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
Letter to Editor | O’Day’s has vast knowledge of land use issues
||| FROM PETER HARRISON ||| I strongly urge you to vote for Stephanie O'Day for San Juan County (SJC) Council this November. I met Stephanie in 2018 while I was working for the San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD). I was working as a Land Use Planner processing
Letter to Editor | I am a big fan of Justin Paulsen’s dedication
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN ||| I am so excited to joyfully endorse Justin Paulsen for San Juan County Council seat #2, representing all the islands. Having only known Justin for the last two years, I am impressed by his community-focused, action oriented and kindhearted work to make San Juan
Orcas ECEI Summer & Fall 2024 Report
||| FROM DON WALTERS for ORCAS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ||| The Orcas Early Childhood Education Initiative steering committee (ECEI) met in June and August and distributed $69,670 to the three early-learning preschools on Orcas Island: Kaleidoscope/Forest School, Orcas Island Children’s House, and Orcas Montessori. This funding provides 5,300 hours of
What building maintenance, repairs, improvements are necessary to achieve Senior Center mission?
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Built in 1999, Orcas Senior Center is now 25 years old in need of maintenance and repairs that would be required for any building of this age. Full ownership of the building will allow the nonprofit to secure grants and use
WSF hosting virtual, system-wide public meetings
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| As summer comes to an end we’re hosting virtual systemwide public meetings to look ahead to fall service and recap our busiest season. Join us on September 24-25 as our staff will answer questions and provide updates on workforce development, new vessels and more.
All Islands Read returns — to include all four islands this year
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The All Islands Read (AIR) event returns this year with a mission to build community spirit through a shared reading experience featuring acclaimed author and musician Willy Vlautin and author and poet Jane Wong. This year’s program will expand from Orcas
FH Soroptimists accepting applications for yearly award
||| FROM BARBARA SHARP for SOROPTIMISTS INTERNATIONAL ||| Soroptimists International of Friday Harbor has a yearly award of $4000 for a women who is the primary support for her family, who is enrolled in a vocational training or other educational program, and who has financial need. This award can be
Letter to Editor | Be sure to vote in Eastsound Water election
||| FROM RANDALL GAYLORD ||| Members should be sure to vote in the Eastsound Water recall election even though this election lacks checks and balances we are accustomed to for removing public officials from office. When a recall of a public official is made, the Prosecuting Attorney prepares a ballot
2024 Orcas Lit Fest is coming on Sept. 14
||| FROM MATTHEW GILBERT for ORCAS ISLAND LIT FEST ||| The Orcas Island Lit Fest is pleased to present the 2024 Lit Walk in Eastsound on Saturday, September 14, 2024. This vibrant, annual (and free!) literary event will feature yet another exciting lineup of local and regional authors, poets, and
Orcas Community Resource Center’s commitment to harm reduction
||| FROM MEGAN EHRMANTROUT for COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| September marks National Recovery Month, a time to raise awareness about substance use treatment, mental health, and the ongoing challenges faced by individuals on their journey to recovery. The Orcas Community Resource Center is committed to supporting community members through accessible
Letter to Editor | I’m all in for Justin Paulsen as County Councilmember
||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON ||| Justin Paulsen has my full support in this November’s election for seat #2 on the San Juan County Council. I’ve known Justin for nearly 20 years and admire his tireless service to community as a builder, as a parent, as a coach, as an advocate
OIFR seeks to hire, establish hiring list for current vacancies
||| FROM KAT BARNARD for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 Is seeking to fill one vacancy and create an eligibility hiring list for a Fire Medic/Duty Officer position. Method of Application and Deadline: OIFR has engaged outside assistance for this search.
Letter to Editor | In support of Kari McVeigh for Council
||| FROM PATTY GARCIA ||| I am writing in support of Kari McVeigh for County Council. Affordable housing is a primary concern for our county. As Superintendent at Shaw Island School District, Kari has led the successful effort to build affordable teacher housing there, a positive and innovative way to
It’s not too late for reliable interisland ferry service
Commentary: San Juan County interisland ferry had 110 cancellations out of 502 scheduled sailings in the first 20 days last month ||| FROM ALEX MCLEOD for SALISH CURRENT ||| It’s been almost a year since The Seattle Times offered the stark (and, to many of us, belated) view that Gov. Jay
SJC tourism at a crossroads? (Part 1)
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, theORCASONIAN OP-ED REPORTER ||| The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau (SJIVB) contract is up for renewal at the end of this calendar year, and discussion has centered around the question of whether it should be renewed, if so under what conditions, and if not, how should
Council reviews Visitors Bureau contract to balance destination marketing
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the September 10 meeting, Councilmembers discussed how the County should proceed with its destination marketing efforts – particularly as it pertains to a contract with the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau (SJIVB). After recapping past conversations and evaluating data and strategies from other
