Editorial: Trust Me, You Should Have Been There

— by Margie Doyle —

That’s the message implicit in all the reporting we do for Orcas Issues. Our reports, whether on a theater event, an infrastructure crisis, a non-profit campaign, or government meetings, convey to you the important, rewarding and challenging aspects of life on Orcas Island and in San Juan County.

I thought of this today as the Lions Sunrise Volunteers held their monthly meeting at the Skillet Cafe in Eastsound, open to all at 7 a.m. (ouch! but thanks Chris White for organizing.) State Senator Kevin Ranker was the guest speaker and he spoke of the emergencies, complexities and artistry involved in serving Orcas Island and the 40th District in the State Legislature.

He talked about the crisis facing basic public education and the imperative to find new revenue sources for the funding required by law. He spoke of his efforts to protect funding promised to seniors, for mental health and other contingencies, and his plan to implement a capital gains tax (which was supported by 100 of those with the highest income in the state). The tax would have been on stocks, equities and bonds above a certain amount, not on the sale of property or business. It failed to get legislative support and died, though supported by the “conservative” Seattle Times, Ranker pointed out.

He spoke of the difficulties of the state ferries’ new 30-minute reservation cut-off; of the legislative efforts to affect the price gouging of the pharmaceutical industry, often in the name of research and development; of the critical need for teachers and mental health professionals; of the impending crisis when the mechanism for local levies for public education expires next year.

County Councilman Rick Hughes argued in an informative way with Ranker about the implications of several of the issues, and Hughes thanked Ranker for his accessibility and responsiveness. Specifically Hughes brought out the need for the Klahowya ferry to transport the loads of gravel necessary for Public Works projects on several islands this summer. This would not be possible if the state ferries’ plan to mothball the Klahowya proceeded, to be replaced by the tiny Hiyu. When Hughes brought this to Ranker’s attention, the plan to retire the Klahowya was soon abandoned.

Afterwards Ranker and Hughes were buttonholed by many local business owners, civic leaders, public and private board members and philanthropic advocates. They were generous with their time and guidance. You should have been there.

But we get it; often you can’t, with the demands of jobs, kids, mobility and ferry schedules. And so we try to represent you, to be your ears and relate important information that you should know about. We take that trust very seriously — it’s important that all our citizens and neighbors are informed. We appreciate the work others, especially our elected representatives, perform on our behalf and if we can pass that message on to more of those impacted — by ferries, health care costs, education, regulation and insurance — then we think we are helping us all have more informed and compassionate discussions and lead better lives.

So, if you appreciate that Orcas Issues is there when you can’t be, please give as generously as you can to subscribe to Orcas Issues, by going to the “Subscribe” button on the left-hand side of our “front page.” There you can Subscribe monthly for as little as $10 through your credit card, or you can make a one-time payment with your credit card OR you can mail us a check with your contribution to Orcas Issues, PO Box 582, Eastsound WA 98245 for any amount, no matter how small. We are a diverse community, and that extends to income. We want to be there for all of you, but we need your financial support.

Thank you for your trust,

Margie Doyle, Founder, Publisher, Editor, Orcas Issues