Bob Myhr Files for Re-Election to County Council for Lopez

Bob Myhr of Lopez Island hopes to serve another term on the County Council

Bob Myhr has filed for re-election to the San Juan County Council representing District 6 –  Lopez, Shaw, Blakely, Decatur, and Center Islands.  Myhr was first elected County Commissioner in 2005.  Re-elected in 2006, he served as the first chair of the new six- member County Council.
Bob serves on the Council Government Subcommittee and represents San Juan County on regional and state agencies: Salmon Recovery Council, Northwest Regional Council (Area Agency on Aging), North Sound Mental Health Administration, and Legislative Steering Committee of the Washington State Association of Counties.

Examples of accomplishments under Myhr’s leadership during his tenure on the Council:

.  Advocated difficult county budget cuts and painful staffing reductions consistent with the decline in revenues brought on by the current recession
.  Worked to bring special Council meetings to the citizens of Orcas and Lopez
.  Completed the Lopez Village Urban Growth Area (UGA)
.  Preserved Lopez Hill with $5.95 million funding and 50-year lease from DNR
.  Established Lopez Village Planning Review Committee
.  Completed upgrade of Fisherman Bay Road
.  Supported senior services, health services, and parks with levy
.  Initiated process to keep Odlin South as a county park reserve area
.  Consolidated emergency services with sheriff deputies moving to Lopez Fire Hall
.  Initiated legislation to encourage the use of electric cars
.  Supported further examination of best available science prior to carrying out final reviews of critical areas and shoreline ordinances

Myhr’s priorities include:

.  Make sure we keep our transfer stations with solid waste self-haul (no mandatory curbside pickup), recycling, and take-it-or-leave-it malls, and adopt the most cost-effective operational procedures
.  Complete review of Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program update with a tailored approach that respects private property rights and meets state guidelines
.  Protect the islands from potentially devastating oil spills
.  Complete renovation of Odlin Park, with cannon, and finalize acquisition of Odlin South park reserve
.  Continue support for senior centers and affordable housing alternatives
.  Carry out a thorough review and evaluation of the County Charter
.  Expand the use of videoconferencing for county and other public meetings
.  Support island coalition partnerships for a healthy, drug-free community
.  Listen to diverse views prior to making decisions

Myhr and his wife Joyce have lived near Richardson on southern Lopez for more than 25 years.  Myhr is a member of the Opalco board and was executive director of The San Juan Preservation Trust, 1985-2002.  More background information on Bob’s accomplishments and his priorities for the future can be found on: www.bobmyhr.org