Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: Kudos to Helen Venada’s Commitment to the 3 R’s
To the editor, I just want to take a moment to thank Helen Venada, as she retires, for her contributions to the islands and to our County government. She is one of the unsung folks
Meet San Juan County’s New Fairgrounds & Events Manager
Maddie Overnell, San Juan County's new Fairgrounds and Events Manager. Photo: County staff Maddie Overnell is San Juan County’s new Fairgrounds and Events Manager, and County Parks and Fair Director Dona Wuthnow says
Letter to the Editor: Planning Commission Equally “Stacked”
To the Editor: Tim [Blanchard] has already responded to the material misstatements about him made in Mr. Dehlendorf’s latest blast. I write primarily to question Mr. Dehlendorf's math. Barbara Dehlendorf, Stephen Adams and Robert Gamble,
Letter to the Editor: Council Erred in Appointing Blanchard to Planning Commission
To the County Council: Mr. Forlenza, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Jarman, Ms. Miller, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. Stephens: I am writing to object in the strongest possible terms to the San Juan County Council’s appointment
Common Sense Alliance Petitions for Review of CAO
From the Common Sense Alliance Common Sense Alliance (CSA) petitioned the Growth Management Hearings Board for review of the San Juan County Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) on Monday, February 4, 2013. The CAO was adopted
Letter to the Editor: Hughes Serves with Energy & Integrity on Council
I have known my friend Rick Hughes for over forty years. Although we grew up in different regions, from early childhood we have been linked by the San Juans. Now we both consider ourselves lucky
SJC3: First Community Conversation Takes Place
by Lin McNulty SJC3 Council Community Conversation began on Feb. 5 on Orcas Island The Orcas community was invited by members of the County Council to participate in SJC3: Council Community Conversations about
Letter to the Editor: Personal Attacks, Exaggerated Claims Don’t Belong in Our County Elections
Contrary to the public accusations being made by some, San Juan County's council elections are not being poisoned by powerful special interest groups or party machines. We are just islanders and neighbors and regular people
Letter to the Editor: Byers Has Shown Leadership
I read about the community service that all the candidates have done. I read about the commitment to this Orcas Island and I find little to show me what kind of leadership they have exhibited.
Senator Ranker Works to Make Higher Education Accessible
From the Senate Democratic Committee Looking for powerful instruments to protect and rebuild Washington’s higher education system, Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, has sponsored and co-sponsored a number of bills to help students, parents and
Letter to the Editor: On What Basis are We Judging Candidates?
Before publishing my letter, editor Margie Doyle, very correctly, asked me if I had read the reports of the various candidate forums that have appeared on Orcas Issues. I had, but I read them all
Guest Editorial: Neighbors Don’t Hide Behind Anonymity
By Tom Reeve This morning I found on my Facebook newsfeed a paid (sponsored) posting ridiculing a County Council candidate and showing them in a Nazi uniform. The ad and picture were from a Facebook
Letter to the Editor: Byers Brings Commitment and Creativity
After attending a recent candidates’ night, visiting the candidates’ websites and following the chatter of supporters from different camps, I have carefully weighed the choices for Council representative for District 2 Orcas/Waldron. I am voting
Update on Charter Proposition Hearings
Court activity scheduled for February 4th has been cancelled. From Janice Peterson This is an update on the lawsuit filed in Skagit County Superior Court by plaintiffs represented by Stephanie Johnson O’Day seeking a ruling
Letter to the Editor: Ayers is Intelligent Problem-Solver
Editor: I have worked with Greg Ayers for many years, both at the Orcas Grange and helping he and Pat build their home. He is very creative and hard working, functioning well using his organizational
Guest Column: Lawsuits Involving the County Should be Studied
By Peg Manning There are currently pending in our courts no fewer than three lawsuits that are—or should be—of interest to the County's citizens, yet they have received little coverage in the traditional press and
