Sandra White: Citizen of the Year

I was recently invited to a dinner honoring the "Marrowstone Island Citizen of the Year".   The honoree, Mr. Phil Flynn has been an acquaintance of mine for a few years, but I had no idea how much he has actually done for our community.  It was a wonderful event and was so glad I went. It was a delicious pot luck organized by the Nordland Garden Club at their club house and  so many people took the mike to give their tributes.  Phil flew his three grown children here for the big event.

Marrowstone Island is a small island in the Admiralty Bay just east of Port Townsend that was settled in the late 1800's by Dutch dairy farmers.  Very rural and wildly beautiful with views of pasture, mountains, small bays and the shipping lanes of Puget Sound, this community is home to relatively  few people.  But the people who live there are devoted to this small town and very greatful to its number one citizen.  The dinner was so well attended, there was SRO and I was squeezed into my seat the entire evening so my photos are not the best.  Here is what I learned about my friend Phil Flynn:

1. Planning Commission   He spent 7 years on the county planning commission fighting for zoning that would create infrastructure and more jobs.  That is a frustrating and thankless job as many of you know.
2. Marrowstone Water  He formed an organization  of 16 people with $50,000 who were responsible for bringing public water to Marrowstone Island, needed because of salt water intrusion.  Amazingly half the island's residents were against this and it was a long uphill battle from which Phil never flinched.
3. County Food Bank He has been in charge of the county food banks for quite a while.  We have at least 4, and he is the head of a large group of volunteers.   Phil organizes the stores, gets grants for purchases, brings in food from the local markets and also does the heavy lifting at the stores.  His best pal, Maggie tells me he is up until 2am doing bookwork for the food banks.
4. Republican Party Phil has been a staunch supporter of the small group of conservatives in Jefferson County that make up the Repulican Party here, giving of his time and money, showing up for all meetings, fund raisers and political events.   

Being a good citizen is not a new thing for Phil.  He has raised a family of four sucessful and delightful sons and daughers, was married for over 40 years until his wife passed away, and seved in the armed forces in the intellignece department. 

This 82 year young man is a fine example of an excellent and giving citizen who is still going strong. 

Let hear it for Phil!

Rhody Parade                                    Phil and Maggie

Maggie, Phil and sons Garth and Brian, and daughter Erin                               Food Bank donations

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