||| FROM LEITH TEMPLIN |||


I attended the last Orcas Port Commissioners meeting and came away being disappointed. I learned from Chair, Mia Kartiganer, that they received CARES Act Funding because “someone pushed the paperwork in front of me and I sign it because it was free money.” This is not free; it is taxpayers’ money. The Port had no reason to ask for this money. Then Mia told me that their attorney said they “have” to salary all commissioners $285 a month because their budget is now over $1M, so added to their $128 gives them $413 a month per commissioner. This makes them the highest paid commission ever in our county. They only manage a small airport, no marina nothing else.

I  do feel citizens do need to be recognized for their hard work and sometimes compensation happens, but this is absurd. Most commissions receive $120 per meeting per person or less and some decline altogether.

I am chair of EPRC, dedicate hours a month, plus a 3-hour public meeting as a public service and as SJC Cemetery Commissioner, I receive a $90 meeting stipend. Fire Commissioners receive $120 stipend. Working hours every week plus public meetings. OPALCO directors must study/know their intimidating board book, attend educational power meetings, become board certified and attend 5–6-hour board meetings for $200 per meeting. The Planning Commission (meetings, are 6-8 hours which take hours of prep and studying the SJC Comprehensive plan and planning documents) plus some fifty other community service boards/commissions that receive no compensation at all.

The lack of forethought of this board is disappointing.


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