Here’s a thought…
“The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.”
GEORGE ORWELL
Guest Opinion: OPALCO Has a Spending Problem
-- by Alex MacLeod -- Despite its claims to the contrary, OPALCO doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a debt and spending problem. The problem has gotten so bad that it has violated a financial requirement of its lender. Unless it significantly cuts spending, and does it right now,
Fire and Safety Demonstration
Thursday, June 11 at 4:30 p.m. at Madrona Point Insurance, Eastsound -- from Michele Wiley -- Madrona Point Insurance would like invite you to join us for an evening of fire safety and extinguisher training. Meet the Alpine Fire and Safety service technician, Dave Kilmer and some of the Orcas
Calling All Volunteers; The County Needs You
-- from San Juan County Communications -- The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available on the County's website at: sanjuanco.com/Council/AdvisoryCommittees.aspx Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee
Larsen Applauds Senate Passage of USA Freedom Act
-- from Rep. Rick Larsen's office -- [On June 3] Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, applauded Senate passage of the USA Freedom Act, a bill to end the government’s bulk collection of Americans’ phone record data. Larsen voted for and the House of Representatives passed the bill on May 13. The
Eastsound Planners Face Mix of Transient Lodging, Affordable Housing and Tourism
Next EPRC meeting, Thursday June 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall -- by Margie Doyle -- At the last Eastsound Planning and Review Committee (EPRC) meeting on May 7, the subject of transient lodging, vacation rentals, regulatory oversight and ultimately affordable housing was discussed by
Guest Opinion: Excess Regulations and Permitting Costly to the Public
-- by Walt Corbin -- The recent opinion piece written by David Turnoy (orcasissues.com/guest-opinion-lets-get-money-out-of-politics) speaks to the corruption that money has in the electoral process. We of course all decry what our supposedly rational Supreme Court in the Citizen United did to those of us that are against the peddling
Youth Football: Wanna Play Flag or Tackle?
Free Football Clinics: June 10-12, 4:30 - 6 p.m., June 13 ,2 - 3:30 p.m., Orcas School -- by Lin McNulty -- Orcas Parks and Receation is currently gathering interest for a Youth Flag Football Program here on Orcas Island. If there is enough feedback, they will be offering a
Public Facilities Grant Application Deadline June 15
-- from Victoria Compton -- A heads-up: The Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program (PFFAP) application deadline is on June 15. San Juan County runs this program using funding from gasoline taxes. This funding can help pay for public facilities projects in San Juan County, either as loans or outright grants. This
Ranker Asks for Ferry Reservations Input
-- from Sen. Kevin Ranker -- “Over the past several weeks, I’ve heard from many of you regarding your ideas, questions and concerns regarding the Washington State Ferries Reservation system. “I want you to know that I too have questions and share some of your concerns. While some of you
Land Bank Adds Two New Commissioners
-- from Tanja Williamson -- The San Juan County Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Wiese of Orcas Island, and Amanda Wedow, of Lopez Island, to serve as Land Bank Commissioners, effective immediately. Brian replaces Lisa Botiller, who served as Commissioner for six years, and Amanda fills
Strike Up the Band!
Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center ---by Margie Doyle The Orcas Island Community Band, 25 years and going strong! "We are the longest running musical group in the San Juan Islands!" says Karen Key Speck of the Orcas Island Community Band, as she describes the
Ranker: Samish the First New San Juans Ferry in Decades
-- from the State Democrats -- M.V. Samish christening. Photo: Saltwater People Historical Society Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, released the statement below [on May 20] in recognition of the christening of M/V Samish, a 144-vehicle ferry, to the state’s fleet. In 2011, as a member of the
Guest Column: Environmental Impacts of Electric Cars
--by Tom Owens -- As you consider buying one of the new all electric cars, some thought should be given to their environmental impacts. Since they run on electric energy, we should look at where that energy comes from and what environmental impacts that causes. There are at least three ways
Larsen Bill To Support Healthy Estuaries Passes House
-- from Ingrid Stegemoeller -- The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill that Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, introduced to fund estuary improvement projects in the Puget Sound region and nationwide. Larsen introduced the bipartisan bill with Rep. Frank LoBiondo, NJ-02, in February. H.R. 944 would reauthorize the National Estuary
Terry Johnson Student Art Show
Friday, June 5, 5:30-7:00, Orcas Center -- from Prof. Terry Johnson -- The Eleventh Annual Terry Johnson Student Exhibition at the Orcas Center opens with a reception June 5th, 5:30-7:00. This annual event will feature fifteen local artists, with new work from 2014 to present. Most of the artwork will be
Guest Opinion: Revenue Shortfalls in OPALCO’s Rural Cooperative
-- by Alex Conrad -- With regard to [OPALCO's] need to meet certain debt covenants, we hear a lot about ‘revenue shortfall’ [see orcasissues.com/new-opalco-surcharge-to-correct-shortfall ] Let’s pause for a moment and look at publicly available data, some of which may surprise you. At the end of 2014, OPALCO’s TIER (times interest
