Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: Charter Review Findings Seriously Flawed
Don’t go backward: The “findings” of the Charter Review Commission (CRC) are seriously flawed. In promoting their idea of going back to the old three-member at-large system we used to have, the CRC acknowledges that
Garry Oaks to be Restored to Turtleback
Garry oak habitat will be restored on Turtleback Mountain Preserve From the San Juan County Land Bank The San Juan County Land Bank has been awarded $40,000 in grants from the U.S. Fish
Orcas Deputies Arrest Teenager for Burglary
From San Juan County Sheriff Rob Nou On Monday, August 27, 2012, an 18-year-old Eastsound man was arrested by deputies on Orcas Island and charged with 3 counts of burglary. Over the past 10 days
Letter to the Editor: Keep Checks and Balances/ Vote No on Prop. 2
Charter Review Proposition 2 wants to give our County Council the responsibility of managing operations. What a dangerous, double-edged sword to give them. On the one hand, as our elected representatives they could advocate for
Letter to the Editor: Representation, Administration and Open Meetings All Best Served by Charter Propositions
I am recommending that you vote yes on the Proposed Charter Amendments, Propositions 1, 2, and 3, for the following reasons. Overkill – We don’t need 6 people on the County Council. We only need
School District’s New Bond Proposal for “80s Buildings” Only
By Margie Doyle A 20-year, $11.9 million bond to make the "Middle School buildings" -- all the flat-roofed buildings -- safe, efficient, and integrated is being posed to Orcas Island School District voters in the
Change in County Recording Fees Sept. 1
From County Auditor Milene Henley Fees for recording documents with the County will be changing September 1. During the 2012 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed legislation which changes the surcharges collected to support
Global Warming: Separating Truth From Hype
Dr. Cliff Mass comes to Orcas on Wednesday, August 29 Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 5:30 pm at Orcas Center’s Madrona Room By Kathleen Lunde The Orcas Island Public Library presents Dr. Cliff Mass,
Work to Start 1st Phase of Mt. Baker Road Improvement
From San Juan County Public Works Work is scheduled to begin this month on a Wetland Mitigation Project on the SJC Land Bank Stonebridge - Terrill preserve on Orcas Island. This project will enhance and
Letter to the Editor: We Need Professional Leadership
I supported the changes made by the Charter approved by the voters in 2005. Thus, I am distressed that Proposition 2 would eliminate the present position of County Administrator, a professional position similar to that
Letter to the Editor: Proposition 1 Brings No Benefit
Dear Editor, I am urging a no vote on both Propositions 1 and 2 of the Charter Review. We owe a thank you to the review commission members who considered the issues. We owe it
Letter to the Editor: Negative Impact to County’s Concessions in CAO Process
Dear Council and Shireene Hale; Thank you for the final chance to comment on Wetlands and Fish and Wildlife CAO chapters, and for your hard work on these. After some time of not closely following
School Enrollment = State Funds — Looking Good
School Board Hears Feedback on Change to Athletic Policy By Margie Doyle At the August 20 Orcas Island School District (OISD) Board of Directors meeting, the full board (with Vice Chair Chris Sutton videoconferencing from
County Treasurer Warns of Telephone Scam
By Stan Matthews County Website and Communications Manager San Juan County Treasurer Jan Sears reports that a number of senior citizens around the state have received apparently deceptive telephone solicitations from a company that is
Editorial: Waste Not, Want Not — Visionary or Obsolete?
By Margie Doyle Garbage in; garbage out. If only it were that simple. But as long as we continue to regard the end product of our consumption and construction as “waste,” and as long as
Council Votes for Split Waste-Recycle Contracts
Public Works staff directed to negotiate with both Cimarron and ORS By Margie Doyle The Council revisited the propositions offered by Cimarron Enterprises, a trucking company, and Orcas Recycling Services/The Exchange (ORS) on Tuesday morning,
