To the editor:

Imagine, if you will, a 2011 headline in the Record delivers the stunning news that the school district has seen an unexpected spike in enrollment. Tourism in Langley is enjoying a similar trend, likely due to the ferry car-less walk-ons who parked in Mukilteo for a weekend art tour on the south end of Whidbey.

That perennial line of commuters to the mainland has yielded in favor of a work-here movement converging on a few high- tech startups that elected to set up shop on Whidbey. Even the buy-local movement is gathering momentum, as the community becomes more self-sufficient and self-sustaining.

Such vibrancy seemed quite distant back in the 2009 recession when it was looking like a bedroom community around here, but then some well-placed catalysts started to bear fruit. The stimulus came from a community that believes in itself. Sure it helps to be an island with prized rural character only 25 miles from a popular yet car-bound urban area that continues to grow and just happens to be the software capital of the world. Two hundred and ten miles of scenic coastline and scores of natural vistas and a vibrant arts and music culture didn’t hurt either.

But the productive catalyst came from an agency whose charter is to foster appropriate economic development, enhance marine waters recreation, promote tourism and enhance the environmental assets that have come to define South Whidbey.

That agency is the South Whidbey Port District. It has delivered with four waterfront facilities (Clinton, Possession, Bush and Freeland) with another on the way (Langley) along with commuter parking and a well-attended local trade show.

In my 20 years here, the port has been the steady hand at the tiller that guides our community forward in a transparent manner with appropriate stimulus for a rural community that values its environmental assets.

I am running for port commissioner so that 2011 Record headline will come to pass. Be sure and vote on Aug. 18.

Dean Enell

Langley