Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: Opposing Coal Terminal, Orcasians Join Conference
Somewhat by chance, last week I found myself participating in...actually, just listening in on...a conference call orchestrated by the outfit in Bellingham, SSA Marine, which will be building and operating the proposed coal export facility
Letter to the Editor: Propositions 1 & 2 Would Create Unfair, Politicized Climate
I am opposed to these Propositions because, unlike what is claimed by the proponents: The fact is that the overwhelming majority of counties in the U.S. have more than 3 Council members Proposition 1 would
Guest Opinion: Legacies Left Behind and the Importance of Initiative 2012-4
By Ken Akopiantz Our generation inherited a world contaminated with PCBs. They were considered as safe as mineral oil and table salt. PCBs were used in hundreds of applications from insulating fluids, plasticizers in
Letter to the Editor: Examine Misleading Charter Proposition Claims
Dear Islanders, I have been reading some of the letters submitted in opposition to the Charter changes and find some of them misleading. For example, one reads that the county-wide voting recommended by the Charter
Letter to the Editor: Citizen Action Needed for Coal Export Project
Dear Editor, I am very pleased that San Juan County was granted a scoping hearing for the Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) – the proposed coal export facility outside of Bellingham at Cherry Point. The
Letter to the Editor: The Freeholders Got it Right the First Time
I have been personally involved with San Juan County government since the early 80’s, first as a citizen, then two terms as the elected County Prosecuting Attorney, Freeholder and finally as a County Council Member.
Letter to the Editor: Thanks for a Great Chili Cookoff!
The Chili Cookoff team would like to extend a giant thank you to all who helped make the First Annual Chili Cookoff such a phenomenal success. The day would not have happened without such fantastic
Letter to the Editor: Note Dates to Register Opposition for Coal Terminal
A critically important and time-sensitive opportunity related to the proposed Cherry Point Terminal has begun, so please note this set of important dates in our community in the several months. First, the period of public
Letter to the Editor: “Review” Does Not Mean “Reverse”
In 2005, 21 volunteers researched the complex workings of our county, and sorted out what was successful from what needed improvement. These county Freeholders acted somewhat like our nation’s Founding Fathers did, when they drafted
Guest Column: Original Charter Based on Numbers
By Jeff Bossler A response to Bob Levinson's letter As a former Freeholder, I know how much work went into the proposal for our current Charter of which the citizens approved nearly 2 to 1.
Guest Editorial: Pair of Dimes and Paradigms
By Nelson Rios I’m admittedly old enough to remember when gas cost a pair of dimes per gallon. We would collect pocket change, buy fifty-cents worth and cruise around all evening. Today, with gas on
Guest Column: Vote for Charter Control for Fiscal Sanity
By Steve Garrison The current Charter blocks any effective long term fiscal reorganization of county government. Real problems need to be fixed and the Charter Amendments will help. The Council says that they county will
Guest Opinion: The County Charter “Ain’t Broke”
from Ed Sutton "It Ain't Broke" We have all read many letters about the proposals of the CRC to amend the County Charter. I was a member of the Charter Review Committee, and, in retrospect,
Guest Column: A Look at the Cost of Government
By James Wolf My guest column posted in Orcas Issues on Sept. 26 pointed out the Charter Review Commission’s lack of analysis leading to their propositions to amend our county charter. I addressed the commission’s
Guest Opinion: Charter Implementation Hasn’t Worked
By Bob Levinson I am currently a member of the Charter Review Commission (CRC). Six years ago I unsuccessfully ran for a Freeholder position but followed the process closely. I was not completely satisfied with
