People contribute to society in different ways. Some do small things, such as shopping local or giving old clothes to Good Will, and others go big.
Lucas Jushinski, a Freeland business owner, is the latter. This year he’s put his money where his heart is by extending $10,000 matching grant opportunities to three South Whidbey non-profit groups: Good Cheer Food Bank (twice), New Stories and most recently the Whidbey Veterans Resource Center in Bayview.
With decades of hard work, Island Transit grew from a veritable one-horse operation to an all-star transportation agency, one that shuttled thousands of riders across the county for years all for free.
Then, in one fell swoop, it all came crashing down.
The state Auditors have finished their review of the Island Transit books for 2013 and confirmed there was no malfeasance. No money was stolen, but there was sloppy record-keeping and the previous management was not following standard practices in some important areas. Specifically, management of the cash-flow and documentation of the federal grant funds for the new building project in payroll and tracking inventory were of concern.
The good news is the reductions in service earlier this year were sufficient to reduce expenses so Island Transit is operating in the black again and beginning to rebuild the reserve. Also a new financial officer has instituted proper record-keeping and begun a full review of internal controls to be sure best practices are being followed in all areas going forward.
Elected officials are held to a higher standard than the rest of us common folk. It may seem unfair at times, but it’s true all the same, and none of those who have taken an oath of office can say they didn’t know that intense public scrutiny and demands for accountability, legitimate or otherwise, are part of the job.
That’s one of the reasons Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley has struck the war post and announced he’ll be visiting the home municipalities of Island Transit board members and lobbying for their resignations. But perhaps someone should remind North Whidbey’s raging bull of righteousness of that very same standard. Some transit directors may need to step down, but it’s not up to Dudley to decide who, not even in Oak Harbor — it’s the city council’s decision — and self aggrandizing displays of accountability are unbecoming of the office of mayor, in any town.
The Burnt Man was real. At 5 or 6, I had no reason to doubt the tale and believed in him absolutely. He haunted the woods above Double Bluff, and if I wasn’t careful he’d get me!
It’s a family ghost story, one that was told to my sister and me around driftwood fires on the shores of Useless Bay. That was back when one could do such a thing without ending up in the police blotter.
Sometimes indecision and a little delay isn’t such a bad thing.
This week, the South Whidbey School Board wrestled to fill the District 2 seat, which has been vacant since Fred O’Neal resigned in late August. While the board was ultimately unsuccessful in selecting one of two candidates, the outcome was no failure. Rather, the board’s decision to bring in a bit of outside help, an expert in education if you will, was a demonstration in good government and institutional humility.
Last-minute voters, time is running out. Ballots were mailed last week and the clock is steadily ticking down to the Nov. 4 general election.
For those who haven’t had the chance to dive into the issues, get to know the candidates, or are still wrestling with the right decisions, here’s who we think deserves your vote.
Funicular — it’s as much fun to say as it is to contemplate, and it appears the concept is back on the table in Langley.