News & Opinion: July 1, 2008 Island County prosecutor chosen to lead state attorneys association by Michaela Marx Wheatley -- South Whidbey Record Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks has been elected as president of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. It's the first time since the founding of the association in 1952 that a prosecutor from Island County has held the post of president. Banks will take over as president in January 2009. "For me, it is a great honor and a privilege to lead this important organization," Banks said.     June 26, 2008 Oil Jumps Above $140 on OPEC, Libya Comments by John Whilen AP in Washington Post Oil futures shot above $140 Thursday after OPEC's president said oil prices could rise well above $150 a barrel this year and Libya said it may cut oil production. Light, sweet crude for August delivery rose as high as $140.05 in afternoon trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange before retreating slightly to trade up $5 at $139.55. Chakib Khelil, president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, said he believes oil prices could rise to between $150 and $170 a barrel this summer before declining later in the year. June 24, 2008 Island County Auditor reverses course: Will put tardy candidates into voter's guide by Michaela Marx Wheatley -- South Whidbey Record The Island County Auditor's Office has reversed course and is now printing the candidate statements of all candidates running in the August primaries. A number of candidates in key races had missed a vital deadline for submitting their statements and pictures to the voter's guide, which will be sent to every household in the county.   June 13, 2008 V.A. Ban on Voter Drives Is Criticized NY Times Voting rights groups are criticizing the Department of Veterans Affairs for its decision to ban registration drives among the veterans living at federally run nursing homes, shelters for the homeless and rehabilitation centers across the country. The groups say such drives make it easier for veterans to register and participate in the political process, which could be particularly important this year in a presidential election in which the handling of the Iraq war and treatment of veterans will be major campaign issues. Mary G. Wilson, president of the League of Women Voters, said: “It just seems wrong to the league that the V.A. is erecting barriers to voter registration for our nation’s veterans. They appear to be using technicalities to block many veterans from registering to vote.”   June 9, 2008 Island County Democrats Endorse Slate of Candidates At a special meeting, the ICDCC voted to endorse candidates for office. Learn more about each by visiting their campaign websites: Governor - Chris Gregoire U.S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District - Rick Larsen State Senate, 10th LD - Mary Margaret Haugen State House, 10th LD Position 1 - Tim Knue State House, 10th LD Position 2 - Patricia Terry Island County Commissioner District 1 - Helen Price Johnson Island County Commissioner District 2 - Angie Homola Public Lands Commissioner - Peter Goldmark ►An interesting side story as reported by the SW Record   June 10, 2008 Senate GOP Blocks Oil Taxes By H. JOSEF HEBERT Associated Press in Washington Post WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans blocked a proposal Tuesday to tax the windfall profits of the largest oil companies, despite pleas by Democratic leaders to use the measure to address America's anger over $4 a gallon gasoline. The Democratic energy package would have imposed a tax on any "unreasonable" profits of the five largest U.S. oil companies and given the federal government more power to address oil market speculation that the bill's supporters argue has added to the crude oil price surge... ...The windfall profits bill would have imposed a 25 percent tax on profits over what would be determined "reasonable" when compared to profits several years ago. The oil companies could have avoided the tax if they invested the money in alternative energy projects or refinery expansion. It also would have rescinded oil company tax breaks _ worth $17 billion over the next 10 years _ with the revenue to be used for tax incentives to producers of wind, solar and other alternative energy sources as well as for energy conservation. ► Read More (Video included)     Greg Banks   ● Expensive energy... Which solution would you prefer?   ● Get to know the candidates and VOTE for a new direction! ● Fighting to Spread Democracy? Photo: Steve Frame for The New York Times Pat Hollarn says she must cancel a voter registration drive near an Air Force base. ●     ICD Chair, Marshall Goldberg opens the meeting                                                   ● Clearly, we need a new direction.

Press Release for Immediate Release
The 10th Legislative District Democrats
Chairman Alec McDougall

Chairman Alec McDougall is pleased to announce:
This last Saturday, June 21, 2008, theExecutive Board of the 10th Legislative District Democrats met in Oak Harbor to decide which Candidates for Office in the 10th L.D. the Board would endorse. 
The Executive Board endorsed the following Candidates:
For the 10th Legislative District (Whidbey Island, Camano Island, parts of    Skagit and Snohomish Counties) local races:
Senator Mary Margaret Haugen for reelection to State Senate.  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen is a great asset, being Chair of the Transportation Committee, a great working relationship with Governor Christine Gregoire and her vast experience.  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen has demonstrated the leadership needed for the future, from her leadership placing the Department of Transportation under the Office of the Governor, her help with families with needs, her love of and protection of farmland alone, makes her an excellent Candidate for reelection. 
Tim Knue for State Representative Position 1.  Tim Knue an award winning educator, FFA advisor, lifetime local resident, agricultural expert and active with his church and family.  Tim Knue will bring experience, balance, and effective leadership to Olympia.  When you meet Tim Knue you know he means it when he says: Listen,Learn, Lead!
Patricia Terry for State Representative Position 2.  Patricia Terry a 30-year Registered Nurse, performance evaluator, regional manager (West/Far East) quality oversight with the Department of Defense, and Masters degree of Public Administration makes her an especially attractive Candidate. 

Statewide Races and the 2nd Congressional District:
Governor Christine Gregoire for reelection.
Congressman Rick Larsen for reelection in the 2nd Congressional District.
John Ladenburg for Attorney General.
Jason Osgood for Secretary of State.
Jim McIntire for State Treasurer.
Peter Goldmark for Commissioner of Public Lands.
Randy Dorn for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Mike Kreidler for reelection Insurance Commissioner.
Brian Sonntag for reelection State Auditor
Brad Owen for reelection Lieutenant Governor

Chairman Alec McDougall stated:  “I am proud of the Board, we have had some tough decisions with a couple of contested races and I feel we have put forth a slate of Candidates that can take the State of Washington forward.   Just imagine Congressman Rick Larsen who sits on the Transportation Committee in Washington D.C., Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, Chair of Transportation in Olympia, Governor Gregoire dedicated to transportation this is a WIN, WIN, WIN, for the citizens of Washington.”After reviewing and hearing from the Candidates, one just has to visit their campaign web sites to see the depth of qualification presented by each of these Candidates.
Vice Chair Jan Helwig of Oak Harbor echoed Chairman McDougall’s comments and added: “I am so grateful to our Precinct Committee Officers, they worked hard at our Nominating Convention last month, and our endorsements validates their hard work, this is real Democracy at work!”.

The 2008 election is approaching quickly. The Democratic Party needs your help. Island County Democrats are working hard to improve the political landscape of Island County, Washington State, and our nation. Our hard work has succeeded in many ways.

What we need most of all is your well-informed vote and the votes of like-minded people who want our democracy to succeed. If we all move together, we will all move forward.  The more informed we are about events and issues of our day, the better we will be able to act constructively.