One of the many reasons not to flush medicines down the drain or throw them out with the trash is to prevent the chemicals from decomposing in water and soil. Our local wastewater treatment plants are not equipped to remove contaminants from medicines. Also, pharmaceuticals thrown out with regular garbage can leach out of landfills and this leachate may not be adequately treated.
As a past fire chief for Friday Harbor, I, too, was initially skeptical about the need to spend around $600,000 for a new fire engine. So I spent time talking to Chief Long and other fire personnel and became convinced this is a necessary expenditure in the best interests of the town.
For six years of his life, my very large dog, Toby, lived in a big house on several acres of land. He spent the day running and exploring anytime he wished. Then things changed for us. I needed something smaller and easier to keep up, so Toby soon found himself in a small town home with the tiniest back yard. I walk him twice a day but that is not enough. He knows when my days off are and eagerly waits to be loaded in the car for a trip to his favorite place, the dog park, and do his favorite thing, play ball.
An open letter to the Friday Harbor Town Council: I am writing to encourage your support of the Nichols Street farmers market proposal. We are all well aware of the social, cultural and nutritional benefits of having a vibrant farmers market in our community. We must also be made aware of what a positive economic impact this has on the town.
This is a response to Christine Miller’s letter in regard to locating the Farmers’ Market at the fairgrounds (“Move market to fairgrounds,” page 6, Nov. 4 Journal). I agree that it would be wonderful to see the fairgrounds develop into a thriving community resource, but I do not support the idea of moving the Farmers’ Market there.
As a student in San Juan County, I am upset and disappointed that Referendum 2008-2 was passed Nov. 3. Referendum 2008-2 will ban the possession, use and detonation of any fireworks without a permit. There are only two differences that I found between the state law that bans fireworks, and the county law: It bans the use of “safe and sane,” which include sparklers and pinwheels, and it bans the use of these fireworks on Fourth of July without a permit.
I want to thank our voters for their support of San Juan County Proposition No. 1. The levy lid lift approved assures continuation of our vital, key county programs that support seniors, health services, parks, 4-H, and more for at least six years.
Congratulations to Mayor-elect Carrie Lacher. As the first woman elected mayor of Friday Harbor, she completes an important chapter in the town’s history. Now the hard work begins. Major challenges loom, particularly how to meet infrastructure needs amid declining revenues. Programs, services and employee hours are proposed to be cut to make the 2010 town budget balance. If she follows through on her campaign pledges, and continues a collaborative approach to tough issues, her mayoralty could be distinguished by its successes. But she’ll have to be courageous. Here’s a course we’d like the new mayor to take.
When islanders look back on 2009, they will remember Friday Harbor’s 100th birthday and all the resulting events: The community celebration on Feb. 9, a history book published by Arcadia Publishing Co., the largest Fourth of July parade in memory, the shattering of the last local glass ceiling with the election of a woman to the mayoralty for the first time.
The Friday Harbor Tiger cheerleaders will visit businesses and homes upon request to cheer for donations Nov. 12 and 13, after 3 p.m., to raise money for their trip to the Senior Football Championship Game this week. The game is Nov. 14, 4 p.m., in Mount Vernon. It will be an overnight trip.
Today is Veterans Day, a federal holiday. Banks, local government offices, post offices and schools are closed. Connie Auge Salon (555 Spring St., 378-8540) is offering free haircuts today for veterans. American Legion Post 163 (378-5705) is hosting a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. for members and guests.
In 2008, Sedro-Woolley beat Friday Harbor’s sixth- and seventh-grade junior team in the championship. In 2009, those same Tigers — now comprising the junior and senior teams — hoped to counter the defeat in the championships again. The Junior Tigers came up short in a valiant effort. The No. 2-ranked Juniors faced No. 3-ranked Anacortes Seahawks first at Nugent Field in Oak Harbor, Saturday. Outnumbered 2 to 1 in players, fans and cheerleaders, the Juniors were on the same field where the Seniors came from behind to win Oct. 31.
Nov. 11 is Washington state’s 120th birthday. We became the 42nd state on Nov. 11, 1889. Check this BLOG FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE for a post about the big date, as well as population comparisons then and now.
