Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: Ways to Support Orcas Center
It is the season of giving and a time when many of our island community organizations reach out to us for financial support, support needed by each to do the good work they do. The
Guest Column: Walk the Labyrinth to Consider Beginnings and Endings
Ouroboros, a serpent eating its own tail as a metaphor for the eternal cycle of creation. By Nancy Ayer There is only one path in the labyrinth. We begin our walk on the
Editorial Column: Ferries, Friends and Music are the Bounty of the Islands
By Margie Doyle Last week, Lonely Planet travel magazine named the San Juan Islands the #3 travel destination, and singled out its restaurants for praise. In the following article, Editor Margie Doyle talks about
Letter to the Editor: Tax Savings and Allocations Explained
While Paige McCormick's letter and spirit of community fairness is much appreciated, the assessment/taxing ratio is a little more complicated. Yes, assessments have gone down, the amount of revenue you will be paying (in general)
Letter to the Editor: Kentec and Gasification Pose Solid Waste Problems
Dear San Juan County Council, I am delighted you renegotiated Orcas Recycling Services to head the Orcas transfer station. My hope is you will reconsider contracting with Kentec since Waste Management will continue on a
Letter to the Editor: Allocation of Funds Saved in New Assessments
We received our updated property valuation, and it is down. I have to hand it to the Assessor's office--they got it right, at least to my approximate knowledge of our property's market value. Do you
Letter to the Editor: Orcas Family Health Benefit Provides for the Under- and Un-insured
The spirit of the season is truly within our community. The Orcas Family Health Center's 5th Annual Dinner Dance Fund Raiser, November 30th was a huge success. We had a full house, smiling faces, great
Letter to the Editor: Fire & Rescue Faces Significant Issues
Dear Editor, A number of important issues were addressed at the November 27 meeting of the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) Department that I believe are of significant interest to the taxpayers of the
Letter to the Editor: Orcas Recycling Thanks All Supporters
To our friends and neighbors, to all of our supporters near and far afield: As you may have heard, on November 20th the San Juan County Council voted unanimously to enter into contract negotiations with
Letter to the Editor: ORS/The Exchange Thanks County Council
Esteemed County Council members, Thank you for your vote of confidence in ORS at Tuesday's County Council meeting. We understand that you are entrusting to us and our partners a set of services that are
Editor’s Column: The Miracle Season of Hope
In my childhood, we were still in a post-World War II mentality -- everyone was poor and trying to be good. Christmas was a celebration of faith (that a baby born to poor people would
Guest Column: A Local Business is Thankful
By Nick Jones This year, as we have for the past eight or nine years, we provided smoked salmon to the Family Resource Center to help fill Thanksgiving baskets for island families. This is a
Letter to the Editor: Thanks to Orcas Issues
Dear Fellow Islanders, This is a letter of thanks for Margie Doyle, Lin McNulty and Orcas Issues. Their dedication to getting Orcas issues out in the open, explored by community journalists, is gold to us
Letter to the Editor: Greg Ayers Enters the Council Race
Dear Editor, The recent election saw the recommendations of the Charter Review Committee affirmed by the voters, substantially changing the operations of our government in San Juan County. No longer will there be an absolute
Guest Opinion: Sailing Through Change
By Gordy Petersen I would like to thank everyone who supported the work of the Charter Review Commission. The result of the vote brings significant changes and challenges. I hope we can all join in
