One is too remote. The other is not for sale. And while the factors may differ, the Solid Waste Advisory Committee last week trimmed down from five to three the number of sites it will consider as the home of a new transfer station on San Juan Island.
The superintendent of the local educational service district will present the possibilities and pitfalls of consolidating the islands’ school districts Nov. 3, noon, at a yet-to-be-named venue in Friday Harbor. The meeting will be open to the public and will constitute a special meeting of the San Juan Island School Board. Orcas School District officials are expected to participate. The Lopez School Board will discuss participation on Oct. 29.
There will be a surprise in every OPALCO member’s October bill: a credit for a good portion of the electricity used during the October billing period.
Turns out, there are only 10 fewer students attending San Juan Island public schools right now, compared to the same time in 2007. There are 858 full-time-equivalent students (a kindergartner counts as .5 FTE, and some home school and private school students take only a class at a public school). In October 2007, there were 868 FTEs. An earlier version of this story compared the current FTE to last year’s head count, which is higher because the head count includes part-time students and kindergartners. The district receives per-student funding from the state — currently $5,411.70 per student — based on its annual average FTE enrollment.
Seven day-use parks would be shut down. A public health nurse and a 4-H coordinator would be let go. Support for recreation programs — on Orcas Island, in particular — would be cut by $41,000. And that’s just for starters.
At Cal’s request, no services will be held. His ashes will be dispersed in the waters of the San Juan Islands. Memorials may be made to the Animal Welfare Institute, Friday Harbor, (360) 378-8755.
Roller skaters, prize fighters, an abominable snowman, and root-beer floats served up on a ’50s-style diner rolled down the streets of downtown Friday Harbor in the annual Homecoming parade Friday. Enthusiasm rang high among the crowds of students on a rainy afternoon as they proudly displayed their eagerness to dominate the Nooksack Valley Pioneers, the opposing team in the Homecoming football game.
A fire destroyed an old laundry/storeroom/garage behind the former Virgil Frits house, across from the courthouse, this morning. There were no reported injuries.
The economy is weighing heavily on future and hopeful members of Congress, Legislature, County Council. About 70 islanders attended the candidates forum Oct. 11 at Friday Harbor Middle School, hosted by the League of Women Voters of the San Juans.
Buddhists for Obama will host “OM for Obama — Chant for Change” Nov. 1, 2 p.m., at South Beach. The event is open to the public. Contact Peggy Sue McRae, 370-5210, or pmcrae@rockisland.com
It isn’t easy running for office against a popular, four-term congressman. As Nov. 4 fast approaches, Republican Rick Bart is, in the main, upbeat about his chances to unseat U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Bellingham, in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes all of Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties, as well as parts of King and Snohomish counties. Upbeat, but realistic.
San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Randall Gaylord was elected secretary-treasurer of the Washington Association of County Officials during that organization’s 50th annual conference Oct. 6-10 in Spokane.
The Journal’s series of Candidate Q&As continues with candidates for 40th District state Senate. The 40th District comprises San Juan County and parts of Whatcom and Skagit counties, from Bellingham/Lake Whatcom to Mount Vernon. Senators serve four-year terms. Their annual salaries are $42,106 (effective Sept. 1) and they receive health benefits.
