Lease proposal goes before port commission
A formal proposal to lease land in the south end of the Cap Sante Boat Haven for a marine skills center was expected to land in the Port of Anacortes’ hands Tuesday, said Port Executive Director Bob Hyde.
The proposal comes from the Skagit County Technical Skills Center board. It wants to locate a satellite marine technology skills center on the 6-acre property.
The board is made up of representatives from Skagit Valley College, Western Washington University and the six school districts in Skagit County.
The offer goes before the port commission at its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, The proposal will include an option period and 30-year standard ground lease, Hyde said.
The skills center board has considered 11 properties in the past year for the satellite campus, but has continually returned to the port’s Parcel 1 across from Food Pavilion.
The site has all the criteria desired by the board, including room for expansion, high visibility, being close to the waterfront and near the marine industries.
Opposition to using the land for the school centers around the idea that it is better suited for retail development and the port will be leasing the land for a below-market rate.
However, Hyde has said the port will benefit from the infrastructure and parking that will be included in the development of the school.
AMS assistant principal may be hired this week
The Anacortes School District expects to hire a new assistant principal for Anacortes Middle School by the end of this week. It received more than 50 applications for the position, said Superintendent Chris Borgen.
District leaders have been screening and interviewing the candidates, which include some internal applicants.
The position opened when former assistant principal Patrick Harrington was hired for the school’s principal position after current principal Susan Willet announced she would be resigning at the end of June.
Harrington’s current salary is about $85,000.
Program will move to high school campus
The Anacortes School District will move the Learning Opportunity Center to the high school campus next year to help serve more students.
The program is currently operating in leased space at 2801 Commercial Ave. The district will pay $20,400 to lease the site for the 2007-2008 school year.
“By moving the program to the high school we can serve 16 students seven periods a day,” said Pam Estvold, AHS principal. “It almost triples our services.”
The program now serves 16 students in two different sessions for a total of 32 students. With the current block schedule, students are bused to the building for two periods a day.
Estvold said if students fail a course or are credit deficient next year they will be able to start working on getting back on track the next semester.
“It’s really a strategy to work with our kids to get them college ready,” she said. “It’s about access for our students.”
The evening LOC will also move to the school. Estvold said the plan is to put the programs in portable classrooms already at the school.
Food banks distribute commodities Friday
Government commodities will be distributed at Anacortes 100 Food Bank, 512 Fourth St., from noon-2 p.m. the first Friday of the month and at the Salvation Army, 3001 R Ave., 1-4 p.m. the first Friday of the month.
Get tax stimulus payment help
The April 15 tax deadline is past, but taxpayers can still file to get the IRS tax stimulus payment. The filing deadline is Oct. 15.
Anyone who files a 2007 tax return will automatically receive the payment.
Free AARP tax help is offered beginning at 9 a.m. the first Wednesday of the month May through October at the Senior Center.
No appointments are needed.
Make sure to bring proof of every family member’s Social Security number and information on all income.
Free legal advice offered on Law Day
The Skagit County Law Library and Skagit Valley College Paralegal Club is offering free legal advice on Law Day.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the Skagit Transit Station in downtown Mount Vernon.
Attorneys will be available to answer questions on the following topics: bankruptcy, divorce, domestic violence, child custody, civil and criminal, landlord/tenant, wills and trusts and elder law. Immigration is 4-7 p.m.
Interpreters will be available.
Call (360) 416-5696 or (360) 336-9324.
VIPP award goes to shelter advocate
Eric Johnson, founder of the Anacortes Family Center, was honored as one of Skagit County’s Very Important Prevention Persons at an April 24 banquet at McIntyre Hall.
Johnson was nominated by the Anacortes Community Health Council for his work on the shelter project. Health Council members also recognized his other volunteer activities, including being a Big Brothers Big Sisters School Buddy, president of the Anacortes Noon Kiwanis Club and a Friendship House board member.
The 17th annual VIPP banquet was organized by the Skagit Prevention Council, whose mission is to promote safer and healthier communities through collaborative efforts, education and alternative activities.
Rep. Dave Quall was keynote speaker and other people from throughout the county were recognized for ongoing efforts to prevent substance abuse and violence in their communities.
Stewardship makes Anacortes a Tree City
Anacortes has been named a Tree City USA community by the National Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of its commitment to its community forest, the sixth year Anacortes has received this national recognition.
In addition, Anacortes has also won a Tree City USA Growth Award, a prestigious honor that recognizes environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities.
The city received the award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program in several activity areas: education and public relations, tree-care workshop, planning and management, and improved ordinance.
Knue supporters host campaign rally
The Committee to Elect Tim Knue plans an informal rally 2-5 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at the Farmhouse Restaurant at Highway 20 and La Conner-Whitney Road. Knue is running for state representative in Legislative District 10, which includes South Fidalgo Island.
The rally includes an opportunity to meet and greet the candidate, ask questions and join the campaign. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided along with a no-host bar.
Supporters and undecided voters are invited.
According to his Web site, Knue is a lifelong area resident who was raised in Oak Harbor and now lives near Conway.
An award-winning teacher, he was the Washington Association of Career & Technical Educators’ teacher of the year and finalist for the national association’s teacher of the year.
