Ten businesses that have refused to pay fire inspection fees – saying they shouldn’t have to pay for inspections by the county fire marshal or that the fee is burdensome – have been sent to collections. The San Juan Island Fire Department Board of Commissioners voted May 12 to send the delinquent accounts to AllianceOne, a collection agency. Any money collected by AllianceOne would be posted to the fire department’s budget.
With a request on the table, the Friday Harbor Town Council has agreed to enter into negotiations with the county on a possible sale or long-term lease of a portion of its property on Sutton Road. In a 4-0 decision, the council May 7 authorized town staff and its attorney to begin negotiations which may lead to a possible change in ownership of a 6.7-acre slice of the property, which includes the area the town currently leases to the county for its solid-waste transfer station.
Learn basic hands-on trail planning, construction and maintenance skills at a free workshop offered by the San Juan Island Trials Committee on May 29 and 30. The workshop will consist of a three-hour classroom session from 6-9 p.m. on May 29, and a field session from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 30.
Westcott Bay Sea Farm, at the end of Westcott Drive, will reopen on weekends for the season beginning Friday. The sea farm, known worldwide for its oysters and other shellfish, will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beginning June 22, the sea farm will be open week-long through the summer.
Village at the Harbour assisted-living apartments is offering a furnished studio apartment for short-stay respite care. “We have had several requests for these services from folks in the community,” administrator Seanene Kennedy said. “We all know how important it is for caregivers to get a break from around-the-clock care for a loved lone. We can provide that break by caring for the loved one in a safe, comfortable environment. The minimum stay is one week and maximum, 30 days.”
A good decision does not need to be defended. Good choices stand on their own merits. This was not the case in the recent guest column of May 6 by County Council members Pratt and Peterson.
Matt Cowell of San Juan Island aced the 12th hole en route to winning the May Masters tournament May 9 at Lake Padden Golf Course. It was Cowell’s first hole in one — 145 yards with a pitching wedge. Cowell started the back nine with an eagle, par, eagle, ace.
In real life, Patsy Cline was bigger than life. When Schuman launched into “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy,” we fell back in time, or Patsy came to us, her fans. Audience members sang along with Patsy. Some danced with Louise Seger downstage, while others cheered, applauded, or dabbed at their eyes. Amazing. Do not miss this show.
This profile is part of a series of profiles of Relay for Life team captains and other volunteers.
Six educators who want to be interim superintendent of San Juan Island’s public schools will be interviewed by the school board Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. in the Friday Harbor High School library. Two finalists will be selected; they will meet the public Monday and Tuesday, 5-6 p.m., in a forum in the Friday Harbor Middle School Commons. The final selection will be made by the school board in an open public meeting, the time and day to be announced.
David Lee Spurgeon of San Juan Island died May 13 of complications from a chronic respiratory condition, the San Juan Island Yacht Club announced Thursday.
Usually, the San Juan Island Celebrity Golf Classic has a guest star who headlines the list of celebrity regulars in the fund-raiser for the islands’ non-profits. This year, there will be four: Four-time World Series pitcher Jeff Nelson, U.W. football Hall of Famer Sonny Sixkiller, KING-5 Weekend Sports anchor Lisa Gangel, and Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney.
San Juan Colors, a local paint store approaching its 20th year of business, has a new location. San Juan Colors has moved from Airport Center Road to the Surina Business Park, 50 Malcolm St., No. 504, Friday Harbor. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call for service, 378-2806, other times.
