Farewell to 2014: A year of headlines

Looking back through 2014, it’s easy to see there were a lot of active people in Central Whidbey. Whether in a group or individually, projects were getting completed, money was being raised and business was getting done. Here’s looking back at a busy 2014.

January

After 17 years, Chuck and Sandy Poust retired and closed The Windjammer Gallery. The gallery space, located on Front Street, was taken over by Larry and Patsy Bail and their Vail Wine Shop. The wine shop was formerly housed across the street in Mariner’s Court.
Jim Patton resigned after nine years serving as the executive director for Port of Coupeville.
Town of Coupeville submitted comments to the Department of the Navy in regard to its Environmental Impact Study on EA-18G Growler jet noise. In a submitted letter, the town asked the Navy to address impacts on sleep patterns, hospital patients, senior citizens and visitors. It also asked that the statement address impacts on school children, tourism, historic buildings, house values and safety in crash zones.
More than 80 Seahawks fans marched down Main Street on Sunday, Jan. 5 to meet at the Coupeville Wharf, posing for a photo on the pedestrian bridge over Highway 20, and culminating in a photo at the wharf. By the time the band of fans reached the wharf, they’d grown to approximately 150 people.
For the second time, state auditors questioned how Island Transit monitors staff use of take-home vehicles and fuel cards. According to an accountability audit report issued Dec. 30, 2013, by the Washington State Auditor’s Office, a finding was issued stating Island Transit officials “did not adequately monitor take home vehicles and fuel card use to ensure they are only used for official purposes.” Island Transit officials responded saying a new fueling system was implemented including data collection that allows staff to track fuel use on each vehicle.
Citing a lack of trust for the Navy’s public input hotline, the Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve created its own jet noise complaint hotline.
Due to safety concerns, leaders for the Port of Coupeville chained off a Front Street entry point to the beach. The stairs leading down to the beach are falling apart and erosion has left a large gap at the bottom.
Island Transit settled into its new $22.4 million headquarters located South of Coupeville. The 15,400-square-foot administrative building and the 34,700-square-foot maintenance facility were a big step up from the organization’s former facilities.
A Driftwood Way home that had been abandoned since a massive landslide made national headlines in early 2013 burned to the ground. The home, a double-wide manufactured home, had been red-tagged by Island County since the landslide, meaning that it was unsafe to enter. The house had been pushed toward the shoreline during the landslide and part of it teetered over the edge of a mound. The fire may have been a result of squatters.
Coupeville’s Roger Purdue, a popular artist, educator and pilot, died from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Purdue, who enjoyed a career as a teacher in the Oak Harbor School District, was a prolific artist. His work can be seen throughout Central Whidbey Island. The salmon wheel at Island County Museum and the whale wheel at the Coupeville Wharf are just some of his creations.
The Trust Board of Ebey’s Landing named Kristen Griffin as its new manager. Griffin previously held the position of the Spokane City/County Historic Preservation Officer, which is a position she held since 2008. Prior to that, she worked for a variety of National Park Service units in Alaska.
North Whidbey resident Richard Hannold announced he would run for Island County Commissioner.
In search of a more level playing field for its athletic teams, Coupeville High School announced it will leave the Cascade Conference and join the Olympic League in the fall.
Support rallied for two Coupeville school levies up for vote in February. The maintenance and operations levy pays for teacher salaries, paraeducators and other service positions. The technology levy assists the district in upgrading the computer systems.
Benye Weber completed 12 years serving as a commissioner for the Port of Coupeville.
A family cat woke its owners when a fire sparked in the attic of a Crockett Lake home. The family was able to escape before fire crews arrived.

February

Coupeville Town Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Island County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services to start March 1.
Seven fifth-graders were honored for their efforts raising money for a parent who was battling cancer. The Coupeville Elementary School students, who participated in a breast cancer club, spent part of last fall collecting money to support Heather Ausman, who was fighting stage four breast cancer.
Michele Lynn and Jerry Raitzer purchased Mile Post 19 raspberry farm from Jerry and Kimberly Jaderholm.
Longtime Coupeville deputy marshal Hodges Gowdey III was arrested in connection with a 2007 incident in which he allegedly handcuffed his former girlfriend on the side of a road during a fight. As a result of the arrest, the Island County Sheriff’s Office took over operations of the Coupeville Marshal’s Office early.
Voters approved the $2.24 maintenance and operations levy and a technology levy bringing in $300,000 each year for four years for Coupeville Schools.
Whidbey Camano Land Trust announced it would continue to accept Navy money to acquire land within Ebey’s Reserve, despite a request from jet noise opponents to suspend the relationship. Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, or COER, asked that the Land Trust cease using Navy funds until the ongoing Environmental Impact Statement on the EA-18G Growler is finished.
Coupeville Chamber of Commerce honored several members during its annual awards banquet. The big winner of the night was Dan Miranda and Front Street Grill, which won Business of the Year. Newly located Vail Wine Shop owners Larry and Patsy Vail were awarded the Entrepreneurial Spirit award. Ken Hofkamp, of Prairie Center Red Apple, won the Lifetime Achievement award, which is awarded to a business or individual who has made a significant impact on the community. Beth Kuchynka won the Business Leadership award.
State auditors were critical of the way Whidbey General Hospital handled its payroll system, saying it did not have adequate controls over the payroll process. Because of the problem, the hospital made $183,211 in overpayments to employees and staff accrued 22.73 hours in unearned time off.
Pati Schmakeit bought Back to the Island, a small boutique located next door to the Penn Cove Gallery from Deb Crocker. Back to the Island sells clothes and novelties popular with tourists and neighbors alike.
Rick Norrie was chosen as the Coupeville Town Marshal.

March

Island Transit staff installed a woodcarving inspired by the work of Roger Purdue. The Native American-inspired wall-hanging was placed in the lobby of the transit entity’s new headquarters located on Highway 20 near Outlying Field. The rectangular-shaped carving measures 44 inches by 56 inches. The project cost Island Transit $4,500.
Don Sherman, who has been a member of the Coupeville School Board for 12 years, announced his resignation. He had been serving on the school board for 12 years when he was appointed to the seat that opened up after the board member districts were re-adjusted.
Greenbank Farm’s Loganberry Festival was suspended after the Whidbey Island Area Fair’s date change caused a conflict with event participants.
Wind gusts and sporadic rain didn’t stop mussel enthusiasts from enjoying Penn Cove’s native mollusk. Despite the less-than-stellar weather, Coupeville’s annual Musselfest’s 1,500 chowder tasting tickets sold out on Saturday. Crowds roamed the town, going from business to business, tasting chowder entries and other seafood delights.
Camano Island residents Karla Jacks and Marc Hennemann both announced plans to run for Island County Commissioner against Rick Hannold.
Coupeville Elementary School third-grader Ty Duddridge was honored for collecting $500 worth of soup labels and box tops for his school.
Plans emerged for one of Front Street’s vacant buildings. Thom Kroon, who purchased the former Mad Crab building, moved forward on plans to convert the building into a multiple-use structure. The plans include creating office, retail and residential space.
Farmers in Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve told planning commissioners that they don’t want any farming restrictions placed on them — including those involving recreational marijuana. Commissioners later voted against restricting marijuana production in the reserve.

April

Central Whidbey residents rallied to help victims of the Oso Landslide. A benefit concert was held and other groups raised money.
A group of merchants from the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association say closing the public restrooms during festivals is problematic and requested the town keep them open. In response, Mayor Nancy Conard said the bathrooms were available to event organizers as long as they were responsible for the cost of maintenance if or when the bathrooms become clogged. The two groups were looking at a compromise.
Developers of the old Mad Crab building on Front Street encountered a bit of a road block in the permitting process. Thom Kroon, owner of the building, approached the commissioners for Port of Coupeville after learning that part of the building he owns was actually sitting on port property. The port and Kroon came to an agreement to possibly lease or purchase the 864 square feet of tidelands.
Commissioners for Port of Coupeville moved forward with plans to repair the public beach access near the port office building. A bid for engineering services was approved for X-Sound Engineering out of Freeland. The access was closed earlier this year due to safety concerns and an investigation into repair costs exposed the need to also repair the port office building foundation and bulkhead.
Coupeville School Board appointed Christine Sears to fill the board seat recently vacated by Don Sherman.
Officials for Port of Coupeville and Greenbank Farm were hopeful recent education and minor tinkering to the farm’s sewage system will prevent the port from having to make costly repairs. Testing to the system revealed positive results.
A unique cable system was pretty much the only thing preventing a small, historic building on Coupeville’s famed Front Street from falling into the water below. In order to ensure that didn’t happen, Barry Burton, who manages the Cottage on the Cove, was planning a large project to build a stable foundation for the building over the summer. The plan involve moving it to a vacant lot while a new substructure was installed on the cliffside.

May

Officials at Coupeville School District were exploring the options for starting a “Farm to School” program, which is aimed at promoting and serving locally produced food in school cafeterias.
The Whidbey Camano Land Trust partnered with the Whidbey General Hospital’s Green Team to build a trail in the Krueger Woods protected property in Coupeville. The Krueger Woods property is located across the street from the hospital between North Main Street and Broadway Street.
The Board of Directors for Coupeville School District took measures to reduce costs in the wake of declining enrollment. After accepting the resignation of Coupeville Middle and High School principal Sheldon Rosenkrance, the board approved a new leadership model and eliminated an administrative position. Superintendent Jim Shank took over the duties of the special services director, a position that is responsible for special education programming and title services.
Coupeville School District officials didn’t get straight A’s on their most recent audit. A report released by the Washington State Auditors Office found that last school year the district failed to get proper documentation for one employee, who works in the special education program. The error was a result of staff turnover.
After more than 50 years of Coupeville Lions running swim lessons each summer, the club decided to change things around. The club no longer fits all the swimming lessons into a two-week period in the summer at Camp Casey, but partnered with the facility to offer five two-week sessions. The goal is to serve as many children as possible.
Crowds filled downtown Coupeville for the annual Penn Cove Water Festival, which featured canoe races, tribal dancers and other entertainment.
The state Department of Ecology levied a $301,000 fine against the man whose crab boat caught fire and sank in Penn Cove in 2012, causing an oil spill that temporarily shut down nearby Penn Cove Shellfish.
Wanda Grone, the former Island County chief deputy treasurer, filed to run against her boss, Ana Maria Nuñez, and was promptly fired. Gone later defeated Nuñez and is now the new Island County Treasurer.
Patriotism was overflowing onto the streets of Coupeville as the community gathered for the annual Memorial Day Parade and celebration. Starting on South Main Street, decorated cars and floats filled the streets. People walked the parade route waving American Flags, tossing candy and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Knead & Feed celebrated 40 years of food service on Front Street.

June

United States Olympic speed skater Anna Ringsred helped the Boys and Girls Club of Coupeville kick off its summer camp with Track and Field Day.
Two young Navy men drowned in a kayaking accident in the waters off Central Whidbey, according to the Island County Coroner’s Office. Coroner Robert Bishop identified the two men as Vinson C. Ya, 25, and Joseph T. Lee, 21. Both men were with VAQ-129 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Whidbey General Hospital approved a $49 million 2014 Operating Budget. The budget approved is $49,831,748, which is a $190,218 decrease from the approved 2013 Operating Budget.
Coupeville High School bid farewell to 61 graduating seniors.
Coupeville School Board approved the hire of new Coupeville Middle and High School principal Larry Walsh, who came from Oxbow High School in Bradford, Vt.
State and local officials confiscated more than 230 pounds of illegally harvested clams from South Madrona Beach. Coupeville Town Marshal Rick Norrie said seven people were involved with the illegal harvest and received various citations, including harvesting without a license and harvesting over limit. Over harvesting is a common problem in Penn Cove, according to fish and wildlife officials.
Hodges Gowdey agreed to a plea bargain, one day before he was set to go to trial on two felony charges related to a 2007 incident. The former Coupeville deputy marshal pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a gross misdemeanor charge, in Island County Superior Court.

July

It was a mad dash as crowds gathered at Coupeville Middle School to claim treasures at the annual Coupeville Lions Garage Sale. All proceeds from the sale go back into the Lions’ charitable projects in the community.
Aubrey Vaughan was selected as interim Island County Commissioner. After interviewing three candidates at a special session, Commissioners Jill Johnson and Helen Price Johnson deliberated for approximately 15 minutes in closed session before voting to appoint Vaughan as interim Island County commissioner for District 3.
Prosecutors charged the chief nursing officer at Whidbey General Hospital with assaulting a patient. Linda Gipson, 62, is facing a single count of assault in the fourth degree, a gross-misdemeanor charge. The criminal charge was filed July 2 in Island County District Court.
The Island County Historical Society was presented an Award of Publication Excellence for its 30-minute video documentary, “Sunnyside Cemetery — Where Central Whidbey Sleeps,” at the annual Washington Museum Association Conference in Port Townsend.
Jon Crimmins, a 1993 Coupeville High School graduate, shares tales of shenanigans when he was a kid at the same Fort Casey State Park where he now serves as park ranger.
After roughly 10 years of fundraising, supporters of Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation finally saw their dreams come to fruition. WAIF broke ground and began construction on a new facility at the location south of Coupeville.
Friends of Ebey’s raised more than $10,000 during its annual Summer Picnic. The event helped the organization meet its annual fundraising goal of $50,000 to receive a matching donation for preservation projects in Ebey’s Reserve.
Saturday bus service and 24 employees were cut after financial problems were uncovered at Island Transit.

August

The Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival celebrates 50 years of giving back to the community. Volunteers held an anniversary reception honoring past movers and shakers over the years.
Members of the Kake Indian Tribe from Alaska visited Coupeville and the location where their ancestors historically beheaded Col. Issac Ebey. The visit was a dream come true for Island County Historical Museum Director Rick Castellano.
Tim McDonald, executive director for the Port of Coupeville, resigned halfway through his two-year contract. McDonald was later replaced by resident David Day.
COER member Ken Pickard ruffled feathers downtown after repeatedly parking his truck displaying anti-Navy messages downtown. Pickard said his messages are a way to dispel the myth and generate dialogue about the Navy and Coupeville’s Outlying Field. His demonstrations fueled several calls to police.

September

This year the Coupeville Festival Association netted more than $105,000 in gross revenue, more than any previous year. The increase in revenue, Mike Dessert said, may be due to a few things, including the recent upturn in the economy. Vendor booth sales increased more than $10,000 from $291,000 to $307,000.
The Town of Coupeville was recognized for the fifth year by the state Department of Ecology for its wastewater treatment plant. Out of 300 plants statewide, Coupeville’s was one of 125 that achieved full compliance with national standards.
Beth Kuchynka, owner of bayleaf, and Andreas Wurzrainer, owner of Christopher’s on Whidbey, partnered to form Courageous Adventures LLC and now share ownership of the commercial complex on the corner of Coveland and Alexander streets.
A plan to revamp Greenbank Farm and increase its economic viability won’t be considered by the Port of Coupeville until next year. The plan, presented by Washington State University, aims to push the struggling farm further into the world of “edu-tourism” by providing an active educational facility that could be used by students and visitors alike. Port officials said they are bound by their current management agreement but want to discuss the plan in the future.
Town of Coupeville banned tobacco in town-owned parks and trails. The move is part of a greater project fueled by grant funds through the Island County Health Department.
Town of Coupeville partnered with Senior Services and Coupeville United Methodist Church to bring senior programming to Central Whidbey residents. Programs are held Wednesdays and some Fridays and are in conjunction with the Wednesday meal already being served.
An anonymous donor stepped up to match fundraising efforts for one Harvest Fest Relay Team. The Coupeville High School Drama Troupe raised more than $10,000 and got a matching $10,000 from the donor. All donations went to Gifts From the Heart food bank.
Martha Rose, executive director of Island Transit, resigned after financial management issues were unearthed at the agency. Board member Bob Clay stepped in as interim director.

October

The Coupeville Chamber of Commerce partnered with businesses and organizations in Central Whidbey to bring the first-ever Haunting of Coupeville. The project featured events all month long.
The Greenbank Farm Management Group submitted the only proposal for future management of the farm. The group and Port of Coupeville are still in contract negotiations.
A century-old granary owned by Dave Engle was getting a new purpose as it was converted into a single-family home by Coupeville-based Cascade Custom Homes & Design.

November

Rick Hannold came out the victor in the race for Island County Commissioner.
David Day was chosen as the new executive director for Port of Coupeville. He previously served on the Coupeville Planning Commission, Ebey’s Forever Fund Board and Friends of Ebey’s.
For the 16th year, hundreds of people shared their Thanksgiving holiday together at the Coupeville Recreation Hall.
Whidbey General Hospital adopted a budget with an anticipated $4.9 million shortfall.
For 20 years, Lyla and Phil Snover have cultivated and cared for Coupeville’s treasured winter guests. Each holiday season, sometime between Thanksgiving and the first Saturday in December, smiling-faced snow people start lining the streets. It’s something a lot of people look forward to.

December

The Coupeville Festival Association gave back $41,000 in grants to local community organizations.
Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley visited Coupeville Town Council to call for the removal of Bob Clay from the Island Transit Board. The council called Dudley’s visit innapropriate.
Hundred of people gathered the Saturday after Thanksgiving to make gingerbread houses with the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association as part of the annual Gingerbread Challenge.
Warm weather was appreciated by most Greening of Coupeville participants, but for Mayor Nancy Conard, it posed a bit of a problem. Partway down the parade route, Conard became overheated in her snowman costume and had to ride the rest of the route in the back of a John Deere tractor.
Town of Coupeville sold development rights to the Navy on property it own on Keystone Hill near Outlying Field. The $800,000 price tag will go back into the town’s utilities funds.
The Board of Director for Coupeville Schools passed a resolution to hold a special election in April for a $5 million capital facilities levy. The funds will go to repairing schools and athletic facilities.