Here’s a thought…
“And, frankly, I would like to make the U.S.-Canada relationship boring again.”
RICK LARSEN
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 improvements. 34 of 39 Counties in Washington State are governed and managed by a set
Much To Do on Orcas This Weekend
Planned power outage beginning at 11 p.m. The OPALCO crew will be opening switches, which shuts off the power, to create a safe environment in which to work on the repairs. Members who live in Olga up to Youngren’s Pond will be out of power from 11 – 11:30 p.m.
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 would vote for them again. I know that they both give 150% to whatever engages
Call for Actors: Audition for Galileo
Call for actors of all ages. Seeking actors of all ages to audition to play multiple parts in Galileo, a play by Bertolt Brecht, translation by David Hare, directed by Robert Hall and performed on the OffCenter Stage January 24 - 26, 31 - February 2, 2013. Open auditions are
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 government over the past twenty years as a county committee volunteer and as an elected
Unitarian Universalist Service Oct. 14: “Where Are We Going?”
Rev. Barbara Gilday will lead the service on Sunday, Oct. 14, for the Orcas Island Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Her topic will be “Where are we going? From Peace Corps to sofa surfing to gap years and modern-day nomads; from strict religious separatism to diversity to inclusiveness, even merging. What does
Open House for Leadership San Juan Islands Class
From Leadership San Juan Islands Leadership San Juan Islands (LSJI) is a county-wide program which fosters leadership skills such as facilitation, collaborative problem solving, and public speaking as well as the analysis of local systems related to governance, economics, social services, history and culture, education and the environment. LSJI will
Ten Eye-opening Facts I Learned about Coal Shipping
It can't happen here? This is what the 1989 Exxon Valdez 11 million gallon crude oil spill looked like, transposed to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Salish Sea and Pacific coast. (Reprint use only with permission from Orcas Issues.) By Chom Greacen of Lopez NO COALition San
Tickets Still Available for Historic Barns Tour
Schmidt Barn (by Ray McBride) will be part of the Orcas Island Historic Barns Tour this weekend. By Margot Shaw Tickets for the 2012 ‘History Lives Here’ Historic Barns Tour, sponsored by the Orcas Island Historical Society, are now available online at: orcasmuseum.org/Orcas_HIstory_Lives_Here . Tickets are also available
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 existing model is similar to U.S. House of Representatives and is the best method for
2013 Nautilus Book Awards Open for Submissions
Orcas Islander Marilyn McGuire, staff and judges of the Nautilus Book Awards have announced that the 2013 Nautilus Awards is now open for submissions. The Nautilus Awards represent "Better Books for a Better World." Now in its 13th year, this unique book award program continues to gain prestige with authors
Sing Kingston Trio Favorites with the Surrey 3
The Surrey 3, from left: Bill Murlin, Carl Burger and Carl Allen. They will perform Oct. 10 at the Olga Energetic Club The Wanderers -- Bill Murlin and Carl Allen -- will return to Orcas and sing with Carl Burger and special guests at a "Hootnanny Dress Rehearsal."
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 working hard the past few years to insure that our students will have a safe
Orcas Community Council Meets for Open Discussion
October 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall From Gretchen Krampf In November 2011, a few islanders hosted the first gathering of the Orcas Community Council (O.C.C.) to discuss the ballot issue of Solid Waste on Orcas Island. On October 14th, the conversation continues as we
County Party Heads Both Support Charter Propositions
No polarity here! Democratic and Republican party heads both support amendments to the County Charter From Gordy Peterson It may be newsworthy when there is agreement about good governance in San Juan County. Pictured, from left: Michelle Loftus and Ron Zee.
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 at the State level took our part-time council member counterparts seriously. They simply were not
