I recently attended a public meeting on the Critical Areas Ordinance, or CAO. I noticed that almost all of the questions to the speakers concerned how the economic interests of property owners could be protected, and how the impact of the CAO could be minimized for them. Here’s an equally valid concern: How many compromises can happen before precious natural assets are seriously harmed? Natural resources need to be protected from property owners and their byproducts. The resources to be preserved are not just pretty flowers. There are obviously high-value assets, such as salmon.
On Sept. 14, San Juan County Public Works Director Jon Shannon told the County Council that he planned to present a 2011 balanced budget for solid waste that would be a “one-station” system and would close the San Juan Island and Lopez Island transfer stations! This proposal is not acceptable and should be discarded now without spending more time on it.
Brent Johnson and Rob Nou want to be the next sheriff of San Juan County — the first new sheriff in 24 years. In their own words, the sheriff is the face and voice of the Sheriff’s Office. Nou: The sheriff articulates the philosophy of the office, the vision of that office, sets the tone for what that service looks like. The sheriff interfaces with the County Council, Town Council, builds and develops relationships with agencies in the region, provides overall guidance of the office. Johnson: The sheriff gives the department direction, is a good role model, writes the budget, interacts with elected officials. The sheriff oversees emergency management and 911. The sheriff’s office is a soapbox from which the sheriff can help different activities that affect island life. Learn more about these candidates at upcoming forums. Ask them about their priorities, and how they will manage the law enforcement and budgetary challenges of the next four years.
Commissioners of San Juan County Fire District 3 will have a special meeting Friday, 3 p.m., in the Mullis Street Fire Station to discuss the potential impact on the district in providing fire services to the Town of Friday Harbor.
Friday Harbor Town Fire Chief Vern Long was expected to be back on the job Sept. 20, but as of Sept. 22 was still out on medical leave. Deputy Chief Tom Eades told The Journal last week that Long had told him he expected to return Sept. 20. Town Administrator King Fitch told the Town Council the same thing Sept. 16. But as of Sept. 22, the word in Town Hall was this: Chief Long was still out on medical leave.
Sept. 21 was International Day of Peace. To honor the occasion, 10 students from Friday Harbor Elementary School flew a large peace dove around the playing fields of the school.
The first thing Shari Ashbaugh noticed was the smell. Or rather, the lack of it. After breaking her hip this summer, Ashbaugh was admitted to Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands, formerly Islands Convalescent Center, for rehabilitation. Like many people, Ashbaugh thought of Life Care Center as more of a nursing home — a place associated more with aging than regaining health.
This week’s Journal has 28 pages of News, candidate interviews, Opinion, Business, Sheriff’s Log, Almanac, Island Scene, What’s Happening!, Weddings, Around Town, Sports, Classifieds, At Your Service Professional Directory, Legal Notices, and local advertising.
Friday Harbor Mayor Carrie Lacher and County Councilman Howard Rosenfeld were married Jan. 1 on Whidbey Island. While not secretive about it — they told friends and town and county officials after-the-fact — they’ve been quiet about it because, they say, they get enough attention as public officials. Their dinner wedding — at a friend’s house on Whidbey Island — took place the day Lacher took office as mayor. No one from San Juan Island was present. The newlyweds spent their wedding night in a seaside cabin that was formerly part of the Captain Whidbey Inn.
San Juan County Health Officer Frank James is asking parents of pre-school and school-aged children to check their children’s vaccination records and be alert for the symptoms of whooping cough, clinically known as pertussis. This summer, the health department identified three different clusters of confirmed cases on Orcas and San Juan islands.
How many times have you wondered where you can find items available on San Juan Island? “The Style” is being created as an opportunity for businesses to showcase the variety of merchandise available here.
Social media is revolutionizing the way we use the Internet, and its low- or no-cost tools can be used by small businesses to achieve remarkable results. Join instructor Victoria Compton to learn more about social media and SIM — social influence marketing.
Do you have an idea for a new business? Do you already own a small business? The Lopez Island Family Resource Center’s fall Small Business Class will be held on Mondays, 5:15-7:15 p.m., in the Lopez Island Library beginning Sept. 27. The class is open to all San Juan County residents.
