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Fighting Polio & Rocking The Dock On 4th
(Islanders Bank President Bob Coleman presents a check to SJC Rotary President John Kalbert)
San Juan Island Rotary Club’s seventh annual “Rock the Dock” Street Party, sponsored by Islanders Bank, will be held at the Port of Friday Harbor on July 4th starting at 6:00 P.M. until the fireworks begin.
Tickets are $10.00, children age ten and under are free. The proceeds will be used to match the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation $100 million grant for the polio eradication of Polio.
Polio cases have declined 99 percent since the 1980’s when the program began. 2 billion children have been immunized, 5 million spared disability, and over 250,000 deaths have been prevented. The ticket purchases -and donations that can still be made- will help to continue this work.
The popular show band Timebenders of Victoria B.C. will be the featured band again this year for Rock the Dock, the annual Fourth of July family street dance held on the Friday Harbor waterfront. The Gurus of Retro Rock, this 8-piece ensemble delivers fast-paced, zany antics fueled by straight up rock n' roll energy.
“We bring the band back every year because they are such a huge hit with families who want to celebrate the fourth together,” commented Past Rotary President Jack McKenna. “It’s not uncommon to see three generations rocking out in front of the stage.”
Food, beer, wine and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages are available in the venue. End your day with the music of the Timebenders, and a seat to watch the fireworks display.
Harbor Seal Pups Are Coming
 By Nadia Rifat and Michelle Barbieri
Summer is in full swing, and the harbor seal pupping season in the San Juan Islands is underway. For those of you that encounter harbor seal pups on the beach, there are a few things to remember.
Often, it is normal for a harbor seal pup to be on the beach.
To produce milk, the mother must eat, too. Because the pup is less able to swim and keep warm, she often leaves the pup on the beach while she forages for food. These healthy pups are not abandoned and are alert, often noisy and usually roly-poly. Please give them space and keep pets, boats and people away.
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Council Adopts “Phase One” Budget Cuts
SJC Press Release:After much discussion in its special session today, the San Juan County Council unanimously adopted - with three amendments - the first phase of what promises to be a series of cuts to the remainder of the 2009 County operating budget.
The County Administrator and Auditor had proposed cuts totaling $933,121 spread across the County’s 19 departments. Today the council voted to retain more than $28,000 in the Sheriff’s department budget to avoid having to lay off a currently serving deputy when another deputy - who has been on a leave for military service in Iraq - returns in September. And, after an emotional appeal from County Assessor Charles Zalmanek, the Council voted to postpone action on a proposed $21,313 cut to the Assessor’s budget until a committee consisting of the Assessor, a representative of the Washington Department of Revenue and a Council Member agree on a minimum level of staffing required to perform the Assessor’s duties under state laws and regulations.
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Hit By Another Quake. Good News?
Another earthquake hit our region nine minutes after five Wednesday morning. The last one was between Orcas and San Juan, but this one was centered two miles east-south-east of Coupeville, and was a 3.7 quake.
The last one was a 2.3 quake that hit us June 25th; also in the early hours.
The one before that was a 4.5 quake in January of this year. One theory is that a number of small quakes may forestall one big one. But no one really knows.
What is known, is that Yvonne Swanberg on San Juan Island felt it at her house, and she has not seen her pet cat "Spike" since.
Guilty Plea In Animal Cruelty Case
San Juan Island resident Rory M. Wilcox pleaded guilty in Superior Court to “Attempted Animal Cruelty in the Fist Degree” and “Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree.”
Wilcox was sentenced to 45 days on each count, with the sentences to be concurrent; plus a fine and court costs of $2,800.00.. And he is not allowed to possess any pets until, and if, allowed by order of the court.
Had he not plead guilty, but been found guilty in a trial, the sentencing could have been harsher, with a maximum sentences of a year in jail and a $5,000.00 fine.
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Why An Additional Tax For Island Rec?
Unlike the other islands, San Juan Island has a Park & Recreation District that collects a tax on property. This is in addition to the property tax that goes to the County Parks department.
As a junior taxing district they, like school districts, can ask the voter to approve a tax levy. By law the maximum term for the Park & Recreation District levy is six years. After that, a new levy needs to be passed to continue operations.
The maximum levy amount allowed is 60 cents. At the general election on November 3rd Island Rec will ask voters to renew its current 10 cent levy for continuing Island Rec’s operations, and also included an additional seven cents to it.
The addition will be earmarked as a sustainable funding source for the middle and high school’s WIAA sports program. The SJI School District (SJISD) has already reached its levy capacity and cannot ask for more funds, but the new tax levy will help Island Rec & SJISD To Fund Athletics.
Island Rec has provided the following “questions” one might ask, and then presented their explanations and answers to the questions:
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Assistive Technology For Loan At SJI Library
Thanks to a new grant the San Juan Island Library is lending high tech digital talking book players for people with low vision.
Magnifiers, lamps, and other devices are also available. These are all part of the “try before you buy” collection of aids that may help people with various disabilities such as low vision or stroke continue to read in a variety of formats from audio to large print.
Each item may be borrowed, just like a library book, for three weeks, and the loan period may be extended if no one else is waiting for the item.
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New Tax Law Started Last Year
No longer do Washington retailers collect local sales tax based on the jurisdiction from which a product is shipped or delivered. This cost local communities the tax money collected from sales to their citizens. But a change in the tax law means when you buy off-island, the tax money returns to the County.
Things changed starting July 1, 2008, when begin collecting sales tax based on the location where the customer receives the goods; the destination of the sale.
This switch to destination-based sourcing of local sales tax stems from legislation enacted during the 2007 legislative session that conformed Washington’s sales tax system to the national Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA), allowing Washington to participate in this national program as a member state.
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Baby Billboards Busted
 The County has not been successful in convincing some business owners that there is a sign code, and that it should be followed. Illegal signs have been tagged by the County since 2007, but compliance has not been effective. Now, no more Mr. Nice Guy.
San Juan County has for years outlawed “off premises outdoor advertising signs”, and years ago there was even an attempt to ban real estate for sale signs; but that turned out to have some legal consequences, and so are allowed. One exception in the code is special events signs in Eastsound, which can be displayed once a year for a maximum of 30 days.
In the old days (as in, like, a few years ago) folks just followed the law, and only posted temporary signs advertising personal or non-profit events, such as garage sales and the like.
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New Firefighters Join SJI Fire Department
New San Juan Island Fire Dept. members completed the practical portion of wildland training (see photo below) and an off-road driving course this month. .
Neither of these important events would have been possible without the support of the community.
Roche Harbor Water and Roche Harbor Village generously made their equipment and property available for both the driving class and the live fire training. A special thank you goes to the neighbors and disc golf players that endured the smoke and disruption during the live fire training.
The next opportunity to join the department as a paid on call firefighter will be in September when the structural firefighting class begins. For more information check www.sjifire.org and www.sjifire.blogspot.com
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Our Award Winning County Treasurer
 Founded in 1983, the Washington Municipal Treasurers Association (WMATA) has provided the local governments of Washington with opportunities for education, networking, and working to improve and promote the treasury management profession. And, from time-to-time they present awards.
San Juan County Treasurer Jan Sears (submitted photo left)) was recently so honored.
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Council Clerk Moves On
(CC Clerk Ann Larson shows farewell card from County Council)
“The County has been like a family to me. At times a slightly dysfunctional family . . .”
If the County Council thought they could take a good humored stab at their departing clerk, suggesting that accepted a job with newly elected State Senator Kevin Ranker was analogous to stepping off a cliff, they may not have expected an equally on-point repartee from her.
In her prepared remarks to the Council, she compared her previous research in South America working with primates : “Surprisingly, chasing monkeys in the rainforest and working for politicians was much more similar than I expected.”
She will now be working with a new politician at the state level. Larson said she plans to continue living on San Juan Island, and will commute to the mainland to run a new office Ranker plans to open, but will be in Olympia when the legislature is in session.
The Council has joked about Ranker’s Raid on their staff, but one sensed that while making light of it, they were not quite so happy about the matter as their joking indicated.
Staff member Lisa Brown has been appointed the Acting Council Clerk while interviews are conducted to find a replacement for Larson.
The Local Face Of PeaceHealth
 The move to build a hospital on San Juan took another step forward this week, as PeaceHealth named Jim Barnhart (photo left) as their lead for the “planning and implementation phase of building and operating a new Integrated Medical Center at Friday Harbor.”
The San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 Board of Commissioners (Board) approved a contract with PeaceHealth in March of this year, and are in negotiations to purchase land near the airport for the hospital.
Nancy Steiger is the CEO and Chief Mission Officer for PeaceHealth operations in the “Whatcom Region, and is the person Barnhart will report to. She stated ““Jim was the clear choice to lead this work, given the success he’s had guiding Peace Harbor Hospital since its opening in 1989. Jim’s strength is his commitment to quality, collaboration and community. We’re looking forward to the work we’ll do together in building the new Integrated Medical Center for residents of the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1.”
PeaceHealth reports that Mr. Barnhart will officially begin work on a part-time basis on July 1, and project he will be full-time sometime next year,
Fire Prevention Education
 Kiyomi Farish and 25 other pre-school students from Children¹s House visited the Eastsound Fire Station this last week as part of Fire Prevention Education. The "Junior Firefighters" learned about life at the fire station, the special gear needed to stay safe and the emergency response vehicles.
Speaking of response, from June 19 to 25, Orcas Fire & Rescue responded to: 2 falls, 10 medical emergencies and 1 hysterical reaction to pop star M. Jackson¹s death - all which resulted in 6 AirLift NW transports.
This week's 13 emergencies required a total of 61 responses by individual members. The average medical call takes 1 paramedic and 2-3 additional responders and can last anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours.
A "Thank you!" to all of the volunteers in San Juan County for all the hours they take off from work, sleep and family time, to serve our community.
Gregorian Chant Sat In FH
Schola Antiquae Vocis, a female "a capella" choir directed by Renato Chiera, will bring its concert program of Gregorian chant to St. David’s Episcopal Church in Friday Harbor on Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 PM.
The music will be performed in Latin to perpetuate ancient musical tradition. The suggested donation for adults is $10. Youth under the age of 18 are welcome to attend for free.
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Public Hearing Wed On Budget
PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance to amend Ordinance 59-2008, Ordinance 10-2009, Ordinance 8-2009, and revise the San Juan County 2009 Budget Appropriations to account for projected reductions in revenues and make minor changes in other funds. Milene Henley, Auditor, will make presentation to the Council at 9:00 a.m., after which the public will be allowed to testify on the proposed ordinance.
New BC Salmon Farm Possible
A new re-zone has been approved in British Columbia that may lead to construction of one of the largest new salmon farms on the west coast. Concern is being expressed that the approval is the opposite action needed to protect endanger wild salmon runs.
“Wild salmon from the Fraser River, southern Vancouver Island and even Washington and Oregon States migrate through this narrow channel,” said Will Soltau of Living Oceans Society. “We are shocked the Regional District would support the delivery of this devastating blow to wild salmon populations.”
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2.3 Earthquake In The Islands
There was an early morning earthquake Thursday at 01:24 AM, with the epicenter located seven miles north-north-west of Friday Harbor (between San Juan and Orcas island).
The quake movement was at a depth of 8.3 miles. Only a few people took notice, however it did move things enough to wake some.
-- Open Letter To County Council --
 Dear San Juan County Council Members,
Just by considering the 100 foot set back on shoreline properties, you have given dramatic weight to that idea and created fear and uncertainty for those considering the purchase of a waterfront lot or older waterfront home.
As direct result you have effectively stopped the sale of at least $3.4 million worth of transactions for two island homeowners that I know of, so I can only guess what the cumulative effect has been.
Based on 1.53% excise tax, that loss cost the County $52K in taxes, the Land Bank lost $34K and both of those purchases would have involved a remodel/expansion of an existing home equal to at least another $2+ million.
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Required Repairs Complete On Sutton Rd Transfer Station
San Juan County Public works as issued a statement that they have now "corrected all of the employee safety hazards that were identified during a Washington State Labor and Industries health and safety consultation visit at the San Juan Island Transfer Station in April."
According to solid waste manager Steve Alexander there may now be longer wait times, since -in his words- "We won’t sacrifice worker or customer safety in order to compensate for an inadequate facility.”
Alexander was the lead for the Public Works recommendation to build a new transfer station at the Beaverton Valley Road site; a recommendation made formal by the SWAC (Solid Waste Advisory Committee) but rejected by the County Council.
Read full story
---- Editorial ----
Gaylord’s Joint Lawsuit Costs County $28K
 When County Commissioners Alan Lichter, Kevin Ranker, and Rhea Miller gave their approval, County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord (file photo left) joined San Juan County in the controversial San Juan County v. No New Gas Tax law suit with the cities of Seattle, Kent and Auburn, there was some criticism that it was not an issue for the County to get involved in.
Turned out that was good advice. At first things went well in the suit, with a win in Superior Court in Thurston County. But when the Supreme Court got involved through the appeal process, things quickly turned against Gaylord and the County.
After the Washington Supreme Court ruled against San Juan County in an unanimous decision, the possibility of financially liability for the County became a possibility.
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Council Moves Forward On Limited “Peddling” Ordinance
 Acting on a large number of business and citizen complaints, the County Council approved moving forward on an ordinance on Monday that will establish a “use permit” requirement for use of public property for vendors.
The ordinance is ostensibly intended to set up an orderly process to control so-called peddlers making sidewalk sales and vendors selling goods out of trucks and on the sidewalk.
While the ordinance does require a permit process, and while it is a county ordinance, it only applies to Eastsound on Orcas; and based on the reasons for it coming forward for discussion and approval, one may be excused for referring to it as the Gary Franco ordinance.
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“Touring Watch” Impacts Ferry Schedule
 Captain Suzanne E. Englebert is the Commanding Officer of the Seattle Coast Guard sector, and she is receiving requests from federal, state and county elected officials to take a second look at her recent mandate on an “8 on 8 off” work period for ferry workers.
If the new policy goes into effect as planned, WSF (Wa State Ferries) will no longer overnight a boat in Friday Harbor. This will result in a push back of the red-eye ferry out of Friday Harbor, and the removal of the 5:00 pm boat.
The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce has identified four possible negative impacts of the ruling”
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$333K Tourist Tax Divvied Out
How to split up the lodging tax money is always a big question by those who have an opinion on what the priorities should be for awarding it.
The money is collected as part of a tax from those who rent a room in San Juan County. Who gets the money is determined by the county council after they receive a recommendation from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC).
Leaving aside the early historical fights over how the money should be spent, the discussion these days is over how much should be spent to promote tourism -which feeds the fund- and how much should be spent on facilities and programs to off-set any negative impacts and needs of tourists.
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Turtleback Public Access Progress
 (Trail building on Turtleback)
The public use of the Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas has been a bit contentious for the SJC Land Bank, but at the county council meeting on Orcas the council was given an update on the progress to allow compatible uses of the trail system (see trail map below).
The council was also told of some of the ongoing problems, such as off-trail use and unleashed dogs. The challenges of multi-use were outlined as safety considerations; infrastructure installation and maintenance; resource protection; monitoring of all aspects, and managing conflict and resource degradation.
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DNR Warning On Old Burn Piles
Wildfire prevention experts with the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are encouraging landowners to take time to check forest debris piles that may still be smoldering after being burned earlier this winter or spring.
“Each summer, we respond to debris burn piles that were not put out effectively,” said Loren Torgerson, DNR Northeast Region Manager. “This year, more than 41 escaped forest debris fires have burned over 140 acres in the northeast region of our state.”
But even small burn piles can flare up, as was the case with the recent Orcas fire.
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No Net Loss of Ag Land Proposed
An Agricultural Resources Committee (ARC) report to the county council has again recommended new regulations for a “no net loss” policy that would freeze Agricultural Resource Lands.
Currently there are 13,891 acres of SJC land designated as Agricultural Resource Lands (ARL), but current regulations will not allow deferred taxes on agricultural land if it is not being farmed, and the State has noted that the County is not fully enforcing the requirement that land be farmed.
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Council Off To Orcas
The County Council will travel to Orcas on Monday (June 22) for a special Council Staff Work Session session. The meeting will be held at American Legion Post 93 (793 Crescent Beach Drive), and while there the council will pass a Proclamation at 10:30 "Recognizing San Juan County American Legion Posts, Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliaries, and the SJC Veterans Advisory Board."
Other agenda items include a council discussion at 11:30 on the Turtleback Management Plan, and discussion on an Ordinance to regulate Street Vending in Eastsound, and a committee report Eastsound Plan Review Committee Report & Work Plan.
The council will wrap up the day with a 2:00 pm discussion on a subsidy for the Orcas Farmers Market.
Free Parking July 3-6 at Anacortes Terminal
For the second year, visitors to the San Juan Islands will get a welcome break this Fourth of July holiday weekend when Washington State Ferries offers free parking at the Anacortes ferry terminal July 3rd and 6th.
This free parking, limited only by available space at the time of arrival, will be in effect at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 3 through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 6.
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Red Helmet Awarded To Heroes
(Capt. Maxx Jones and Chief Mike Harris present the Red Helmet Award for courage & Guardian Angel Pin quick action to Mathew Mullen)
Orcas Fire & Rescue presented 2 Red Helmet Awards at the Orcas Elementary School’s last assembly on Thursday.
An award was presented to Mathew Mullen who when faced with the hardest moment anyone can face, reacted quickly and called 911 for his mother.
Mathew was also presented with the first Orcas Fire & Rescue Guardian Angel pin for his courage.
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Fire Danger Is High: New Brush Fire On Orcas
(Lt. Jeff Jones is standing at the fire ring, which shows unburned area around it)
A homeowner on Deer Point on Orcas had carefully extinguished a small permitted fire on Monday. No heat or even steam was rising up from the site by noon and it was checked throughout the afternoon. Confident the fire was completely out, the owner made a trip into town.
While he was gone, that fire came back to life. Aaron Patten was returning by boat from Blakely Island and noticed a lot of smoke on Deer Point. He quickly docked and found the source.
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Appreciation From Afghanistan
 The plaque (held by Minnie Knych in photo) includes the words: "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meeting any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." -- John F. Kennedy
For several years, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 163 has administered a monthly care package program for local troops serving overseas in a war zone.
San Juan Island resident Ary Hobbel had sent an email asking for assistance for Major Crespo, a nurse serving at Forward Operating Base Salerno Hospital.
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Limited Ferry Traffic Control For FH
The people in orange vests that help to keep the vehicles flowing off of the ferry, while allowing town traffic to make it though intersections- will only meet the 12:10 ferry this summer.
Just another example of not enough money to pay for all of the services people need and/or want.
In the past the Town of Friday Harbor and the County joined in to pay the bills for summer traffic control, but the County and the Town cut the money out of their budgets for 2009, and then later agreed to fund limited control.
The Town and County will each kick in $1,200.00 each, and Washington State Ferries will then match that amount.
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FH Parade: Cars Will Be Towed
This Saturday’s 4th of July Parade in Friday Harbor begins at 10:30 a.m., ends 11:00 a.m. Vehicles not removed from parade route will be towed at the owner’s expense.
The Town of Friday Harbor requests that all vehicles on the parade route from the intersections of Marguerite Place & Spring Street to First Street & Spring Street be removed for the duration of the parade.
Bioluminescent Oddities
University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratorie's 11th Annual Illg Distinguished Lecturer will be Dr. Edith Widder. The lecture will be on Friday, July 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the San Juan Community Theater. Dr. Carlton‘s talk is entitled “Bioluminescent oddities and wonders of the invertebrate world.”
Open Space & Taxes
 *"Any reduction or exemption of the assessed value of property results in a shift of the tax burden to other taxpayers."
By Charles Zalmanek
The Open Space Taxation Act, enacted in 1970, allows property owners to have their open space, farm and agricultural, and timber lands valued at their current use rather than at their highest and best use.
The Act states that it is in the best interest of the state to maintain, preserve, conserve, and otherwise continue in existence adequate open space lands for the production of food, fiber, and forest crops and to assure the use and enjoyment of natural resources and scenic beauty for the economic and social well-being of the state and its citizens.
Join The Circus!
Or at least learn some skills that might get you there! Island Rec happily announces the opportunity to have some fun this summer learning traditional circus skills at its first ever Circus Arts Camp.
Jason Quick, MA has been teaching and performing for over 12 years will travel from Bellingham to lead two camps the week of July 6-10.
Flaggin School In July
Want to have fun and get paid too? Meet nice people -and some not-so nice, work outside and start and stop traffic? Now it your chance to become a Flagger.
Skagit Valley College will offer a two-day flagging class on Monday, July 27 and Wednesday, July 29 at the Mount Vernon Campus from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Massage or Music Volunteer Opportunity
Skagit Hospice is seeking Massage Therapy & Music Therapy Volunteers for their Complementary Therapy Program serving patients in the San Juan Islands.
If you are a Massage or Music Therapist and are interested in working with people during end of life, please call the Skagit Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 360-814-5588.
Children’s Theatre Workshops in July
The San Juan Community Theatre is offering three summer workshops for children at its Performing Arts Resource Center (PARC) at 70 Saltspring Drive off Beaverton Valley Road.
Each workshop costs $125 per child; register at the San Juan Community Theatre Box Office (378-3210) or on-line at www.sjctheatre.org. Scholarships are available for students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. Each class is limited to 15 students.
Calling All Writers
(File Photo of Written Word fair booth: a future young writer converses with columnist Amy Wynn)
It is time, once again for the Written Word writing contest! It is time to send in your newest, latest and greatest poetry, fiction and non fiction for the San Juan County Fair. This year’s deadline is July 10th
The First 100 Yrs
"The First 100 Years of the Friday Harbor Fire Department" is the subject of Hose Carts and Fire Hvdrants, a book edited by retired Fire Chief Rick Galer.' With news articles, council minutes, essays from chiefs and a few advertisements, the book shows how fighting fires has changed in 100 years.
In the early 1900's, a bell code on a few telephones called men to fight a fire. 200 men rushed to stand in line, passing buckets of water up to 10 brave men who threw the water on the fire. A Hose Cart was later added to permit connection to wooden water lines.
Colin’s Make-A-Wish
Colin came to the islands on Friday to go on a whale watching excursion. Colin was the 4,000th child to receive his wish from the local chapter of the www.northwestwishes.org Foundation® as he realizes his dream to go whale watching.
The Mayor of Friday Harbor welcomed Colin to the San Juans, issuing a proclamation to Colin.
Soccer Training W/Brits
One of the most respected and experienced soccer training organizations in the US, Challenger Sports British Soccer Camps, is coming back to San Juan County this summer. This innovative soccer has established itself as a summer favorite activity for many island families and children.
Get In The Swim
Time to get into the swim of things! San Juan Island Fitness will be offering swim lessons in July on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 and 5pm for children of all levels.
Buck Annexation Approved
The Buck project was approved Tuesday night for annexation into the Town of Friday Harbor.
The Town Council also amended the Comprehensive Plan map by adding the land to the official Town map and identifying zoning on the property. Land to be developed for permanently affordable homes was zoned Multi-Family while most of the land to be developed by Vincent Buck, Carolyn Buck Norman and Jai Boreen was zoned for Single Family residential development.
No More Burning!
San Juan County is now at a HIGH level on burning. No burning is no longer allowed except for recreational fires: Permits are not required for recreational fires up to two feet in diameter, in an approved burn ring.
The ring should be rock or masonry lined and the perimeter cleared to mineral earth in a two-foot wide band around the perimeter. Permits are not required for fires in approved pits in county and national parks. Recreational fires may be prohibited at certain times of year depending on weather and current fire danger.
Joint Housing Authority Proposed
The Town Council will receive a presentation Thursday (06-18-09 at 12:30 in Town Hall) on forming a combined Housing Authority with the County.
Some of the county council members have posed a number of questions that required discussion prior to a council vote on creating a new government office that would have independent authority. Councilmember Richard Fralick (Orcas) put his questions in writing and forwarded them to the full council.
After additional discussion, the council agreed to ask the Town of Friday Harbor for their opinion, and if they had an interest in forming a joint housing authority.
More $ For Rescue Tug
Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed legislation that shifted funding responsibility for the Neah Bay tug from the state to the maritime industry beginning July 1, 2010. The new law will ensure a high-capability ocean-going tug is permanently deployed at Neah Bay year round.
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