Gaylord: No Plans To Resign

Rumors that Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord has resigned, and if elected, would not serve, are not true. For the last couple of days in Friday Harbor there has been talk about finding someone to run as a write-in candidate, "now that Gaylord has withdrawn from the race", and -so the rumor goes- "it is too late for anyone else to file".

Gaylord told The Island Guardian that, to paraphrase Mark Twain: "The rumors of my demise as a prosecutor are greatly exaggerated". He added that he has been elected by his fellow prosecutors in Washington to be the next President of the Washington Association of Prosecutors, and that "I have committed to that, and I honor my commitments, so that should put peoples minds at rest.

While it is not known how the rumor got stated, it may be related to a misunderstanding resulting from the recent announcement that Cameron Carter, a Deputy Prosecutor, has resigned. (Previous Story)

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No More Free Parking At Anacortes Terminal

The public may share their views on new parking fees with Ferry officials at the Mullis Senior Center in FH, Sept. 14, at 2:30 p.m., at a public meeting with the county's Ferry Advisory Committee. Alex MacLeod, the Chair of the SJC Ferry Advisory Committee said that "This is a chance for islanders to hear the concerns of their appointed FAC representatives and question and share concerns directly with WSF executives".
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Marine Turbines Study For SJC Proposed

(Artist's rendering of an array of twin rotor tidal turbines -Marine Current Turbines Ltd photo)

Snohomish PUD (Snohomish County Public Utility District) representatives gave a PowerPoint presentation to the County Council last Tuesday, on what may be involved in using tides to produce electrical energy.

To a standing room only crowd of invited guests, experts and representatives of various SJC agencies, The General Manager of the Snohomish PUD, Steve Klein, and Brian Polagye, a Research Assistant from the U of Wa, presented to the Council an overview of a feasibility study they have proposed to undertake in San Juan County.

The proposal includes two possible sites, one in San Juan Channel at Cattle Point Pass that would have an array of 116 turbines with 20 m diameter blades, and a site in Spieden Channel that would have an array of 168 turbines. Mr. Klein was candid and quick to point out that such an endeavor will involve an intense investigation of a number of factors, ranging from the mechanical to the ecological, and stressed that what is now being looked at is only a study of the project, not the implementation of the project.

As to why Snohomish is looking for new power sources in the first place, Klein explained that Snohomish PUD is simply out of capacity to provide the needed electrical power for the growth they are experiencing, and so they must look elsewhere for sources. The question who how does San Juan County benefit from having tidal generators installed in our waters by another county, and Klein explained that the power would go into the state grid, and that a partnership with OPALCO was a possibility.

The claim that the study would be a paper study only, brought forth an observation from Councilman Ranker that it was his understanding that a "study" could allow the installation of one. or some. units. This seemed to be news to presenters, but in a later response to a question from Island Guardian columnist Gordy Peterson (Gordy's column, Poker Face, gives his impressions of the meeting), Klein explained that it was important that Snohomish first look at "possible sources of energy in their own backyard, before going to eastern Washington and building wind generators", explaining that it would be important to show they had first studied alternative locations, prior to proposing to impact some area outside of their own "backyard".

Mr., Klein told the Council that PUD has moved to secure a place in line to study projects now, due to a concern that companies in the private sector may move in, and start reserving rights for future development, and that could foreclose the ability of public use in the future.

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CC "Aliquot System" Policy Remains

The Comprehensive Plan had anticipated that land within a land use designation that was larger than the minimum size allowed, could be legally divided down to the smaller acreage allowed. For example, If a part of the county was intended to be not less than 10 acres in size, and a property owner owned 20 acres, it was assumed that someday -all other things being equal- the 20 acres could be cut into two 10 acre parcels. That was then, and this is now, and if that 20 acres turned out, under the new precise measurement of land (using satellite measurement, such as GIS, that is able to take into account the curve of the planet) found that the 20 acres was a bit short of exactly 20 acres, the owner will be denied a right that he once thought he had.

A number of SJC landowners have now found that there are two ways to define how much land they own, and that when the planning department uses one of those ways, the landowner comes up short from what they thought they owned. As reported in The Island Guardian ( previously reported ), the County used to use what is known as the "Rectangular Survey System", which did not take into account that land is not flat, but as round as the earth that it is a part of, and so in the past. as some surveys came to be joined with others, there could be overlaps of the lines. The solution was to simply make the lines join up, and a legal description explained which direction to walk in, and for how far, to find a boundry point, but 20 acres was considered to be, 20 acres, even in fact it was not quite.

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1200 Rally Last Saturday To Save Turtleback Mt

With 120 volunteers helping to stage a fundraising event for the preservation of Turtleback Mountain, the goal of raising enough money to save over 1.500 acres from potential development took a gain step forward last Saturday. An estimated 1,200 plus supporters attended a fund raising rally, and with almost one person for each acre, close to $200,000.00 was raised. This amount will now be matched by Sue Cooley and Bob Cooley-Gilliom of Stuart island, who have pledged to match donations up to a total of one million dollars.



The San Juan Preservation Trust, The Trust for Public Land, and the San Juan County Land Bank held the "Rally for Turtleback Mountain" on Saturday, September 9, on the Coffelt Farm in Orcas Island's Crow Valley. The rally was part of the Campaign to "save Turtleback Mountain from Development" and provide the public with access to its many treasures. Karin Agosta, Planning Commission Chair, and an President of the Board of Trustees of the San Juan Preservation Trust, said she was impressed, not only with the number of contributors who showed up, but by the broad cross section of those supporters who attended. She said that every sector of the county seemed to be represented in their willingness to help preserve the land.

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Few Turn Out For 9-11 Memorial In FH

(DeLorenzi photos)

While the American legion, Firefighters, Sheriff's office, and some public officials showed up for the 9-11 memorial service in Friday Harbor, the public attendance fell far short of the numbers seen at the 2002 memorial. In a far cry from the nearly 1,500 who filled the street in front of Memorial Park in 2002, (photo below) only a handful of approximately 35 citizens came this year to remember those who lost their lives to the 9-11 attack.
(2002 memorial)

The following official proclamation was read at the memorial service by Mayor Jones:
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CC To Sell Bonds For Turtle Back & Carlson Bld Purchase

On September 12, 2006 at 3:30 p.m., the Council will hold a public hearing to consider a proposed bond ordinance
Close to 16 million dollars in bond obligations is about to be incurred by the County. The selling of the bonds will help pay for a portion of the purchase and preservation of parts of the Turtle Back property on Orcas island previously reported , and also the recently purchased Carlson Building in Friday Harbor. previously reported According to testimony to the County Council, the Land Bank has agreed to contribute 10 million dollars toward the purchase, with the rest of the money coming from other groups

The sale of the bonds for the Orcas purchase will be "paid back" to the County by the Land Bank from the their share of taxes collected on land sales. In July, Lisa Lawrence, Land Bank Commissioner, and Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann informed the County Council that based on land sale projections, there will be sufficient revenue to meet the bond payments, while also continuing to pursue other land acquisitions. and projects. important to the Land Bank. (previously reported Under questioning by the Council at past presentations, Mr. Bormann told the CC that some of the properties which have been protected by conservation easements, will now be sold, and that the sales will generate money in addition to the normal funds received by the Land Bank from taxes.



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No Ifs, Cans, Or Butts About It!

By Lori Stokes

I walk around Friday Harbor a lot. I am also part of the Trash Masters group that regularly cleans up litter along Roche Harbor Road. What do I see whenever I look down? Cigarette butts and more cigarette butts. Not a pretty sight, to say the least.

So, besides the fact that cigarette butts are just plain ugly, there are environmental factors to consider. An alarming number of cigarette butts end up in gutters, and from there go down storm drains that empty into the waters that surround our island. Fish and other marine creatures can easily mistake the butts for food and eat them. Butts present a similar threat to land-based wildlife that swallow them and suffer the consequences of eating plastic.
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Guest Editorial

Improve Safety? Less Money? Why bother?
I am not a town resident but I attended the Town Council meeting Thursday night excited at the thought that the two fire departments might really be moving closer to becoming one entity (story posted below -Ed). Despite the fact that the mayor's own commission recommended a move to one administration that could save 30% of the Town Fire Department's budget, and despite the fact that Fire Fighter safety would be enhanced, the council tabled the item without action. It wasn't tabled pending further investigation, it was just dropped.

Training and safety of firefighters was mentioned, but those concerns seemed to be a very low priority to the council. Both my son and I are volunteer firefighters on the island. That's how we think of ourselves. Not as District 3 fire fighters first, although we are part of that department. We're just fire fighters. When you are working on a fire in the dark in bunker gear and a mask the department you belong to becomes insignificant. However, training differences and variations in equipment can be very significant and could result in tragedy. Occasional combined training is not the same as regular, continuous drills. When the pager goes off, you don't know who will respond. That is why it is so important that we all be comfortable with each other and with the different equipment both departments use under the worst possible conditions. I don't want some variation in training or a different fitting on an air bottle to ever be the reason one of us is hurt or worse.

I've worked in management most of my career. As a manager, the council's reaction to their own commission report was a surprise as well. If I had someone come to me and say they could save 30% of a department's budget AND improve the safety of personnel working in a very dangerous profession I'd be all over it. Instead I heard comments about how insignificant the savings were. One council member actually said we could easily think of ways to spend that much right now. I couldn't help but wonder if they could think of more ways to save that much while they were at it.

Another justification for not going forward that I heard several times was about control. The council didn't want to lose "control" of their Fire Department. This attitude prevailed even after Fire Commissioner Bob Jarman pointed out that under the proposed model the town would still control their assets and have the ability to back out if the arrangement if it didn't work out. I guess I don't understand this issue at all. What is the control hang up? I don't remember seeing the council members at any of the fires I've been to. What control are they so worried about losing? What do they think a bunch of fire fighters are going to do with fire trucks? Such silliness.

Although there might be legitimate concerns about how a combined department would work we'll not get the chance to work them out now. The mayor didn't see any "smoking gun" reason to go forward. I'm wondering what that gun would have to look like. I see public opinion as expressed in the Journal's poll, a possible 30% cost saving and most importantly enhanced safety and efficiency in fire service island wide as a pretty big smoking gun.

So, in the end nothing is happening again. Always a safe move for politicians, even if it isn't the best move for the town or it's fire fighters. A new chief will be hired and this great opportunity to bring the departments together will be gone. If this seems wrong to anyone else, especially those fire fighters and citizens living in town, maybe you could let the mayor or Town Council know. Ultimately it won't change how I respond to a page around here. I'm sure it won't any of the other fire fighters either. Whether the call is for District or Town or both, we'll be ready to go. It's what we all do. I just hope none of us have to pay the price for the council's decision.

Jerry Henderson
San Juan Island

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FH Council Fails To Act On Savings Proposal

(George Johnson & Steven Kennedy (Gary Gibbons not shown) present their report to the Town Council)

At the Friday Harbor Town Council meeting on Tuesday night, there was no shortage of testimony as to why combining town and county fire departments was, at some level, a good idea. What was not as well articulated from the Council were reasons for not combining them.

Long time observers of the Town Council would not have been surprised by the lack of action on this subject, for as Councilman Rosenfeld pointed out, the idea of combining the departments "has been on the table for ten years". What was new, were some of the arguments put forth by firefighters, and fire commissioner Bob Jarman, who stressed the importance of not only maximizing administrative efficiencies, but also of the need to take into consideration the safety of the firefighters, who, they told the Council, would be best served by having one training regime that would train all firefighters in the same way; and include all of the equipment on San Juan Island, not just the equipment of each independent fire station.

Additional testimony touched on some of the potential benefits to the community as a whole, such as lower insurance rates, faster response times, more efficiency in administration, and the use of town and county equipment under one administration and training program.

The Council listen politely to the presenters, asked a few questions, but in whole seemed unimpressed by the testimony as providing sufficient argument to adopt, what a 26 page report called, a "potential to save money for both the Town and SJCFD3, while providing fire protection as good as (or better than) the current standards".

The report was from an Advisory Panel the Mayor, and a majority of the Council, had authorized to explore the "Financial Implications of Combining Town and Fire District #3", and one of the conclusions was that a combined administration of the two departments had the potential to save the Town $75,000.00 a year.

An amount some on the Council felt was not a significant amount. Councilmember Liz Illg said that "$70,000.00 is not a big deal", and by way of example stated that "I am sure we could find a way to spend that much tonight!".

Councilmember Debbie Emery responded that "$75 thousand is 30% of the budget"; and then added that "I wish we could study it more with additional information".

No one seemed inclined to add anything, so the Mayor said "The departments are operating independent and seem to be happy." And with that, the meeting came to an end.

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Emergency Management Hires Preparedness Educator

The SJC Department of Emergency Management announced today that it has hired James Kellogg as its new Preparedness Educator. The overall objective of this grant-funded position is to increase the average citizen's awareness of and preparation for the disasters which might befall the island communities. Kellogg is slated to assume the responsibilities of this post immediately.

Kellogg graduated in 2006 from Brown University with a degree in Community Health. He currently serves the island community as a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician. He is also an active member of FEMA's Disaster Medical Assistance Team.

Brendan Cowan, Director of the Department of Emergency Management, offered his thoughts on the new hire: "I think he'll be good at this job due to his intelligence, energy, and enthusiasm for the goals of this position. He's young, but I think he'll prove to be a fast learner."

When asked about his goals for the job, Kellogg replied, "I hope to be a community resource. The field of disaster preparedness is broad and interdisciplinary; it is my wish to make it an approachable subject…within the grasp of ALL of our island citizens."

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New Winter WSF Parking Rates

Citing a need "to continue having a presence at the lots" for security, WSF has announce it will institute paid parking through the winter months.

Alex MacLeod, the Chair of the SJC Ferry Advisory Committee, points out that "This marks the first time islanders and others have had to pay for parking from October through April.

● The winter rates will be $5/day, $25/month, $10/day for unoccupied RVs

● $125 for a permit good from the start of charges on Oct. 1 to the resumption of "summer" rates on May 1.

For comparison, the "summer" rates are $10/day, $20/two days, $25/three days, $40/week, $75/month, $20/day for unoccupied RVs; and $300 for season (May 1-Oct. 1).

There will be a chance for the public to share their views with Ferry officials at the Mullis Senior Center in Friday Harbor on Thursday, Sept. 14, at 2:30 p.m., when a public meeting will be held with the county's Ferry Advisory Committee. MacLeod said that "This is a chance for islanders to hear the concerns of their appointed FAC representatives and question and share concerns directly with WSF executives".

The following is a letter sent Friday to Mike Anderson, Executive Director of Washington State Ferries.

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Deputy Prosecutor Resigns

Deputy Prosecutor Cameron Carter has resigned his position, and will be moving with his wife to southwest Washington at the end of the month. The Carters will be leaving the island so that they might live closer to wife Sonda's family.

Prosecutor Randy Gaylord said that he wishes "best to Cameron, and value greatly the time he has served as a deputy prosecuting attorney". Much of Cameron's time has been spent in growth management issues, and as of late that has been dealing with the Accessory Dwelling Units appeals and challenges. .

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Names & Conditions Of Accident Victims Released

Sheriff Bill Cumming has released the names and the medical conditions of the young men involved in the recent accident on San Juan Island.

The one fatality was 23 year old Miguel Huerta of Friday Harbor, who was thrown from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. Sheriff Cumming said that based on the witnesses and the evidence at the scene, it appears that Mr. Huerta was killed instantly. An autopsy has been scheduled with the Snohomish County Medical Examiner.

Miguel Huerta has family in Texas, and on San Juan Island, and a memorial gathering for his friends and family members will be held Saturday at his brothers house (potluck dinner, 3pm, 1112 Yacht Haven Rd). His mother and relatives reside in Texas, where the funeral will be held.

The four survivors are expected to make a full recovery, They are: Gerardo Salas-Valente 17, who suffered injuries to his arm and leg, and may have received some internal injuries as well; Mario Salas,15, has an injured hand and a number of lacerations. Both are from Mt. Vernon.

Israel Cruz Aguyo, 17 has internal injuries and scalp lacerations; James Ausilio, 18, the driver of the driver of the vehicle, received facial injuries, and possible internal injuries. A sample of Ausilio's blood will be examined by the WSP Crime Lab. Both of the men are from Friday Harbor.

Cumming states that based on the evidence at the scene, it is now estimated that the speed of the vehicle (a 1995 GMC Yukon, a large SUV passenger vehicle) was "in access of 70 mph, and believe the vehicle to have rolled at least 2 times, possibly 3 times" .

The Investigators at the scene, Dep. Johansen and Dep. Tyrrell, were both trained by the Washington State Patrol in Advance Accident Investigation. The emergency personnel on scene, EMT's and Paramedics, fire fighters and their command staff, and deputies from the Sheriff's Office, were said by Cumming to have been "exceptional in their handling of a very confusing and life threatening scene.

Cumming said that "All displayed a dedication to the highest standards of emergency responders, each fulfilling their roles in an exceptionally professional manner, which resulted the minimizing of existing injuries, scene safety for all involved, and the preservation of evidence for future legal proceedings". Cumming went on to state that he is "very grateful to these volunteers and professionals for their actions" and that he also wanted to "especially thank the volunteer fireman who manned the barricades all night long"; and we might add, on into the next day as well.


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Friday Deadline For Name In SJI Directory

The Partnership Program deadline is approaching Friday, September 8. It's your chance to be in the school telephone directory for ALL grades, ALL year!

The San Juan Island Public Schools Foundation raises funds to enhance education in the classroom. Funds are used to purchase tools, from text books to skeletons, for the teachers that they otherwise would not receive from the District. Last year the Foundation raised over $50,000! The Foundation's "Partnership Program" is one way that local businesses can support our schools and local families can support our local businesses.

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Pramila Jayapal to Speak at SJI Library

(Pramila Jayapal photo)
September 6 at 7 PM. Pramila Jayapal will speak on the topic "Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in a Post 9/11 America". The founder and executive director of Seattle's Hate Free Zone organization will speak at the San Juan Island Library as a part of the library's participation in the world-wide September Project, where libraries around the globe are hosting events to promote discussion about freedom, democracy and citizenship. The lecture and question and answer session is free and open to the public. Event expenses will be supported by Friends of the San Juan Island Library.

Pramila Jayapal founded Hate Free Zone in November 2001 in response to the backlash against immigrant communities of color. Since its creation, Hate Free Zone has grown into a leading voice for its work on behalf of immigrant and refugee communities targeted post-9/11.
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Fatal Accident On SJI

()
(Note: We are updating the information as it becomes available -Ed.)

Miguel Huerta, 23, was killed when he was thrown from the car, and four others received serious injuries when a Yukon SUV driven by James Ausilio, 18, flipped over and rolled on the Westside road of San Juan Island.

Two of the survivors was flown to St. Josephs, and the others were sent to Harborview.

Because of the fatality and the need to do a full forensic investigation of the scene, a portion of Westside road was blocked off last night, and will continue to be blocked from both the south and north (At Hanna Heights) ends for a portion of Sunday.


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