Disqus - Latest Comments for islandlisa

Re: New policy on online comments | IN OUR OPINION - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:50:18 -0000

i can't tell if it's revealing your true identity or having to use Facebook to comment that people are objecting to. My conclusion, after thinking about it, is that if I can't stand behind it with my real name then I should keep it to myself. If I have to put my name to it, then perhaps I will be a bit more thoughtful about what I say with those words, and-at least in my case- that is ALWAYS a good thing. And on that note, I will REVEAL MY TRUE IDENTITY (drumroll please)...Lisa Hanna. Taa Daa! Lightening did not strike, no one firebombed my house (yet), my life has not been threatened...it's just a name...no big deal.

Maybe those of you who don't use Facebook can encourage the paper to create an alternative way for you to post. I do agree that those who don't use or like Facebook should have an alternative means of commenting. There are a lot of older folks and others out there who don't FB and whose perspectives would be missed if they cannot post because they don't FB. As for me, whenever I try to log in using my FB account it just keeps trying to log on then just quits trying. Disabled my popup blocker but still does it. So I guess that puts me out too. Unless Mr. Gill, the Facebook Guru, has a fix for me! Thomas, what about it?

Re: Suspect in Freeland stabbing admits attacking his parents | UPDATE - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:07:25 -0000

My guess is drugs or mental illness played a part....seems to be the trend.

Re: New contract for South Whidbey teachers includes three more days with no pay increase - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:44:41 -0000

You are right, Yogibear1. Unfortunately, the high cost of housing and property taxes on Whidbey are not conducive to attracting young families. I came here 22 years ago and raised my 3 kids here, but today, given how much it costs to live on this rock, I doubt I would be able to do it. Very sad, because it is a great place to raise children, and I have nothing but praise for South Whidbey schools. My 19 year oild son who started out in Special Ed through 5th grade is now making the honor roll every quarter at his college and has been told by his professors that he is one of the best writers (essays, term papers and such) they have seen. All that thanks to SW schools...and Jennifer Gandarias, Susan Milan, Mrs. Nack, Mrs. Fulcher, Mrs. Emry, the many teachers at SW Elementary and Intermediate, then LMS and SWHS who helped him. I owe them EVERYTHING....

Re: New contract for South Whidbey teachers includes three more days with no pay increase - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:35:31 -0000

Right off hand I would guess that for most teachers, the increase in their health insurance more than likely offsets that 1% pay increase. And they have not had a cost of living adjustment for the last 3 years.

Re: Officials stay mum on third suspect in Douglas murder: Documents show county has had more than two suspects since 2005 - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:49:43 -0000

Thanks for that reminder, frenzyocean. A man was killed, lives have been destroyed, innocent people will suffer for years over this. Best to remember that before each comment is posted...

Re: Officials stay mum on third suspect in Douglas murder: Documents show county has had more than two suspects since 2005 - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:46:02 -0000

It is the sheriff's job to gather evidence against a suspect. It is the Prosecutor's job to determine, based on his experience in a courtroom, when there is enough evidence to get a conviction at trial. Neither is always in agreement with the conclusions of the other, but the system works best when each does their own job and lets the other guy do his. Arrests have been made, the case is proceeding, the system is working. In the end, it will be the jury who decides the merits of the case, not the sheriff and not the prosecutor, but the jury. Not even those of us in this blogosphere...but a jury. Kind of gives you goosebumps, doesn't it?

Re: Bail dropped to $500,000 from $5 million for beauty queen murder suspect - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:23:26 -0000

Laughing in Judge Hancock's courtroom? Not very smart. He will do a good job managing the courtroom once the trial starts, he runs a very tight ship and does not suffer fools. As set forth in our Constitution, a jury of her peers will hear the case and decide if the evidence supports the charge. I just hope I'm not on that jury. I sat on one a year ago and it was very hard trying to decide the fate of someone else's life.

Re: Prop. 1 supporters can't prove their claims | LETTER TO THE EDITOR - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:34:05 -0000

Clear, concise, backed up with facts, and from someone in a position to know how this change would effect the city budget. Any questions?

Re: Jobs cut at nonprofit as donations drop off - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 00:44:47 -0000

With the cuts in funding from the government for many social service programs that provide food, housing and other assistance to low income families, it is imperative that citizens step up to the plate and support organizations that provide much needed services to those in need. One mantra of those who call for cuts to "entitlements" is that the burden of providing for the poor and the vulnerable would be better borne by churches and nonprofits. That shift is happening, and it is up to us to support such organizations with our dollars.

Re: Prop. 1 supporters submit confusing statement for voters’ guide

islandlisa — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 00:35:04 -0000

Isn't there some person or committee who has to review these statements for truth, accuracy and clarity? I would have thought the Auditor's offfice would be responsible for reviewing and approving these statements before they are published in the guide. If the proposition would eliminate the elected Mayor, and the statement the group submitted clearly implies that there would be an elected mayor if the measure passed, then even a cursory reading of the statement shows it to be inconsistent with fact. The group was either deliberately attempting to mislead the voters in the statement, or they themselves don't actually know what will happen with the passage of the measure. Either way, it reflects poorly on the Prop 1 supporters. Another reason to reject the measure....

Re: Where is the death certificate | GUEST VIEWPOINT - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:57:25 -0000

Well there you have it. If you don't want the pictues shown, you just aren't a patriot.I guess that puts me out. Voted in every election since I was 18. Attend my party caucus and school board meetings. Always pay my taxes and teach my children to show respect for the law and elected officials, even if they don't agree with you. Two of my brothers were cops, my son is in the Army National Guard, graduating from basic training next week. But I don't want pictures of a dead man plastered all over the papers, so I guess I JUST DON'T HAVE AN OUNCE OF PATRIOTISM. Dang. And here I thought I did....OMG...maybe I'm a Socialist!

Re: Where is the death certificate | GUEST VIEWPOINT - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:47:42 -0000

As my mom used to say, "It's about being the better person". In this case, it's about being the "better people". We're Americans, not barbarians. The man is dead. Job done. I'm sure we will be hearing people screaming "Show us the pictures!" for the next two years, now that they can't scream "Show us the birth certificate!" anymore. Let's move on. The fight against terrorism is not over and there are bigger battles to fight. Let's battle the bad guys rather than each other, shall we?

Re: Freeland woman gives birth outside EMS building in Bayview - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:58:44 -0000

What a great story! So glad the baby and mother are ok. You'll be telling this one around the Thanksgiving table for years to come!

Re: Salaries may be chopped to cover cost of tree pruning - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 01:06:39 -0000

Councilmembers and Mayors come and go, but Chief Herzberg has been there for Langley for the long haul for over 25 years. He deserves better than this kind of treatment from the Council of the City he has served for so long. I would hope those of you who live and vote in Langley will write or call the City with your thoughts on this. Hopefully the idea of pressuring Herzberg to retire early to save money was nothng more than one councilperson thinking out loud and expressing an option that is not under serious consideration by the rest of the council or the Mayor.

Re: Blackout hits Whidbey Island - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:31:49 -0000

Funniest moment of the outage was when I called PSE to find out what the estimate of when power would be restored was. First thing I hear is a recordng that says, "Did you know that if your power is out for 124 continuous hours, you may be eligible for a $50 credit?". Now that's comforting! I had to laugh. According to Walt Blackford at PSE, they are required to have that announcement on there during outages now. He said I was not the only one who thought that was kinda crazy to have as the first thing one hears when you call. unfortunately I had just watched an episode of "The Walking Dead" about zombies and was totally freaked out all night with the wind blowing and no lights. Life on the rock...

Re: Emerson is winning Island County's commissioner's race thanks to North Whidbey voters - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 22:55:50 -0000

For your information I am a liberal dem who voted for Dean (holding my nose while doing so, but doing so none the less). Don't presume to know my "prejudices".

Re: Emerson is winning Island County's commissioner's race thanks to North Whidbey voters - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:31:47 -0000

The County is in crisis in almost every way possible, and this vote is a reflection of that. I suspect if either of the other two had been the one on deck, they would have been pushed over the side, as well. I didn't vote for Emerson, but it will serve the people of the County if the two sitting commissioners will be willing to admit that things are pretty screwed up right now, accept some of the responsibility for that, and realize that some fresh eyes on the board may not be a bad thing at all.

Re: Emerson is winning Island County's commissioner's race thanks to North Whidbey voters - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:26:20 -0000

Did you make that same arguement when Helen Price Johnson and Angela Homola were elected? I don't recall that you did. Must not have bothererd you too much then.

Re: South Whidbey students ‘wowed’ at Obama rally - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:35:27 -0000

The class that went was a PUBLIC SPEAKING class and whatever you may think of the President or his policies, he is one of the great speakers of our era. I didn't like the politics of Ronald Reagan, but he was a phenomonal speaker and even as the liberal teenager I was when he was in office I knew that and went to hear him speak and it was amazing. Every kid in that class was bowled over by Obama's speech, whether they agreed with his politics or not, and there was interesting discussion in the class the rest of the week as they analyzed the points of his speech and how it was presented. It was a once in a lifetime learning experience for these kids, so all you naysayers on here need to just get over yourselves. These kids saw and heard THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and not only that, but the first African American President. That is history, whether you like it or not, and coming from the south, I know what a big deal it is that our country has come that far, and Obama is living proof of that. Amazing trip, wll worth it for all involved. Even the 5 or 6 conservatives in the group were glad they went and said what a great experience it was. Cudos to Nels Bergquist and SWHS for giving the kids this opportunity.

Re: More meetings on Mukilteo ferry plans - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:54:45 -0000

King 5 news just reported that the City of Mukilteo wants it moved to a point that will make the ferry run 50 (THAT"S FIFTY) minutes long. That would be devastating for Whidbey Island. Many who ride the boat to work will just move off the isand, in particular young families with kids in our schools. You can bet that longer run will result in a nice fat fare increase. Mary Margaret, where the hell are you?

Re: Island County Fair kicks off today in Langley - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:07:45 -0000

I agree, elkcaller. Moving the fair to Greenbank would generate a lot of new energy, probably bring in some much needed "new blood" to help put it together and run it, and bring in more attendees north of the Mason-Dixon phone booth on SR 525.

Re: South Whidbey residents launch campaign to push Prop. 1 - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:49:32 -0000

Time for the County to do what the rest of us are now doing. Sort NEEDS from WANTS. Cops are NEEDS. Clean Water Utility Districts and helping the Greenbank Farm reduce its debt are WANTS. There are places in the County where cuts can be made, and that place is NOT in the Sheriff's office. If they don't get this tax, then they need to find the cuts elsewhere. If they lay off cops, and something bad happens as a result, it is on THEIR hands, not the voters. Go ahead, try doing that. See what happens. Before long we will have three new commissioners who know a little something about living within your means, and not dreaming of Corvettes when they only have the money for a Kia. ESSENTIAL SERVICES. Law enforcement, judicial support for law enforcement, EFFICIENT (verses ADVERSARIAL) administrative support for citizens seeking permits, land use apps, etc. This liberal is voting NO on this tax. They have to be stopped at some point or it will NEVER end. And if I call the County one more time and hear that STUPID recording "Due to budget cuts, County Offices are now closed on Fridays", I will vote no TWICE. It should say, "Due to our county commissioners inefficient budgeting of county funds, and inefficiency within our departments which is draining our budget, our offices are now closed on Fridays. So if you want us to do our jobs, give us more of your tax money, and then we will open back up on Fridays again."

Re: Freeland pair in their 90s are heading for the altar - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 01:38:58 -0000

Bill was at Normandy beach on D-Day. Also served in Korea. So happy this man who has given his nation so much is having a nice long life full of love and happiness.

Re: South Whidbey School Board puts bond measure on the ballot in November - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:44:37 -0000

I have mixed feelings about the consolidation, admittedly, but I must address all the "it worked for me when I was in school in 'wherever'". Just because something worked in your home towns "back in the day" does not mean it will work here on South Whidbey in 2010. In the last several decades the two age groups here have been separated during the school day. I have talked to the kids about this (what a concept! ASK THE STUDENTS who we are supposed to be serving here. We have been teaching them to think but now we don't want to listen to them!) and they overwhelmingly DO NOT want to combine the two schools. Professor Clark, I don't know how long it has been since you were here, but there is a HUGE drug problem at the high school, and mixing middle school kids into that is a BAD IDEA. A cop friend of mine said the opinion within the Island County Sheriff's office is that they can expect to see drug use be more prevalent in younger kids on the South End then it presently is if this combo happens. He says that is their experience in Coupeville. There is not as much use up there, but they see it at a younger age than they generally do on the South End. Why? More exposure, easier access, greater peer pressure. And you can COUNT on the sex in the younger kids increasing if they are mixed in with high school kids. We cant stop teenage sex, I realize, but we can sure do whatever it takes to encourage kids to put it off as long as possible. I used to teach in Coupeville, and my opinion, having worked there and being a very involved parent in my kids's educations' here, is that kids were more sexually active at a younger age in Coupeville. The running joke when Island Transit put in a stop near the school was that it ran straight to the Planned Parenthood office that used to be in Oak Harbor. It was not unusual at all to see a high school boy dating a 7th or 8th grader. That just does not happen down here. If a high school boy here walked into a basketball game with an 7th or 8th grade girl he would be laughed out of the gym.But it is just a matter of time before that happens here if this consolidation happens. I don't support Wondering's decision to vote no on the bond but I do not question his love for his children and for the well-being for the children of this district. It is insulting to accuse him of not caring for the students of South Whidbey just because he does not see things as you do. "How dare you not support Bond...you don't care for students!". One does not necessarilly imply that the other is true. It's that "Black and White" mentality at work...you are either right or wrong, and right only if you agree with ME. Everyone has a voice in this, even if you don't want to hear it, and perhaps those supporting this consolidation to the bitter end had better realize that action may, in fact, lead to an even greater drop in enrollment and some "no" votes on the bond by people who are passionately opposed to it for the same reasons you support it: they want what will best serve the education, safety and well-being of the kids in our district. We all want that, in the end, and I will not be told by ANYONE that I just don't really care for kids if I don't support your particular opinion on this. I have worked too many hours in the classes in this district for the last 15 years to take that from ANYONE. And I know at least one of those screaming the loudest on this blog has not had kids in this district for years, so HIS KIDS will not be the ones participating in this "grand experiment to save money". I know, I know, Jamie, it's your tax dollars so you have a say. But it won't be YOUR 6th grader getting off that bus at the high school now, will it?

Re: South Whidbey parks district bans smoking - South Whidbey Record

islandlisa — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:43:24 -0000

Thommy 2 is right. The Parks has no authority to enforce this new restriction. A police officer, if called, cannot and would not arrest someone for smoking based on a ban placed by a park district vote. What good is a ban if it cannot be legally enforced? I have talked to a few of them about this. It is a joke. Our police officers, by the way, have real crimes to enforce, rather than spend time running around after people who other people find "offensive". Enforceable laws governing public parks are established by the legislature or the county commissioners, not the parks district. This is not a "law", it's a "we think this is a good idea". I dont' smoke, never have, and this is stupid and a waste of time. If underage kids in the skate park are smoking, that is a violation of current law. It is already a law that there is no smoking allowed around althletic fields when children are present. I guess the parks people did not know that. Next ban will be on fried chicken and pop in picnic baskets. Loaded with cholesterol. Very bad for you. Shame shame shame. What a waste of time. But they feel very self righteous in their ruling. They have saved south whidbey from cancer and the influence of smoking. (Star Spangled Banner plays in the background....). Is anyone other than me sick of other people trying to tell us how they think we ought to live?