Here’s a thought…
Orcas School Board Accepts Grants Totalling $480K
At their regular meeting last night, the Orcas Island School District (OISD) board voted to accept local and federal grants to assist the English Language Learning (ELL) program, and library technology. The board also voted
Attorney General Backtracks on New Ferry Fare Increase
By Chris Grygiel Seattle Post Intelligencer The state attorney general's office says ferry fare increases approved last month are legal, despite the passage of a Tim Eyman initiative that requires the Legislature to pass fee
Orcas Park & Rec District to Make Another Try
The Orcas Island Park and Rec. District commissioners, at a special meeting held on Dec. 17, voted in favor of presenting a reduced levy on 2011’s February 8th ballot of 9 cents per $1,000 of
Brace Yourselves: Cold November Temperatures Contribute to Higher Energy Bills
For five days in November, San Juan County experienced a cold snap—with an average daily temperature of only 25 degrees—and OPALCO members are going to notice the difference on their power bills that go out
State Attorney General Says Ferry Fare Hikes Must Have OK of Legislature
AG issues 'informal opinion' that Ferry and other highway tolls must go through the Legislature From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer By Chris Grygiel Attorney General Rob McKenna's office has sided with Tim Eyman, saying late Monday
BC and County Join in Asking Federal Gov’ts for Oil Spill Protection
By Stan Matthews, County Communications Program Manager The Islands Trust [of British Columbia] and San Juan County Councils are asking their respective federal governments to begin working together immediately to improve oil spill
Letter to the Editor: Response to Elimination of State Arts Commission
I am very concerned that in her 2011-13 biennium budget, Governor Gregoire has proposed eliminating the Washington State Arts Commission. As a life-long arts advocate, I know first-hand that public funding for the arts allows
Guest Opinion:Regulation/ Deregulation
By Janet Alderton Deregulation is the removal of regulation. Our severe recession is a direct result of deregulation of the banking and finance industries. The Growth Management Act and The Shoreline Master Program were passed
Ferries Head Reports on Governor’s Budget
Moseley Addresses Fare Hike, Holiday and New Winter Schedule David Moseley, Assistant Department of Transportation Secretary for Ferries, reported on Dec. 17: "The Governor presented her balanced budget for 2011-2013 Wednesday morning, which is available
Audubon Society Asks for Support to Protect Older Forests
Barb Jensen of the San Juans Audubon Society writes: I know some of you are interested in this very important issue and I wanted to give you an opportunity to comment to USFWS. The message
Governor Gregoire’s Budget Cut Message to State Employees
Governor Christine Gregoire issued the following statement on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010: Today I will present a balanced budget for the coming biennium that addresses our $4.6 billion shortfall. It is not a budget I
Orcas Park & Rec to Hold Special Meeting Dec. 17
Updated at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (OIPRD) will hold a Special Meeting to discuss a February 2011 Special Election Ballot, and a possible levy amount. The Special Meeting will
Sealth Ferry Out: No Anacortes-San Juans Sailings Tonight
Update, Thursday, Dec. 15: the Sealth is back in service. From Washington State Ferries The Sealth is out of service for the remainder of the evening. This will cancel the 6 pm from Anacortes, the
Grim Budget Picture from State Ferry Chief
By Lance Evans, Executive Director, Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce The financial picture for the Washington State Ferry (WSF) system is not good, and Governor Gregoire's budget (due today) may make matters worse. That was
Noneman Selected to Port Commission
The commissioners of the Port of Orcas wish to announce that after interviews during the regular public meeting of December 9, an Executive Session to discuss the qualifications of each candidate, and voting during open
State Cuts $588 Million from Current Budget in Special Session
By Chris Grygiel From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer [In a special session of the State Legislature last Saturday, state representatives] addressed $588 million of the $1.1 billion deficit. The cuts they did make - including $50
