Electric rates going up soon
Whidbey Islanders will soon be paying more for electricity from Puget Sound Energy, but exactly how much more remains to be seen.
PSE is asking for a 22 percent interim rate increase through Oct. 31, 2002, which would raise $170 million.
Staff members of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which regulates the utility, have countered with a recommended 6.3 percent rate increase totalling $42 million. If approved, the average residential user would pay an additional $3 a month in their electric bill.
The three-member WUTC will make the final decision. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21 in Olympia. Public comments can be submitted by
e-mail to comments
@wutc.wa.gov.
Oak Harbor lands funding
The last chunk of Island-wide tourism funding for 2002 went out on Monday, as the Board of Island County Commissioners finalized an $11,000 grant contract to the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
The money, generated by the so-called 2-percent Hotel-Motel Lodging Tax, will be applied to the chamber’s Marketing/Tourism Program for Island County.
In all, the board distributed over $84,000 worth of grants this year, ranging from stipends of $1,000 to the largest sum of $29,000, which went to the Island District Economic Development Council as a continuation of EDC’s Island County-wide Tourism Marketing Program.
Coupeville seeks its top teacher
It’s time to give an apple to your favorite teacher.
Parents, students and members of the community are urged to participate in Washington State’s Teacher of the Year program (TOY) by nominating one excellent educator in the Coupeville School District.
A selection committee composed of three parents, three teachers, two community leaders, at least one high school student, a board member, a staff member and two administrators will conduct interviews of nominees.
Nomination forms, which are due back by April 5, are available upon request from the district office, 678-4522. As for Superintendent Suzanne Bond if you are interested in sitting on the selection committee.
Rhine delivers Valentine talk
At the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce meeting
Thursday, Feb. 14, members can have a heart-to-heart Valentine’s Day talk with Scott Rhine, administrator of Whidbey General Hospital.
Rhine will speak at the morning meeting, followed by a question and answer session. The public is welcome to attend.
The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, corner of Sixth and Main streets, Coupeville. For more information call 678-5434.
Is world trade worth tradeoffs?
A forum on the pros and cons of U.S. world trade policies, presented by the
League of Women Voters, will be held Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at Summerhill in Oak Harbor. Speakers will include local resident and writer Paul Newman and Elizabeth Davis, a member of the League’s National Task Force On Trade. The public is invited to attend.
For additional information call 675-6710.
