Comments for Whidbey Daily

Comment on Island County responds to opioid problem by Jason

Jason — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 17:45:12 +0000

77% is a meaningless number. How many people have died?

Comment on Drill tests Navy, civilian disaster preparedness by Mike

Mike — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 04:46:06 +0000

Incredible that a myopic minded individual would criticize the one organization that Mr. Monson would likely be asking for help in the event Whidbey Island suffered a natural disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami. Luckily for him, disaster relief doesn’t discriminate when it comes to whether or not the he appreciates the assistance or agencies that may be providing the assistance when it is needed.

Comment on Island County Jail makes positive changes since inmate death by John Greet

John Greet — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 23:56:59 +0000

Thank you and, no, I am not still a resident. I left the area to pursue a professional position elsewhere, but I will always care about and remain engaged in public policy challenges in Island County and Oak Harbor.

Comment on Drill tests Navy, civilian disaster preparedness by Joe

Joe — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 04:33:19 +0000

MDA;

With all due respect, I “get it” your concern. Today I had a black Special Ops chopper overfly my house. So loud I heard the MH-47 in the basement. Not complaining and damn happy to see the 160th SOAR, but still if I did NOT trust the military 100% to choose the Constitution and we civilians first…

Speaking of military aviation, it was Washington National Guard soldiers who VIOLATED DIRECT ORDERS to SHUT DOWN; instead going into Mt. St. Helens’ ash cloud & thunder to save CIVILIAN lives. I don’t know about you; but THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE are the kind of people I am going to drape my arms around Saturday at the base open house. THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE are the people I want protecting my mom & dad. THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE are the people we should be supporting training if/when Glacier Peak goes off or The Big Flood finally hits my Skagitonia; not the sissy jerks who throw tantrums about aircraft noise. Furthermore, THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE are going to be backing me up when I’m at my Skagit Transit CAC volunteer post helping evacuate senior & disabled souls from the mega disaster.

It doesn’t take anything to type-type-type-send. It takes a special kind of ANGEL to suit up and risk bodily harm for another human being who cannot do a direct favor in return.

I would appreciate it if the Keyboard Kommandoes, COER and the rest of you “anti-militarization” people thought about that long and hard this weekend and the July Fourth weekend in their bathroom mirrors before stepping out into “‘Merica”. Thanks.

Comment on Alfy’s Pizza taking over Mi Pueblo spot in Oak Harbor by Joe

Joe — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 04:17:00 +0000

I wonder when this will open. It looks like a good business to have next to the Island Transit transfer station – certainly Island Transit users will go in for sodas, if not soda & pizza.
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One thing that needs to start happening is this thing called “Transit Oriented Development”. That means putting businesses such as these and small markets close to transit centers, but also affordable housing.

Comment on Drill tests Navy, civilian disaster preparedness by Michael monson

Michael monson — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 02:10:02 +0000

Creeping? Creeping? More like overrunning

Comment on Island County Jail makes positive changes since inmate death by Jason

Jason — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 23:14:40 +0000

John, thanks for the detailed reply. Are you still in Island County? You would make a valuable addition to some of our citizen boards or even in an elected position.

Comment on Island Pets: Otis the Hedgehog by Hedgehog Simple

Hedgehog Simple — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 19:55:49 +0000

[…] It happens that I have a pet hedgehog named Otis, and by delightful coincidence my friend, co-worker and Whidbey Institute Graphics Ninja In Chief, Marnie, also once had a pet hedgie. It was Marnie who originally answered my inquiry and showed me around the Whidbey Institute. By the time she and I walked together into the Sanctuary I was smitten, poleaxed: I had fallen for the Whidbey Institute good and proper. I wanted to contribute and be a part of what was happening here. I offered to volunteer and began showing the place to visiting friends. I wanted them to fall in love with the Whidbey Institute like I did. […]

Comment on Drill tests Navy, civilian disaster preparedness by MDA

MDA — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:48:41 +0000

Creeping militarization of the Pacific Northwest.

Comment on Island County Jail makes positive changes since inmate death by John Greet

John Greet — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 01:06:59 +0000

Thanks, Jason. I’ve been fortunate to have lived in many counties in several states, including beautiful Island County in Washington.

In my current location the county maintains a secure wing in one of its hospitals where all criminal arrestees who are adjudged a danger to themselves, others, or gravely disabled are housed for at least 72 hours, while county mental health professionals evaluate and treat them under the protection and security of county custodial personnel.

In this way, the priority remains mental health assessment and treatment but with full accommodation for the importance of maintaining these persons in secure custody pending criminal and civil adjudication.

Another idea for addressing those in Island County who have mental health or emotional disturbance challenges and who law enforcement may encounter, is to pair a number of specially-trained county patrol deputies and local police officers with a mental health professionals.

This would help law enforcement more accurately and quickly assess these sorts of people and deal with them more safely and get them the competent treatment they need more efficiently, so as to limit the liability inherent in dealing with them from a purely criminal justice perspective.