San Juan Island Park and Recreation Commissioner Jim Ricks is resigning.

Ricks, the county's 911 coordinator and crew member on the sheriff's boat Guardian, recently retired as a San Juan EMS paramedic.

Ricks was appointed to the commission in May 2004 and elected to four-year terms in 2005 and 2009. He was commission chairman in 2005.

The commission is soliciting letters of interest from persons who interested in serving on the commission. The appointed commissioner will serve until the November 2011 election. Submit a letter of interest to Island Rec Board of Commissioners, 580 Guard St., P.O. Box 1946, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. You'll attend an interview at the Oct. 7 commission meeting at 5 p.m., in the Island Rec office. Selection of a candidate is planned to take place that same evening.

The commission meets on the first Thursday of every month at 5 p.m. In addition to participation in board meetings, commissioners act as a liaison on special assignments and with other community organizations, and volunteer at special events and projects.

San Juan Island Park and Recreation District, locally known as Island Rec, operates the Family Park and Skatepark, Eddie and Friends Dog Park and the San Juan Island Trails Committee. Additionally, it runs a year-round comprehensive recreation program. As authorized by voters in the 2009 general election, Island Rec is the main funding source for the Friday Harbor High School sports program.

To learn more about serving on the commission, contact Recreation Director Sally Thomsen at 378-4953, or contact one of the current commissionersL Bill Cumming, Jim Ricks, Tracy Roberson, Alisa Schoultz and Scott Zehner.

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