Here’s a thought…
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Film Screening of FISH WAR
The Fish War isn't over. Instead of fighting over fish, we are fighting for the fish -- to keep them on this planet. - Nisqually Former Chairman Willie Frank III ||| FROM JESS NEWLEY for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| Panel Discussion + Lummi Blackhawk Dancers Commemorating the 50th
Letter to Editor | McVeigh brings new ideas to our old issues
||| FROM KATHY COPE ||| As a 35 year-resident of SJI, please join me in listening to Kari McVeigh’s plans to solve what is needed in San Juan County. Please read her solutions in the OPALCO summary in your Sept. Ruralite newsletter. Kari has been a Superintendent of Schools, balanced
Let’s play Magic at Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Come join fellow local Magic The Gathering players at the Orcas Library Sunday October 6 at 3 pm. The event is free. The format will be casual Commander play...and there will be free pizza and drinks. All ages and experience levels
Letter to Editor | Examining the McVeigh facts more deeply
||| FROM MARY CAMPANELLA ||| Re: David Johnson’s letter concerning Kari McVeigh: It’s annoying, but not surprising, that Kari McVeigh’s opponent and her followers would trot out these falsehoods for the third time when the truth has been spelled out for them twice already. But since Mr. Johnson believes “it’s
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council October 1, 2024
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The Council declared October 2024 as National Disability Employment Month. They got a letter from two advisory committees supporting the resolution in opposition to the state-wide ballot initiative 2117 that if passed would reduce funds for transportation, wildfire prevention, and clean air and
Letter to Editor | Why I don’t support Land Bank
||| FROM RON WHALEN ||| Posted on What’s Up with Free Speech was a question “What do you think is the biggest gripe people have with the Land Bank?” What a great question... I hardly know where to begin, but the following story might be a good place to start.
Letter to Editor | Land Bank is instrumental to our way of life
||| FROM NANCY LARSEN ||| I am enthusiastically voting for Proposition 1 to renew our San Juan County Conservation Land Bank. It goes without saying that over the last 34 years, the Land Bank has been instrumental in enhancing our way of life by protecting water resources, forestland, working farms
Have thoughts on our ferry system?
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Customers are encouraged to participate in the current Ferry Riders Opinion Group survey to share your thoughts on all things Washington State Ferries. The survey is hosted by the Washington State Transportation Commission to hear feedback and suggestions directly from ferry riders. Those looking
County employee Union endorses Kari McVeigh, expresses equal support for both Rick Hughes and Justin Paulson in upcoming County Council election
||| FROM AFSCME LOCAL 1849 EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR SJC EMPLOYEES ||| Approximately 55% of San Juan County’s 293 employees are represented by the public employee union AFSCME, Local 1849. Our Union represents a broad array of staff employed across a diversity of disciplines, including the County’s public works road crews,
Dave Kosiur library art exhibit
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Art in the Library program of the Orcas Island Library features the photography of Dave Kosiur for the month of October. Dave appropriately titled his exhibit The Land, since he has been photographing the grand landscapes and small details of the
Marilee Whitehouse Holm featured this month at Artworks
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for ORCAS ARTWORKS ||| Marilee Whitehouse Holm. The Artworks is excited to present our October featured artist Marilee Whitehouse Holm. Marilee, a long time Orcas resident, began “doing art” in high school. She continued to pursue her love of art by completing BFA in
Fibershed Workshop this Weekend
||| FROM SAN JUAN MAKERS GUILD ||| Fiber enthusiasts: there is a Fibershed program brewing in the islands ... This weekend, come enjoy a fun 2hr weaving class, or stop by to visit the Warm Valley Orchard fiber studio during the Farm Tours if you'd like to get a little
Letter to Editor | “Justin time”
||| FROM DEBBI FINCHER ||| I've been researching the SJC County Council District 2 candidates because I don't want to vote for someone just because of name recognition. I'm happy to say I found what I was looking for. I found a quality candidate, and it's Justin Paulsen. Justin Paulsen's
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council September 30, 2024
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The Council recognized September 30 as Orange Shirt Day, known in Canada as Truth and Reconciliation Day, to remember the children of first nations and tribes who were forced into residential boarding schools where many died. The county manager briefed the council on
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease outbreak
||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| There have been multiple reports this past week of dead feral European rabbits on Orcas and Lopez. While test results have not yet come back from the state veterinary laboratory at WSU, the evidence suggests a fresh outbreak of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2),
