“May our lives bring light and joy to those around us!” These closing lines of Stage Left’s production of “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” bring a message perfect for 2009 and this time of economic uncertainty.
On the back of an envelope sent by a long-time friend and client was written: “In Friday Harbor we all are family!” We couldn’t agree more. Your outpouring of love for John and for us is amazing. We thank you all so very much.
The recent public forum concerning the purchase of 150 Nichols St. for historic preservation, public access, and a permanent farmers market revealed strong support within the community, but also some very important questions from community members. Most of these questions, such as parking, have been discussed in the pages of the Journal and other newspapers. But I’m hearing concerns that the Nichols project represents a “subsidy” to a small special-interest group — local farmers — and I wanted to add some perspective to this concern.
The severity of the illness and its symptoms are similar to the seasonal flu: Children will have fever and either cough or sore throat, and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea, and adults will commonly have fever, cough and/or sore throat often associated with body aches and headaches. In most cases, symptoms can be treated with bed rest, fluids, and fever-lowering medicines.
In these difficult economic times, it is exciting to see a project that can help local businesses without negatively impacting the environment. The local produce of our farmers is, in large part, sustainably produced, using a fraction of the greenhouse gas promoting fuels that off-island produce represents.
I urge the Town Council not to miss this one-time opportunity to partner with the county Land Bank and the Agricultural Guild to preserve this historic property and enhance the economy and livability of the town and the islands.
Every time government asserted itself into the health care system, I witnessed further reduction of patient access to quality care and an increase in a system where number of patients seen was more important than actually treating them. They were herded through so quickly there was no time for discussion with their doctors and our elderly patients were left totally confused by the system and about their own health.
The San Juan Island Family Resource Center has greatly benefited from the financial support of United Way. Support has included funding for the Prenatal through Four Program, the Mentoring Program, Readiness To Learn Program, the Preschool to Kindergarten Transitions Program, and the Rental Assistance Program. These programs are making a difference for the children and families in our community.
Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration decided to extend the comment period on its proposed regulations to close off much of the west side of San Juan Island to boat traffic in order to protect the orca. By doing so, they state that this will mean that the regulations cannot be implemented in 2010.
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.