Fake News Friday is a series from the Journal’s social media accounts where we fact-check island rumors submitted by readers.

The Rumor: “The mayor position in Friday Harbor is simply a figurehead with no real responsibility.”

This fact is: FALSE.

Primary Source: Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) and Association of Washington Cities’ Mayor and Councilmember Handbook.

Friday Harbor has a council-mayor form of government. In this form, the Council is the legislative branch (meaning they create policy) and the mayor and town staff are the executive branch (meaning they administer policy). The mayor is the CEO of the town: the mayor hires and oversees the Town administrator and staff, presents the initial budget plan to the Council and then implements the finalized budget. In times of emergency, the mayor is in charge. Although a part-time position, the mayor does, in fact, have a lot of responsibilities. For more information, see the Mayor and Councilmember Handbook.

The Journal combats rumors and fake news around the island by fact-checking and seeking direct answers from the source. What rumors have you heard lately that you’d like us to check in on?