Here’s a thought…
Guest Opinion: Charter Propositions Would Return to the Past
By Richard Fralick, San Juan County Councilman, Orcas West Richard Fralick, retiring Orcas West County Councilman I have served on the San Juan County Council for almost four years. Much of this time
Letter to the Editor: Six County Legislators Not Needed
Dear Editor: The Official Findings of the elected Charter Review Commissioners provide compelling reasons to support Proposition 1. After 20 meetings, they adopted detailed and documented findings on a 17-3 vote, and these can be
Letter to the Editor: Vote Yes For the School Bond
Our children are our future! The children of Orcas Island deserve to learn in a safe environment. I have two grandchildren that live here on Orcas, Christian and Megan, and they have many years of
Fire Department Update from the Chief
From Orcas Fire and Rescue Chief Kevin O'Brien # 2012- 10 September 12 through October 9, 2012 Calls for Service This report: Emergency Medical Service (EMS) 58 Fire/Other 17 Total 75 Year to Date: Emergency
Guest Opinion: Proposition 2 Provides Direction
By Ed Sutton Proposition #2 of the CRC proposals to amend the County Charter is difficult to analyze because valid arguments can be made to support the current Charter language or the amended version as
Guest Column: Prosecutor Will Adapt Policies to Vote on Marijuana Initiative
By Randall K. Gaylord San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney I will be closely following the results of the Initiative 502 concerning marijuana laws. I urge everyone in the county to study that measure and vote.
Letter to the Editor: Misconceptions About Charter Propositions
I’d like to address some of the significant misconceptions about the Charter Review Commission and Propositions 1, 2 and 3. The most troubling misconception is the assertion that Proposition 1 is unconstitutional and does not
Letter to the Editor: Marijuana Legalization Makes for Safer Communities
Washington voters have an opportunity to reverse decades of harm caused by marijuana prohibition. Study after study has confirmed that marijuana is safer than alcohol, healthier than tobacco. Yet we have arrested tens of thousands
Letter to the Editor: Coal Terminal Brings Many Negative Impacts
Dear Editor, I’m writing to express my concern about the Gateway Pacific Terminal proposed for north of Bellingham by Peabody Energy (Peabody Coal) and Seattle-based SSA Marine. The negative impacts that coal trains and the
School Ballot Issues: Renovation Bond $11.9 million;Tech Levy $200,000
Some of the visible deterioration at the Orcas Schools' "1980s buildings." For a fact sheet and more information go to www.orcasislandschools.org or to orcasforhealthysafeschools.com November election ballots, mailed this week, contain two Orcas Island School
SJ Conservation District Starts a Cost-Share Program for Landowners
By Danna Kinsey, San Juan Islands Conservation District Natural Resources Planner The San Juan Islands Conservation District has begun a voluntary, cost-share assistance program that helps land owners install conservation best management practices to
Letter to the Editor: School Bond Would Enact Local Builders’ Recommendations
We are hoping you join us in voting “YES” for the $11.9 million construction school bond on your November ballot. In early 2011, the school board engaged local building professionals, lead by contractor Clyde Duke,
Orcas Ferry Vehicle Hiatus: Monday Deadline to Move Vehicles to Anacortes
From Washington State Ferries For Orcas drivers who are pre-authorized and have a dashboard permit, the last chance to move vehicles to the Anacortes terminal upper parking lot is the 10:05 p.m. departure on Monday,
Earthquake Drill on Thursday: the Great Washington ShakeOut
From Mark Clemens, Washington State Emergency Management If you haven’t signed up to participate in Washington state's first-ever Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, time is running out. The drill occurs this Thursday, Oct. 18, at 10:18
County Prosecutor Gaylord: Guide to 2012 Charter Propositions
Prepared by Randall Gaylord, San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Proposition 1 will reduce the number of council members from 6 to 3. Each member must live in one of three whole island districts: 1) San
OPALCO Approved for RUS-USDA Loan to Fund Four-year Construction Work Plan
In June 2012, as part of its regular construction work plan process, OPALCO submitted a loan application to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for $38.4 million for system maintenance and improvement
