Here’s a thought…
Ranker Reports from the Legislature
Dear neighbors, As we enter the 11th week of the 2011 legislative session, we find ourselves in a more troubling position than where we began. While we have been working hard for months on budget
Letter to the Editor: Kaleidoscope Could Use Your Help
Hello All, As you may know, Kaleidoscope Preschool & Child Care Center’s expansion project is well underway!! We have had much community support to get as far as we have with an especially huge commitment
Letter to the Editor: Is Ranker’s Gift to Shoreline Homeowners (SB 5451) a Trojan Horse?
Earlier this month, State Sen. Kevin Ranker issued a press release extolling the virtues of his proposed legislation affecting waterfront property owners whose properties are or will be deemed “nonconforming.” The Common Sense Alliance (CSA)
Editorial Column: Being Wise in Times of Fear
I was brought up attending Catholic schools during the Cold War, fearing worldwide nuclear war and radioactivity, and came of age just as the birth control pill and the Army draft were playing a huge
Letter to the Editor: Charlie Binford Thanks Emergency Medics
In the fifteen years we have had our B&B in Deer Harbor, one of the most oft asked questions has been “where do I get medical treatment if I need it while on Orcas?” I
Guest Column: So Just How Does Our Government Spend Our Money?
By Jeff Struthers There is a great furor brewing in the other Washington about government spending, the deficit, and what to do about it. What's new is the intensity of the debate and the scope
Guest Opinion: Public Works Fails to Deal with Recycling Solutions
By Frank Penwell President, Citizens Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR) Dear County Council, The County's management and financial issues, regarding Solid Waste and recycling, are in need of help. I offer the following thoughts for
Editorial: Let Your Voice Be Heard (Whether You Have Perfect Pitch or Not)
The electorate has twice turned down a school bond for repairs and reconstruction of public school buildings. Citing the economic downturn, many bond opponents say the school district is asking for too much of their
Guest Opinion: Music Matters!
By Marilyn Anderson Last month, intrigued by the title of a workshop being given in Bellevue prior to the National Association of Music Educators, National Conference meeting, I signed up to attend the workshop. The
Guest Opinion: Friends of San Juans Support Council Sticking to Priorities
By Stephanie Buffum, Executive Director, Friends of the San Juans The vesting issue is for the moment done. On Tuesday in a victory for fair and rational land use planning, the County Council voted not
Update from Senator Kevin Ranker
By State Senator Kevin Ranker As we enter one of the busiest weeks all session, I am pleased to report that many key pieces of legislation have now passed out of committee and continue to
Guest Opinion: The Mini-Vesting Initiative and Real Estate
By Janet Alderton (Note: The County Council is holding a public hearing on the ordinance for the mini-vesting initiative on Tuesday, March 1 in the Legislative Hearing Room, 55 Court Street, Friday Harbor, beginning at
Guest Opinion: What It Means for SJ County to Be a “Net Donor”
By James Wolf I read recently that Washington State is a net donor (paying more than they receive) of Federal taxes per dollar of Federal spending in our state. According to 2010 data, Washington receives
Guest Column: Re-think Your Personal Relationship — to Garbage
By Helen Venada, San Juan County Waste Reduction and Hazardous Waste Coordinator These days a lot more of us are thinking about garbage that’s generated on the islands. It’s a good thing we are. This may
Letter to the Editor: YMCA Camperships – Thank YOU
What happens at summer camp? Do you remember? Times may have changed, and some of the activities may be different now from when you were a kid, but some things are always true. Kids practice
