Puget Sound Energy and backers of creating a Whidbey Island-based electric company got a chance to pitch their case to local leaders Wednesday night at a special session of the Council of Governments at Coupeville High School.
The ex-spokesman of the group pushing to start a public utility district on Whidbey Island to take over Puget Sound Energy’s territory has added oil to the fire that ignited this weekend, when he charged the leader of the effort with accepting payments from the state PUD association.
After being “removed” by the board Saturday, and resigning himself in an e-mail on Monday, Ed Jenkins sent out another e-mail to PUD supporters, TV stations and newspapers across the state Wednesday saying that he isn’t done yet.
The Washington Public Utility District Association released a report Monday saying that a Whidbey-based public utilities district could lead to a 20-percent rate cut on islanders’ electric bills.
The study followed on the heels of a report released by Puget Sound Energy earlier this month that said a local takeover would not only cost $130 million, but would also cause a 20-percent rate increase for customers.
The dispute between the former spokesman of “People For Yes on Whidbey PUD” and the remaining board ignited last weekend and continued this week.
While the campaign director of the group admitted Monday to being paid more than $6,000 by the Washington Public Utility District Association, Ed Jenkins, who was the spokesman for “People for Yes On Whidbey PUD,” maintains the actions were unethical.
A few megawatts were added to the high voltage sparks that are flying within the group that wants to form a public utilities district and take control of Puget Sound Energy’s territory on Whidbey Island.
Access to the fairgrounds via the new Fairgrounds Road has gone through its ultimate test: The Island County Fair.
And city of Langley and fair officials said it passed.
Langley’s newly-formed Historic Preservation Commission is ready to put its first three choices on the local historic registry.
A Langley landmark turns 100 and the community is invited to pay its respects to a home that has a century’s worth of stories to tell.
It’s too early to call, but first vote counts indicate that incumbent Republican Phil Bakke and no-party candidate Curt Gordon will duke it out for the second spot on the November ballot, while Democrat Helen Price Johnson took an early lead in the primary election.
Six Island County residents have filed to run for three commissioner seats for the proposed Whidbey-based public utility district.
Longtime Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen has taken an early and quite comfortable lead in the race for state Senator, 10th Legislative District.
District-wide, she’s received more than 53 percent of 23,385 votes counted Tuesday night. In Island County, she got 52.71 percent, or 8,126 of the 15,417 votes counted.
“We feel very positive,” Haugen said Tuesday night from her home on Camano where she hosted a primary party for friends and supporters.
The Langley city council will discuss an ordinance at the city council meeting Wednesday that gives the city the option of selling the old fire hall on Second Street.
In the District 1 race for Island County Commissioner, history will be made this year.
What kind of history remains to be seen.
