Here’s a thought…
Guest Column: Proposition 1 Gives Voters a Choice
by retired Orcas Council Member Patty Miller One thing the majority of us may have in common is that we are tired of the negativity in politics. I am tired of people digging to the
Guest Column: Former County Commissioners Reject Proposition 1
by Commissioner John Evans, Republican Senator Kevin Ranker, Democrat Last year, a majority of San Juan County’s citizens voted to make some important updates to our County Charter. Specifically, we voted to create a full
Letter to the Editor: Reject Proposition 1
False: "Proposition 1 is a small change in the Charter." True: This represents small change with enormous consequences effectively removing a prohibition on changing County Council districts by initiative. This restriction originally placed in the
Orcas Schools Superintendent Barbara Kline Announces June Retirement
Today, Orcas Island School District Superintendent Barbara Kline announced her decision to resign in June of 2014. In a statement she said, "For some time, I have known that I would be retiring either in
Letter to the Editor: Orcas Fire & Rescue’s 2014 Budget Unrealistic
Based on expected revenues of $2,050,662 for 2014, the OIFR department has devised a budget of $1,712,441 which is an increase of $125,388. in expenditures from 2013. Despite the expenditures of huge amounts for capital
Letter to the Editor: Ghazel’s Years of Building Relationships Count
A heartfelt thank you to all of our public servants that make Orcas a safe and loving environment in which people of all ages can thrive. Our island village helped me raise my four children,
Environmental Groups and Students Show What an Oil Spill Could Look Like
A new initiative helps map potential oil spills From tarsandssolutions.org Today, Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Georgia Strait Alliance launched a new initiative to study the potential spread of an oil spill in the
Permit-related Building Inspections Can Now Be Requested Online
from Stan Matthews Contractors or homeowners with an active building permit, can now request required inspections on line by visiting the County website. Consistent with the County's inspection request phone hotline, requests must be made
Letter to the Editor: Oppose Barcode Ballot Tracking
Imagine for a moment that former members of the CIA, FBI, and NSA created a product that could monitor and track all our votes. Any reason you'd feel uneasy about that? The Mail-In Ballot Tracker
West Coast Leaders to Announce Landmark Agreement on Climate Policy
Government leaders from three Pacific Coast states and the province of British Columbia plan to announce a new West Coast climate change agreement at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 28. The following officials: ·
Letter to the Editor: Ghazel’s Ability to Work with Others Invaluable
I encourage your support of Tony Ghazel for re-election to the Orcas Island School Board. During Tony’s time on the Board, he has helped lead our district from such an unstable and opaque financial situation that
Jay Savell Earns Senior Center Volunteer of the Year Award
By Jane Heisinger On October 19, the Senior Center held a Volunteer Appreciation dinner to honor all of the people who volunteer at the Senior Center. This was a by-invitation-only event and over 80 people
Elementary School To Hold Veterans’ Appreciation Breakfast
Iraq Veteran Mike Page greets elementary student New Orcas Elementary School Principal Kathy Page and her husband Mike, a veteran who served with the U.S. Army in Iraq are organizing a new event
Letter to the Editor: Protect Charter & Vote No on Proposition 1
Vote NO on County Charter Proposition 1 This proposition was put forward last May in a last ditch effort by a disgruntled, lame duck, six-member County Council to change our current Charter. If approved, it
Orcas Terminal Gets Facelift, New Bumpers
by Cara Russell Repairs at Orcas Ferry Terminal. Photo: Rich Harvey Last week, maintenance work began on the Orcas Island Ferry Terminal. The entire dock is getting repainted. The fixed dolphin (an offshore
Letter to the Editor: Proposition One Threatens Deliberative Process
Currently, our charter requires an elected Charter Review Commission to make recommendations to the voters for any changes to Council districts and the number of Council members. Any recommendations from the Charter Review Commission are
