Rubin inspires shared vision for our port
Please consider supporting Keith Rubin in his re-election bid for Port of Anacortes commissioner. Keith was elected to the port during very difficult times and his uncanny leadership ability has enhanced the port commission’s accomplishments ever since.

Keith’s ability to bring out the best in others is unmatched.

I have attended the ground-breaking ceremonies for the Northwest Marine and Technical Academy, the environmental cleanup centered around Seafarers’ Memorial Park and several initial vision finding meetings for the proposed Anacortes Small Boat Center. During each of these gatherings I was impressed by Mr. Rubin’s mission to inspire a shared vision for our port and community.
Andy Schwenk
Anacortes

Niver should be re-elected on his strong record</b>
I served two terms as a port commissioner from 1997 to 2004. In my first term I had to serve with a bunch of good old boys who enjoyed spending other people’s money on themselves and on poorly thought out port and special interest projects.

They wanted to increase port taxes every year and enjoyed going off on boondoggle trips. Prior to Ray Niver’s arrival on the port commission I felt like the lone ranger when trying to rein in the port tax levy and commissioner perks.

When Ray Niver (and Steve Hopley) arrived as port commissioners during my second term it was a welcome deliverance from what had been a good old boys club. Ray hit the ground running. He was always prepared, especially at budget time, and knew the issues.

He was not opposed to the Anacortes Airport but like me, concerned about airport expansion. Like me, he was also interested in seeing the port reduce its reliance on the tax levy and run like a profitable business that it is and should be.

Over the years Ray has maintained his focus and dedication in the face of some very vocal and litigious opposition. Having served on the commission for eight years myself, I believe Ray Niver has done an excellent job as a port commissioner and is worthy of re-election.

One relatively unknown fact I’d like to point out is that if Ray’s opponent, Roger Born, wins and Bill Short and Keith Rubin are re-elected next month, the Anacortes Yacht Club, of which I’ve been a member since 1989, will enjoy a majority representation on the port commission.

Even with the best of intentions I suggest that such an outcome would be a special interest overload on a local political body that deals a lot with waterfront issues.
Chuck Mallary
Anacortes

Conservation must remain top priority
At the Oct. 5 City Council meeting, the council considered the latest update of the Anacortes Community Forest Land Comprehensive Plan. The city’s parks department recommended the Comprehensive Plan update after many months of effort by the parks staff, the Planning Commission, the Forest Advisory Board and city residents. Evergreen Islands is on record supporting their staff’s recommendation.

However, City Councilmember Bill Turner prefaced the meeting by recommending that the plan’s goal be reprioritized in an effort to weaken the protections afforded the Forest Lands by the city’s Critical Areas Ordinance.

Currently the Forest Plan reads as follows:
“The goal of this process was to develop a plan that works to conserve and enhance the unique environment and habitats within the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) while maintaining recreational opportunities for local residents.”

Mr. Turner suggests changing the Forest Land priorities as follows:
“The goal of this process was to develop a plan that maintains recreational opportunities for both local residents and visitors while working to conserve and enhance the unique environment and habitats within the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL).” (Mr. Turner added visitors because he thinks that the Forest Lands should be actively promoted to bring more tourist dollars to town.)

By definition, a forest is “an extensive area, preserving some or all of its primitive wildness and usually having game or wild animals in it.” By placing recreational opportunities ahead of habitat conservation, Mr. Turner’s recommendation effectively redefines the Anacortes Community Forest Lands as the Anacortes Community Park.

The Conservation Easement Program (CEP) has received over $1.5 million that will permanently protect more than 1,500 acres of the ACFL. Per the perpetual easements, “the city continues to own and manage the land but these acres can never be logged, mined or used for any commercial purpose. And the land can never be sold, leased or transferred out of public ownership.”

When members of Evergreen Islands donate money to the CEP, we do so in the interest of protecting the forest’s habitat and creatures. Most of the other folks who contribute to the CEP more than likely do so with the same intent.

With respect to our Forest Lands, Evergreen Islands strongly opposes placing recreation opportunities ahead of habit protection. Under its own Critical Areas Ordinance, the city is legally bound to protect the Community Forest Lands’ habitat and wildlife.

Article VI of the Critical Areas Ordinance identifies the Community Forest Lands as a habitat of local significance. Habitats of local importance are “those habitats and species that, due to their population status or sensitivity to habitat manipulation, warrant protection.”

If the city chooses to adopt Mr. Turner’s vision, which is counter to our community’s historic conservation efforts and values, the change will likely provoke a legal challenge, a challenge that ironically Mr. Turner seeks to avoid. Again, Evergreen Islands strongly encourages the City Council to adopt their staff’s recommendation.
Tom Glade
Evergreen Islands

Racing bikes a problem on Thompson Trail
Our wonderful Tommy Thompson Trail has developed a public safety problem.

This problem manifests itself in the form of racing bicycles. Almost always, it is the skinny-tired models that are paying little to no attention to other slower trail users.

There have been multiple calls to our local police department, also multiple calls to the parks department regarding our concern. I am sure there have been numerous close calls in the past and the likelihood of a far worse situation seems to be very apparent to many of us who are frequent users.

This trail is used by babies in strollers, and up to and including elderly participants, with limited eyesight, limited hearing and limited physical dexterity and balance.
My last remark will be to inform the parks committee how enjoyable my walks have been in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands this year.

The motorcycle situation has greatly improved, with no reckless behavior or speeding through all of 2009. This has been most welcome by most trail users in the ACFL and I am sure that the racing bicycles on the Tommy Thompson Trail can be reduced without a lot of effort.
Hershel Janz
Anacortes

Maxwell helps make Anacortes well-run city
The real measurement of a leader comes in watching how well the organization he manages functions.  As a retired person who volunteers at the county level, I have had to work with each of Skagit County’s community entities.

Having done this, I can readily attest that Skagit County’s  best run community is Anacortes.  My compliments go to Dean Maxwell as its mayor.  
Lanney Wixson,
Board member of Chandler’s Square
Burlington

Sustainable future effort has help at City Hall
Anacortes is moving toward a more sustainable future, thanks in part to the efforts of Mayor Dean Maxwell.

We’ve inventoried our city’s greenhouse gas emissions and put in place a plan to reduce them. We also have an active community of residents anxious to take their own personal actions to become more energy efficient and make lifestyle changes that fit with a greener and more sustainable future.

I want to commend Mayor Dean Maxwell for his support of these community efforts by example and involvement.

The city of Anacortes is making progress on its climate action plan documented in the ICLEI report available at http://www.cityofanacortes.org/Documents/ICLEI_Report.pdf.
Mayor Maxwell has generously donated his time to participate in local classes, educational events and community campaigns like the recent Project Porchlight event and upcoming Anacortes Cool Climate Café on Oct. 24.

I look forward to having his support and involvement in future community efforts to move us to a bright and sustainable future here in our own little corner of paradise.
Betty Carteret
Anacortes

Fidalgo pool needs support once again
Some of the things that make Anacortes a livable town are good schools, good public safety departments, good health care, parks and a community swimming pool and fitness center.

The pool and fitness center is an important part of our community. At a reasonable price it offers aqua therapy, water aerobics and lap swimming. Upstairs in the fitness center there are exercise machines, aerobics and yoga classes.

The pool has swimming lessons for toddlers up to seniors taught by experienced instructors. Living on an island surrounded by water it is important for our children to learn how to swim. Many of the kids go on to join the Thunderbird swim club and go on to the high school swim team.

The Fidalgo Pool and Fitness Center is well-used and needs our help. I am voting yes on the pool levy and hope that you will too. The sooner necessary repairs can be made the better. In this day and age nothing gets cheaper over time.

The added cost on the average tax bill is less then most of us spend on one meal out for the family. So let’s support the Fidalgo Pool and Fitness Center and take the family swimming instead. It will be good for the community and the waist line.
Bob Hall
Anacortes

Rubin big part of port’s recent successes
The Port of Anacortes we see today is significantly stronger and more productive than four years ago due, in part, to the strong leadership of Keith Rubin.  During Keith’s first term in office, the port has been increasingly focused on important issues such as economic development, environmental stewardship and public access to the waterfront.

Having worked with Keith on many community projects, we have found Keith to be honest and hard-working. Keith has the ability to work with varied constituents, fostering collaborative relationships in order to better the community. The many exciting projects the port is involved with are due to Keith’s hard work and vision.

This great community needs and deserves Keith Rubin as a leader. We encourage you to re-elect Keith to the port commission and with his continued leadership and vision the port will continue to improve.
Mike and Kris Lytton
Anacortes

Niver always keeps entire port district in mind
During his two terms of experience as a port commissioner, Ray Niver has contributed significantly to the big improvement in the port’s management and operations during that time.

Ray brought significant management and analytical experience to the port and he should be re-elected. Ray is the only commissioner that believes the port should be self-sufficient financially. He also keeps working to maintain the close working relationship with the city of Anacortes.

Ray also keeps the local environment in mind and in a non-burdening way. He helps the port keep things clean.

Ray helped to replace the confrontational management approach of the port eight years ago. Ray provides an overall evaluation of both sides of port management issues, plans and projects.

He works in positive and constructive ways with the city and industries and organizations in the area. Ray always keeps the entire port district in mind, evaluating both positive and negative aspects of plans and possible projects.

Ray brings significant planning and operating experience to the port, and he should be re-elected. Please vote for Ray Niver for port commissioner in District 1.
Jerry Haegele
Anacortes

Maxwell committed to community’s well-being
We are proud to call Anacortes home. It is a city that is well-run, and whose leaders are bright and committed.

As such, we support Mayor Dean Maxwell, who sets the tone for how business is done here. As an effective mayor he has kept our city financially sound during challenging times, and at the same time supporting positive changes important to its citizens.

It is refreshing in these times of negative politics to have a city leader who is approachable, honest and as committed to the community’s well-being as we are. 
Michael and Rita James
Anacortes

Rubin offers experience and much more
Experience. That one word separates Keith Rubin from his challenger in the District 5 Anacortes port commissioner race.

Keith has been working on or around the Anacortes waterfront for decades. The increase in the port’s customer service at every level is evidence of Rubin’s hard work and common sense during his first term; he has demonstrated a commitment to public access at the port and in its processes.

The Port of Anacortes is on the right track now thanks, in no small part, to the leadership and constructive vision of Keith Rubin. While I applaud the initiative of anyone who seeks election, my vote will be for the experience of Keith Rubin.
Bret Lunsford
Anacortes

Maxwell a known strong performer with no risk
A short four years ago Anacortes was offered a “change” mayor and the voters opted to re-elect Mayor Maxwell, instead of installing a newer arrival that lacked local experience. It was simply risky to take a chance on “change” when Dean was a known leader with years of experience, having produced continuous improvements in the living conditions in our town.

This Nov. 3 we voters face the same; a newer face from Chicago offers us change.

Let me emphasize and empathize that in this time of lobbyists, special interest groups and insider dealings, it is tempting to vote D.R.I.P. — don’t re-elect incumbent politicians. But painting our incumbent mayor with the same brush as big city or D.C. politicians would be unfair and wrong.

While I think Bruce Rolfe (see last week’s letter) is a nice man (I have talked with him), he is incorrect on this race. Like Bruce, I have some “other places” experience having lived and worked in Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, California and Washington.

If he wants another waterfront restaurant, he is welcome to start one. That is not the mayor’s job. I’ve watched them open here and fail.

Attending “several” council meetings is poor grounds to criticize. Dean Maxwell has helped build the city Bruce now says gives him pride. After all his travelling he calls this home. Isn’t that the best compliment to those who were “doing” here when Bruce wasn’t?

Lastly we have few snowfalls that amount to much. Snow removal during unusual storms is not an Anacortes issue but a regional situation. Bruce missed the closing of I-5 and virtual shutdown of Seattle for days in our recent past. I’m sure our mayor, like others in the area, have weighed the wisdom of many thousands of dollars in snow removal equipment sitting year after year with minimal utilization. Crunch the numbers before you crunch snow.

I, a 13-year-resident, Bruce and of course others have challenged and disagreed with our mayor from time to time. But overall he has consistently done superior work on our behalf. And we can rightfully expect that good work from him again. He is a no-risk performer that we should re-elect.
Douglas Thurber
Anacortes

Rubin can work with others to get results
I support the campaign to re-elect Keith Rubin to the Anacortes Port Commission.

I first met Keith when we were both involved in a wonderful community-based program called Leadership Skagit. It is designed to challenge and expand the participants’ knowledge of sound leadership principles, while at the same time providing an in-depth look at all facets of the community in which we all live.

I quickly learned that Keith was not only a man of integrity and committed to public service, but someone who understands how to engage the community, foster collaboration, enable and inspire others to get involved and ultimately get results that benefit us all.

During his first term Keith has helped transform the Port of Anacortes into a driving economic force in the community while at the same time being a leading steward for a clean and healthy Puget Sound. The Washington Public Ports Association was impressed enough to name the Port of Anacortes as “Port of the Year” for 2008.

Anacortes has been well-served the past four years with Keith’s dedication, knowledge and leadership. Please vote to retain Keith Rubin on the Anacortes Port Commission.
Will Reichardt
Burlington

Recreation can’t come before forest habitat
We have donated land and dollars to the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. We did so from the beginning because the agreement was set up to treat the ACFL as a forest, not a park.

We believe Mr. Turner’s recommendation that the plan be altered to put recreational opportunities ahead of habitat conservation is wrong and not at all in keeping with the intent of the ACFL.

People who donated money to the Conservation Easement Program did so in the interest of protecting the ACFL’s habitat and the wildlife living there, not for the promotion of commercial interest, which Mr. Turner’s recommendation would allow.

Recreational uses should not be placed ahead of habitat protection. That should be clear from the words in the original agreement itself. The Anacortes parks staff, the Planning Commission, the Forest Board and Anacortes citizens like us have weighed in on this plan. We strongly urge the city to accept and support staff recommendations.
Gene and Marilyn Derig
Anacortes

Fiscal restraint among mayor’s many attributes
This letter is written to express our support for the re-election of Mayor Dean Maxwell.

We are grateful for the mayor’s conservative fiscal management. We applaud the current open planning process which enables any citizen to express their point of view and concerns.

We are impressed by the concurrent commitments to jobs, growth and the superstructure to support it all, and by the firm commitment to the natural beauty that makes this place so special.

These elements, among others, are aspects of our city government that we would not want changed.

We are tremendously grateful that “the trains run on time,” and that our mayor is willing to serve his community for another term.
Cory and Jim Hunter
Anacortes

Rubin has improved port during first term
Voters should re-elect Keith Rubin for Port of Anacortes, Position 5.

I am his wife of 27 years and am here to tell you that when elected four years ago, Keith dove head first into a sea of turmoil.

He’s been successful at calming much of the conflict and has been instrumental in getting the port on track and improving relations between the port and the city.

He’s a good listener and follows up, researching and studying the issues and the facts. He takes pride in his work and wants to make sure proper action is taken.

Please allow Keith to continue to apply his leadership skills, improving the port and your community. I urge you to re-elect Keith Rubin as your port commissioner.
Geri Rubin
Anacortes

Let’s set it really straight on Ray Niver’s record
Reading Port Commissioner Ray Niver’s letter to the editor last week, purporting to “set the record straight” with respect to the American’s report that he opposes development at the Anacortes airport, one might be forgiven for thinking that he was in reality an avid supporter of the airport.

Specifically, contrary to his “setting the record straight” letter, Niver opposed development of the hangar projects that have recently been completed, despite the revenues that their ground leases bring in — and which bring the airport close to or perhaps above a break-even on its direct financial costs, a welcome change from the past.

And contrary to his claim to support “genuine safety improvements,” he is and has been an outspoken opponent of the installation of an AWOS system — Automated Weather Observation System — a small system that broadcasts wind and weather information to landing pilots, saving them from making a low overhead pass to view the windsock and giving much more reliable landing data, thus contributing dramatically to landing safety.

He wants arriving pilots to call “Unicom,” a manual and awkward voice-based radio system that is out of use virtually everywhere, including at the Anacortes airport.
Niver has said to me personally when discussing these positions, “Anacortes needs to be looking to Burlington’s airport for its aviation future.” He would have us give up our own special local airport resource in favor of one nearly a half hour away.

If anything, the American was too generous to Mr. Niver and his known negative positions.

We need port commissioners that are completely “on board,” proponents of all of the port’s facilities and assets, including the airport, one of the port’s crown jewels. Ray Niver is not on board.
Barton Waring
Anacortes

Re-elect Niver and get proven performance
Voting for a port commissioner in Anacortes is like throwing dice in a craps game. The majority of the voters haven’t the slightest knowledge of what the commissioner running for re-election has contributed during his terms in office.

Good or bad, it matters not. Commissioners are elected by name recognition, how the name fits the sign, how many dollars a candidate rakes in for the campaign, who the media supports and finally the uncertain voter. Believe me it is a crap shoot, and that’s why I’m speaking up for Ray Niver.

A few regard Ray as a troublemaker but that’s not true. In port meetings Ray listens, analyses, discusses, and yes, at times argues on issues before he casts his vote. Ray’s opponent has tried to cast Ray as a negative person and himself as a very positive person.

But Ray Niver is anything but negative. Through hours of study and preparation Ray has willingly shared information with all the commissioners that is vital to making sound decisions on issues at port meetings. Ray Niver is probably the most informed, knowledgable commissioner serving the Port of Anacortes at this time.

Talk about positive — when Ray became president at the port, Commissioner Steve Hopely, Commissioner Chuck Mallary and Ray almost immediately canceled the port’s lawsuit against the city and created a positive direction that today finds the city and port working in close harmony.

Take a good look at Ray Niver’s brochure. It’s all true and his opponent knows it’s true. So when I vote I’m going to vote for a man with years of proven performance. I’m going to vote for Ray Niver. I don’t need to throw the dice.
Leonard R. Kallerson
Anacortes

Mayor should stand for more than status quo
Listening to recent debates between Anacortes mayoral candidates, it seems that our incumbent mayor is of the opinion that our town is doing just fine and we’d be foolish to even think about replacing him. I disagree, for the following reasons:

• The practices of too many politicians throughout our land causes me nervousness when anyone camps out for too long in one office. And frankly, 20 years is way too long, even in our circumstance where I know of no specific wrongdoing. Let’s thank Mayor Maxwell for his 16 years of service and wish him well in future endeavors. Based upon the mess we have in Olympia and Washington, D.C., it would seem that his experience might better serve us in one of those locales.

• The problems discussed by the mayoral candidates are too similar to those discussed four years ago. Clearly, we will have a better chance for progress if we elect a mayor who is not committed to the status quo.

• I’ve found it refreshing that Mr. Sonnenberg actually answers questions he is asked, instead of employing the old politician’s trick of ignoring the question, while talking about something else. (I shall not exclaim “You Lie!” but I will venture a “Shame on you for obfuscating, Mayor Maxwell.”)

• Mr. Maxwell is so fixated on the new traffic roundabout on Commercial Avenue one might assume he designed and constructed it himself. Yes, it is an improvement on the previous death-trap intersection, but the roundabout is just a constrictive circular road with uninspired landscaping, not a work of art.

Listening to the mayor, you might conclude that he expects it to do for Anacortes what the Little Mermaid provides to Copenhagen.

Let’s think hard and study the offerings of Steve Sonnenberg before signing up for four more years of the same old stuff.
Jack Arrington
Anacortes

Hyde’s skills, values will help School Board
Having shared membership in the Anacortes Noon Kiwanis Club and having observed his work ethic and management skills as our port director, I have concluded that Bob Hyde is an ideal candidate for any board, but more specifically the Anacortes School Board.

His moral, spiritual and intellectual values are above reproach. His people skills are unusually excellent: friendly, but not without firm convictions; proactive, but not pushy; strong family values, which reflect sensitivity to the needs of young people.

Please join me in supporting Bob Hyde for the School Board.
Bud Strom
Anacortes