Public comment highlights Northshore road concerns, protests and fair outreach; commissioners send letter on Seattle City Light FERC relicensing

Residents and community members addressed the Board of County Commissioners during the Aug. 12 public‑comment period on matters including roadway restoration at Lake Cavanaugh, local protest activity and county community events.

Loretta Humboldt (who uses the name “Tweedy”) urged county engineers to restore Northshore (Lake Cavanaugh Road) to its historic narrow footprint rather than widen it, noting local familiarity with “bump outs” and the presence of wooden log material reportedly under the road surface. She said engineers plan to drill exploratory test holes to determine existing subgrade materials and that she appreciated a county statement indicating a larger footprint may not be necessary.

Patrick (last name not stated) spoke about county government and urged consideration of expanding the number of commissioners; that comment was part of broader public remarks expressing concern about future decision burdens. Rebecca Peck (public commenter) raised broader civil‑liberties concerns and said she had observed enforcement actions at local commercial sites; she also referenced national developments in federal policy and protest activity. Meeting staff and commissioners noted the county has regular public protests and that community members continue to organize locally.

Commissioners used the public‑comment block to highlight county events and administrative items: they described the successful county fair, recognized longtime community members and retirees, and noted outreach to fair sponsors. The board also said it signed a letter to Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell regarding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing for Seattle City Light projects, asking that relicensing funds not be used in a way that could lead to eminent‑domain actions affecting Skagit County farmland.

The public‑comment period closed with the board adjourning to its next scheduled meeting; no formal actions were taken as a result of the comments.

Speakers at the public comment period included residents and community organizers; a few members made extended remarks but no petition or item for formal action was introduced during the session.