25 years ago

Editor: Jim Larsen

Chime controversy heading for council

“The Langley chimes, which have been ringing up controversy at noon and 6 p.m. everyday for the last several months, may get a hearing before the Langley City Council, according to chime operator Herman Visser.

He installed the sound system, which plays taped chime music from the roof of his home, after complaints years ago had forced the same system from being played at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church. The ditties play for about 2-1/2 minutes and are audible for a few blocks from the source.

‘There’s support for it by about 90 percent of the people, and only four have expressed interest against it,’ Visser said of the tunes coming from his Third Street and Park Avenue location.”

15 years ago

Editor: Matt Johnson

County goes into reserves to balance 2002 budget

“After a month of number crunching, the Island County Board of Commissioners opted Monday to use more than half of the county’s $1.2 million reserve to make up the $1.1 million shortfall in the county’s 2002 budget.

The action sidestepped a number of proposed cuts deemed by some county officials as too draconian.

The budget quickly approved a series of 2002 budget resolutions at a special hearing Monday morning, giving the county a balanced budget containing operating expenses of almost $18 million. To make up a projected revenue shortfall, the commissioners grabbed $737,000 out of the reserve account, more than double the $350,000 they discussed weeks ago.”