A total of 16 groups will share $409K in county lodging tax dollars in 2015. The LTAC facilities grants are about half of the lodging tax funds available for distribution by the county.
Contested races coming up for San Juan County treasurer, sheriff, court clerk. Even though most candidates are unopposed and the county council has decided not to put any charter amendments on the ballot.
DNR launches new program to assist vessel owners without means to dispose of a bad boat. Many of the more than 60 boats on his program’s watchlist could be candidates for free disposal.
Under current county law, land in the open-space farmland program must be returned to active farming within 10 years or the owner must enter into a conservation easement permanently prohibiting development in order for a reduction in the land’s property tax assessment to continue.
The new Community Solar Program will be kicked off on San Juan Island at the Island Energy Fair on Saturday, May 17. Also on the schedule are a Home Energy Conservation Workshop, a solar home tour, and demonstrations of energy-related technologies.
Before the fire, the building housed Downriggers Restaurant, Friday Harbor Marine, San Juan Excursions and San Juan Safaris. The fire devastated the operations of all four businesses.
After another successful island ride introduced Washington Bike Month so appropriately, the Lopez Chamber’s Lia Noreen said, “We think Lopez and the San Juan Islands are a big reason the state’s been honored seven years in a row, and we’re happy it came just a few days after our successful event.”
Those on Lopez will have to travel off-island to score legal weed, at least until the state Liquor Control Board reopens the window to apply for a marijuana retailer license later this summer. But Lopezians won’t have to travel far. Potential retailers were approved for Orcas and San Juan Island, one for each.
The Navy says the June 7 to June 13 closure may affect Lopez Island and the San Juans more than the earlier closure, but that the level of jet noise will depend on wind direction and takeoff and landing patterns on particular days.
Results of the board election, in which outsider Steve Hudson fell just 50 votes shy of unseating incumbent Glenna Hall, wasn’t the only “news” announced at the 78th OPALCO annual meeting, Saturday, May 3, on the inter-island ferry. So was the pending retirement of co-op’s general manager and name of his heir apparent.
The three proposed amendments include relocation of a required sidewalk on Carter Avenue, from Guard Street to the ball fields, construction of a 1,440 square-foot pump-house and maintenance building, and relocation of the family playground area to an area nearer the restrooms and parking lot.
“I’m disappointed in the decision and in the fact that the very brief opinion was unpublished, which is an impediment to obtaining Supreme Court review,” CAPR attorney Dennis Reynolds said of the appellate court decision.
Five islanders talk about their interest in OPALCO’s upcoming annual meeting and board of directors election. Six candidates are seeking election to the board, and two member-initiated bylaws amendments are also on the ballot.
