How’d We Do? Orcas Issues Predictions for 2013

 — by Margie Doyle —

Our predictions for 2013 were a lot of fun to make and follow — some were strategic star-gazing, some were looking ahead on the trail, and some were wishful thinking! Here’s our verdict on how aptly we predicted!

1)  Orcas Islanders will continue their support of recycling resources by working with Orcas Recycling Services/The Exchange and local businesses to reduce waste and make a long-term disposal/recycle facility with compost building, metals and construction recycling, and trucking-disposal being transferred to resource-hauling.
YES! In August 2013, the ORS took over management of the transfer station on Orcas, after months of negotiations and meeting requirements of the County Public Works Department. The ORS employs islanders, lowered disposal rates and increased its hours of operation.

2) OrcasNOCOALition, joined with other regional opponents to coal train traffic and shipping to Asia, will prevail in the decision to maintain Salish Sea health by prohibiting expansion of the Cherry Point rail and shipping terminal. Their efforts will motivate other west coast ports.
MAYBE: still a work in progress, with offers to tamp down the coal dust with a surfectant and lots of work ahead, keeping the pressure on.

3) The County Council, unconstrained by dictates to develop a Growth Management Act or Critical Areas Ordinance Update, will form a strong partnership with a new County Manager to make government work well AFTER the 3-member Council Elections and the selection of a new manager.
YES! The County Council, both in its six-member form until May and in its three-member form after that, has pursued an admirable work ethic: clarifying policy on Advisory Committees, approving lowered rates for several appeal processes, developing responsive and complete communications with county residents through Ingrid Gabriel’s “Clerk’s Corner,” issued to island media outlets, increasing office hours, streamlining departments, passing a transportation plan, and traveling to Lopez and Orcas to hold regular Council meetings.

4) A new County Manager will come forward from San Juan, Skagit, Islands or Whatcom County.
NO, but close — County Manager Mike Thomas, a Seattle native, comes to Orcas after a stint as City Administrator for Enumclaw, population 10,700, located between Tacoma and Mt. Rainier, southeast of Seatte.

5) The County Council will consider their paramount duty to keep the budget policies developed in recent years continuing.
YES! The Council added $500,000 to its reserve fund and “held the line” as it formulated the 2014 budget.

6) Lawyers and judges will argue ad infinatum the suits filed in the aftermath of the CAO and Charter Proposition decisions; no decision will come forward in 2013.
YES and NO — lawyers for five entities filed appeals to the Growth Management Hearings Board which ruled on Sept. 9; later in the fall, a review was requested by the Common Sense Alliance. That decision will be made in February 2014.

7) The Orcas Island economy will benefit from the 2012 school bond and tech levy passage with jobs and contracts.
NOT YET — bids for projects are scheduled to go out in January 2014, construction work will start during the Spring Break, the end of March.

8) The Orcas Island School Board will continue to make powerful statements in support of public education to legislators in Olympia, as representatives from a non-urban, remote school district.
YES — Orcas’ school board and administrators made a strong case in support of Alternative Education to state education entities as well as to legislators. The bi-ennial 2013-15 education budget includes policies and regulations in line with those developed by OISD for cyber- and home-schooling within the OASIS programs.

9) The second Annual Shakespeare Festival in March, produced by the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce will build on the success of the initial Festival to benefit island business, dining, entertainment and lodging establishments during the shoulder season.
YES — Again this year, Jane Alden spearheaded efforts to repeat and grow the success of the first season. Next year, Chamber President Michell Marshall will step down from the presidency of the Chamber of Commerce, but will take the lead in both the Shakespeare Festival March 18-21, and a new “BirdFest” celebration to take place in April 10-12.

10)  Island farm production will become more profitable and sustainable through the continual efforts, success and acknowledgment of the Farmers Market, the Farm to Cafeteria Committee, and the FEAST (Farming Education and Sustainability for Teens) program.
YES, sort of — Local food production grew in popularity and sales; Farm to Cafeteria engaged in a successful crowd-funding campaign and the Orcas Food Co-op formed and met its initial benchmarks. Also five Orcas businesses have applied to produce marijuana, three to be processors, and one as a retailer for legal consumption.

11) Winter storms will close the road between town and the tank corner; repair of the road will become an emergency budget item.
NO — The “Crescent Beach” folks dodged that bullet, thank goodness. Instead historic rainfall flooded into businesses west of Prune Alley and along “A” Street in September and October. It is hoped that a new schedule of maintaining cleared storm drains will prevent future flooding — and that insurance will cover the losses to businesses during the fall floods.

12) The popularity of running on the island will lead to opening more trails and a new slogan: “Orcas — the island that runs!”
YES! — a running club is going strong at the Funhouse/Commons; in February, Rainshadow Running and the Orcas Chamber of Commerce combined efforts to bring 315 runners to Moran State Park for a 50K run; the first-ever Leave No Trace Race ran around Turtleneck Mountain Preserve in April; in July, the Funhouse/Commons saw 200 percent increased participation from 2012 in its 5/K (1K for Kids) Fun Run; on Sept. 1 the  15th Annual Steve Braun Memorial Triathlon, sponsored by Friends of Moran State Park combined swimming and biking with a 3.5 mile trail run — all proceeds to benefit Moran State Park.

Send us your predictions for 2014 and we’ll add them to our own “prophecies” for next year! editor@OrcasIssues.com