Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: The Great Divide
The polarization of opinion here has reached a fever pitch which is threatening the future of the San Juan Islands. There are environment concerns which are bitterly opposed by property right advocates. This division exists nationally. On
Guest Column: Update on Reuse at the Orcas Island Transfer Station
By Mark DeTray If you have been wondering, pondering, musing over and/or otherwise asking yourself and others about the status of site clean-up and a new reuse center at the Orcas Island Transfer Station, here's
Letter to the Editor: Pratt Thanks Participants in Primary Election
To the Editor: Thank you to everyone who voted in the primary election and to all the candidates who participated. I look forward to a positive and civil general election campaign and vigorous discussions about
Letter to the Editor: Jarman Thanks Friends and Supporters
THANK YOU to all my supporters, family, and friends for voting in the primary and putting me through to the general election. Your faith in me and my views has been overwhelming. I would like
Hotbed Hotel: Doors, Beds & Silliness Prevail
Gillian Smith in "Hotbed Hotel" Photo by Chris Thomerson A Review by Margie Doyle Opening night of the farce "Hotbed Hotel" had the audience all but falling out of their new chairs as
Letter to the Editor: Ayers Offers Congratulations
Dear Editor, First I want to congratulate Rick Hughes, Bob Jarman, Lovel Pratt and Lisa Byers for their strong showing, clearing the primary and going on to the general election. Second is that I want
Guest Column: Global Warming Needs to be Treated
By Joe Symons I don’t have cancer. I hope I don’t ever get cancer. At the same time, we know about cancer. We know that if we want to maximize our chances of survival,
Consensus Statement from A Response to the Tragedy at Newtown
Strengthening Community on Orcas Island Preamble This document has been created by a group of concerned citizens of Orcas Island. We met to reach a consensus on what improvements to local practices and attitudes
Letter to the Editor: Pratt’s Background Promises Effectiveness
I wish to strongly support Lovel Pratt for County Commissioner. She is fair minded, reasonable, creative, listens to people, looks at all sides of an issue, and cares deeply about the San Juan Islands. She
Letter to the Editor: Planning Commission Appointment Clouds Its Advice
As someone concerned about protecting the islands from detrimental development, I am perplexed by a recent Council appointment. At the first opportunity to appoint someone to the Planning Commission, this new Council’s choice was a
Guest Column: The CAO is Complex and Expensive by Design
By Janet Alderton The Adopted CAO is Complex and Expensive by Design. I have been a close observer of the Critical Areas Ordinance Update process. I agree with many others that the CAO recently adopted
Letter to the Editor: Council Shouldn’t be Bullied in Appointment Processes
To the Editor: My gratitude to the San Juan County Council for appointing Tim Blanchard to the Planning Commission and my admiration for Tim in placing himself in the line of fire so often
Guest Column: Voting in the 21st Century
By Jeff Bossler Now seeing all the candidate’s signs along the road in an odd year just months after we had already elected our Councilmembers, I thought it would be informative for me to investigate
Guest Opinion: We Need a Pig Roast!
By Tom Welch Almost 141 years ago an event occurred which should be celebrated in San Juan County. On October 21, 1872, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany, acting as official Arbitrator of the San Juan
Letter to the Editor: Kudos to Helen Venada’s Commitment to the 3 R’s
To the editor, I just want to take a moment to thank Helen Venada, as she retires, for her contributions to the islands and to our County government. She is one of the unsung folks
