Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: Reject Props 1 & 2 for the Good of All
What Works Best For The Good of All? 1) Representation – Isn’t it better to actually know your representative? Voting for someone you know, because they live in your community versus having everyone select representatives
Guest Opinion: Proposition 3 Ensures Open Public Subcommittee Meetings
By Moana Kutsche You have probably read a great deal about proposed Charter amendments 1 and 2, but not much about the third proposal. Proposition 3 will ensure better transparency in county government by requiring
Election Forum Today at the Senior Center
Saturday, Oct. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center in Eastsound The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will hold a candidate, charter proposition, and initiative forum tomorrow, Saturday,
February Elections if Proposition One Passes
By Milene Henley, County Auditor “What Will Happen IF….” The Charter Review Commission has proposed a significant change in the structure of county government. If adopted, Proposition #1 would return the county from six district-elected
Writing Effective Coal Terminal Scoping Letters
By Chom Graecen The Scoping Process for Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point is now in full swing. Yes, we Orcas and SJ residents, have concerns about the potential impacts of our surrounding waters becoming
Writers’ Gym: New Creative Writing Class
Writers' Gym is for writers of all skill levels to keep their wordsmith skills flexible. The class will include readings, discussion, prompts, exercises, and peer feedback. Every writer will produce new work. The workout begins
Letter to the Editor: Charter Review Makes Improvements on Home Rule
Please support the three Charter amendments proposed by the Charter Review Commission (CRC). The Commission was elected by voters to do precisely what they did – review the Home Rule Charter and make recommendations for
Letter to the Editor: Response to Rhea Miller and Kevin Ranker
I admire and look up to both Rhea Miller and Kevin Ranker for their hard work in the past for San Juan County, and for their ongoing commitments. My hat is off to them. I
Letter to the Editor: Citizen-Recommended Charter Refinements Lead to Accountable Gov’t
I urge all to vote "YES" and APPROVE the changes to the County Charter as recommended by the citizen-elected Charter Review Commission. I speak from experience. I have been personally involved with San Juan County
Ten Eye-opening Facts I Learned about Coal Shipping
It can't happen here? This is what the 1989 Exxon Valdez 11 million gallon crude oil spill looked like, transposed to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Salish Sea and Pacific coast. (Reprint use
Letter to the Editor: Countywide Elections Illogical; County Manager Needed
Countywide elections are not logical. The current method of voting only in your district ensures that all voters are properly represented on the council. This system provides objective and reasonable representation for all citizens. The
County Party Heads Both Support Charter Propositions
No polarity here! Democratic and Republican party heads both support amendments to the County Charter From Gordy Peterson It may be newsworthy when there is agreement about good governance in San
Letter to the Editor: Charter Propositions Provide Empowerment
Dear Editor: The suggested changes to the charter provide one thing for each and every citizen of this county—empowerment, and I support all three recommendations. When I was a commissioner, I noticed that few people
Letter to the Editor: Vote Yes to Ban GMOs
Dear Editor, This to express our support for San Juan County Initiative 2012-4, which would prohibit the growing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in open systems such as agriculture and landscaping. Having worked in the
Unwrapping the School Library!
Four top sellers (In back row -- l to r: Sabrina Bailey and Madison Todd. Front row: Millie Kau and Jefferson Freeman) From Janet Brownell The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) is pleased
Letter to the Editor: Opposing Coal Terminal, Orcasians Join Conference
Somewhat by chance, last week I found myself participating in...actually, just listening in on...a conference call orchestrated by the outfit in Bellingham, SSA Marine, which will be building and operating the proposed coal export facility
