Here’s a thought…
Guest Opinion: In Disagreement with Appel’s Charter Review Facts & Conclusions
By Janice Peterson Like Bill Appel, I am a member of the Charter Review Commission. (CRC) In my opinion, our meetings were characterized by predetermined outcomes, tenacious disregard for opposing opinions, and a set
Letter to the Editor: Thank Goodness!
Thank Goodness for Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival volunteers, community businesses and restaurants, and patrons! Thank Goodness for all who: Come at dawn or stay until very late. Prepare and serve snacks and lunches and
Guest Opinion: The Charter: On Residency Districts and Other Thoughts
By Bill Appel I am a member of the CRC, and am well aware of Randy's advice concerning the the institution of separate voting districts having unequal populations. As Prosecutor, Randy has been invited to
Letter to the Editor: Let’s Keep Our Representative Government
Charter Review Proposition 1 wants us to elect our County Council members countywide. Why? I don’t want people from Mississippi or New York voting for my Congressman and they don’t want me voting for theirs.
Letter to the Editor: Charter Review Findings Seriously Flawed
Don’t go backward: The “findings” of the Charter Review Commission (CRC) are seriously flawed. In promoting their idea of going back to the old three-member at-large system we used to have, the CRC acknowledges that
Letter to the Editor: Keep Checks and Balances/ Vote No on Prop. 2
Charter Review Proposition 2 wants to give our County Council the responsibility of managing operations. What a dangerous, double-edged sword to give them. On the one hand, as our elected representatives they could advocate for
Letter to the Editor: Representation, Administration and Open Meetings All Best Served by Charter Propositions
I am recommending that you vote yes on the Proposed Charter Amendments, Propositions 1, 2, and 3, for the following reasons. Overkill – We don’t need 6 people on the County Council. We only need
Letter to the Editor: We Need Professional Leadership
I supported the changes made by the Charter approved by the voters in 2005. Thus, I am distressed that Proposition 2 would eliminate the present position of County Administrator, a professional position similar to that
Letter to the Editor: Proposition 1 Brings No Benefit
Dear Editor, I am urging a no vote on both Propositions 1 and 2 of the Charter Review. We owe a thank you to the review commission members who considered the issues. We owe it
Letter to the Editor: Negative Impact to County’s Concessions in CAO Process
Dear Council and Shireene Hale; Thank you for the final chance to comment on Wetlands and Fish and Wildlife CAO chapters, and for your hard work on these. After some time of not closely following
Editorial: Waste Not, Want Not — Visionary or Obsolete?
By Margie Doyle Garbage in; garbage out. If only it were that simple. But as long as we continue to regard the end product of our consumption and construction as “waste,” and as long as
Letter to the Editor: Manager’s Accountability to County Council an Improvement
Colin Maycock's recent letter to SJI about the charter proposal that would make the County Manager more accountable to the elected Council overlooks an important provision in the Charter Review Commission's recommended changes to the
Letter to the Editor: Political Expression, Orcas-Style?
My wife and I moved here last December after retiring from many years of teaching public school. We love the natural beauty of the island, and we have met many wonderful people. It is almost
Letter to the Editor: Opposition to Charter Review Propositions 1 and 2
We write as community members to express concerns about the Charter Review Propositions on the upcoming ballot. We urge you to vote "No" on both propositions 1 and 2, and here is why. Charter Review
Guest Opinion: A Better Way to Hear “the People”
By John Evans Colin Maycock wrote a thoughtful piece about the interplay between elected officials and county employees; current Charter vs. proposed revisions. I would like to offer a somewhat different perspective and support
