Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: Charter Review Makes Improvements on Home Rule
Please support the three Charter amendments proposed by the Charter Review Commission (CRC). The Commission was elected by voters to do precisely what they did – review the Home Rule Charter and make recommendations for
Letter to the Editor: Response to Rhea Miller and Kevin Ranker
I admire and look up to both Rhea Miller and Kevin Ranker for their hard work in the past for San Juan County, and for their ongoing commitments. My hat is off to them. I
Letter to the Editor: Citizen-Recommended Charter Refinements Lead to Accountable Gov’t
I urge all to vote "YES" and APPROVE the changes to the County Charter as recommended by the citizen-elected Charter Review Commission. I speak from experience. I have been personally involved with San Juan County
Letter to the Editor: Countywide Elections Illogical; County Manager Needed
Countywide elections are not logical. The current method of voting only in your district ensures that all voters are properly represented on the council. This system provides objective and reasonable representation for all citizens. The
Letter to the Editor: Support Renovation Bond for Safe & Healthy School Environment
I am urging you to support the Orcas Island schools by voting yes on the Orcas Island School District Proposition 1, in the upcoming November 6 election. The Orcas Island School District board has been
Letter to the Editor: Charter Propositions Provide Empowerment
Dear Editor: The suggested changes to the charter provide one thing for each and every citizen of this county—empowerment, and I support all three recommendations. When I was a commissioner, I noticed that few people
Letter to the Editor: Vote Yes to Ban GMOs
Dear Editor, This to express our support for San Juan County Initiative 2012-4, which would prohibit the growing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in open systems such as agriculture and landscaping. Having worked in the
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
