Time for a change
Wed Jan 13, 2010
Since August 2009, we've been exploring how to move LCF forward in a more community-beneficial direction while staying aligned with its original mission. In the early phase of this exploration, we asked for community participation through the LCF Guidelines topics and we very much appreciate all the feedback and suggestions that were provided. Yet as we've continued to look at LCF and as we've listened to what many people are telling us, we've come to see that the way LCF currently exists is not serving the community well enough for the needs and opportunities of the times.
In order to devote more time to exploring how LCF could serve the community better, we've decided to scale back the online conferencing and reduce Robert and Lianna's time-commitment as moderators. LCF will continue to provide a space for event announcements in "Events" and "Public Meetings Notices." However, for the time being, all other conferences are closed to new posts, with previous posts in those areas available on a read-only basis. The system will continue to send an email summary when there are new announcement posts and continue to support the email links (found just below the poster's name, to the left of the text of their post) for contacting members directly. Over time, we'll also be doing some house-cleaning to remove conferences that have not had any activity in over a year.
Please continue to post your events and announcements, including announcements about new groups forming to address local issues. Also, if you are looking for other communications outlets or ways to connect with existing Whidbey groups you might want to take a look at the LCF resources page.
This step makes sense to us in the context of the history of LCF, which started as a predominantly face-to-face process in late 2003 with activities such as Imagine Langley. This community-based 'working group' phase lasted into 2005. In 2006 and 2007, LCF continued to be connected to a major face-to-face activity in the form of the Comprehensive Plan update process, with all of the Comp Plan Group's committees communicating through their own conferences here.
But for the last two years LCF has been a purely online activity, which was never the intent of the original mission. At its core, LCF has always been about enhancing communications within the Langley community. That need is as strong today as ever, but times have changed and as a community we may well need new forms and multiple venues. What these will be and who will supply the energy to make them happen needs to be explored throughout the community. We look forward to being part of that exploration. However things develop, we feel strongly that LCF needs to either be deeply refreshed or it needs to get out of the way.
In looking forward to what LCF might become, we also want to appreciate everyone who has been part of the journey so far. We're deeply grateful for all of the heart-felt energy and community caring that have graced LCF over the past 6 years. Our thanks to all of you for your contributions and for sharing this adventure with us.
As we explore how LCF might evolve, we invite you to connect with us if you feel moved to be part of that process. Please email us, phone us, or talk to us when you see us.
The Langley Community Forum Hearth Group
Robert Gilman
Lianna Gilman
Gail Fleming
Bob Waterman
Thank you, WhidbeyTel, for the webhosting!
Thu Jun 5, 2008
I would like to say a big thank you, and hope you will too, to WhidbeyTel for the donated webhosting they have been providing LCF for the past four years. This is one of the major reasons LCF can be a free service.
This support gets reviewed every year and we are at that time again. If you would like to let WhidbeyTel know that you appreciate their support, and perhaps even encourage them to continue to donate webhosting for LCF, please send an email (before next Wednesday) to Kim Tinuviel (kim.tinuviel@whidbeytel.com). If you're willing to cc me (rgilman@context.org), I would appreciate that too.
Thanks!
LCF list now over 500 members
Sat Feb 24, 2007
We're very pleased with this level of interest, and there is still room for more in this open community forum.
If you know people who ought to be on the list but haven't signed up yet, please encourage them to join us.
FCF is now online
Tue Jan 10, 2006
The Freeland Community Forum (which draws on LCF as model) now has its web site online. Take a look at http://www.freelandcommunityforum.org/ . If you feel you are part of the Freeland community you are warmly welcome to join FCF.
LCF list now over 300 members
Wed Jun 8, 2005
We've been growing steadily AND there is room for lots more in this open community forum.
If you know people who ought to be on the list but haven't signed up yet, please encourage them to join us.
You can find out who is on the list here but you will need to be logged in to see the list.
LCF might get a sister
Wed Mar 2, 2005
A group of Freeland residents are starting to explore creating the Freeland Community Forum based on the LCF model, and they have asked me (Robert Gilman, LCF webmaster) to help them get up and running. If you would like to know more, please contact Lou Malzone.
LCF list now over 250 members
Mon Feb 21, 2005
Thanks to signups at the Imagine Langley Town Meeting and the 'End Of Suburbia' showing we've added over 50 new members in less than two weeks.
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Acknowledgement to the Real Elves
Sun Jan 6, 2008
The spirit and warmth of Christmas in Langley was created by a committee of Christmas Masterminds who dedicated their time, energy, creativity and participation for one year. Kelly Turner-Gibson, Assistant Manager of Whidbey Island Bank, Christina Parker, Coldwell Banker, Michael Muzos, Manager of U.S. Bank, Cynthia Tilkin, Owner, In The Country, Don Horner, Farmer’s Insurance, Kim Tiller, Owner, Whidbey Island Soap Shop, Jonathan Sage, President, Northwest Public Relations, Sharon and Fred Lundahl, Owners, Music for the Eyes, Ruth Den Adel, Owner, Seabreeze Vacation Home, Patricia Friedman, Chairman of Choochokam Arts Festival, Gwen and Celia of Alikat’s Productions, Kay Lagerquist, Business Consultant, and Dr. Fred McCarthy, Superintendent of South Whidbey Island School District.
Each one of these individuals contributed to making the town of Langley have a December to Remember. Each one of these special people deserves a purple heart for helping to Save our community. They are an inspiration. A special thank you goes to those Bayview Market vendors who bravely endured the winter weather elements to share their goods and services in Langley. Our Town was delighted. To those merchants who financially supported, to the merchants who donated to our successful raffle, to our Christmas “angel” sponsors who donated money and materials, and to all the many volunteers, including the young people in the Whidbey Island School District, Thank you all.
Our sweet memories of Christmas past laid the foundation for “Come Home for the Holidays.” We weaved together the town, the residents, the schools and the children. Intertwining, multilayered, we gave ourselves the Gift of Unity…in our community. Next year? Ah…Hum…Slumped in a chair, marveling at the sparkling town. Everyone should have this experience! :!: Thank you for mine. ! God smiled on our parade.
Former Langley City Planner Returns In Expanded Role
Wed Jan 2, 2008
LANGLEY, WA (January 2, 2008) - At tonight’s Langley City Council meeting, Mayor Paul Samuelson will announce the appointment of Larry Cort as the city’s new Community Planning Director. “I’m thrilled to have Larry returning to lead city planning efforts, “ said Samuelson. “Larry will assume his former leadership role in land use planning but he will also work closely with me., the Council and Langley citizens on developing and implementing a broader range of public policy initiatives. I also expect that Larry will take a lead role in providing education to our public officials and citizens on topics of general interest or concern.
Samuelson added, “Initially, Larry’s energies will be focused on implementing the recent Comprehensive Plan changes and, by extension, to work toward lifting the current moratorium in a responsible manner. Working with the community to revise our land use regulations consistent with our long range vision is essential to promoting confidence and predictability in our review processes. Poor rules open the door for poor development.”
Cort left the Langley city planner position last fall after being hired by former Mayor Neil Colburn in December 2006. Cort resigned to take a planning job in the Seattle area where he and his wife had relocated. “It was hard for me to leave Langley, and I found that I just couldn’t get Langley off my mind, “said Cort. “When Paul proposed expanding the position to include more community planning, coming back felt right to me,” explained Cort.
Cort grew up in Central Whidbey and then returned to serve as the planner for Coupeville for eight years. Prior to coming to Langley, Cort worked for three years as a senior planner for the city of Oak Harbor.
Samuelson is also bringing on local area consultant, Kathleen Landel, to work part-time as Special Assistant to the Mayor. Landel will be responsible for community relations and communications, grant writing and research, coordinating the citizen advisory boards and commissions, and the development of a four-year long-range plan. “Kathleen has years of experience helping organizations and boards become really effective. She brings strong communication, facilitation and strategic planning skills,” said Samuelson.
“I’m stepping into the Mayor’s office with a dedicated, highly experienced staff. With the addition of Larry’s and Kathleen’s expertise, I’m looking forward to leading a strong team,” Samuelson stated.
Shelton resigns
Mon Jul 16, 2007
Breaking news! Mike Shelton just resigned as a commissioner. Apparently Brian just put a story up on the Record Web site www.southwhidbeyrecord.com. :!:
Commissioner Shelton posts statement on Fair Board
Sat Feb 24, 2007
County Commissioner Mike Shelton has posted a statement giving his views on recent controversies involving the Island County Fair Board. You will find his statement at the beginning of the topic Fairgrounds Road issues.
Related discussions are in the topics Construction Traffic Headed Directly Into Langley? and The Past, Present, and Future of the Island County Fair
Public Hearing on the Edgecliff subdivision moratorium
Fri Jan 27, 2006
The next City Council meeting (Feb 1 @ 6:30, City Hall) will include a Public Hearing on the moratorium adopted December 7, 2005 prohibiting subdivision of any parcel within the area of the City located between Edgecliff Dr. on the north and Sandy Pt. Rd. on the south and between the eastern boundary of the RS7200 zone and the City’s eastern boundary. This is complex issue with implications for all of Langley. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend. A staff report on the moratorium is available to the public at City Hall.
Langley Planning Advisory Board - May 25
Mon May 23, 2005
Everyone is welcome to attend the next meeting of the Langley Planning Advisory Board
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
5:30 pm
City Hall ñ Upstairs Staff Conference Room
Agenda:
1. Attendance: board, staff, public
2. Minutes of April 11th meeting
3. Board comments
4. Review of revised PAB meeting and hearing schedule, May through September 2005
5. Review of May 18th critical areas workshop; discussion of proposed amendments to the Cityís critical areas ordinance, Chapter 16.20 LMC.
6. Next meeting ñ June 8, 2005
Planning for Langley's Wetlands, Streams, etc.
Tue May 17, 2005
The Langley Planning Advisory Board is having an open workshop to discuss changes to the cityís ordinances regarding Resource Lands and Environmentally Sensitive (Critical) Areas Management (involving wetlands, streams, bluffs, etc.).
Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Time: 3:00 PM
Place: Langley City Hall
Everyone is welcome.
The issue is of real significance to the future of our town. The meeting is specific to Langley, and is not part of the environmental reviews conducted by Island County.
Ms. Susan Meyer, a Wetlands Specialist with the Washington State Department of Ecology, will be present to assist us.
Hal
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