Here’s a thought…
“The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.”
ALDOUS HUXLEY
Rick Hughes appointed to National Broadband Task Force to bridge digital divide
||| FROM NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ||| WASHINGTON – National Association of Counties (NACo) President Gary Moore today announced the formation of a broadband task force. The task force, comprised of nearly three dozen county government officials from across America, including Rick Hughes, San Juan County Council Member, will study
Recapping recent COVID-19 news, updates from state Health Department
||| FROM DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 99,150 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on October 19. There have been 2,282 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and
Panel discusses threats to the Salish Sea
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, REPORTER ||| On October 13, the Lopez Island Library hosted a panel of legislators and environmental advocates titled “Protecting the Salish Sea in the Time of Covid-19.” The event was put together by Community Rights San Juan Islands (CRSJI), a Lopez-based nonprofit exploring strategies for legally
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
