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Bailey secures highway sign for new Camano Island
Library
10th District lawmaker gets results at request of
constituent
It took a bit of nudging
by
Rep.
Barbara Bailey, but the new Camano Island Library will get a
highway sign it requested. The Washington State Department of
Transportation (WSDOT) has agreed to install the sign Monday at the
intersection of East Camano Drive and State Route 532.
Although Island County
approved a sign to be erected on its side of the intersection (East
Camano Drive), WSDOT originally declined to install a sign on its
property at State Route 532. A WSDOT e-mail to Camano Island Library
Board Vice Chair Bill Thorn stated, "Unfortunately, as per our Traffic
Manual, libraries are listed as an 'Unwarranted Traffic Generator' and
are not permitted on state highways."
Finding a dead-end in his
requests to WSDOT, Thorn then e-mailed Bailey, asking for help.
"Libraries play an
essential role in community life, especially for the elderly and our
youth. The addition of a simple sign directing residents off the state
road to the facility does not seem like an unreasonable request," wrote
Thorn.
Bailey agreed.
"This new Camano Island
Library is part of a three-year pilot program with the goal of
establishing a permanent library and, for that to be successful, it will
need visibility. The library is in a storefront at Terry's Corner on
Camano Island and not visible from the main road. That's why a sign is
needed," said Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. "I appreciated that Mr. Thorn
contacted me on this matter. It's not unreasonable to have a sign
providing directions. Instead,
it is a matter of providing a valuable community service."
After Bailey made several
phone calls, she received an e-mail from WSDOT Northwest Regional
Administrator Lorena Eng stating, "Please let the
legislators and the library board know we will install the sign the week
of November 12th."
"I know it can be
frustrating having to jump through government hoops. No one should have
to do that. Government is here to serve our citizens, not erect
barriers," added Bailey. "I'm glad we were able to help so that our
local citizens can easily find their way to the library."
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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