||| FROM PETER HARRISON |||
I strongly urge you to vote for Stephanie O’Day for San Juan County (SJC) Council this November. I met Stephanie in 2018 while I was working for the San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD). I was working as a Land Use Planner processing building permits.
My interactions with Stephanie were related to these building permits, where she represented clients’ concerns as a Land Use attorney. I found Stephanie to be professional and extremely knowledgeable regarding Land Use issues in San Juan County. We did not always agree on the Land Use issues of concern, but I found Stephanie approached issues ethically and with a zest for her clients concerns.
I resigned my position at the DCD in July of this year, 2024. I was frustrated with working to approve permits without a Director or any middle management in the Department for over a year. Many DCD staff members were operating outside of their authority, and I found myself overwhelmed as one of the few planners that SJC citizens found they could work with, answer their phone calls, and questions. Stephanie is fully aware of these issues and if elected, is committed to working to resolve these problems so landowners in SJC can experience respect and quality service from the County.
Since my resignation I have had the pleasure to know Stephanie outside of the work environment and I continue to respect her knowledge as an attorney, 30 plus years as a San Juan County resident and her desire to pursue elected office in order to “Protect the Island Way of Life” that she and so many of us have enjoyed over the years.
Please vote in Stephanie for San Juan County Council.
I support Stephanie, she really works hard for client’s interests and she is not partisan. When she is elected the people of San Juan County become her clients.
My reading of the Stephanie O’Day website is that she wants to convert protected Land Bank properties into housing. Is that accurate? I strongly oppose this idea and would not vote for any candidate who would propose such a thing.
Sorry David. I think you are reading the text incorrectly.. i’m in favor of taking surplus County lands, be they land bank, or owned by the county proper, selling them and using the money to buy properties suited for multifamily housing.. the key. Here is the word surplus.
Based on your response, there was nothing incorrect about my interpretation. I strongly oppose removing the conservation status of any Land Bank property in order for it to be sold or developed. There is no such thing as “surplus” conservation land.
Stephanie O’Day – “Here is the word surplus.” Please state how you define “surplus.” I would note that no Land Bank lands are or were ever zoned for multi-family housing, with the exception of the Argyle Lots in Friday Harbor, which the Land Bank sold to the County for exactly that purpose, and which are now planned for the construction of 40 affordable units by the Home Trust. Multi-family housing belongs within the Urban Growth Areas where it is accessible and can easily be supplied with water, sewer, police and fire protection and other public services. Land Bank Lands are rural and need to stay that way to preserve our natural character and serve all of the Islands’ residents.
Thank you, David Bowman. You said the quiet part. I’m convinced.