“NOTE:Langley polling place incorrectVoters in Langley should be aware of an incorrect polling place listed in the Island County Local Voters Pamphlet. The correct place to vote for Langley Precincts 1 and 2 is at Brookhaven Hall, located at 150 Fourth Street, according to Island County Auditor Suzanne Sinclair. Voting is no longer conducted at the Methodist Church.South Whidbey voters will decide some important local election issues when they trek to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 2.While this off-year general election features a comparatively short ballot, some big issues are being addressed.Locally, voters will decide two school board races as incumbents Barbara Schneeman and Steve Scoles are being challenged by, respectively, David Edgley and Ray Gabelein. Unopposed for another seat is newcomer Bob Riggs.In addition, voters in Langley and Fire District 3 must jointly decide whether the fire district should take over operation of the Langley Fire Department. Supporters say the city’s too small to fund a modern department, while foes have argued about the cost and the loss of the city’s independent fire department.Also in Fire District 3, voters will be picking a new commissioner from between Bill Spalding and Bob Elliot.Interest in local races appears high, but the most controversial issue on the ballot is a statewide initiative measure. I-695, the $30 license tab initiative, would save many motorists hundreds of dollars at licensing time but cause some serious belt tightening in Island Transit and Island County government.Barring new funding sources, if I-695 is approved Island Transit would lose about 60 percent of its budget and be forced to cut way back on employees and bus routes. Major cuts are also expected in Island County government which would lose more than $1 million in revenue.State Ferries would also suffer financially with the passage of I-695, losing about 20 percent of its operating revenue and almost all of its capital improvement funds.Also stirring controversy is I-696 which, if approved, would ban non-tribal net fishing in Puget Sound and other Washington waters. Supporters say it would help protect salmon runs, bottom fish and seabirds, while foes describe it as a grab for more fish by recreational anglers that wouldn’t do anything to save salmon.Voters won’t have much choice in several local elections. Running unopposed are incumbent Port of South Whidbey commissioners Gene Sears and Jim Hawley; Public Hospital District commissioner Holly Schoenknecht; Langley mayor Lloyd Furman and councilmember Ray Honrelah; and Parks and Recreation District commissioner Tara Barlean.Many South Whidbey residents will be interested in one ballot item in Oak Harbor, where a maintenance and operation levy is needed to keep the public swimming pool open.Voters who need more information can study the Washington State Voters Pamphlet or the Island County Local Voters Pamphlet, both of which were mailed to all registered voters and are available at local libraries. For information about polling places or other election questions call the Island County Auditor’s Office at 321-5111.”