How To Keep Customers Happy

The SJI Chamber of Commerce is sponsored a workshop entitled: "Creating Customers for Life", The workshop will present an upbeat session will help to reinforce customer service basics; such as how to develop an attitude of excellent service, identify customer needs, use effective body language, exceed customer expectations on the phone and in person, and how to resolve conflicts to win repeat customers.

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Salary Commission Appointments - Who Does What?

Since the passage of the Charter, the new County Council has been struggling with how to set up the Citizens Salary Commission that is required by the Charter. The Commission will set the amount of money the Council earns, and also will set the salaries of the Assessor, Auditor, County Clerk, Sheriff, Treasurer and the Prosecuting Attorney. If the former BOCC members, who are now Councilman, have sometimes seemed to be in a somewhat state of denial as to the sudden lost of their executive powers to a County Administrator, they are also clearly struggling with how the selecting and appointing of folks who will be setting their salary, and the salary of the other county leaders, will proceed.

The problem of who-does-what, has to do with who appoints these people. For the first six members of the commission, there is no argument, as the Charter clearly states these "shall be randomly selected by the County Auditor" who will "provide the names of the persons so selected for appointment..". Simple enough, but "The remaining four of the ten…shall be appointed by the County Council in collaboration with the County Administrator". And then the question becomes, what does "collaboration" mean in this context, and within the broader context of law and accompanying legal precedent?
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Deer Harbor Plan Ready For Input

A public workshop will be held on Thursday March 2, 2006 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Deer Harbor Community Center, 4319 Deer Harbor Road, Orcas Island (Old Deer Harbor Schoolhouse) to take input on the proposed Deer Harbor Hamlet Plan. The workshop will be held in conjunction with the San Juan County Planning Commission.

Comments that build toward a useful final draft will be sought. There will be brief presentations at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. about the background of the February 2006 discussion draft, which is a compilation of community, county and committee work. Talking points within the draft will be identified. Comments that build toward a useful final draft will be sought in a workshop format.

Additional public workshops will be scheduled on Orcas Island to finalize the Hamlet Plan. The next scheduled workshop will be held on March 27, 2006. " Background Stories "

Copies of the Preliminary Draft of a Deer Harbor Hamlet Plan are available at San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department and at Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Libraries. The draft plan and maps will also be posted on the County website at http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us/cdp/default.asp.

For more information contact Elizabeth Anderson, Senior Planner, at 360.370-7573.

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Forum On Patriot Act Draws Large Crowd

(Christopher Varas, on the left, and Herb Meyer, on the right)

An educational forum sponsored by the SJI Outreach Group of the ACLU, and co-sponsored by the SJC Bar Association, attracted a large audience Sunday afternoon to hear Christopher Varas, formerly a staff attorney for the ACLU and a member of the Speakers' Bureau of the ACLU, and SJI resident Herb Meyer, former Special Assistant to the Director of CIA, to speak on "Homeland Security & Civil Liberties". (Previous Story)

The presentation by the two speakers was to be an educational experience for both the speakers and the public, to explore and learn about the Patriot Act, and what impacts it may or may not have on both civil liberties and rights. Mr. Meyer led off, and set a tone of reasonableness and willingness that both speakers consistently followed throughout the afternoon as they presented views and observations on the subject, without introducing politics into the discussion; an ongoing problem Meyer told the group that "both the Right and the Left are guilty of", and Varas in turn stated "The worse possible outcome is the polarization of dialog".

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Playwrights and Playwriting Workshop

Writers of any age or level of experience are encouraged to submit monologues or one-act plays for consideration for the 2006 Islands Playwrights Festival at San Juan Community Theatre. This year's Festival will be staged in the Gubelman Theatre, and only scripts that use minimal staging will be accepted.

For authors who wish to receive professional critique in the process of preparing their material, a two-day workshop for playwrights will be offered Saturday and Sunday, April 8-9 from 10-4 at the Theatre. Participants must submit a completed script that will be distributed to and read by the instructor and all participants in advance of the workshop. Registration forms may be picked up at the Theatre's box office, and must be returned with a $60 workshop fee by March 8. Only eight participants can be accepted.
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CALL FOR ARTISTS!

SUMMER ARTS FAIR 2006 - A Destination. The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is putting out a call for artists to apply for acceptance in the Summer Arts Fair 2006, July 15 &16, 10-5pm and 10-4pm, respectively. There will be over 45 artists booths, a Kids Zone, music all day both days and some great food!

Call now to request your application. Last year's attendance was over 5,500. We are increasing our marketing this year and will once again have a Souvenir Poster and Program. Applications for the screening process are due by March 1, 2006.

Contact Debbie Pigman at the Chamber 360 378-5240.

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Hearings Held On Fare Increases

(Hearing in Friday Harbor)

Washington State Ferry's brass came to Orcas and San Juan islands to receive input on the new proposed changes to the ferry system, which primarily consist of increases in fares, and changes on how tickets may be obtained. Attendance at the meetings was less than at the last set of meetings, but the old anger and frustrations with the system in general, and the fare increases in particular, were still topics of concern for some members of the public.

Dwight Lewis of Lopez was one of the first speakers on San Juan, having taken an earlier afternoon ferry to Friday Harbor (no meetings had been scheduled for Lopez), he was clearly charged up on the subject, and had the audience laughing with his examples of what he labeled as an unfairness in the fare structure when contrasted to other ferry routes in the system; a concern also forcefully presented earlier by the first speaker of the evening, Jan Osborn, who compared the SJ fares to those of Bremerton, as an example of how the riders of SJ are paying too much, for too little.

While the Ferry officials stated the reasons for the fare increases were directly related to a combination of the voters approving Initiative 695, which cut taxes on vehicles, and the high costs of fuel, Helen King asked if it was true that WSF had proposed building a new terminal building at the Anacortes dock at an estimated cost of 120 million dollars. She was informed that they had so proposed. There was no discussion on how much was spent to produce study and the proposal.

The WSF officials responded to questions with facts-and-figures, backed by statistics, but it was difficult to determine if they were convinced by any of the arguments from the floor; however they did point out that changes had been made as a result of public input from the last hearings, and they intended to once again review all testimony for possible suggestions for changes to the proposal when it is presented by the Tariff Fare Committee on March 3rd in Seattle, at which time a decision will be made as to what in the proposal will go into effect on May 1st of this year.

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Organic Waste To Help WA Energy Production?

According to press release on a new study on the amount of Biomass waste generated in Wa state each year "nearly 50 percent of the energy that Washington state residents use now could come from a new source in our own back yard". While the press release is silent on how the biomass from one's backyard is going to get to a place where it can be economically used, the report went on to state that "Washington state has an annual production of approximately 17 million tons of under-used biomass, which is capable of producing more than 15.5 billion kilowatt hours of electrical energy or nearly 1,800 megawatts of electrical power".

The release explains that the report is the result of a multi-year project, conducted by Washington State University (WSU) in collaboration with and funded by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology). The goal was to find out if enough "biomass," or organic-waste materials, are available and if it is economically feasible to use them for energy production in Washington.

According to the report,. Gov. Chris Gregoire and other state leaders are very interested in alternative energy production: "Washingtonians deserve affordable alternative energy sources, and biomass has terrific potential to contribute towards energy independence," said Gov. Gregoire. "I am pleased by the results of this report and I look forward to further news on the viability of biomass in our state."
The report will be presented at the Harvesting Clean Energy Conference in Spokane, on Feb. 27. The conference will take place at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park, W. 303 North River Dr.

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Another Senior Planner Leaves - Pressure on CD&PD to Hire

(Elizabeth Anderson -file photo)

Elizabeth Anderson, Senior Planner for CD&PD (Community Development & Planning Department), has given notice, and will be leaving her position on March 3rd. She had originally planned to leave at the same time as her husband, Martin Blackman, the other Senior Planner in the department who left for another job last fall, but she later decided to try and stay until the Department could find a replacement for her.

Time passed, and while Anderson had hoped to stay with the department until a new replacement could be found, no one has been hired, and then an opportunity arose for Anderson to accept a new job that would allow her to be work near her home on the mainland; and without the grind of leaving her mainland home at 6:30 am to commute to Friday Harbor, and then return home at the end of the day at 7:30 p.m.

"it is not without some regret that I leave the San Juans, it is a beautiful place, and I have enjoyed working with the staff here" she told The Guardian. She added that "the commute has been tiring" Anderson will be working in planning, and doing some permit work in her new position. As for the County, the long range planning department has been loaded down with planning work and projects, and now without any Senior long range planners, there is new pressure to hire someone to assist the two associate planners; hopefully they will be able to do without lowering the standards for the positions.


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Guest Editorial

Part Time Commissioners, Part Time Pay
by Greg Hertel
The County Council has finally gotten around to thinking about the new pay schedule for the restructured Council and high time too! Candidates will be filing for 3 new positions plus the expiring term of the District 3 (Lopez/Shaw) in late July. Some are already considering a campaign and they have a right to know under what financial conditions they will be elected under. The Freeholders struggled with this and considered some models but ultimately we ran out of time and left it to a citizen committee to determine.

Some of the goals we were trying to achieve were:

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Kalbert Column: Solar Power

Gordy Column: Friends Don't Let Friends become "Friends"

Guest Editorial: "Part Time Commissioners, Part Time Pay"
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John Bird Letter: "Increase Sales Tax To Pay For Housing"
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" The Donkeys Are Coming "

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Parks Service Accused of Destroying Rare Butterfly Habitat

SJI Home To Rarest Butterfly In US. US Fish & Wildlife: Marble Butterfly needs protection to avoid extinction
(Bill Yake photo)

According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, before its rediscovery on San Juan Island in 1998, the Island Marble had been believed extinct for 90 years. In 2005, two hundred twenty-five surveys were conducted at 110 potential Island Marble sites by staff from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Natural Resources, the Xerces Society, and local volunteers. As a result of these searches, Island Marble butterflies were found at eleven new locations, although none of the sites had more than five individuals.

The biggest current threat to the Island Marble is mismanagement of its habitat at San Juan Island National Historical Park American Camp, where the only known viable populations reside.

The Xerces Society has issued a press release that stated that in spite of advise from experts on the Island Marble, "American Camp staff sprayed herbicide on over five acres within the Park as part of a prairie-restoration project last summer. This herbicide use devastated core habitat for the Island Marble and likely killed dozens of larvae feeding on plants at the site. The park has now refused to talk with Island Marble experts on how to move forward with future site restoration. If we are going to save the Island Marble from extinction, the National Park Service is going to have to work with experts to understand how to manage its habitat without adversely impacting it, said Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society. If they continue with more restoration such as they did last summer, they may drive the Island Marble extinct."

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Additional 6% Ferry Increase Proposed by WSF

By Alex MacLeod

The proposal to increase ferry fares another 6% this May will be the subject of a public hearing on Thursday, Feb. 23 from meeting is scheduled for Orcas Island at the Orcas Center from 2-3:30 p.m. followed by a second meeting from.5:30-7 p.m. at the Mullis Senior Center.

This proposed increase is one of a string of planned 6% annual increases through 2009 that are at the heart of Washington State Ferries' current financial plan. For anyone traveling by ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor, WSF's plan would increase the cost of a frequent-user discount ticket book to $164.80 in 2009 from today's $130.50, or a little over 26%. Single car-driver Wednesday-through-Saturday tickets would rise to $44 from $34.80, and to $59.45 from $47 in "peak season."

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Lecture: How We Can Save The Sound & The Straits

(People for Puget Sound photo)

The Web of Life Along the Pacific Flyway, a natural history lecture series, presents Kathy Fletcher, Executive Director of People for Puget Sound, at the Grange, Wednesday February 22 @ 7 PM. Her topic will be, How We Can Save The Sound And The Straits."

She will talk about the state of the Sound and Straits, the governor's new Puget Sound initiative, People for Puget Sound, how each of us can help protect the Sound and Strait's beauty and bounty for future generations and other topics.
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Elect Car Aids Sheriff Pursuit

An old dispute between two young men on San Juan Island resulted in one assaulting the other at Vic's Cafe with a baseball bat, and in the ensuing pursuit of the assailant by Sheriff Deputies, one of the Deputies who was on foot flagged down the first transportation he saw to catch up with the suspect, who was running toward the SJI School District building on Blair Avenue. And so who should be driving down the road at exactly that time? None other than School Board member Piet Visser, who was returning from a Board meeting, and was on his way home in his little new electric car. The Deputy wedged into the passenger seat, and he and Piet went roaring off in hot pursuit at the breath-taking speed of 25 mph.

By the time they arrived on the scene the suspect had just been captured and was ready for booking. It is worth noting that within moments of the assault, the Deputies were both on the scene and in pursuit. The assault is under investigation.

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County Takes A Look At Carlson Bld

(Carlson office complex in Friday Harbor, across from the Courthouse)

The County need for more space, and the money to acquire it, has been an going problem for years, but a combination of the recent Charter election that will increase the number of Council members, and the on-going embarrassment of holding the Municipal Court in the old Court house vault room (yes, you read that right.), and the over flowing Superior Court's office, may finally be pushing the County into coming up with a solution, even if it is short term one.

Pro-Tem Administrator David Goldsmith informed the County Council of one possible solution to the problem is to lease all of the vacant space in the John Carlson Building, which is directly across the street from the Court house, and then sub-lease space not used until such time the space is required by the County.

Auditor Si Stephens told The Guardian that he has for years attempted to bring the County and Carlson into some agreement to purchase the building. The property abuts other properties the County already owns on the block, and the building has underground parking. Stephens was unsure of the value of the property, but thought it may be possible for the County to finance it without going to bonding, if a contract can be agreed to that would allow a payment schedule for the purchase. Both Si and Goldsmith also pointed out that the County currently leases office space in town, and with the consolidation and move of those departments to the Carlson building , the money used for those leases could be applied to the purchase of the building.

In the meantime, purchase or no purchase, the elections office will be moving over to the building, and Si expects to obtain Federal money though a State fund to offset the costs of the move, and the setting up of the infrastructure that is necessary for a modern elections office.

As for the vacated space when the elections office moves, one possibility, given the location of the space as one of the first things a visitor sees when they come into the Courthouse, is to put the new County Administrator and his staff there. It even has a big open friendly widow and counter for the public to gain access to the manager of the County.

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Spelling Bee Champion Selected

After enduring 23 rounds of elimination, Friday Harbor Middle School seventh grader Megan Cuomo beat out 19 other spellers to receive the First Place trophy as Friday Harbor Spelling Bee Champion for 2006. Second Place was taken by Friday Harbor Middle school sixth grader Jimmy Chaffe, and Third Place was taken by Friday Harbor Elementary School fourth grader Emma Brand.

On March 25th, each school will send their school champion speller to the Scripps-Howard regional spelling bee in Mount Vernon, sponsored by the Skagit Valley Herald. Winners of that bee will advance to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

This year's Friday Harbor Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands, was held after school on February 8th on the Main Stage of the San Juan Community Theatre. Twenty entrants from the Friday Harbor Elementary School, the Friday Harbor Middle School, and the Spring Street International School had already been selected by in-school spelling bees to represent their classes in this bee, and they showed remarkable composure as they appeared on the stage in front of a crowd of student and adult spectators and spelling bee officials.

Pronouncing was enunciated by Dr. Carolyn Haugen, Superintendent of Shaw Island School District. Spellers were judged by Lauren Stara, Director of the San Jan Island Library, and Catherine Barnhart, Chair of the English Department, Spring Street International School. Dictionary services were provided by Kate and Dori Sears. The top-secret word list and speller coaching was provided by Jack McKenna, Director of Griffin Bay School. Event coordination was provided by Mike Close, Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands.

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A "File of Life Kit" Could Save A Life

Jim Cole, AKA Chief, San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services EMS Administrator, San Juan County Public Hospital District (lower left) along with 20 plus San Juan Lion's Club Members (Lions Club), are shown taking a Photo Moment after assembling 2,000 File of Life Kits on Saturday for initial distribution to San Juan Island residents.

The File of Life Kit is a bright red, 4 inch by 5 inch plastic envelope that will attach to the refrigerator with a magnet, and can be easily spotted by EMS First Responders from the Emergency Medical Team. A reflective sticker is also included in the Kit to post on main entrance to a house for high visibility so EMT's can immediately go to the refrigerator door holding the File of Life envelope, obtain the medical information and patient's name of doctor, phone numbers, allergies and medical history of the patient to provide prompt medical attention. A website at http://www.sanjuanems.org/fileoflife so people can find out how to obtain a File of Life Kit, and download additional Information and resources, is provided by EMS

EMT Chief Jim Cole says "Having immediate access to this vital information could save a life, so I urge everyone on the island to have one for every family member to provide the EMT's medical reference in an emergency. This File of Life is for all ages."

The File of Life is sponsored by the San Juan Lions Club, endorsed by the EMS of San Juan Island, as a community project to have every household, and every island resident, have one medical kit filled in and attached to their refrigerator, plus a wallet size card to carry, with up to date Medical Information that EMS First Responders can quickly review on site whenever an Emergency situation arises.

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Teen Bands Wanted - Really!

Are you a teenager in a band and looking for a gig? Then check it out in the Entertainment Section
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CC Settles Land Bank-Auge Dispute

(Land Bank Map of disputed properties)


The County Council came out of an Executive Session late Tuesday to announce they had agreed to settle a dispute between the Land Bank and an adjoining land owner over a narrow strip of land on Westside Road on San Juan Island. According to a memo sent to the Council by Linclon Bormann, Director of the Land Bank, the "issue concerns a dispute between Sharmon Auge and the Land Bank over the boundary of the Land Bank's Westside Preserve adjacent to the Auge property. In 1993, the Land Bank purchased the Rosenfelt property that became the Westside Preserve. It is adjacent to Westside County Road. The Auge's own the property across the road to the east, (map above).

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Controversial Ranker Visit to PC Meeting

(Councilman Ranker & Randy Gaylord at Planning Commission Meeting(

Councilman Ranker's decision to ignore the advice of the Prosecuting Attorney, and the Chair of the Council, to drop-in and watch the Planning Commission struggle with the on-going review of the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) draft Ordinance, an Ordinance that was sent to them by the Council for their review and input, has resulted in controversy as to the appropriateness of his visit

As the meeting was in session, Ranker strode into the meeting room and sat down next to County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord. His sudden appearance was immediately noticed by PC Chair Agosta, who interrupted the proceedings to announce to the Commission that "I want to point out that Councilman Ranker has joined us", and then addressed Ranker by informing him that it made it uncomfortable for the Commission members to freely express their views when a Councilman is observing. Ranker replied that he was "just a fly on the wall", to which Agosta asked if he was "attending as a Councilman or as a private citizen"? Ranker replied that he was a Councilman, but he was not there to speak, only to listen.

Randy Gaylord told The Guardian that Ranker has asked him if it was alright to attend the meeting, and that Gaylord advised him that while legally he could attend, it was bad form for him to do so, and that it "has always been, it is, and always will be, the advice of the Prosecutors office, that the Council members not attend Planning Commission meetings, so as to avoid any suggestion or hint, that there is an attempt to influence the Commission's deliberations, or the process", and added that "it is important to maintain a separation of powers in government".

When Council Chair Lichter became aware of Ranker's plan to sit-in on part of the meeting, he also advised against it, telling him "I don't think it is a very good idea", to which Ranker responded "It's okay, I checked with Randy". The Guardian asked Town Prosecutor Don Eaton what the Town policy was on Council members attending their Planning Commission meetings, and he also said the while it is legal for Council members to attend legislative sessions of the Commission, it would not be legal for them to attend quasi-judicial sessions, but any visits would be bad form, and if there was any action, by body language, uttering sighs, nodding or shaking of the head, that would be very bad form, and not advised, so as to not take a chance of that happening, he has always informed the Council not to attend any Commission meetings.

At one point during Ranker's stint as a "fly on the wall", he vigorously nodded his head in agreement with the direction the dialog was going by the Commission, and when asked by The Guardian if he realized he had done that, he said that he did, and as soon as he did, he caught himself and stopped, but that no one saw him do it, because he checked to see if any of the Commissioners were watching him, and they were not, they were looking at Randy Gaylord -who was sitting directly next to Ranker.

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Windstorm Creates Emergency? CC Says Yes

Brendan Cowan, Director of SJC Emergency Management, submitted a draft Resolution to the CC on Tuesday, that declare a state of emergency within SJ County. According to the Resolution, the emergency resulted from "especially strong windstorms…combined with a high tide and a storm surge to inundate many low-lying coastal areas in the County, and toppled trees throughout the County".

As a result of the storm damage, the Council decided the "resources of SJ County will not be sufficient to meet the requirements of the situation; and may require Statutory emergency powers.."

In other words, there is Federal and State money out there that the County may be able to obtain, if the County can convince the holders of the purse strings that San Juan County is in need of financial assistance.

Director Cowan anticipated that such an action by the Council might cause some questions to be raised by the public as they look around the county for some signs of a emergency, and so has produced a Q & A that addresses some of the most obvious questions that may be asked as a result of the Council action.

The questions and answers follow:

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Griffin Bay High School Graduates

(Cory Cymbalista, Jack McKenna, Quinn Bailey, Rina Tappan, Kim Norton and Sean Byrne celebrate graduation)

Griffin Bay High School held its first Commencement Ceremony on Saturday afternoon,
February 11, 2006 in the Middle School Commons. The four graduating seniors are Quinn Bailey, Sean Byrne, Cory Cymbalista, and Rina Tappan. Quinn Bailey, an accomplished guitarist in classic and modern styles, will pursue a higher degree in music. Cory Cymbalista will tie up loose ends here on the island prior to heading to Hawaii where a construction job awaits. He expects to join the Navy at the conclusion of the project. Rina Tappan will attend Skagit College while considering a variety of career options. Sean Byrne will move to Seattle where he will continue to develop his career as a session drummer and attend North Seattle Community College to take advantage of their program for state-of-the-art studio production.

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Finally: Hearing On Affordable Housing Tax

After many meetings on the subject Previous Story , and at times some anger and frustration over the process, the proposed new chapter to the County Code that will allow, and spell out how, a collection of a new one-half of one percent tax on real estate sales, will be collected and spent, is ready for the first round of formal public input. If all goes well today at the hearing (2:30 pm, Tuesday, February 14), the next chance for the public to express their views on the subject will be at an election to be held in May of this year.

In that election, the proposal to collect money from the sale of real estate and make it available to a "Housing Bank Commission" that will become an umbrella group for receiving various funds from the private sector, the State, Federal programs, and now from a tax on real estate, will be on the ballot for voter approval. Any monies collected will be used to fund financing aid for the construction of affordable housing. Previous story on how it will work


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Public Hearing on E. Orcas Water Supply

The CC (County Council) will hold a public hearing today (1:30 pm,Tuesday, February 14th) on a proposed Resolution to adopt the recommendations of the East Orcas Water Supply Planning Committee.

The proposal has generated some concern on the potential impacts to a down-stream creek on Orcas. A study of the creek as a salmon habitat has yet to be completed, and the current draft proposal is purported by Vickie Heater, Environmental Health Technician-Water to address some of the concerns that were expressed in a "Minority Report" by Mr. Sandy Taylor about the plan.

The proposed Plan is a part of larger planning efforts by the SJC Water Resource Management Committee (WRMC), and according to Mark Tompkins, Environmental Health Manager, the WRMC will be continuing to work on Orcas to clear up water rights issues with the state Department of Ecology.


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New Wireless Internet Access Available

A new, high speed fixed wire-less broadband service has been launched by Rock Island Technology Solutions. Mike Greene, Owner/CEO of Rock Island announced today. Named "Canopy Broadband Wireless", the product is built by Motorola and will allow most of San Juan County to have high speed Internet without the need for telephone wiring. Rock Island has been testing the equipment since the fall of 2005.
Full Story in Business Section
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BC Weasels Out Of Sewage Clean-Up?

Under heavy pressure from private groups and the media, appears to have come up with a novel way of doing little to nothing about on-going sewage dumping into the waters they share with the San Juan Islands. In a letter to an environmental group, the Ministry of Environment appears to acknowledge contamination of the sea floor is the result of the dumping, and indicates it would be investigating the matter further.

However, the MOE's letter goes on to state that it is policy to not apply the Province's contaminated rules to an active source of pollution, and implies that application of the contaminated site rules to the Capital Regional District (CRD) would only be considered if the "use" of the outfalls were to cease. Oh. Well, okay, and thank you for your time.
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League of Women Voters Celebrates 86th Birthday

The League is seeking new members and anyone interested in the League is invited and encouraged to attend to a League meeting.The San Juan League (LWVSJ) celebrated a League Birthday Party and Afternoon Tea last Sunday

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Citizens of voting age may become League members.

Please call Membership Chair:Marjory Stanley at 360-378-5769 for additional information



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FH Port Seeks Comment: 6 to 20yr Master Plan

(L to R: Port Staff Marilyn O'Connor & Steve Simpson. At the table: Commissioners Mike Ahrenius, Greg Hertel & Barbara Marrett at a recent Port Work Meeting on the Master Plan)

Port Commissioners held a work session recently to work on what may be the final details of a long term plan for the Friday Harbor airport and seaplane operations, and now The Port of Friday Harbor will hold an open house and briefing on the Draft Friday Harbor Airport and Seaplane Base Draft Master Plan Update at 5:30 p.m. Thursday February 16th.

The public will be able to ask questions and receive answers about the Plan from Port staff and planners. The event will be held Ernie's Cafe at the end of Airport Circle Drive -which is the first road to the left when you enter the airport (look for signs).

The Master Plan will be presented by planners who were hired by the Port to assist with developing the twenty year plan. The Port of Friday Harbor sponsors the airport and receives financing, guidance and assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The airport is the seventh most active airport in Washington State and is classified as a Primary Airport; which means it is recognized as a significant part of the country's air transportation system.

Additional information may be obtained at the Port Office and by contacting Steve Simpson at the Port of Friday Harbor: 378-2688

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House Moves To New Home

The Churchill house has been moved from it's hilltop prominence in downtown Friday Harbor, to a new site behind another old island home on San Juan Island. For Sandy Strehlou, the FH Historic Preservation Coordinator, who has worked tirelessly to save the building from being demolished, the move was a "bitter sweet" success. Previous Story

Because of her commitment to preserving the historical structures of Friday Harbor, she was one of many who had hopped there might be some way to attract an angel that would look beyond the financial bottom line of real estate values and preserve the building, without moving it, for future generations. But she was also realistic that given the value of the site, this was unlikely to happen. So on to plan "B', and try to find someone to save it by moving it. More than one person took a long look at the prospect, but were unable to afford what would be, for all intents and purposes, a financial loss. And then Mr. Ron Boe stepped forward with a plan. Ron Boe owned land a few blocks away that already had another historical home on it, but found room behind it where the building could be located. Thus the "bittersweet" emotion for Strehlou: the historical site would soon contain just yet another new building in Friday Harbor, but the historical building was saved.

The move was made on Thursday afternoon, and it quickly took on the air of a street fair, with the sidewalks and the roads filled with people taking photos, drinking lattes, making jokes about "Make sure you stay out of the Splinter Zone" and observations that "This is biggest turn-out since Gordy's Building burned down!", but the move was smooth and quick, and all of the officials, from the Town staff and the moving crew to the Sheriff's Deputies, shown a remarkable and much appreciated tolerance and patience with the large crowds that followed - and surrounded- the building as it moved right down the middle of Spring Street. As one person said, "well that was fun!". And for Sandy? She told The Guardian that she was hopeful that the move would be an inspiration to others, that our old buildings do not have to be destroyed in order to develop a property.


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Father-Daughter Dance on SJI is sold out!

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CC Limits Exemption On Farm Blds

(Francine Shaw asks "Why only one exemption"?)

San Juan County government has a long history of supporting and encouraging farming in the county, and has included a number of exemptions in the building and land use codes in recognition of the historical fact that farmers, perhaps everywhere, but certainly in San Juan County, have struggled to make a living from the land, and to impose the same demands and restrictions that apply to garages and homes is not necessary or appropriate if the County is to retain that rural "look" of old farm buildings that do not look like modern garages, or so-called "hobby farms", but rather look like -what often they are- buildings built with what was available, and without concern for the modern code requirements for homes.

One of these exemptions has been the right to build "miscellaneous small agricultural buildings", and so as to not be accursed by islanders who did not farm, the County Commissions included definitions that allowed limited additional uses, such as tool, wood and other storage; and in a nod to past national stories in the press about the government putting stop-work orders, and imposing fines, on some little kids tree-house, the BOCC included "playhouses" in the exemption. All well and good for over 20 years; until now.

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PA & CC At Odds..Again

(Bahrych & O'Day address Council; Randy Gaylord standing at back of room)

It is not often that one will see Stephanie O'Day and Lynn Bahrych, attorneys both, sitting next to each other, let alone agreeing on any major points, but on Tuesday both came before the CC (County Council) to ask the Council to solve an on-going issue for a number of land owners that are not allowed to build a main residence if a guest house had already been permitted and constructed on the property, even though past regulations had allowed it. Both of the attorneys asked the Council to adopt new language to the code that would grant vesting of rights to the effected permit holders.

In response to the request by O'Day and Bahrych, the Council had two drafts in front of them that would address the request that the Council solve the long standing matter of the lack of regulations addressing land use and building permit vesting in San Juan County. But in what is becoming standard operating procedure, the CC ignored legal advice and the draft of legislation by the Prosecutor's office, preferring instead to use language drafted within their own office.

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MedVac Bill Moves Forward

With the Senate voting 47 to 0 in favor, the Sen. Harriet Spanel bill has passed in the Senate, and yesterday was referred to the House Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee. The Bill was introduced by Spanel in the Senate, and by Representative David Quall in the House, to make private air ambulance companies that solicit membership to be exempt, under certain conditions, from insurance licensing. The "certain conditions" are such that the net effect will be the resumption of MedVac flights

As reported in The Guardian (Previous Story), there was a ruling by the State Insurance Commission that the selling of subscriptions for the possible future use of a MedVac service was a form of insurance. This ruling resulted in the cancellations of MedVac flights in San Juan County, and in other areas of the state as well. As a result of strong opposition to the ruling, Spanel introduced a bill that would exempt the selling of subscriptions from the Insurance Commission ruling.

At the local level, Former County Commissioner, John Evans, former Orcas EMS Director, Garth Eimers, and San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord, went to Olympia last month to urge the Senate to approve the bill


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A Synopsis Of A Marine Resource Meeting

By Stephen A. Garrison

The EDC (Economic Development Council) sponsored a meeting at Islander's Bank on January 26, where County Councilman Ranker brought the attendees up to date regarding discussions held over the past month with various not-for-profit organizations and government agencies interested in influencing all the factors leading to environmental degradation of the US coastal marine areas. Commissioner Ranker proposed that a model institute be formed in the Puget Sound zone, since this area contains the largest marine biodiversity in the United States, and still has sufficient vitality to respond to change initiatives.

Commissioner Ranker made the point that the building of such an organization could be a "win-win" situation for both the marine sponsors and the counties' economy. The sponsoring organizations and federal government have spent in excess of $75 million in various reports that have defined the extent of the problem.

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Smoke Detector & Firefighter Avert Disaster

What could have been a deadly tragedy was prevented last Friday by a combination of a functioning smoke detector, and the quick action of a voluntary firefighter. According to a press release by Asst. Chief Bradford Creesy of the San Juan Island Fire Department, At nine forty-five that evening the smoke detector mounted in the hallway of a small home on San Juan island alerted a family to an electrical fire in the home's heating system that was adjacent to a child's bedroom. The mother, father and young child, along with the family pets were able to evacuate the home and avoid harm.
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How-to On A Critical Areas Ordinance

San Juan County Community Development and Planning will be conducting a Planning Workshop and Short Course on February 9th. The workshop will have a number of presenter from the State, and from two private groups, Puget Sound Action Team and Shared Strategy for Puget Sound, that will give their views on how to best manage environmentally sensitive areas. The areas the group will cover are the areas identified in SJC Code as environmentally sensitive areas:

● Geologically hazardous areas
● Frequently flooded areas
● Critical aquifer recharge areas
● Wetlands
● Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas

The workshop will run from 10 am - 2pm (box lunches and beverage provided for $10)

For additional information, contact Lynda Guernsey at San Juan County Community Development and Planning. (LyndaG@co.san-juan.wa.us

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PC To Keep Working on ADU Ord

Today, Monday the 6th, the Planning Commission will meet at 10:00 a.m., in the Key Bank Garden Room, Friday Harbor to continue a discussion on a proposed ordinance submitted to them by the former BOCC. Previous Story

NOTE: The meeting is a work session only, and as such, the public is welcome to attend and observe, but will not be allowed to give oral comment at this time, but may continue to submit written comment. At the next scheduled meeting of the PC on February 17, the public will be able to give both oral and written comment; and of course written comment can continue to be submitted up to the time of the final hearing on the ordinance by the County Council.

The agenda for the hearing on the 6th is as follows:

1. Consider and discuss: a Draft Proposed Ordinance amending the San Juan County Code regarding accessory dwelling units to comply with the orders of the Growth Management Hearings Board;

2. Consider and discuss: the Report of the Planning Commission ADU subcommittees;

3. Revise the Draft Proposed Ordinance based on these considerations.

While the meetings on the 6th and the 17th are scheduled, it is possible that the PC will hold additional work sessions if they are needed, in order to reach agreement on what changes should be made to the proposed ordinance.

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Storm Damage to Ferry & Passengers

Heavy seas and high winds knocked out a window on the San Juan-Anacortes run on Saturday. Friday Harbor Port Commissioner Greg Hertel was on the boat and witnessed the incident He was interviewed by King-5 news, (which repeatedly mispronounced his name as "hurtle") and according to Hertel, one man was slightly injured when one of the windows was blown out of the boat and into the passenger area
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Most Likely Not Storm Related…

On Saturday morning a passing motorist called in a report of a car off of the road, and in the trees, at the corner of Wold and Valley Road on San Juan Island. The car was found with the car doors closed, and no one at the scene. Sheriff's office is investigating.
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Recycling is high in Washington

San Juan County is not the only county that takes recycling seriously. According to a report out of Olympia, recycling by businesses and residents in Washington rose to 42 percent in 2004, up from 38 percent the year before, according to new numbers compiled by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology).

Gains were made primarily in metals, paper and yard-waste recycling.

Ecology officials say this is due to good recycling practices, better resale markets for the materials and more yard-waste collection programs.


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AG Acts To Improve Public Disclosure

Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced formal adoption of a model rule on public disclosure. The anticipated effect of the rule is to streamline compliance, standardize best practices and reduce litigation by establishing a culture of compliance among agencies and a culture of cooperation among requestors.

The rule was developed at the direction of the Legislature as part of a comprehensive public records law unanimously approved during the 2005 session. In late summer and fall of 2005, McKenna conducted a 13-city Open Government tour, which included panels from state and local governments, the requestor community and the media, who shared their views on access to public records. Related Editorial
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Sunshine In The Council Hearing Room

As anyone who has sat in on County meetings knows, it can be difficult to know what is being discussed, because often the officials will have reports, letters, draft regulations and such that they are referring to in their discussion, but the public has no idea what they are looking at, and then no way of knowing later when -and if- a document is made public, how the content of the document evolved, and why certain choices were made as the officials worked on it. Over the years there have been numerous complains throughout the state about the hidden nature of the government, and in response laws have been enacted in an attempt to make information more easily available to the public.

San Juan County has been the leader in the State on a number of issues, but open government has not been one of them. One example is how differing departments treat a request for copies of documents. Asking for copies in one department results in the copies being made and handed over right on the spot. In another department one is required to fill out a multi-page form of dubious value, and then wait for days for a response, while in yet another department the form is one page long. And the same problem exists in requests for electronic files. Now there are signs of change coming, and the good news is, the sighs are coming from the County leaders.

Click Here for the Full Editorial
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Poster Designers Wanted

Children's Festival announces a "jungle" of a poster contest. Lions, tigers, and life in the jungle come alive on paper during the Children's Festival's wildly creative poster contest.

Official entry forms are now available for artists of all ages ready to share their talents for the San Juan Island 16th Annual Children's Festival. Winning entries will be used to promote the May 6th festival and its 2006th theme: JUNGLE QUEST.


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Saved! But Will Be Moved

(S. Strehlou photo)

There is ongoing concern over the continuing destruction of the older buildings that are a part of what is attractive about Friday Harbor, and if financial considerations mean historic buildings cannot be saved, then there is the hope, that at the least, they can be moved to a new location. Previous Story Sandy Strehlou's daytime job is as the Town Historic Preservation Coordinator, and she has been in the forefront of the effort to save the Churchill building, if not in it's current location, then at least by moving it to a new site within the Town Limits. That move will now occur

The Town of Friday Harbor has announced that on Thursday, February 9th, 2:30pm, the Churchill House will be moved from it's current location above the ferry parking lot, to a new location on Argyle. This will, of course, result in some closing of streets for the length of time it takes the house to pass by.

The Town estimates the trip will take approximately 30 minutes as the building travels down First Street, turning uphill on Spring Street, and finally down the home stretch on Argyle.

Sandy invites the public to observe the move; "As bitter sweet as the move is, it is an historic occasion. Come if you can, and do wish her luck on the journey and in her new life"

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Impact Fees? New Taxes? Maybe.

(Joanruth Baumann of Public Works -Si Stephens in background)

For all of the complaining by both the Left and the Right about the GMA (Growth Management Act), there is at least the demand it makes that government plan ahead for the future, and to include in the plan a way of paying for the services and facilities that government is required to provide, and also for any additional services and facilities they choose to offer. On Tuesday a workshop was held by the SJ County Council on a Capital Facilities Planning Workshop. Joanruth Baumann of Public Works gave a presentation that addressed the money side of providing capital facilities.

The presentation reviewed where the County has been, where it is, and some directions it could go, to raise the money necessary to fund current and future growth for a six year period. For the purposes of the workshop, the presentation listed three general areas the Council could look into as possible funding sources:

Increase Existing Rates
● General Levy
● Road Levy (diverted Toad Levy)
● Tipping Fees and Utility rates, etc.

Borrow
● Existing Debt Service Obligations
● Capacity for Additional Debt
● Pay-As-You-Go vs. Debt

Consider New Revenue Sources
● Real Estate Excise Tax, 2nd ¼%
● Impact Fees
● SEPA Mitigation Fees
● Utility Fees

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A Pandemic Flu Primer for the Islands

(Dr. James and Brendan Cowan -standing- before the County Council)

second presentation and work shop was held by the County Council on the possible impacts of an avian flu ("bird flu") on San Juan County. The presentation was made by the SJC Health Officer Dr. Frank James, and Brendan Cowan, Director of the County Department of Emergency Management. While the thought of the avian flu coming to San Juan County is of concern, both James and Cowan stressed that the end result would not be expected to result in massive infections and deaths. The forecast is based on the historical record of past pandemic outbreaks.

Dr. James has prepared a list of questions and answers on the flu, and they are presented below


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