CC Tours Orcas Transfer Station

(Council at Orcas Transfer Station's "The Exchange")

The County Council started their Monday meeting on Orcas with a tour of the local transfer station, including “The Exchange”, which is the Orcas example of a “Trash To Treasures” program that has been proposed for San Juan Island’s new transfer station -although in an up-graded and, hopefully, within a fully enclosed building.

Public Works Director Joh Shannon led the council members on a tour of the site, pointing out some of the issues that will be addressed if they do a master plan for improving the site; but until there is money made available, he suggested things will have to remain as they are.

One area of interest for those from the San Juan Island was the famous Exchange, where ostensibly reusable items are either dropped off by the public, or pulled out of the waste stream by staff, and then made available to the public.







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378 Votes To Keep, 7 Votes To Move Dump

The County Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday, March 31, at 1:30 p.m. in the County Legislative Building (55 2nd St.) to take public testimony on, and “consider possible alternate location” for, a transfer station on San Juan Island.

The Council has already received the results of what may be the most lopsided vote every recorded in the county: the total votes in The Island Guardian email vote on "Keep The Dump or Move The Dump??", have a clear majority of voters who say “Keep it” where it is.
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Some Progress On Mitchell Hill

(SJI Trails Committee map)

The efforts of the County Council, the San Juan Island Trails Committee , and other interested groups in the county to protect the 320 acres that make up Mitchell Hill on San Juan Island have reason for some optimism to preserve the land. Representative Norm Dicks and others are working to include a transfer of the land from the DNR to another group or agency that will restrict development of the land.

Dicks serves on the appropriates sub-committee for the Interior Department 2010 budget, and sources familiar with the project report that pressure and lobbying is underway to fund the National Park Service’s acquisition of the land. One of the 2009 priorities of the SJ County Council is “Save Mitchell Hill.”

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Family Umbrella’s Focus In Our Community

By Mary Ann Anderson

In its 11th year, The Family Umbrella Group has never turned down a qualified preschool scholarship application, making it possible for over 200 local island children to attend the preschool of their choice.

Friday Harbor first-grade teacher, Luanne Pasik, noted the importance of preschool education: “It takes a lot of the teacher’s time in kindergarten and 1st grade to work with children who don’t know how to cut with scissors, hold crayons and pencils appropriately, to follow lines. It affects the child’s self-esteem when they see others cutting with ease and they need help."

She added that "Social skills are extremely important when a child enters school. If children have appropriate social skills, I am able to focus more time on instruction and on more complex social skills. Through play and conversation, they learn the concept of reciprocity, “I talk and you listen, you talk and I listen.”
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Concepia Gallery Opens

Concepia, Friday Harbor's latest business venture, opened Saturday in the new Churchill Corner, just above the ferry landing. The opening show is the first solo show of Randy Laybourne.

Concepia boasts an impressive list of products: photography gallery, photography studio, large format printing, standard and custom framing, photography bookstore, website design, technology and photography tutoring, are the core of Concepia's business.

About Randy Laybourne's Show "Going":
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CC Public Hearing On Tuesday To "Consider Possible Alternate Dump Site"

At a work session last Tuesday (3-24-09) with the County Council and Public Works, Councilman Howard Rosenfeld stated “We have a back-ass rate structure, no reserves, we have to up-grade the site to keep it operating -at least temporarily- and we don’t have money for that, and we are still planning this grandiose facility that we have no financing plan for. Where is the money going to come from.. without raising rates?”

Rosenfeld further express his concern that we “already have a high tipping fee” and added that “I don’t understand where the planning has been on this.”

Public Works Director Jon Shannon responded to Rosenfeld that “we have put this very question to all of the Commissioners that came before you since the day I got here. You're right.”
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Rescue Tug Funding From Vessel Owners

The Senate passed Bill 5344 with a final vote of 39 to 4 vote to fund an emergency response system for the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The funding will come from "owners or operators of covered vessels transiting to or from a Washington port through the Strait of Juan de Fuca"

The requires that they establish and fund at least one rescue tug at Neah Bay to respond to vessels in distress in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and off of the state's west coast from Cape Flattery light south to Cape Disappointment light. A Related story of why it is needed.
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FH Tree Well Program Continues

(Lori Petersen at work-SJICC Photo
Last year the Chamber of Commerce Downtown Forum, as part of its beautification plan, initiated a "Tree Well" program for Friday Harbor trees in the downtown business area.

The idea is have a businesses, organizations or individuals "adopt" the ground around the trees along the sidewalks in Friday Harbor by planting flowers, and then caring for them.
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Shayo Appointed County Code Enforcement Officer

Community Development and Planning Department Director Ron Henrickson has appointed Allen Shayo to the position of County Code Enforcement officer.

“We believe that Allen will do an outstanding job. In the two years he has been with the County as a permit coordinator, he has demonstrated his ability to provide excellent customer service and that will be a real asset in resolving code compliance issues.”
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Two Dumps For San Juan Island?

(Town Council meets with County Council)

The County Council held two work sessions Tuesday on transfer station issues, one with the Town Council (the owners of the current transfer station), and then one with Public Works.

At the joint Town-Council meeting, the question that has been in the background was finally raised by Councilman Bob Myhr when he point blank asked the Town Council if they will “completely -and I use the word completely- totally join in and eliminate all use of the Sutton Road site?”
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Rentals Not Major Part Of Affordable Housing Element Of Comp Plan

An Ordinance Amending the Housing Element and appendixes to the Comprehensive Plan was held by the County Council on Tuesday, but was extended to March 31st.

When Councilman Bob Myhr asked why the rental section had been struck out of the proposed changes to the ordinance, it became clear to the public in attendance that the County had failed to make available the proposed ordinance to the public in the same form the Council had.

The ordinance posted on the county web site did not contain the changes recommended to the Council by the planning department. The strike-outs and additions were not shown.
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If You Don’t Have A House, You Don’t Get Anything

San Juan Island contractor Tom Nolan told the Council on Tuesday that he is no longer able to obtain permits to construct buildings that will be an accessory to a main house, unless he also has, or applies for, a main house.

After Nolan’s comments Community Development and Planning Director Ron Henrickson acknowledged to the County Council that his department will not permit any further construction on property of unattached buildings, unless there is already a house on the property, or is in conjunction with a permit for a main house.

This departure from past policy seemed to perplex Councilman Bob Myhr, who asked Henrickson if this means, for example, if someone wants to build a garage on vacant land, are you saying they cannot do it?

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Town To Council On Dump Site: Your Choice To Make

The County Council will take a tour on Monday (3-23-09) of three of the potential sites for a new San Juan Island transfer station, and will also stop off for a site visit of Consignment Treasures and the SJI Thrift house (Tour will begin at the Thrift House at 1:00 p.m.).

The County Council will not be accompanied by the Friday Harbor Town Council, who own the Sutton Road site. The SJC Council had asked the Town to join in the process of selecting a site, but citing possible conflict of interest and appearance of fairness issues, the Town has declined the offer. The Town leases the current transfer station site to the County, and is also a “customer” at the dump.

The topic of a site selection is scheduled as a major topic when the County and Town Councils’ sit down together for one of their infrequent joint meetings on Tuesday (3-24-09).

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Puget Sound Partnership Review Open

The Puget Sound Partnership has developed a supplement to the Action Agenda Action Agenda to meet guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Program (NEP). This supplement includes clarifications required by the NEP program and is available at http://www.psp.wa.gov/ for a 30-day public review.

Following the comment period, the supplement will be incorporated into a revised version of the Puget Sound Action Agenda. Comments on the Action Agenda and supplement must be received by April 20, 2009 and may be mailed or e-mailed to the Partnership, or submitted online using an online form at www.psp.wa.gov .

Comments submitted previously on the Action Agenda will be covered in a Responsiveness Summary that will be prepared after the close of this public comment period.


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Have You Seen A Clemmys Marmorata?

(L to R: photos by Chris Brown & Willaim Flaxinton)

Have you seen a turtle on your land, or in a pond? If so, and if you believe it looked like the photos above, then you may be the first person in San Juan County to have discovered the Western Pond turtle ((Clemmys marmorata) in our county.

There have been sightings in the county -including one possible sighting on San Juan, but so far there has been no confirmed identifications.

So who cares? The Feds, the State and the County do, because the little guy -7.5 inches long- is listed as a Federal Species of Concern, and is also on the state Endanger list, so if in fact it exists here, all three agencies would like to know about it.

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Turning Points

(Career Center Coordinator Minnie Knych and SVC instructor Margo Grothe, present Turning Points graduate Susan Hampton with her certificate

The 2009 San Juan County Turning Points class graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday, March 18. Turning Points is a free class provided by a cooperative effort of Skagit Valley College Life Transitions program and the Northwest Workforce Council Career Center .

The fourteen students who completed this class received college credit through Skagit Valley College. Most of the members of the class are job seekers referred through the Workforce Council Career Center.

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Buck Annexation Approved

(L to R: Carrie Lacher; Chris Wolf; Mayor David Jones; Anna Maria Marian deFreitas, Liz Illg & Carrie Brooks)

The Friday Harbor Town Council has approved the Buck property for annexation into the Town of Friday Harbor; which will allow the Home Trust to construct affordable housing units on a portion of the property.

But the process is not complete, and the Town is not protected from future costs if the state requires sewer hook-ups to the town system.

Those voting for the proposal were council members Carrie Lacher and Chris Wolf (both of whom live in affordable housing provided by the Home Trust); Anna Maria Marian deFreitas, and Liz Illg. Only council member Carrie Brooks voting against the proposal, expressing concerns the Town “does not get enough from this agreement.”

The Thursday night meeting was a continuation of the very contentious, and sometimes downright rude- public hearing held in November of last year, but this time fewer people showed up, and there was less public testimony prior to council discussion and vote.


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Town & County Support "Earth Hour"

Contributed photo)

(Mayor Jones presents proclamation to Jeanne Hyde)

The Friday Harbor Town Council has been joined by the San Juan County Council in support of Earth Hour, which takes place on March 28.

The idea is "On March 28 you can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for one hour. Or you can vote global warming by leaving your lights on."

The matter came to the attention of the two councils when Jeanne Hyde (photo above) showed up during pubic access time in front of the two councils and asked them to join in. Both agreed.


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Adult Co-Ed Softball League

The signs of spring are everywhere; which means that now is the time to sign your co-ed softball team up for Island Rec’s summer league. This is a 9-week summer league, with games played on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, for women and men 15 years and older.

The cost is $350 if your team registers before April 30th. After April 30th the cost is $375. Practices will begin on May 3rd. Registration forms are available at the Island Rec office on Guard Street or online at www.islandrec.org.

A mandatory coaches meeting will be held April 30th at 5:30 pm at the Island Rec office.Individuals looking to play are encouraged to call Island Rec at 378-4953.



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Board Approves Contract For Hospital

A Contract for the construction of a hospital, and the integration of the Medical Center, has been approved by the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 Board of Commissioners.

With the unanimous vote of the commissions on Wednesday (they were not required to receive voter approval) the commissioners and PeaceHealth will now move forward in acquiring land to construct the new medical facility.

PeaceHealth is a not-for-profit corporation that owns and runs a number of hospitals, but they too have been hit by the downturn in the economy, and while 300 new positions were added last year, they recently had to lay off 70 employees in the Oregon sector of their operations as "part of a plan to reduce expenses by $7.5 million on an annual basis."
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Navy Extends Comment Period On Jet Flights

The Navy has once again extended the public comment period for the Northwest Training Range Complex EIS (Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement). The new date to comment is April 13th.

The extensions are the result of a large number of public comments that the official comment period was too short to allow the public to become aware of the plan to increase military operations that may result in an increase of jet flights over, or near, San Juan County.
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SJC Bottomfish Populations Continue To Decline

(J.Nichols photo)

A study, evaluating if voluntary no-fishing areas in San Juan County are working to recover rockfish, lingcod and other bottomfish, has been completed. The news is not good.

The study was done by SeaDoc Society visiting scientist Eric Eisenhardt and Joe Gaydos, who looked at SCUBA fish count numbers from 2001 to 2006, and found that the fish in the voluntary no-fishing areas were not larger or more abundant than in those reference in "fished" sites.
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Survey On Alcohol, Tobacco & Drug Use

A new survey of Washington students shows most are making good choices about their health. However, overall, drug use, alcohol use, tobacco use, and obesity rates haven’t changed much since the last survey in 2006.

Which is to say far too many regularly use alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and engage in risky behavior.


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US Needs Can. To Restore Puget Sound

Can the United States increase Canadian cooperation in our efforts to restore and protect the waters of Puget Sound? If not, The SeaDoc Society and others are concerned our efforts alone will fail.

A new research paper, just published in the international journal EcoHealth, finds that a major principle for restoring ecosystems has been lacking in efforts to restore the health of Puget Sound.

That principle is a simple one: “Efforts to save Puget Sound must revolve around a working principle that ecosystems do not recognize political borders. To save Puget Sound, the U.S. and Canada must work together much more closely than is currently practiced,” said Joe Gaydos, the study’s lead author.


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Senator Murray Supports Government Providing Veterans Medical Care

While praising Administration's overall budget, U.S. Senator Patty Murray warns Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki against including any proposal that would require the VA to bill veterans’ private insurers for the treatment of wounds and conditions sustained as a result of their military service.

Murray believes that any proposal to bill veterans' private insurance companies for treatment of service-related injuries would meet with stiff resistance. The American Legion has also come out in opposition to the idea, as indicated by a recent Yahoo story on the subject.
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9 New Homes & 8 More Coming Soon

( Board of Directors president Mary Stone, at awarding of keys ceremony)

On Friday (3-13-09) a standing room only crowd took part in the presentation of keys to nine new home owners of the Park Plaza development in Friday Harbor.

The new owners took part in the Homes For Islanders (HOI) program that helps qualified applicants to build their own homes, with help, advice and training by HOI staff and volunteers.

The Self Help program requires each of the applicants to work at least 35 hours per week as well as maintain their full time jobs and maintain their families. The project also provided work for the construction industry and other related businesses.
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Orcas Champion Girls Basketball Team

The County Council has sent a letter to Coach Hodge and the Champion Orcas Girls Basketball Team, stating: "On behalf of everyone in San Juan County, we want to congratulate you for your outstanding set of victories in the Class 2B State Tournament in Spokane. We are enormously proud of your achievements, and the level of sportsmanship you have shown. To make it to the State finals, and never having won there before, is an extraordinary feat.

Your dedication and hard work led you to end the season on a high note, and victory is a very high note. You have made the school, coaches, parents and students feel not only pride in your accomplishments, but also moved by your display of spirit and leadership.

Congratulations once again to the Orcas Island High School Vikings! Well done.

Sincerely,

COUNTY COUNCIL
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WASHINGTON"

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Public Works Has Some Problems -And More To Come

Ask and you shall receive. Requests from Public Works (PW) for inspections of the Sutton road transfer station have resulted in continuing new problems for the County, and now their lack of implementing proper stormwater controls at the Sutton Road Transfer Station has Department of Ecology (DOE) issuing another round of compliance reports.

But in a SJC press release on the latest requests for inspections, it was revealed PW has also called for inspections this week by the State Department of Labor and Industries. That department will look at worker and customer safety and accident prevention issues.

The press release does not state if Public Works Director Jon Shannon is calling for these inspections on his own, or if they have been approved by SJC Administrator Pete Rose, and to what extent -if at all- the County Council is in the loop, is also not stated.

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Benefits Overlooked By Thousands Of Families

By Paula Burkes

A Special Pension for Veterans' Aid and Attendance pays up to $1,644 a month, $19,736 annually; but an estimated $22 billion a year goes unclaimed, said Don Soard, a volunteer with Operation Veteran Aid in Oklahoma City.

In 2007, only 134,000 seniors nationwide received the benefit, which was established in 1952. The money can be used toward assisted living, nursing homes or in-home care for veterans 65 and older who served at least 90 days and one day during wartime -stateside or overseas.Veterans and their spouses can receive up to $23,396 annually and spouses of deceased veterans, $12,681.


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Salmon Recovery State Awards

(Jim Slocomb at work on Salmon recovery projects )

On March 10 at the State Capitol in Olympia, the Washington State Salmon Recovery Lead Entity Program honored outstanding volunteer citizens at the ten year anniversary celebration of the Lead Entity. Eight citizens and groups from all over the state were selected for their dedication and significant contribution toward salmon recovery.

The San Juan Islands community was well represented among the winners with awards being given to Jim Slocomb of San Juan Island and volunteer beach seiners from throughout the San Juans.
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Worldwide Notice For Local Singers: “Bailout”

You never know where that good idea may take you unless you act on it. What seems to have got everyone’s attention for a local San Juan County group is not just a good song, but band leader Tom Henry Doenges new foundation that has been set up to share the profits from selling the song "Im Looking For A Bailout" with those hard hit by the economy.

When his song "bailout" is purchased by download, money will be held in an account to be used to help others who submit a “why they need a bailout"... the foundation then selects from the entries and distributes money to them.

The TV spot was one thing ( Click Here -comes on after a commercial), but as they say on TV: “But wait, there’s more!” Later on Friday the ball kept rolling for Tom’s foundation, “I’m Looking for a Bailout”, with a CNN radio live interview that will also be heard across the nation on radio affiliates of CNN. And then there is the upcoming interview Tuesday with a Magazine in Seattle.

“this timely song engages the issues we are all facing from the fallout and residue left over from the Wall Street collapse and bailouts. The song hopes to raise awareness to the issue and the foundation created that offers 50% of all sales of the song to go the foundation http://www.imlookingforabailout.com/and will distribute the monies to needy families. We want to do what we can to help put food on their table, a roof over their heads, and a safe place for kids to have sweet dreams again.“ -Tom Henry Doenges
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Search For New Superintendent Begins

At a Special School Board meeting Thursday night The San Juan Island School District Board of Directors made a decision to begin a search for a new fulltime superintendent.

Michael Soltman, SJISD Superintendent for the last seven years, has accepted the superintendent’s position at Vashon Island School District. San Juan Island School Board Chair, Boyd Pratt, said “We will miss Michael very much and will diligently search for a new superintendent who will actively advance our district’s mission and passionately serve our school community.”
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Island Rec & SJISD To Fund Athletics

San Juan Island Park and Recreation District (“Island Rec”) -a junior taxing district- and the San Juan Island School District have announced a partnership to develop a funding strategy to continue an interscholastic athletic program for Island students.

At a School Board meeting last week, the board took action to reduce nearly $800,000 from its $9 million operating budget. Program reductions included significant cuts in administration and non-instructional services, reduction of 3 teaching positions, and the elimination of funding for the athletic program.

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Man Cited On Ferry For Being Under The Influence

The report of a 6:46 early morning call for medical assistance to a docked ferry at the Orcas landing on Wednesday has been explained.

Sheriff Bill Cumming said Orcas responders were called out ( Medic 21 and A22), after ferry personnel found 2 incoherent people in a car on the deck of the ferry that was unable to off load, because the people were at first not responding, and then slow to respond to attempts by the ferry crew to wake them, and then to get them to move their car.

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SB 5836 Not Going Anywhere

A bill introduced in the State Senate that would have given the State control of what would normally be under the control of counties, caught the attention of the SJ County Council; but even after it turned out San Juan County was not intended to be a part of the Marine Transportation Facilities Bill, the Council was concerned enough to fire off a letter against it.

Jeff Morris, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Washington State House of Representatives, has informed the Island Guardian “the bill itself was intended to identify a specific project to move gravel from ‘pit to pier’ as being of statewide significance due to the need for gravel in highway construction projects.”
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Next Step In SJI Transfer Station Selection: The FEIS Is Released

The release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) they may be a disappointed for some, if they hoped to have some soild answers to questions on costs of development and traffic safety for a transfer station on San Juan Island.

The Council will hold a public meeting on March 31 to allow some public input on the San Juan Island transfer station project.

The release of the Final EIS starts a 21-day appeal period that closes on April 2, 2009. Appeals are filed at the Community Development and Planning Department at 135 Rhone Street in Friday Harbor. There is a $555 fee for filing an appeal.

While the document is available for down load, the main part - the FEIS - is huge (26.5 mbytes), and even with high speed connection there may be a problem downloading it for many. Best bet is to down load it in three parts: Part One ; Part Two , and Part Three

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Car Off Cliff & Into Water Claims Life Of One On Orcas

One person is dead after a vehicle on Orcas went over a 60’ cliff near Channel Road and landed upside down in the water.The victim had been reported missing on Tuesday at 1:00 pm. Friends were searching when the vehicle was discovered over the bank and in the water at low tide.

At 9:36 pm Tuesday night, Orcas Fire responded to a reported vehicle over the embankment near Cayou Quay Marina in Deer Harbor. The first responder on scene reported a vehicle partially submerged, upside down in the water.

Deer Harbor Engine 24,Westsound Engine 22, Medic 21 and Rescue 21 responded as well as 16 firefighters and EMS personnel and a rescue dive boat provided lighting to aid in the recovery of the car, but divers were not necessary due to land access to the car.

The rope rescue team brought equipment in Aid 22 with equipment but it was not deployed. Firefighters and EMTs assisted with recover of the vehicle as it was pulled from the water and back to the roadway by town truck.

The call was completed and all apparatus were back in station by 2:42 am

More details will be posted when they become available

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Rose Explains CD&PD Layoffs

(Updated with new Chart)

County Administrator Pete Rose explained to the County Council on Monday the reasons for the decision to lay off two employees at Community Development and Planning, and took the opportunity at the end of his briefing to say ”I am sorry to our employees.”

Rose said the “permitting in December January and February has been down over 35%.”

Based on just permit revenue, Rose said the department projects being "over $110,000.00 behind in about three weeks, and to that we add to the costs in our personnel rules -our benefit programs of [past] layoffs- and we are starting to approach $150,000.00 behind."

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St. Patrick’s Extravaganza Dinner and Auction

FH Soroptimist will serve the Thirteenth Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on Saturday, March 14 beginning at 6pm at the San Juan Yacht Club. A Silent Auction and Raffle is held during the traditional Irish Dinner. Live Auction at 7:30 pm.

Back by popular request is the prepaid $12 ‘To Go Dinner’ available for pickup 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Event Tickets are $20 Adults, $15 Seniors (65+), $10 Children (under 10 yrs) at Spa d Bune, Toy Box and with Becki 378-9519 or Debbi 378-7232. For more info visit www.sifri.org
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CD&PD Lays Off Permit Coordinators

San Juan County Community & Development Permit Coordinators Allen Shayo and Chris Laws were given ten days notice on Monday they would lose their jobs due to a lack of funding.

That will leave only one permit coordinator to review incoming land use permits and do site inspections for pre-permit applications. The permit coordinators are the first gate applicants must pass through to have their permits processed; and the layoffs mean things may once again start moving backwards at CD&P.

CD&P Director Ron Henrickson had warned the County Council that if permit fee revenues were to drop in 2009, some positions may no longer be funded.

Shayo stated he "had never been warned." Shayo said he received the same news last year as everyone else that times were tough, but nothing specific as to him was ever communicated. Shayo stated that he was "absolutely floored to receive this news which came out of nowhere."
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Final EIS To Be Released To Public

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the San Juan Island Transfer Station site selection has been completed, and will be available to the public on March 12. The County states the document may be download from the County website on Wednesday morning (3-12-09).

Unlike the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the final is said to include traffic studies on all of the sites, but there are concerns the studies were conducted in the off season when the amount of traffic and non-motorized use of the roads was at it’s lowest point.

The FEIS is required to respond to the questions and comments received after the publication of the DEIS. but to what extent, and how comprehensive the responses are, will not be known until those who commented have an opportunity to read the answers and responses in the FEIS.

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Rescue Tug Assists Inbound Cargo Ship

(Crowly Tug HUNTER -photo by "citywalker")

For the 42nd time since 1999 the currently state-funded response tug has been called into service. ( Related Story )

Today, (3-9-09) at about 11:30 a.m., the captain of the VIJITRA NAREE, a 12 year old, 541-foot grain ship, with a diesel fuel capacity of 474,222 gallons. notified the U.S. Coast Guard that the vessel had excessive main engine exhaust gas temperature requiring them to shut down their main propulsion engine. At about noon, the vessel purposely shutdown its engine and drifted south towards Duntze Rock.

The ship, owned by Precious Orchids, Ltd. had been heading into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with a final destination of the Port of Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Crumb Rubber Begone!

(Volunteers begin the removal of crumb rubber from play area)

The use of crumb rubber as an underlayment at the Friday Harbor Elementary School playground may still be a controversial issue for some, but with it’s removal this week, it is now an academic argument.

Starting over the March 9th and 10th weekend, volunteer crews and donated equipment (photo above) began the messy job of removing crumb rubber from the playground area. Once the rubber crumbs were disturbed, a strong rubber smelling odor was obvious enough for one of the workers to paraphrase a line from the 1979 film Apocalypse Now, when he said “I love the smell of crumb rubber in the morning.”

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Council Off To Lopez On Monday

The County Council will hold a Special Meeting on Lopez this week (3-9-09) to conduct their normal business, but also to take a morning tour of the Lopez Senior Center, the Lopez Transfer Station, and at 2:15 make field trip to Upright Head with Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann. (Monday Agenda).

The formal meeting -open to the public- begins at 12:15 at the Lopez Fire Hall, and at 12:25 the council will hold a discussion with Director Bormann on the proposed Lopez Hill Trust Land Transfer Agreement.

The Council will return to San Juan Island for the regular scheduled Tuesday meeting. Tuesday agenda

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“From Bean To Bar” & Chocolate Tasting

There will be two food events in Friday Harbor on March 18th that should bring together islanders who are interested in Chocolate.

The first event is a presentation by Ecuadorian cacao farmer and truffle maker Enrique Cerda -with translator/intern Becca Roebber- of the community owned Kallari Chocolate Association. The second event is a “truffle making class and chocolate tempering demonstration”

First event will be at the SJI Library Meeting Room (1010 Guard St) from 3:15 - 4:45pm, and then on to Bakery SJ (775 Mullis St.) from 5:00 to 7:00pm for the Truffle class.
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Looking Good To Keep The Tug Boat

(Tug escorts ship past west side of SJ Island -G. Petersen photo)

A bill to continue funding for an emergency response system for the Strait of Juan de Fuca was been passed 44 to4 in the State Senate, and now goes to the House for consideration. The bill will provide funding for the Neah Bay Response Tug.

Funding for the tug has been an on-again-off-again problem, but thanks to Senate Bill 5344 sponsor Senators Ranker, Swecker, Rockefeller, Marr, Hargrove, Pridemore, Fraser, Shin, McDermott and Kilmer, funding may be provided until 2011.

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Soltman To Be Hired By the Vashon School District

San Juan School Superintendent Michael Soltman will soon be the new Vashon Island School District Superintendent -that is, assuming on Monday the Vashon Board takes the expected official action.

Soltman is the only remaining candidate, and assuming the official announcement is made Monday, he will move back to Vashon, where he lived when he was the Associate Superintendent for the Mercer Island school.

Soltman would remain with the SJISD until the end of June, and start his new job on July 1st. The SJISD Board has already taken the first steps to begin a search for a new Director, and will hold a special board meeting March 12th to discuss the process.
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SJISD Community Dinner & Music

Chef Andy & The Friday Harbor Foodies are providing a "Very Irish" menu for a -and Irish music- community dinner on Saturday (March 7), from 5:30 to 7:00 at the Friday Harbor High School Dining Hall.

The proceeds go toard the Every Child Eats Fund, which is administered by the San Juan Island Family Resource Center. Diners are asked to pay by donation.

Email RSP -or for questions- to dinnner@sjisd.wednet.edu
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Possible Skill Centers For SJC Schools

The school districts of San Juan County are asking businesses to complete a survey to determine if it is feasible to have a branch or satellite skill center program offered on their high school campuses.

The central question asked of business owners is: “Do you believe that the employee pool in San Juan County is well trained enough?” There is an an opportunity to have more training available for trade skills, basic job skills, and customer service, if there are sufficient responses to the survey that indicate a valid need

For more info, contact Minnie Knych, Northwest Workforce Development Center Center at 540 Guard Street #210Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Phone 360 378-4662 Fax 360 378-8662 (2)

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$500 For Best FH Centennial Poster

The deadline for all entries for the "Paint the Town of Friday Harbor" art competition is March 15th.

The selected entries will be part of the posters produced to publicize the centennial event. A percentage of the sales of the poster will be donated to the San Juan Historical Museum, a 501(c) 3, whose mission is to share and interpret the story of the peoples of the San Juan Island for future generations

A juried show is scheduled for this summer at waterworks gallery. An application is available by clicking Here ; for additional information contact Carla Wright at carla@waterworksgallery.com
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Dr. Geyman On National Health Care

Join Dr. Geyman at the next meeting of the League of Women Voters of the San Juans for an assessment of the latest challenges and opportunities now facing doctors, patients and lawmakers.

The meeting will take place at 12 noon, Monday, March 9 at the San Juan Library; and members of the public are encouraged to attend

Dr. John Geyman has been working within and trying to improve our nation's health care system for decades. His view of the problems plaguing our deteriorating health care environment is realistic and disturbing, but he also has a sweeping understanding of how things could change for the better.

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Soltman Likely To Leave SJISD

San Juan Island School Superintendent Michael Soltman is the last, and only one, on the finalist list to become the next superintendent of the Vashon Island School District.

There are still others on the semi-finalist list, but after his only competitor accepted a position elsewhere, only Soltman remains on the final cut list, and by Thursday he may know with certainty if the Vashon School board selects him to be superintendent.

The move to the Vashon district would return Soltman to where he came from. Prior to accepting the San Juan position, Soltman was an Associate Superintendent on Mercer Island, but lived on Vashon Island.
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Trails Committee Third Annual Potluck -At The Grange Tonight

(Cinda Pierce, vice chair of the Trails Committee, Rick Exstrom, treasurer & Chairman David Dehlendorf)

Once again, the San Juan Island Trails Committee has planned an evening (March 4th -Wednesday) to gather, share a meal, catch up with each other, not work, and hear from some adventurers among them. Everyone is welcome in & bring along a dish to share - and your own table setting.

On Wednesday, March Fourth to the Grange Hall : 6:00 pm Potluck supper, 7:00 pm Trip talks & pictures.

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Council Responds To PW Report With Questions

(Joh Shannon & PW Staff respond to Council questions on report)

The reaction of the members of the County Council to a formal presentation by PW (Public Works) on where to build a new transfer station was low key, muted, and perhaps worrisome for those who may believe the selection of the Beaverton Valley site is a foregone conclusion.

While the questions from the council Indicated they would like to have more Information on the cost to the taxpayer to develop the sites, and more information on potential traffic impacts to non-motorized use of the roads, there were also questions on how the report arrived at some of the conclusions.
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Two For One: Theatre And Museum Exhibit

As Friday Harbor celebrates its centennial, the San Juan Community Theatre is joining in with Our Town, one of the most frequently produced and beloved plays by an American playwright.

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town premieres on the Whittier Stage February 26 and continues for a total of 10 performances through March 13.

EXHIBIT: FRIDAY HARBOR 1900-1930! For the price of a ticket, theatre-goers will enjoy the play plus an exhibit of artifacts and ephemera from Friday Harbor dating from 1900 through 1930.
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Swim Team Finale

( Margaret Bell photo)

The Orcas and the Dolphins swam their little mammal hearts out- it was the end (2-28-09) of a very wet and fun season for the local kids involved in the San Juan Island Fitness Swim Team.

The pool is Olympic size -25 yds. long with 4 lanes. The kids swam against each other in many different heats and relays, including a fun-family-freestyle relay (swimming against other families) and a T-shirt relay (swimming with a t-shirt on).

The opportunity to offer this wonderful sport to the kids of our Island is due to the involvement of many dedicated parents and a few incredible local swimmers.
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PW Indorses SWAC Dump Site Recommendations

PW (Public Works Director) Jon Shannon will present a Report To The County Council Monday (3-2-09) on where to build a new transfer station on San Juan Island. The report states “The recommended sites, in priority order are: 1. Beaverton Valley; 2. Daniel Lane; 3. Sutton Road; 4. Egg Lake; 5. Golf Course."

This is the same recommendation made by the majority report of the SWAC (Solid Waste Advisory Committee) that was presented to the County Council in January, and in many ways echo’s their report.

Both recommendations are at odds with an ongoing reader survey conducted by The Island Guardian that has consistently shown that those who have voted prefer the current Sutton Road site by 100 to 1 over the other proposed sites.
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Focus Day For Education Funding

( Tami Ashcraft photo)

By Deborah Nolan

We awoke to snow and ice but a bus load of parents made our way down to Olympia yesterday to take past in The PTA Focus Day rally on the capital steps.

It was said to have been the largest rally ever, with about 400 participants. State legislators and senators came pouring out of the building to attend.

The main message is that we can not go on with a system that is under funded and not meeting the needs of our students. I even got to make a short speech about how great our community is about supporting our schools( we pass all our levies, volunteer etc) and even with that, there is not enough money.

The task force studies are over, and all agree that something has to be done -and they are committed to workout a compromise bill and set things in place.

Money of course is the big piece of the puzzle that is missing this year. It is never too late to write the governor or our state reps, Jeff Morris, Dave Quall, or Kevin Ranker and mention that even in a tight year, school are suppose to be our paramount duty, and proper funding should be a top priority.

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