ISLAND COUNTY NEWS & UPDATES

From Commissioner Melanie Bacon, August 2026 …

I will not be hosting Monday afternoon community meetings for the next three months, but:

• I am sponsoring a weekly meeting for citizens to meet candidates for County offices. These are not forums or debates—each week will be just one candidate talking with voters interested in hearing their message.

• These meetings will be held at the Freeland Hall from 6 – 7 pm each Monday through Oct. 19, excluding Sept. 7 (Labor Day):

  • Monday, Aug. 31, 6 pm: Commissioner Dist 3 candidate Grant Shaw.

  • Monday, Sept. 14, 6 pm: Sheriff candidate Tavier Wasser

  • Monday, Sept. 21, 6 pm: Clerk candidate Deirdre Butler.

  • Monday, Sept. 28, 6 pm: Commissioner Dist 3 candidate Matt Van Pelt

  • Monday, Oct. 5, 6 pm: Clerk candidate Maria Hazelo

From Commissioner Janet St. Clair, May 2026 …

As we enter the summer months, I find myself rediscovering our beautiful islands.  The trees soar to the sky to delight us, they also protect us as they allow the spring rains to recharge our aquifers and as they capture carbon, doing their part to reduce GHG emissions. It is why I have worked for forest protection and the partnership we now have with Washington State DNR for our county’s forest health and wildfire mitigation. 

The same is true for our coastal waters. Carbon sequestration is even more significant in our coastal ecosystems.  It is why I am so proud of the work of our Island County Marine Resources Committee, partners like our Conservations Districts, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Northwest Straits and Sound Water Stewards, on shoreline restoration. It is why Island County promotes the Shore Friendly Program for soft armoring as an alternative to hard armoring on the shoreline. The return of forage fish and salmonids has been both measured and remarkable.  In turn, those forage fish feed our iconic orcas and other marine mammals. 

The link between the commitment to protect our islands and infrastructure resiliency was never clear to me until I became a County Commissioner. Now I know.  As we approach the finish line on our Comprehensive Plan, with additional emphasis on climate resiliency and infrastructure like our water and septic, I know that will help us with housing and ensure we invest in innovations, identify solutions like our point source pollution programs, and help incentivize conservation and coordination to reduce infrastructure failures and strengthen the future of island county.  By reducing pollutants in our streams and outflows, through partnerships that help soil health and transform agricultural practices, through education and regulation that manages our resources, Island County is working for a balanced future that manages housing needs with sustainability.  

So, step outside, take in the beauty and thank you for your advocacy for our islands.

Janet St Clair