Here’s a thought…
Guest Column: A Wake-up Call to Plan Better Emergency Communications
by Tony Ghazel It is clear that we live in a beautiful place and that we love to be involved in our community. Last week proved to me that we also live in an area
Letter to the Editor: Realtor Signs Detract from Atmosphere
One thing that contributes to Orcas' pleasant rural atmosphere is the lack of real estate signs along our roadways. For this, we can thank our local realtors. (Would that our local politicians adopt a similar
News from Hughes: Revisiting the Cable Break
by Margie Doyle Council Member Rick Hughes Orcas Council Member Rick Hughes looked surprisingly relaxed for a week in which he admitted to getting little sleep – last week, when the breakage of
American Legion Hosts Public in Honoring Vets
by Margie Doyle "Let us will to live as well as die for our country." from the American Legion Observances Handbook At 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, veterans and other members of the public gathered
Editorial: When a Butterly Flaps Its Wings
by Lin McNulty It was probably not a butterfly flapping its wings that severed the 14,000' underwater fiber-optic cable between Lopez and San Juan Islands in the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 5. But
Letter to the Editor: Thanks for Helping Get Care Packages to Active-Duty Military
I want to thank everyone who contributed to the bake sale fund raiser for the care packages for the military personnel in Afghanistan. You contributed $762.00 which is amazing and very much appreciated. Also thanks
Guest Column: Chief O’Brien Details 2014 Budget
by Kevin O'Brien, Chief, Orcas Fire and Rescue The cost of maintaining the effective emergency response system we have on Orcas Island is a significant challenge -- a challenge Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is
Guest Column: Proposition 1 Gives Voters a Choice
by retired Orcas Council Member Patty Miller One thing the majority of us may have in common is that we are tired of the negativity in politics. I am tired of people digging to the
Guest Column: Former County Commissioners Reject Proposition 1
by Commissioner John Evans, Republican Senator Kevin Ranker, Democrat Last year, a majority of San Juan County’s citizens voted to make some important updates to our County Charter. Specifically, we voted to create a full
Letter to the Editor: Reject Proposition 1
False: "Proposition 1 is a small change in the Charter." True: This represents small change with enormous consequences effectively removing a prohibition on changing County Council districts by initiative. This restriction originally placed in the
Letter to the Editor: Orcas Fire & Rescue’s 2014 Budget Unrealistic
Based on expected revenues of $2,050,662 for 2014, the OIFR department has devised a budget of $1,712,441 which is an increase of $125,388. in expenditures from 2013. Despite the expenditures of huge amounts for capital
Letter to the Editor: Ghazel’s Years of Building Relationships Count
A heartfelt thank you to all of our public servants that make Orcas a safe and loving environment in which people of all ages can thrive. Our island village helped me raise my four children,
Letter to the Editor: Oppose Barcode Ballot Tracking
Imagine for a moment that former members of the CIA, FBI, and NSA created a product that could monitor and track all our votes. Any reason you'd feel uneasy about that? The Mail-In Ballot Tracker
Letter to the Editor: Ghazel’s Ability to Work with Others Invaluable
I encourage your support of Tony Ghazel for re-election to the Orcas Island School Board. During Tony’s time on the Board, he has helped lead our district from such an unstable and opaque financial situation that
Farm to Cafeteria Has Been Busy!
Tom Burg - salmon smoker extraordinaire by Madie Murray On Monday, the 21st, Tom Burg delivered almost 30 pounds of freshly smoked salmon to the school cafeteria for our school lunches! Are we
