Rick Hughes to Run for Orcas West Council Position

Rick Hughes, Orcas businesssman and candidate for the Orcas West position on the San Juan County Council

Rick Hughes, President of Ray’s Pharmacy, announced that he will run for County Council position #4 (Orcas West) in the upcoming November election.

Hughes, local business leader and community activist says, “Our community is at a crossroads, with many tough decisions ahead. I fear that we have taken a path away from community and towards self-interest. We need to be able to live together, even when we disagree. To settle our differences in a civil fashion and strip the anger away and repair our amazing sense of community.”

“As an operator of a small business in Eastsound and a former Fortune 100 executive, I have seen what it takes to run an organization in an efficient manner. As a concerned citizen I have seen how people can work together to solve problems like a county-wide drug take back program or garbage cans in Eastsound.

“Everyone can make a difference.”

As owner of Ray’s Pharmacy, Rick helped develop the San Juan County Drug Take-Back program. Hughes also runs a property management group; serves as Treasurer of the Orcas Island Farmers Market Association, and Eastsound Water Users Association; is a board member of Eastsound Planning and Review Committee; volunteers as Little League coach; and will serve as the incoming PTSA Co-President.

Rick’s family has been on Orcas Island since 1944 and his wife, Marlace, is a fourth generation Orcas Island resident. Prior to moving to the island, Hughes was an executive with ESPN. A former National Outdoor Leadership School graduate and National board member of Outward Bound Wilderness, Hughes’ passion is
youth education in wilderness environments, farm to table sustainability and local produce for local schools.

Hughes says, “My pledge to the community is to operate a fair, honest and transparent government, to work for better communications and interaction between County employees and the public and to have County government serve as an aid to the public. In short, to give the government back to the community.”