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County Works To Improve UDC
The San Juan County Council will conduct a public hearing in the Council Hearing Room on Tuesday (05-22-12; 10:15 AM) to receive testimony on a proposed Ordinance relating to agricultural sales, recycling, and clarification of terms.
Section 18.30 of the Uniform Development Code includes regulations intended to advance and control the some of the goals and policies of the County Comprehensive Plan that relate to agricultural.
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Watson Arrested On Old Charge
 San Juan Island resident Captain Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (based in Friday Harbor) -and a co-founding director of Greenpeace- gets a lot of press, and with a recent arrest he is in the news again
To say Watson is controversial is a grand understatement, but it may not be an overstatement to say he has single-handily done as much, if not more, than anyone to publicize, and to take direct action against, the slaughter of whales; legal or otherwise.
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CC & PC Joint Meeting Friday On Fish & Wildlife Habitat CAO Regulations
The San Juan County Council and Planning Commission will conduct a joint public hearing on a proposed ordinance amending the Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservations Areas Section of the County’s Critical Area Ordinance.
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Orcas Discussion Abut HistoryLink.org
Marie McCaffrey, Executive Director of HistoryLink.org, the nation’s first encyclopedia of community history created expressly for the Internet via video conferencing will give a presentation at 10am on Monday, May 14th at the Orcas Library Conference Room.
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Spring Time Is Scam Time For Asphalt Paving “Deals”
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(GAPA Photo)
The traveling paving scam is one Washing State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) inspectors see every spring.
In a recent case, a homeowner was approached in mid-April by a contractor who offered to pave her driveway with asphalt for $6,300. He asked for payment to be made in cash. Several days after the work was done, the asphalt began to crumble.
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Council Selects Interim County Manager
Small world. Pete Rose heads for Lake Forest Park and, their interim City administrator heads to San Juan County as the new County Administrator, as the County begins a nation wide search to replace Rose.
There were three candidates interviewed, with two making it to the final cut list. After an executive session with the final applicant, the Council opened the meeting, council member Rich Peterson moved to cut the list to the “last two applicants” and after a quick around the table ranking of the two, the council members they were faced with a split unofficial "vote."
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Armchair Tour Of Lighthouses
National Historic Preservation Month Event:Evergreen Lighthouses, Washington & Oregon, Saturday, May 19, 3:00 PM at the San Juan Historical Museum Resource Center.
lighthouse author & historian Elinor DeWire leads us on a colorful armchair tour of the lighthouses of Washington and Oregon, past and present.
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OPALCO & EDC Invite Community To Broadband Forums
Join OPALCO and the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) to learn more about the broadband project and to give your input and ideas at five Community Broadband Forums, on Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw islands, from May 14-16.
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Rodgers Back In Jail - Drugs
(PRESS RELEASE) - On May 2, 2012 detectives from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office arrested Chelsea Sue Rogers, 25 of Friday Harbor for Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act; to wit the sale of cocaine and marijuana.
The new crimes are alleged to have occurred while Rogers was out on bail from a previous drug trafficking case (Related Story), in which she has pled guilty, involving the attempted purchase of 1000 Oxycodone tablets.
Rogers remains in custody.
CAPR To Meet With BLM Today
CAPR (Citizens Alliance for Property Rights) San Juan has been working on evoking a formal Coordination process regarding concerns and issues and some of the potential issues of the ongoing BLM (Bureau of Land Management) plans for their lands located in the San Juan Islands.
The Coordination process is relatively unknown to the average citizen, but it can be a powerful tool to ensure the goals and policies -and rights- of one government agency (and sometimes a lone citizen or group) are addressed by another government agency.
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National Historic Preservation Month Event
(SJHM photo)
Hear Fish Tales with John Wade & Terry Jackson Saturday, May 12, 3:00 PM.at the San Juan Historical Museum Resource Center.
Hear fascinating tales of yore about the glory days of fishing in the San Juans. Learn about the people, the boats and the fishing methods used when salmon was king. Copies of the recently released publication The Fishermen and The Fisheries of the San Juan Islands will be available for purchase. Suggested donation $5, museum members no charge.
-- Guest Column --
Priorities
By Christopher S. Laws
 Priorities are an order of things that rise to the top of our attention; most people will say that family is their number one priority, or faith, or values of some kind. Priorities are a window into the soul of a person and announces to the world a core set of beliefs that will take precedence over anything else that may arise in that person’s life.
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Land Bank Debt Hits Hard
The Land Bank is looking to reduce costs as debt payments continue, but income drops. The Land Bank’s Conservation Area Fund (CAF) has been hit hard due to lack of revenue from real estate sales, and the slow down has resulted in budget projections for the Land Bank being too optimistic.
And then there is all that debt acquired in paying off bonds sold to finance large purchases, debt that exceeds two million a year.
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Council Will Slog Through Wetlands CAO Field Trip Monday
The County Council will hold a special meeting on Monday ( Monday Agenda) to take public comment at 8:45 am on the Wetlands Section of the Critical Area Ordinance (CAO), and then at 12:15 pm will meet to carpool out to visit examples of different wetland classifications -the public may follow along and observe.
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1st Quarter Looks Good For County, But...
County Administrator Pete Rose reports the First Quarter Financial Report better than last year at this time. According to Rose: “The reader of this report will get the feeling that this budget is doing OK after the cold winter months.” Based on the accounting of San Juan County's income and expenditures through the end of March this year, Administrator Rose said the County will not need to go through another early round of budget cuts as it did last year.
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Gregoire Declares Whooping Cough Epidemic
Gov. Chris Gregoire has made emergency funds available to the state Department of Health to help curb the epidemic of whooping cough (pertussis) underway in Washington.
In addition, Gregoire is urging health care professionals to get vaccinated and vaccinate their patients, and she announced federal approval for health officials to re-direct some funds to buy several thousand doses of pertussis vaccine for adults.
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Young Friday Harbor Man Found Dead
The body of Ryan Ochoa, age 20, was discovered inside a storage unit in Friday Harbor where he had apparently been living.
Ryan had been missing for sometime, and it was known he had a problem with drugs. Family and friends had been searching for him, but without success until Friday Morning when a family member located his body in the storage unit
The initial investigation indicates that he died of a drug overdose several days ago. His body has been transported to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
FISH FOR TEETH Brings ToothMobile Back To San Juan Island Fri & Sat
 (Medical Teams International photo)
Fish for Teeth, the local organization of commercial fishermen and local dental professionals, is bringing the ToothMobile back to Friday Harbor for the second time, Friday & Saturday (May 4-5) -and on Saturday they will also be serving up fish tacos as well
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RICHARD FRALICK WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION
 "Now that an eminently qualified candidate, Rick Hughes, has declared his intent to run for the District 4, Orcas West Council position, I am happy to announce that I will not seek a second term as a member of the San Juan County Council. On Orcas Island we are very fortunate to have people of the caliber of Patty Miller and Rick Hughes willing to represent us.' -Richard Fralick
Councilmember Fralick said he is looking "forward to having the time and energy to pursue my many other interests. I thank my neighbors for giving me the opportunity to serve as their County Council Representative. It continues to be an honor."
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-- Guest Column --
Freeholders New Form Of Government
 By Stephanie Johnson O'Day
In 2004 this county elected 21 Freeholders to review and propose a new form of government - Home Rule. I remain a proud member of that versatile group. It was during those meetings I learned the importance of listening to all points of view - and the art of compromise. We entered into the task with an open mind and worked for nearly a year to produce San Juan County's Home Rule Charter.
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County & Some Members Of Public Confused By "Forms"
According to a County press release, County Councilmembers Patty Miller & Richard Fralick said they received “calls and complaints” about the difficulty of filling out the information required on forms labeled “San Juan County Response to Shoreline Inventory Report,” which the public assumed were County forms.
While the County did have a form that could be down loaded, filled out and submitted, it was a simple lined paged with out extensive instructions, and some in the County did not even know it was on the county website.
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Pete Rose Resigns
(Pete Rose at his desk -SJC photo)
Administrator Pete Rose resigned his position Tuesday (05-01-12) morning, effective June 8, to become city administrator of LFP (Lake Forest Park) in King County. Rose was one of six finalists for the position of City Administrator in early April, following a nationwide recruitment process by LFPark. On April 30th Mayor Mary Jane Goss announced Donald D. "Pete" Rose as their new City Administrator.
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SJI Rotary Improving Water Quality
(Rotarian in India distributes water purifiers to local schools -Rotary photo)
The San Juan Island Rotary Club is doing its part to make the tragedies of poor sanitation and water quality in India a little less burdensome.
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No More Closed Sub-Committee Meetings
Until recently the County Council has been united in refusing to allow the public and the press to attend their frequent sub-committee meetings, arguing they would not be free to fully express their thoughts on County policy, regulations and management if there was the possibility of reading about it in the local media.
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Confusion On County vs. Private Form?
County Council members Patty Miller and Richard Fralick reportedly received complains about a form that can be filled out and submitted to the County by April 30th, as part of the on-going update of the Shoreline Master Program.
The County does have a simple one page form, but in response to the complaints about "some other form", said no form was in fact required to make comments on a Draft SMP (Shoreline Master Program) Inventory and Characterization report that listed existing conditions and uses of the shoreline in SJC.
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Peak Season Surcharge Begins May 1-And Small Cars Get A Bigger Discount
(Small cars get a parking advantage on ferries too -IG photo)
The peak season surcharge begins Tuesday, May 1 and will be in effect through Sunday, Sept. 30.
As Washington state ferries (WSF) voyage into the peak travel season, all ferry fares will increase except for vehicles shorter than 14 feet, which will have a decrease in fares.
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“Peak Oil” Presentation
Dr. James Murray, UW Professor of Oceanography will address the collision of rising demand for oil with the inelastic supply; including increases in production of non-convention oil sources in his presentation “Peak Oil”, Mon May 21st , 7 pm, SJI library. Free. Sponsored by League of Women Voters.
Support Art Friday
The public is invited to "Works of heART" Friday, May 18th at 6:30 at the Mullis Center for an opportunity to support the FHES PTA efforts to raise awareness and funding for elementary school art education programS.
27.1 Tons Of Hazardous Waste Collected In County
A total of 251 island householders and 31 businesses safely disposing of flammable, toxic, corrosive or reactive materials at this spring’s county wide hazardous waste collection events.
Concert Opera Returns To FH For A Mother's Day Event
Puget Sound Concert Opera returns to Friday Harbor this Mother's Day weekend on Saturday evening, May 12, 5 pm, at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church.
Brickworks Cake Walk
Celebrate family and community at the first annual Cake Walk on the Plaza. Saturday May 12th from 11:00 -1:00, at Brickworks, 150 Nichols St., Friday Harbor. Come early to vote on the best-decorated cakes, with People’s Choice Awards, and prizes for the top five cakes.
A Celebration Of Life
The Parents of Ryan Nolan Ochoa (1992 ~ 2012) invite you, the family, friends and community to join them in a celebration of Ryan’s life, Thursday May 10th, at 1:00 pm at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church.
All are welcome who care to join. In lieu of flowers, a Ryan Nolan Ochoa memorial fund has been established at Islanders Bank.
Mother’s Day Orchid & Bake Sale
Support the Friday harbor animal shelter at the Mullis Community Senior Center from 9 AM till noon on Saturday May 12th.
SJI School Text Book Reviews
San Juan Island School District Proposed Textbook/Curriculum Adoption Public Review is now open to to the public for comment.
Interested students, parents, and community members are invited to review and make comments regarding the district’s proposed adoption of the following textbooks and curriculum materials:
Lopez School District Sells Bonds To Repay Loan
PRESS RELEASE - At a Special School Board meeting on April 25, the Lopez Island School District Board of Directors authorized the sale of $1 million of bonds, as solidly approved by voters in the February 2012 election.
FH “ToothMobile” & Fish Tacos
 Saturday is Time for Teeth & Tacos as the “ToothMobile.” a fully equipped 40-foot mobile dental van, is at the Mullis Center Saturday, & $7.00 XL fish tacos at Spring Street International School; Proceeds go to Fish for Teeth!
In only two days local dental professionals logged 51 volunteer hours, performing nearly $13,000 worth of dental treatments, on 28 individuals when the ToothMobile was in Friday Harbor in January.
Rummage Sale
Don’t miss the Relay for Life multi-team rummage sale Saturday, (05-05-12), Islanders Bank parking lot. Find your treasures and support a great cause.
Rick Hughes Wil Run For Fralick's Position
PRESS RELEASE: ~ Rick Hughes, President of Ray’s Pharmacy, announced that he will run for County Council position #4 (Orcas West) in the upcoming November election.
Hughes, local business leader and community activist says, “Our community is at a crossroads, with many tough decisions ahead. I fear that we have taken a path away from community and towards self-interest.
Pratt Will Run For Re-Election
PRESS RELEASE: ~ San Juan County Councilmember Lovel Pratt will run for re-election. Lovel Pratt is in her 4th year on the Council. “It is an honor to serve on the Council representing District 1,” said Councilmember Pratt.
Charter Commission May Wrap It Up Sat In FH
The San Juan County Charter Review Commission (CRC) may be able to finalize their recommendation on Saturday (05-05-12) at the San Juan Grange from 8:30am to 2pm. Public input is welcomed at 9am and again at 12pm (after lunch). Chair Gordy Petersen said the group may decide to hold additional meetings if something unexpected comes up.
Council Receives PC Wetlands Ordinance Recommendations
The San Juan County Council will review the Planning Commissions recommendations of the Draft Wetlands Section of Critical Area Ordinance at an Early Start Special Meeting on Monday, May 7, 2012 in the Legislative Hearing Room, beginning at 8:45 AM. Special agenda items include the discussion and Wetlands Fieldtrips. Addition related Wetlands Ord material Here.
Canada To Increase Marine Mammal Protection
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has finalized a set of proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations (MMR) of the Fisheries Act.
Spot Shrimp Opens May 5
OLYMPIA - Sport fishing for spot shrimp Marine Area 7 (San Juans) opens May 5 at 7AM and will be open May 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19. Fishers are limited to 80 spot shrimp per day. A valid 2012-13 fishing license is required to participate in the fishery.
"Teen Brain" & Drug & Alcohol Use
The San Juan County Youth Council is asking for all teens and community members to join in the conversation about Drug And Alcohol Use in our community and the effects these substances have on the teen brain.
1912 60’ Boat For $3K? Maybe..
Sealed bids will be accepted in the Port marina office for the sale of a 1912 60’ purse seiner, USCG Documentation 220226. Bids must be in the form of a cashier’s check in a sealed envelope with the bidder’s name, address and telephone number. Bids must be presented before 12:00 noon on Thursday May 10th, 2012 at the Port office, 204 Front St., Friday Harbor and will be opened immediately after. Vessel may be viewed by appointment. Minimum bid is $3,000. Vessel must leave Port premises within 72 hours. Please contact Jeremy or Tami at the Port office 360-378-2688 for information.
Training For Oil Spills
Islands' Oil Spill Association is giving a free class on Sunday, May 6, on Lopez Island to train people who would like to help with Search & Rescue/Collection of Oiled Birds in the event of an oil spill in or near the San Juan Islands
Upcoming Children’s Festival Schedule
( File photo, past festival)
The SJI Children’s Festival will be on May 5th from 10am to 2pm at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. The entire event is free for kids of all ages. There will be over 30 activity providers, plus live entertainment for kids to enjoy on the main stage inside the Fair Building.
Know The Story Of Lime Kiln?
“They clear-cut all the forests to feed the lime kilns…or did they?” Learn history, mystery, and myths about the limestone mining and lime production on San Juan Island, and how our unique natural history played an important role in its success.
Dr. Marcia Zakarison Scholarship Fundraising Dinner
 On April 28 at 5pm, at the mullis senior center, the first magic happens fund raising dinner will be held to raise funds for the marcia z. scholarship for san juan island students planning a career in the healing arts and Medicine.
Lynette King Guard
December 28, 1922 ~ April 21, 2012
Lynette Guard’s memorial service will be at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church this Sunday, April 29th at 4pm.
Lynette King Guard (Nammie), 89, passed away peacefully at her home on San Juan Valley Road, San Juan Island, WA, Saturday, April 21, 2012. With her, were her two sons, Rex and Frankie Guard, daughter in law, Lisa Guard and the thoughts and prayers of those who loved and cared for her.
PeaceHealth Medical Center To Post Job Openings
Planning is now underway to staff the new medical center under construction on San Juan Island. According to Lauren Gilmore, Human Resources recruiter for PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, staffing needs should be finalized next month.
SJC Needs Volunteers
The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. The following is a list of current vacancies:
Fields of Dreams Fundraiser
Sneak peak of some of the Fields of Dreams auction items, by clicking HERE; including a new BOAT! All happens April 21, 2012 San Juan County Fairgrounds 4:00 PM. FHAA is organizing this fun filled, family oriented BBQ and auction to help raise the remaining funds needed to get the first phase of your community sports fields complex completed.
Sheriff, Deputy Prosecutor Receive Safety Award
(Rob Nou & Kim McClay -SJCphoto)
On Wednesday, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission honored San Juan County Sheriff Rob Nou and Deputy Prosecutor Kim McClay with Target Zero Traffic Safety Awards for their work in tackling the problem of impaired and drunken drivers on the County’s roads.
Flags At Half-Staff Friday
 Gov. Gregoire has directed that flags be lowered to half-staff Friday, April 20th, in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Ramon T. Kaipat, 22, of Tacoma. Kaipat was killed last week while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan.
“Francie’s Follies” Wednesday
“Francie’s Follies,” a don’t-miss, once-in-your-lifetime performance that can loosely be described as a water ballet, will be held on Wednesday, April 18, starting at 7 pm, at the Fitness Club on Argyle, to raise money to provide free swim lessons to island kids
"Rabbit Tales"
The San Juan Historical Society & Museum presents "Rabbit Tales," a fireside chat Sunday, (04-22-12) 3:00 - 5:00 pm, at the SJI Grange Hall, about the history of rabbits on San Juan Island from the 1930's to the 1970's.
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