McNeil prison headlines spark memories

News today that the state Department of Corrections will close McNeil Island Corrections Center brought back memories of my days as press secretary as Uncle Duane Berentson sought the Republican nomination for governor in 1980. I didn't make many road trips with Duane, but a memorable adventure I did share with him was a visit to McNeil Island, home of a one-time federal prison. McNeil Island, opened as a federal prison in 1875, was sitting vacant during the tenure of colorful Governor Dixy Lee Ray. In a day when state prisons were dangerously overcrowded, Duane argued that the governor should talk the feds into turning the island facility over to the state so it could again serve as a prison. I shot the above photo in a McNeil Island cell block as Duane toured the prison. A newspaper clipping I have from the Whidbey News-Times, June 25, 1980 quotes Duane charging that Ray's refusal to consider McNeil Island as a prison was yet another example of her arrogance. "The governor should climb into her canoe (she often canoed around the Sound from her Fox Island home, located near McNeil Island) and paddle over to see the McNeil Island prison herself," he is quoted as saying. Duane lost his primary battle to King County Executive John Spellman, who went on to win the general election. A year later, the state Transportation Commission named him Secretary of Transportation, a role he filled for 12 years. As for McNeil Island, it was ultimately deeded over to the state in 1981, serving as a prison to this day. Plans now call for the minimum security prison to be closed in two phases next year. Maybe next time I visit it will be as a tourist checking out "the prison with two lives."

Celebrating family

It was an evening to remember. We've talked about it for awhile, and we finally got it done ... a gathering of Berentson men at the Edison Inn, less than a mile from where Grandfather Marion O. Berentson was born. Pictured here (l. to r.) are Dave, Duane, Richard, Steve and Dan. Dave and Dan are Duane's sons. Rich and I are sons of the late Buehl J. Berentson, Duane's older brother. The five of us have been blessed to have spent the bulk of our lives in Skagit County, all in business at one time or another. Duane and Dan have served in the public sector, too. Duane served 18 years in the State Legislature, followed by more than a decade as Washington State Secretary of Transportation. I had the pleasure of working with Duane when he ran for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1979. He came up just short, with rival John Spellman going on to defeat Dixy Lee Ray in the general election. I then had the opportunity to work with Dan at the Skagit Valley Herald and the Skagit Argus. Dave and Rich continue to work together periodically in the building trades, Dave as owner of a plumbing business and Rich as owner of a construction company. Duane's retired now, splitting time between Burlington and Arizona with wife Joanne. It was great to spend time over dinner in the rich farming area Grandpa loved so much. Will have to do it again soon.