I can only be amazed at the strange logic displayed in Mr. Ludwig’s letter regarding cell towers (“No more cell towers in SJC,” page 6, Dec. 15 Journal). He urges the County Council to ban more cell towers on the basis that they cause people to break the law. After all, there are laws regulating cell phone use and prohibiting texting while driving. But his solution is to restrict the rest of us because of some people, mostly younger according to his letter, who elect to behave irresponsibly.
I am the father of the latest pitbull attack victim and I am outraged that yet again we have to deal with another attack in this community. My three-year-old son was attacked and bitten by a pitbull in the parking lot of the San Juan Island Library as he was trying to attend a children’s play group to see Santa with many other small children present.
A pitbull has been released to its owner after a 10-day quarantine at the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter, after it bit a 3-year-old going to the San Juan Island Library to see Santa Claus. The dog was observed for signs of illness and behavioral problems, shelter manager Leslie Byron said. “It was fine. It didn’t show any aggression toward anyone.” The dog was released Dec. 27, she said.
2010 was a tough year. We have reason to believe 2011 will be better.
As of this writing, our county jobless rate is 6.9 percent. That means about 550 of our friends and neighbors are collecting unemployment checks. And the actual unemployment rate could be higher.
The top 10 stories of 2010, based on local impact and interest, as determined by the staff of The Journal of the San Juan Islands.
A memorial service is being planned for Dave Ross, former president of Aeronautical Services. Mr. Ross, 65, died Dec. 24 at University of Washington Hospital from complications from a lung transplant. His wife, Judie, was at his side.
Kristine Lytton, who takes office Jan. 10 as a 40th District representative in the state House, has been selected as vice chairwoman of the House Education (K-12) Committee. She will also serve on the Capital Budget Committee and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
Former county information services manager George Johnson filed a claim Dec. 16 against San Juan County, alleging he was fired Aug. 23 in retaliation for reporting perceived irregularities in how equipment had been purchased by the Public Works Department. The county claims the decision to fire Johnson was made two weeks before he questioned the purchases, and that the decision was based on performance, reorganization and lack of funds.
The San Juan County Citizens Salary Commission has voted to give Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord a $19,000 pay raise, putting him in a tie for the title of highest-paid public employee in the county.
Bad timing. The commission should know that just because it can approve a raise, it doesn’t mean it should. Not when public positions and services have been cut and public employees are taking unpaid furloughs.
We believe public employees, even those at the top, should be paid good, livable wages. We believe Gaylord’s current annual salary of almost $130,000 is a good, livable wage. We also believe public service positions are just that; they are about public service, not the paycheck.
During the holiday season, we are all encouraged to think of our neighbors and open the purse for good causes. Need on San Juan Island, however, is year-round. And the island hosts a great variety of ways to give back from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. The following are just a small selection of ways in which a little time and effort can make a difference.
San Juan County’s insurance carrier — a pool of Washington counties — has settled an unlawful arrest claim for $75,000. Sheriff Bill Cumming said Dec. 22 that his officers acted appropriately during the arrest and “I think we had a defensible case.”
The Whale Museum has asked the National Marine Fisheries Service to abandon a plan to attach dart tags onto the dorsal fins of Southern Resident killer whales, and instead adopt non-invasive measures to track the orcas’ movements outside the Salish Sea. The darts create wounds that can result in infection, Whale Museum officials state. They said photos showing the result of earlier satellite tagging support their conclusion. In addition, the satellite tags give detailed information for a month or so that they remain operational, the museum contends.
Shoppers: This is your last chance to get in on the Chamber of Commerce’s “Shop Local” event and take part in the gift basket drawing that will be held on Jan. 4. To join in, just visit the following retailers between 4 and 7 p.m. this Thursday, Dec. 23. You’ll collect a stamp card from the first retailer you visit, and a “footprint” stamp. After you’ve collected all 16 stamps, turn in your stamp card for a chance to win the gift basket, valued at over $300.
