Here’s a thought…
“No one, I mean no one, has the right to sit in judgment of who’s American enough.”
MICHELLE OBAMA
Letter to Editor | Rick Hughes has my vote to re-elect him to county council
||| FROM BOB DISTLER ||| Over the past eight years on the council, Rick has taken a pragmatic, balanced and thoughtful approach to the issues we all care about. He has demonstrated a view of the council’s mission that actively represents and advocates for all members of our diverse island
At age 83, Orcas islander votes for first time in Presidential election
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, EDITOR ||| Born in New York City, Tony Ayer moved to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands at age eight. After going to school in the states, he returned to St. Croix where he spent 75 years. All U.S. Virgin Islanders are citizens of the US and
Letter to Editor | Rick Hughes exhibits tireless integrity, commitment
||| FROM ROXY MARCK ||| “What can I do to help?” Over the years of his tenure I’ve heard this question a number of times from Rick Hughes. It has always been a heartfelt offer of assistance regardless of the situation. And where he can he puts action to those
Two long-term Orcas Fire & Rescue leaders retire
||| BY SUSAN MCBAIN, REPORTER ||| Two of Orcas Fire & Rescue’s battalion chiefs and paramedics recently retired, prompting resolutions of gratitude and respect from the Board of Fire Commissioners. Patrick Shepler retired in October after 41 years as a firefighter and paramedic, the last 15 of those years with
Letter to Editor | Concerns about Cindy Wolf
||| FROM PHIL PETERSON ||| Ms. Wolf advocates: Adding another layer of government to, and defunding, the Sheriff’s Department. (theOrcasonian 06.24.20). As Vice-Chair of SJC Democrats per resolution calling for a Citizens Advisory Council and “Rearranging the Budget” in every community in this country. Empowering white college educated women with
Letter to Editor | Our current reality requires tested leadership
||| FROM REGAN VAUGHN ||| I'm not typically one to shout my politics from the rooftops... but today I feel compelled. Our island community will be filling their ballots in the coming days - not least, to elect our district's next County Council Member. Both candidates running for this non-partisan
Letter to Editor | When three’s not the charm, aka Island Hospital — a cautionary tale
||| FROM PENNY BUTTKE ||| My friend Difa has just decided to marry her ex-husband for the third time. “This time it will be different,” she says. “I just don’t see any way to live without him.” Over 150 of her friends have begged her to reconsider but she decided
Fire Commissioners meeting tonight via ZOOM
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE FOR OIFR ||| Regular Meeting Agenda San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 Monday – October 19th, 2020 5:30 p.m. Online / by phone via ZOOM: Dial # (253) 215-8782 / Meeting ID: 830 6388 3216/ Passcode: 050248 Commissioners: Tim Fuller, Janet Marlow, Jim Helminski, Wesley
Letter to Editor | The politics of the middle
||| FROM WILLIAM APPEL ||| These are polarized times. While all are free to express their opinions, I believe it renders little if any service to the public for a political party to support nonpartisan county candidates. The original county charter made offices controlled by the charter non- partisan, and
Letter to Editor | No more effective advocate for San Juans than Rick Hughes
||| FROM BRUCE AGNEW ||| There is no more effective advocate for San Juan Islanders in Olympia and Washington DC than Councilmember Rick Hughes. His persistent leadership on ferry issues with the Governor, WSDOT, legislators and congressional leaders has earned him respect and a prestigious appointment as the sole county
School superintendent checks in as end of first quarter rapidly approaching
||| FROM ERIC WEBB, ORCAS SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ||| The weeks have passed quickly since the start of school, and it is hard to believe that student conferences and the end of the First Quarter will soon be upon us. With the ongoing support and dedication of our students, parents, and
Islanders mailed 6,000 Vote Forward letters to inconsistent voters nationwide
||| FROM GERI TURNOY ||| Starting this past February, women and men from Orcas Island have been engaged in the Vote Forward letter writing campaign to Get-Out-The-Vote in vital swing states. These letters were non-partisan and did not mention specific political parties or candidates, but merely encouraged voters to let
Letter to Editor | EPRC should revise village housing proposals to Council
||| FROM CHRIS BEAN-HEARNE ||| I quote an email sent by Brian Weise, committee member of the EPRC, to the island group working diligently on the vacation island rental problem. “In the interest of good communication and coordination I’m writing to let you know that the EPRC has submitted to
Letter to Editor | Why I support Kim Wyman
||| FROM RANDY GAYLORD ||| We are so lucky that Kim Wyman is asking for your vote to another term as Secretary of State. Kim has built upon the legacy of Ralph Munro and Sam Reed to demonstrate what a strong election leader can do to inspire voting and protect
Letter to Editor | Funhouse beyond grateful for support
||| FROM EMILIE GINCIG FOR FUNHOUSE/COMMONS ||| Thanks to YOU, our 20th Anniversary Virtual Fundraiser was an incredible success! We surpassed our goal and we are beyond grateful for your generosity and support! Our raffle winners will be contacted early next week. We can't thank you enough! Missed the Virtual
Letter to Editor | Women supporting Ryan Palmateer for the future of our county
||| FROM GERI TURNOY, SHARON ABREU, ALISON LONGLEY, STEPHANIE BUFFUM, LAURA JO SEVERSON, SUSAN GROUT, PEGGY ROADS, and ALEXANDRA GAYEK ||| We have a wonderful candidate running for County Council in District 1, and his name is Ryan Palmateer. We have gotten to know Ryan over the last year and
