Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
Firefighter’s union calls for independent investigation
||| FROM INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS (IAFF) LOCAL 3911 ||| The San Juan County Paramedic & Firefighter Association, IAFF Local 3911, is a Labor Union, representing the professional career Paramedics, EMTs and Firefighters of Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. In September at a membership meeting of IAFF Local 3911, the
Islander shares her experience in surviving an abusive relationship
||| SUBMITTED ANONYMOUSLY THROUGH SAFE SAN JUANS ||| To this day, I still don’t fully understand when my relationship became abusive. I was fully aware of what makes a relationship healthy and unhealthy, I knew all the signs to look for. And yet I still ended up in an abusive
Letter to Editor | My opposition statement to Charter Amendments
||| FROM GORDY PETERSEN ||| Opposition Statement to League of Women Voters Thank you for this opportunity to share my perspective on the proposed Charter Amendments. My name is Gordy Petersen and I’m from San Juan Island. I was an original Freeholder and chair of the first Charter Review Commission.
WSF releases alert bulletins re-establishing additional boats to all routes except San Juans
Albeit, for today only so far ||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| [Last Updated: Tuesday, October 19, 2021 04:26 PM] Edm/King -Update: Two-Boat Service Returns Edmonds/Kingston For Tuesday, October 19, Washington State Ferries was able to find sufficient crewing to add a second boat to the Edmonds/Kngston route for
Guest Opinion | Code red for American democracy
||| BY HEDRICK SMITH, RECLAIM THE AMERICAN DREAM ||| Hedrick Smith. For all the uproar among Democrats over restrictive voting laws passed by Republican legislatures in 17 states, Democrats have only recently awakened to the more dangerous threat to American democracy posed by Republican moves to take partisan
Letter to Editor | Shepler is the best person for Fire Commissioner
||| FROM DAN DAVID, RETIRED FIREFIGHTER ||| The Brotherhood/Sisterhood of the fire service is steeped in tradition, and the dedication of the Brothers and Sisters who work there can only truly be understood by persons who have experienced and entrenched in that life firsthand. Patrick Shepler is that person! In
OPAL in search of a Finance Director, puts out call
||| FROM LISA BYERS for OPAL COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ||| OPAL Community Land Trust is hiring a Finance Director. Join our team of dedicated, fun and hard-working people who care deeply about keeping the Orcas Island community as economically diverse, resilient and vital as possible. The position is part-time (16 –
Letter to Editor | Reject Charter amendments
||| FROM MIKE CARLSON, for SAN JUAN BUILDING ASSOCIATION ||| Proposition 1 adds new language: “Let us acknowledge we reside on the ancestral lands and waters of the Coast Salish people . . .” We cannot and should not speak for the tribes. The existing permitting process is already open
San Juan County employee recognized by regional Oil Spill Task Force
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force is honoring Marta Green with a 2021 Legacy Award for her committed leadership in developing and advancing the San Juan Islands’ Oil Spill Prevention Strategy. Over the last five years, Marta secured grant funding and managed two
Deer Harbor folks: Ballot delivery may be delayed due to Zip Code discrepancy
If you don't get your ballot, call the Elections Office ||| FROM CINDY WOLF, SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER ||| As Deer Harbor residents are aware, if we want mail delivered to our street addresses, we have to use a 98245 zip code. Unfortunately, the Drivers’ Licensing database folks think they
State Health Dept urging us all to get flu vaccine this year
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health is urging the public to get a flu vaccine this year to keep themselves and others safe and out of the hospital. Flu activity may be more common this year compared to last year because the
Orcas Health District meeting tomorrow via ZOOM
||| FROM ANNE PRESSON for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Agenda and materials for the 10/19 Regular Meeting of the OIHCD are now posted. You can access the meetings folder via the link below: https://orcashealth.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/OIHCD/ErmGXU4BAx5Fr_TmjBw2eL8BsxPtPtQmHIHOURK-Xu0LBQ?e=dBNi7V The meeting starts at 5 p.m. and will be held via Zoom. Details
Fall art for fun is back at SJIMA
||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| Don’t miss these entertaining and creative classes by Kristen Douglas-Seitz at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA). Art for Fun is a delightful two-hour art party set in a relaxed, interactive atmosphere. It is a great
Letter to Editor | We know we can trust Patrick Shepler for Fire Commissioner
||| FROM JANICE B. HALL ||| As the recipient of many visits following a 911 call, I have had the good fortune to see Patrick Shepler in action and get to know him as a friend. I urge my fellow citizens and voters to vote for him for the position
Join in on Zoom meeting to see slideshow of Karl Kruger’s Alaska adventure last summer
||| FROM CAROL DAPOGNY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| What did you do last summer? Karl Kruger went to Alaska Join the Orcas Island Library next Thursday, October 21st at 6pm by Zoom meeting as Karl shares a fun and amazing slideshow from his adventure! Karl will also speak on
EDC ferry service disruptions survey finds most respondents reporting negative impacts
||| FROM VICTORIA COMPTON FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| The EDC recently launched a survey to determine economic and social impacts to San Juan County residents, from recent Washington State Ferries service disruptions. Initial findings show that most residents responding to the survey reported negative impacts. Key findings from the
