The EPRC [Eastsound Planning Review Committee] has been hi-jacked by development interests and Councilman Richard Fralick with adverse results affecting Eastsound and Orcas Residents.
This line up is heavily weighted in favor of development with little, if any, representation for environmental concerns, or neutral citizens with no monetary or philosophical agenda who are concerned about the evolution of Eastsound.
Let’s take an example of the kind of due diligence and review Mr. Fralick, has exhibited as of late. In November of 2010 an application for a conditional use permit was submitted to the CD&P [County Development and Planning Department] for a controversial development and land use issue in Eastsound. It is the responsibility of the EPRC to review and comment on all conditional use permit applications within Eastsound UGA [Urban Growth Area] (16. 55.060 C& D.2).
In December of 2010, Fralick promotes the appointment of Teri Williams as a new member of the EPRC. Ms. Williams’ “Permit Resource” portion of her real estate business advises/ consults for clients who want to build and develop in SJ County; more specifically on Orcas Island. The likelihood of Ms. Williams having conflicts of interests concerning issues that come before the EPRC is high, since “Permit Resources” is the only business of its kind on Orcas. In this case, Ms. Williams had been working for the applicant of this project that was scheduled to be reviewed by the EPRC. Less than two months later and literally weeks before the CUP [Conditional Use Permit] application was to be reviewed by the EPRC, Teri Williams is appointed to the EPRC. Maybe Mr. Fralick would like to advise the public as to what process of due diligence he followed in this case. Why would Councilman Fralick appoint agents for the applicant to the actual committee that would have to review this CUP Application?
Three EPRC memberships are up for reappointment in April/May 2011. Do you want a balanced representation of philosophies on this committee? Do you want the EPRC members whose agenda is to weaken the Eastsound Subarea Plan and promote in appropriate development loopholes?
Please let your council members Fralick and Miller know your concerns as to the makeup of the EPRC.
Errol Speed
A conflict of interest is when someone stands to gain financially from a position they hold in public service. I believe that sitting the EPRC while selling real estate and having a business that pushes permits through is not only a conflict of interest, but also an ethics issue. I believe that Teri Williams’s appointment to the EPRC is a conflict of interest.
I too believe that EPRC’s makeup is development-heavy, and it troubles me. What can be done about that, if nobody concerned for the environment and conservation within the UGA or elsewhere applies for the position, and if those that do are not appointed? How do we ensure a fair balance?
In my opinion, due to its geography and geology, Eastsound and its surrounding waters and regulated wetlands are THE most crucial to protect. I see no protections happening, and new commercial developments are allowed, even encouraged, to destroy the environment piecemeal. Besides money for the developers and landowners, how does this benefit Eastsound or the island? If Eastsound becomes the toilet and dumping ground for all the rest of the island, who wins besides profiteers? Not the vanishing fish and wildlife. Not our grandchildren.
I encourage concerned citizens to attend meetings and voice your concerns. A balanced EPRC will make balanced decisions for the good of all.