenants at the farm worry about future leases. Those concerns were later calmed after the port signed new leases in November.

-The state Department of Health cited Whidbey General Hospital for violating a state law designed to ensure nurses and hospitals work together to create nurse staffing plans that keep patients safe. The hospital didn’t implement a committee to develop and monitor a staffing plan, the chief executive officer didn’t review the plan and staff didn’t have a chance to present and discuss staffing issues, according to a state investigator’s report.

-Race Week sails through Penn Cove, offering scenic and up-close views of racing sailboats.

-Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve’s oldest wood frame structure, the Thomas Coupe House, received some TLC from the preservation field school. Volunteers worked on repairing windows, painting and cleaning up the property’s historic orchard.

August

-Schools superintendent Jim Shank gets a bump in pay after assuming the duties of exiting principal Larry Walsh.

-An estimated 15,000 visitors flooded Coupeville for the annual Arts and Crafts Festival.

-In the only contested race in Coupeville, Georgia Gardner and Rob Born beat out Rita Drum for Whidbey General Hospital commissioner.

-A Coupeville resident filed a petition against the Port of Coupeville Tuesday that claims two of the three commissioners violated the Open Public Meetings Act. Diane Paul alleged the vote on July 8 to terminate negotiations with the Greenbank Farm Management Group is enough evidence that John Carr and Marshall Bronson acted outside of a public meeting. She later withdrew her petition.

-A federal court judge denied a group’s attempt to halt the Navy’s carrier landing practice at a field near Coupeville. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Zilly filed his order, ruling against Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, or COER.

-The Greenbank Farm Management Group held a special meeting to say that there will be no reconciliation between them and the Port of Coupeville and that it was time to move forward.

-Coupeville School District removed an old willow tree from its property due to safety issues with falling branches.

-Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue upgraded its marine rescue capabilities with a new rescue boat. The department paid $95,000 for the 2006 Safe Boat, which came with a pair of new 225 horsepower outboard engines. The 26-foot vessel was being used as a charter fishing boat for tuna based in Oxnard, Calif. Fishing rod holders are still mounted in the rear of the boat.

-A judge threw out a lawsuit against two Whidbey real-estate companies over noise disclosures related to aircraft noise Friday afternoon. “We were victorious,” said Eric Mitten, broker and owner with Windermere Real Estate. “The judge ruled that the disclosure was adequate to put buyers on notice that there was aircraft noise.”

-A group of 14 Coupeville residents, several of them farmers, persuaded the Board of Island County Commissioners to reconsider decreasing the speed limit to 35 mph, from 50, on only a portion of Engle Road. They favor decreasing the limit over the road’s entire length, ideally also making it all a no-passing zone.

-Organizers of the Penn Cove Water Festival are looking for new blood to take over the long-running Coupeville event. And if new volunteers cannot be found, the event may come to an end.

September

-WAIF celebrates the opening of its new shelter, named after donor Ellery Cramer. The 12,544 square foot shelter includes space for amenities the organization has never had before, including a designated spay/neuter clinic, more kennels, visitation rooms, social rooms, outdoor dog runs, a pet food kitchen and a staff break room.

-A man high on methamphetamine was rescued from the frigid waters of Penn Cove. The man, 51, stripped down to shorts and socks at the beach below Coupeville Town Park and waded into the water, Norrie said. He swam about three-quarters of a mile from Coupeville Wharf when he stopped swimming and starting yelling and waving his hands in the water.

-Coupeville resident was Susan Winker mourned  the death of her beloved cat, Willow. The cat was found bleeding from a pellet gun wound. Police were investigating but had no leads.

-The future of Greenbank Farm remains uncertain and port officials plan special meetings to discuss plans.

-Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard is leaving the town in “great” condition after 20 years as the town’s top leader, she announced during her final State of the Town Address.

October

-The community gears up for the first annual Haunting of Coupeville, which includes events and activities all month long.

-The Port of Coupeville held a special meeting after learning previous action taken in regard to tenant leases at Greenbank Farm was not legal. During a Sept. 21 special meeting, the board of commissioners agreed to keep tenant lease rates the same and cover the $13,000 in leasehold taxes just for 2016. Leases would be renegotiated for 2017 and beyond. Each tenant at Greenbank Farm is required to pay a 12.84 percent leasehold tax. That action was not legal, according to port staff.

-Frontier Building Supply announced it is opening a Coupeville location. The lumberyard signed lease paperwork with Ken Hofkamp, who purchased the former ProBuild and Lumbermen’s lumberyard on Terry Road. The store is slated for an early January opening.

-Coupeville’s specialty food shop, bayleaf, celebrated its 15th anniversary.

-The Greenbank Farm has its first casualty as a result of ongoing turmoil between the Port of Coupeville and Greenbank Farm Management Group. For the first time in at least 20 years, there will be no Holiday Market at the farm.

-Coupeville historian Judy Lynn releases a new ebook chronicling the town’s transforming, in collaboration with the Island County Historical Museum.

-Nearly 1,500 people show up for the first ever haunted fort at Fort Casey.

November

-Both incumbents in races for the Whidbey General Hospital board come out ahead in the Nov. 4 General Election.

-Coupeville’s Farm to School program continues to bloom with the addition of a paid coordinator.

-Port of Coupeville officials hire Forrest Rambo to be the next executive director. Rambo came from Port Townsend and has previous experience working with ports and once served as mayor of Port Townsend.

-Former town planner Larry Cort loses his battle with brain cancer. Residents across Whidbey Island shared memories and mourned the loss of the Cort, a man known for his mop of wild hair, cheerfulness and intelligence.

-Mile Post 19 owners say it was a combination of fungus and an early frost that killed all of their raspberry bushes.

-The community gave longtime farmer Bob Engle one last tractor ride with a funeral procession using his beloved John Deere.

-Port of Coupeville commissioner Marshall Bronson resigns one month before his term expired citing a need for the new board to make decision as a team.

-Historic Whidbey fears they may lose their fight to save the Haller House. The group has a nine-month deadline to raise the funds it needs to purchase the home.

December

-Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard leads her last Greening of Coupeville Parade as mayor and Frosty the Snowman.

-Resident Lee James shares the mystery of the historic Pratt family during a special presentation and exhibit at the library.

-The resurrection of the Coupeville Community Thanksgiving Potluck is a success after the event changed hands.

-The Coupeville Festival Association gave $40,000 back into the community through funds raised at the Arts and Crafts Festival.

-A string of burglaries is reported downtown, and police locate stolen property that same day.

-Coupeville Elementary School’s Robotics Club places in the top 12 at the First Lego League robotic competition.

–The community gathers to honor and celebrate retiring mayor Nancy Conard in a festively pink celebration.