— from Julie Duke, Executive Director, Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center —
If you haven’t heard, we unfortunately had to cancel the Bite of Orcas, scheduled for this upcoming Saturday, the 23rd. It was to be the 20th anniversary of the event.
We were unable to get enough restaurants to participate this year, they all said they were to understaffed to take on the extra commitment. We are hoping to reschedule it at the end of summer, perhaps the weekend after Labor Day, when restaurants have said they will have more staff. So, if you would like to let people know there will be no big tent of food and wine/beer after the pet parade that would be great.
This has been very difficult for us, as it is our only large event on Orcas, and, as I said, it was to be the 20th Anniversary, but we completely sympathize with the restaurants. The proceeds are much needed for us this time of year, baby season, when we have so many mouths (and beaks) to feed.
I don’t know if this is just “hearsay” or not, but I’ve heard that restaurants and other businesses are having trouble hiring enough staff because of the lack of affordable housing on Orcas.
Hope the Bite can happen at the end of summer.
Laurel, I have heard the same thing – but right from the horse’s mouth! Numerous businesses are short staffed because they have nowhere for their incoming staff to live. The problem stems further on…the plot thickens!
I agree. Another factor is low wages. When I came here 30 yrs ago, wages were much higher than anywhere else in the State. No longer true! Also there Was affordable housing for rent at low enough rates.
Spirit Eagle
Next, add in the ferry reservation system.
@Susan How is the ferry reservation system responsible for employers not being able to hire sufficient staff? If anything, that would make the commute easier since you know you’d have a spot on the ferry and wouldn’t have to show up more than 30 minutes before the boat. In any case, I doubt people working at restaurant wages are commuting from Anacortes by car in the first place. I know many people don’t like the new ferry reservation system, but it really isn’t the root cause of all the problems here on the island.
Hi Jim, layer upon layer….don’t get me started!
One thing often impacts another. love, Susan