The Grand Old Party Has One On Orcas

Over 100 attended the annual Republican Christmas party dinner on Orcas. The guest speakers were Sheriff Deputy Scott Taylor and Ri Warren. Deputy Scott Taylor is also an Army National Guard Major who recently returned from duty in Iraq, and he talked about the experiences and impressions he received while in Iraq.

He had two main messages for the assembled crowd, the first was that, for a number of reasons, it was clear to him that the progress and the positive things going on in Iraq are simply not being reported to the folks back home. He gave as an example of the problem by asking what the impression of America would be to the rest of the world, if the only news or knowledge they received about America was the result of a reporter standing in a slum and reporting on the crime and gang violence in the area, but never ventured out of those areas to report on the positive and non-violent areas With respect to the troops, he said he found the moral to be universally high.

[more..]

San Juan County Democrats Announce 2006 Activities

The San Juan County Democratic Party held its regular monthly meeting on December 17th at Skagit Valley Community College, Friday Harbor. Ron Zee was appointed to fill the Vice Chair position. Allison Lengyel has been appointed to the vacant PCO position for Shaw.

Sharon Abreu (PCO Orcas 4) attended the recent Climate Change Conference in Montreal and reported on the work of the conference and its potential local impact. Abreu and Rena Patty (PCO Orcas 3) will prepare resolutions for individuals and governments on the national, state and local levels to deal with the challenge of global climate change. Ron Zee (PCO San Juan 4) will assume management of 2006 web site updates ( Link to webpg)

[more..]

SJI Man Found Dead

In what is being handled as a suicide, Sheriff Bill Cumming reported that Michael Dodson, aged 21, was found dead on Tuesday, the 27th. Mr. Dodson was found when the home owner requested that the house Mr. Dodson was staying in be checked, as the home owner was off island for the holidays, and he had been unable to make contact with Mr. Dodson.

When the house was checked, the body of Mr. Dodson was found in a bedroom of the home. According to an investigation of the scene by deputies, it was determined that most likely the deceased died from a single gunshot wound. The on-scene findings will have to be verified by a post mortem examination, which will be conducted by the Snohomish Medical Examiner. The family of the victim has been notified.

[more..]

12 New EMTs Ready To Serve

San Juan Emergency Medical Services has added a dozen new EMTs to its ranks. The class of 12 selected from a group of 50 applicants has completed over 4 months of training to become Emergency Medical Technicians under the careful direction of Paramedic Weyshawn Koons, SJEMS's Training Officer.

This brings the San Juan EMS volunteer ranks to 41. Some of these new EMTs live throughout the island in more remote areas such as the north end near Roche Harbor and the south end in the Cape. In an attempt to even further reduce response times, they will be outfitted with specialized equipment and medications allowing for the speedy delivery of life sustaining interventions. San Juan EMS's response times are now even better than the national average for busy urban systems.
[more..]

BOCC Votes Eastsound Regs Over Shoreline Act

( Appellant's exhibit of a "before and after" view of project)

A proposal by Wallace and Susan Gudgell to develop two buildings in Eastsound has raised the question of the supremacy of county Shoreline Regulations. The Gudgell proposal was heard and approved by the Hearing Examiner (HE), but then appealed this month to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), where, by a two to one vote, the appeal was denied. Commissioners Myhr and Ranker voted to allow the project to go ahead, and Commissioner Lichter voted against it, stating the HE made factual and legal errors in his findings.

At the heart of the matter is the question of which set of regulations control waterfront development in Eastsound: The County Shoreline Act, or a set of local regulations contained in the Eastsound Subarea Plan.

According to William Chapman, attorney for Ms. Margaret Langley, Ms. Leith Templin, and Ms. Pierrette Guimond, the three citizens that filed the appeal, the decision by the HE "treats the Eastsound Subarea Plan's zoning rules as superseding key provisions of the County's Shoreline Master Plan". Or, -the other side of the coin- according to the Gudgell's attorney, The fundamental legal issue …is whether the Eastsound Subarea plan has any meaning".

The matter is further confused by the geography of the proposal. While both of the lots are within the shoreline, one of the lots proposed for development is also within an area known as the Waterfront Access Agreement; an area within the Eastsound Subarea Plan that has more specific control criteria of development than the regulations contained in the Shoreline Act. But specific in what way? The Eastsound Plan is more specific in setting out architectural standards, but according to the appeal, the standards allow greater bulk and size then would be allowed under the Shoreline regulations.

One of the underlying issues that seemed to concern Commissioner Lichter, was the lack of requirement that the Examiner's Conclusions of Law be met by the project as it is developed, but only that that if the Conclusions are met, it would qualify. But unlike usual approvals from the HE, especially within the shoreline, no demand was made by the HE that all of the conditions that would allow the proposed development to qualify for approval be mandatory.

One example that came up in discussion was the question of, would there be "sufficient public visual access to qualify as a ‘water-enjoyment use' " if a restaurant was operated in one of the buildings. Both the HE and the BOCC decided that there would be, but again, there was no demand that there be such a restaurant, or any other use that would meet the requirement that uses be, at the least, such that they provide public access.

As any student of law knows, regulations of a lesser level of government can make regulations more stringent, but not less so. With the split vote of the BOCC, it is expected the matter will go to the Shoreline Hearings Board for their review; and from there it could end up in Court.. The outcome may have far-reaching impacts to the Shoreline Act.


[more..]

Vendors Wanted for Orcas Wedding Fair

The Orcas Chamber's 2nd Annual Wedding Fair is February 25, 2006 at Rosario Resort. The fair will draw wedding planners and engaged couples from throughout the Northwest.

Vendor opportunities are available to businesses or individuals which provide locations for weddings, rehearsal dinners or receptions; caterers; restaurants; cake makers; wedding officiates; florists; event planners; photographers; beauty salons; musicians; lodging; etc. Space is limited, so register early! In addition, there are opportunities for food and wine businesses to provide samples at the tasting reception Saturday evening.

Go to Webpage by clicking on this LINK ; or call Orcas Chamber at 376-2273; or send an email by clicking on this email link.

[more..]

Grants give endangered species a boost

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Private Stewardship Grants Program (PSGP) is providing grants and other assistance on a competitive basis for voluntary conservation efforts that benefit species listed or proposed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Award amount is approximately $6.5 million. A 10 percent non-federal match is required.

Deadline: Jan. 23, 2006. Eligible applicants are private landowners, land conservancies, community organizations, conservation organizations, local governments and state-supported universities. Contact: Heather Hollis 503-231-6241. Website: LINK
[more..]

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.

[more..]

We Wish You The Best, And We Thank You!

We wish all a Merry Christmas and a happy and merry time during the holidays, and we extend a sincere thank you to all who do what you do out of a sense of service and obligation to others, and not simply to have a job or make money.

SJC Man Keynote Speaker At Salmon Conference

SJC resident William Ruckelshaus, chairman of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board for the State of Washington, will be the keynote speaker at a conference Jan. 25 in Portland, Ore. The conference will look to answer such questions as"What will it take to sustain significant populations of salmon into the next century? How can policies help ensure their survival?" Organizers of the Salmon 2100 Project are challenging salmon specialists to answer these questions For more information, contact the conference coordinator, 541-737-2329.


[more..]

Wood Boat Center ($2 Million?) Dead In The Water

At the last BOCC meeting, Commissioner Ranker informed the Board that the funding of "$300 to $500,000 from the state for a wood boat center is on hold at this point, for reasons we don't need to get into at this time". Ranker told the Board that there are major projects in the state that need a funding source, and "I don't think it wise to push this forward at this time. I am now envisioning a much broader program, and I will continue to move forward on this broader program"..

Prior to the bad news on the lack of funding, the local Economic Development Center (EDC), had asked Orcas resident Steve Garrison to take the leadership on preparing a grant proposal to submit to the office of the Govenor to apply for the money. Garrison and Jeff Bossler formed groups on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez to produce a proposal to present to the Governor's office that they hoped would "lock in" the grant money, but it was found that as a result of a combination of miscommunications at the State level, and the need of the Budget Office to fund other grant requests, the anticipated $500,000 was not inserted in the Capital Budget Proposal the Governor was required to present to the Legislature by the 20th of December.

In any case, both Ranker and Garrison concurred that $500,000 for a wood boat center "should not have taken this level of priority" if critical infrastructure projects in the state would have lost necessary funding. With respect to Ranker's goal that he is now working toward a broader program for the County, Commissioner Myhr told Ranker that "We need to see something in writing that explains what your doing", Ranker said he could get him some data on the subject, to which Myhr responded that "We need something in writing, so we can look at it.".

What Commissioner Ranker did not discuss at the Board meeting, was a general provision that the type of grant being applied for " generally are ones in which the requested state funds:…are a small portion of the total project funding (25% or less", so that had the County received the grant, it was historically likely that the County would be required to raise 1.5 million in cash, or equivalent (e.g., donated materials or labor), as a condition of the grant funding, and that the money could only be used to construct a building. There would be no money to put anything in the building, and no money for ongoing maintenance and operation.

According to Garrison, it was "not the preference of the various marine groups" in the county that "that amount of money be used for a single use facility on one island".


At the end of a "History of the ‘Wood Boat Facility' Grant Proposal" sent to those involved in the grant request, Garrison stated the conclusions he had drawn thus far from the grant funding process:

[more..]

Register for Winter Quarter at Skagit Valley

It's not too late to register for students who are interested in Winter Quarter classes and workshops at Skagit Valley College. Winter Quarter will begin Tuesday, January 3 at he San Juan Center in Friday Harbor.

The college offers academic transfer degrees, professional/technical career options, courses in basic skills and English as a Second Language, job skill upgrades, as well as many personal enrichment courses and workshops.

In addition, many courses are available online, via distance education. Transfer degrees include the Associate in Arts University and College Transfer (AAUCT), Associate in Arts, Associate in Technical Arts, Associate in Music, Associate in Science, Associate in Visual Arts, an Associate in Business, and a new Early Childhood Education transfer degree. The college also offers GED preparation courses and testing.

Interested students can apply and register online at www.skagit.edu, in person, or by contacting The San Juan Center (360) 378-3220


[more..]

Comments Due On Orca Plan Jan. 3

Public comments on a draft conservation plan for orca whales are due Jan. 3. Last November, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service announced its decision to list the three Southern Resident orca pods as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA Fisheries developed a draft conservation plan that identifies measures to help restore the population and provides goals to measure success.

The draft plan calls for public information and education programs as well as ways to respond to orcas that are stranded, sick, injured, isolated, pose a threat to the public, or exhibit nuisance behaviors. Draft Plan
[more..]

Let There Be Light!

Today begins the return of longer days. While it may be the first day of Winter, for many of us it is early "Spring", as each day while we do some scheduled action, such as driving to and from work, we notice how the light lasts a little longer; okay, so not much longer, but at least the days are not getting any shorter.
[more..]

Town Looking At Creative Solutions To Growth

(Town map)

The Town of Friday Harbor is looking toward creative solutions to the expansion of the Urban Growth Area (UGA) and the controlling regulations. Under the Growth Management Act (GMA), UGAs must be reviewed for compliance with the Act, which requires that government provide for potential anticipated growth.

At a Town Planning Commission (PC) meeting, the Land Use Administrator for the Town of Friday Harbor, Mike Bertrand, reviewed a list of possible policies that the PC should look at as it considers any possible changes to town regulations:

1. Not expanding even if there is a need, by: adjusting unite per acre, setting minimum lot size, granting density bonuses, etc.
2. Expand the UGA with new standards for density and lot size
3. Consider how to maintain the village concept if UGA is expanded
4. How to pay for the infrastructure costs

Bertrand then presented to the Commission a possible change to the current regulations. Bertrand gave the Commissioners a map of Friday Harbor (above) that indicated there are 226 parcels of land in town that are vacant. His suggestion is to allow additional density to these parcels to occur, if the owner agrees to provide Open Space easements on a portion of the property.

This would have the effect of producing "new" lots, of a smaller size, without increasing the UGA boundaries of the town -and may make the lots more affordable. In response to questions from the Commission, Bertrand pointed out this proposal would be limited to only existing parcels of land that have not been developed, and would not be allowed for any new or existing subdivisions.

Some of the additional potential benefits to the Town would be an increase in Open Space that could result in the possibility for mini-parks, walking areas and trails. Commissioner Laura Arnold pointed out that by not expanding the UGA boundaries, the town could keep a "sharp edge" between the town and the county.

The Commission agreed the proposal was worth exploring, and asked Bertrand to do some projections of impacts for the Commission to review.

[more..]

New Years Eve Bash: Volunteers needed

Island Rec, with the sponsorship of the Prevention Coalition and Soroptimist international of Friday Harbor, is offering a New Years Eve Bash for young adults 14-20yrs of age. The party will be held at the Grange from 9-12:30am on December 31st. Food, DJ and fun! Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Island Rec office from 1-5 pm Monday –Friday for $5.00. Tickets will be $8.00 at the door.

Volunteers are needed for the party

Volunteers are needed to decorate and to help during this event. Please help keep our young adults safe on New Years and donate some of your time. To volunteer or for more information on this event please call Corelia Peacock at 378-4953.

[more..]

The End Of An Era

(Lil Hamel, Clerk of the BOCC, joins the Commissioners for the last photo of the BOCC. Lil will be retiring at the first of the year)

The Board of County Commissioners have held their last meeting, and now the sitting members will start-up in January as the first members of the new Charter form of Government.

Commissioner Myhr stated that he believed he was speaking for the full Board when he said that "We want this to be as smooth a process as possible, and that while it is revolutionary event, it is going to be an evolutionary process; and it is not going to happen overnight. We will not be able to make all the changes all at once. As we develop new rules for the Council, we will have to use existing Board rules until we put new rules in place".

Commissioner Ranker said that "My primary goal is to appoint a high level Pro Tem, but we may have to appoint someone as a temporary Pro Tem until we can find the right person", at which point Myhr said the primary "goal is to find a full-time County Administrator" to which Lichter added that a "key person is essential".

County Prosecutor Gaylord reminded the Commissioners that the Charter has taken away their administrative authority, so if they do not act quickly to appoint a Pro Tem, and then a County Administrator, as required by the Charter, some areas of County government will grind to a halt.

The new form of government starts January 9th when the current Board will be sworn in as Council members. Once that is completed SJC will have a new government.

Their first order of business is to secure a bond, and then to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair. Under the Charter they are then required to appoint an Administrator Pro Tem and start a "professional search" for a County Administrator "qualified to carry out duties. Search should be complete within 120 days".

[more..]

Replacing Si On EDEN: May Be Expensive

The David Zeretzke, spokesman for the ad-hock committee formed by the BOCC to replace Si Stephens (Previous Story) as the Lead Manager of the EDEN project, reported back to the Commissioners that after a meeting in which they reviewed documents on the project, they have concluded that there are "people in the state that can pick this up and continue on" with the project.

To that end, the committee has begun to post for a new position for a coordinator that will take over the task of replacing the current county software program the Auditor uses. In response to questions from Commissioner Lichter as to budget impacts, Zeretzke said there may be the need to "look" at the budget in the middle of 2006, as the original amount for professional services was $55,000.00, but some of that has been spent on outside consultants.

Commissioner Lichter asked how long this is going to take, and was told at least 18 months, and some counties have taken as long as two years to implement the program. Zeretzke also said it is unlikely that the start-up of the new program can now meet the original time-line.

Lichter told Zeretzke that "I am mildly disappointed we now need to post for this position. I had hoped you would have been able to come back to us today with a plan and a person."

The budgeted amount for the direct costs of the EDEN project is $693.000.00, but that will not cover the indirect costs, and even those are now expected to rise as a result of Auditor Stephens resigning his position as Lead Manager when the BOCC refused to authorize additional work hours for the project; an authorization that they will now, it appears, have to do anyway as they search for a new employee from the main land to manage the program.

[more..]

Local Man In Iraq As Advisor

(Department of State photo)

Stephen J. Weber of Friday Harbor, has accepted an appointment to the Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs as an advisor in the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office. Weber is leading a coalition team in Baghdad, and will is serving as the Director of Finance and Contracting for the Iraq Ministry of the Interior.

The appointment began November 28, 2005, and he is currently in Baghdad for a full tour, but will be given four "leaves" during his stay, and his family plans to join him during leave time in some place outside of Iraq.

Mr. Weber and his wife own King Printing and Design in Friday Harbor.

[more..]

Nature Conservancy To Support County In Stewardship Project

The BOCC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding between San Juan County and The Nature Conservancy to "develop a science-based, strategic stewardship plan of action for the SJC Marine Stewardship Area Project".

MRC (Marine Resources Committee) Coordinator Jody Kennedy recently made a presentation to the BOCC on a proposed agreement with the NC (Nature Conservancy), to develop planning and management policies and processes, that will allow various organizations, including the County, the Northwest Straits Commission and The Nature Conservancy, to put in place a stewardship area plan that will generate broad support for actions that will "help to protect and restore the marine resources in the San Juans"; and to do so in a manner that is consistent with the SJC Comprehensive Plan.

It is also the intent of the agreement that the relationship with the various groups will "provide a basis for a continuing outreach and education effort". The MRC will be the local organization that will set the program goals; coordinate the planning process, and keep other local groups, stakeholders and the County, informed of the actions of the groups involved. The Nature Conservancy will support and assist with the planning, organizing and development of the programs.

At the end of the presentation and review of the Memorandum, it was moved by Commissioner Lichter " to sign the MOU between SJC and The Nature Conservancy to develop a science-based, strategic stewardship plan of action for the SJC Marine Stewardship Area Project as set forth therein".. With a second by Myhr, the motion carried.

[more..]

1st PC Workshop On ADUs Finds Problems

The PC (Planning Commission) held a workshop Friday (12-11-05) on a draft Ordnance Proposal that Commissioners Ranker and Lichter (Bob Myhr had not yet been elected as a Commissioner) had forwarded to the PC for their review and recommendations, if any.

The Proposal was -depending on who you talk to- first drafted by Ranker, or, it was drafted by the Friends (Friends of the San Juans), and then re-worked by Ranker, and then sent by email to Lichter for his comments. After Ranker and Lichter had agreed on the content, it was announced by Ranker to the public ( Previous story) at a September (9-6-05) BOCC meeting that he and Lichter wanted to settle the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit; commonly referred to as a "Guest House") issue, outside of the Courts, and to that end proposed the BOCC instruct the Prosecuting Attorney to ask the Appeals Court to not rule on the pending appeal the BOCC had previously submitted to the Court.

Lichter stated he was in agreement with Ranker that the BOCC should settle with the Friends by moving forward on a settlement agreement that had been put forward by the Friends. After prolonged discussion, and not a little argument, and against the advice of the County Prosecutor, Lichter moved that the Proposal (the draft Ordinance) that he and Ranker had drafted be sent to the PC for their review, and that the BOCC "file a joint motion with the Friends of the San Juans to stay the decision of the SJC pending case with the Court of Appeals".

[more..]

Myhr On The Charter: Shaw, Dec 28

County Commissioner Bob Myhr will meet citizens on Shaw Island, Wednesday, Dec 28, noon, at the Community Center to review the new county Charter and its implications for county government and, especially, for Shaw, Lopez, Decatur, Center and Blakeley Islands (old District 3, new District 6

Bob Myhr
(bobm@co.san-juan.wa.us)

[more..]

Gordy Column: Time For A Change

Visser's Column: "Friends"..again...
Kalbert Column: Full Circle

Letter on: BOCC Pay
Letter on: Guest Houses
Bill Bailely on Electric Cars
Claudia Mills Open Letter to Gary Boothman
Kate Stone Letter: Dialogue is essential
[ Time For A Change ">more..]

1st Workshop on ADU Compromise To Be Held

The Planning Commission will hold a public workshop on December 16, 2005 in the Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room, Friday Harbor at 9:15 a.m. Staff will present a preliminary draft of amendments to the Planning Commission. Planning Commission will then accept oral and written comment on the preliminary draft ADU amendments.

This is the first step in a number of open hearings and workshops that have come about due to the appeal of the current ADU regulations and the decision by the BOCC to try and work out a compromise with those who have appealed it. The compromise by the BOCC was done against the recommendations of the office of the SJC Prosecuting Attorneys Office. previous story and links
Note: Once the BOCC signs off on any changes or recommendations by adopting an Ordinance, the content of the Ordinance is subject to the appeal process. This appeal period will allow a challenge to the Ordinance to be filed and argued in a pubic hearing.

As per the County Public Participation Plan, the Plan will::

[more..]

Don't Forget: County Wide Power Outage

Thursday 15th & Friday 16th: 11 pm - 5 am

OPALCO states the outage is in response to work being performed on the Puget Sound Energy's transmission system in Anacortes.

Note: OPALCO wants to remind those of you on a HEAT PUMP to set your thermostat to "EM HEAT" prior to the loss of power, then after the power is restored, wait for at least 4 hour prior to putting the thermostat back to the normal settings.

[more..]

Si Tells BOCC They Need a New Project Leader

(Human Resources Manager Becky Rusnak and SJC Auditor Si Stephens address the BOCC)

Auditor Si Stephens has resigned his position as the Lead Manager for the implementation of the new software program the County is in the process of installing.

Stephens has been the lead manager for the EDEN project, which is a new program for the County that will provide a core financial and personnel software and Document Management program; a program that is intended to organize and managed the flow of digital information by capturing, distribution and archive records into electronic format.

If anyone has changed from one software program to another, they may have at least a hint of the magnitude of the job facing the County as it switches from a 20 year old software program, to a completely new program; and in the process moving all of the old data into the new program. Time consuming to say the least, and after coming to grips with what this extra time (including some weekends) Si came to the BOCC to request that he, and two of the non-union employees in his office, be given an 18 month temporary pay increase to cover the additional hours it will take to make the transition.

After Si's initial presentation, Commissioner Ranker asked Human Resources Manager Becky Rusnak to join Si in explaining to the Board if there would be a ripple effect if the Board granted Si's request. Rusnak told the Board that in her opinion there would be a "huge ripple". She told the Board that "we and others have had to work extra hours, and when we asked for additional pay, we were turned down. This (request) could result in the Board having some very unhappy workers on your hands."

[more..]

Ecology & Chevron At Odds On Oil Spill Test

According to Ecology (Washington Department of Ecology) Chevron Shipping Company -- which carries millions of gallons of petroleum products across Washington waters each year -- has become the first oil shipping company to refuse a request by the state Department of Ecology to participate in an oil-spill drill. Chevron told the Guardian that "When the Washington Department of Ecology asked us to participate in an unannounced drill we expressed our willingness, provided that we first work together to ensure the drill would be conducted safely in accordance with those (safety) values.

Spill drills test how well local employees and their response contractors can implement their state-approved oil-spill contingency plans. The plans are required by all oil handlers who operate over Washington waters spell out how companies will respond to oil spills. Chevron told the Guardian that Chevron Shipping Co. submitted its spill response plan to the State in September and received verbal approval of the plan in November

On Dec. 8, Ecology asked Chevron to deploy resources in an oil-spill drill on the Columbia River. According to Ecology, Chevron refused a practice scenario in which a Chevron tanker was to have run aground west of Astoria, Oregon. Ecology director Jay Manning said that Chevron's refusal breaks the previously unbroken line of spill-response readiness in Washington. Chevron has responded to the charge by stating: "Our intention was to work with the Washington Department of Ecology to put important safety values into practice during any drill activities -- for the benefit of our employees and contractors as well as state employees" and added that "At Chevron, our values compel us to "Do it safely, or not at all".

[more..]

8 Homes On 4.85 Acres? Neighbors Say NO!

(Guardian composite photo of site plan on aerial photo)

A proposal to construct 8 homes on 4.85 acres in an area that allows only one home per 5 acres, has run into stiff opposition by neighbors of the proposed site. Homes for Islanders is using a provision in the UDC (Uniform Development Code) that allows an increase in density if homes are to be made available for "Affordable Housing". The proposal will have to be allowed if all of the requirements of the code are met.

This will be the second project by Homes for Islanders, a local not-for-profit group. to use the little known -or understood- provision in County regulations that allows a greater density to occur than the land use maps show are allowed for an area. Don Antonio, a neighbor of the project wrote that "When I first heard about it I thought there must be a mistake, because all of us who bought land here did so believing we had a land use guarantee that at most there would be only one home per 5 acre parcel. I soon found out that our county commissioners some time ago decided in the interest of ‘affordable housing' to make an exception to the law and allow for such projects called "Rural Residential Clusters".

That surprise has resulted in three of the neighbors filing an appeal of the project, and the appeal was partially heard by the Hearing Examiner on Friday (12-9-05). Wendy Russel, a writer, David Lumsden, a contractor, and John Kulseth, a county employee who works in the SJC Assessor's office, listed a number of objections to the project, but at the start of the hearing re-stated their request for a re-scheduling of the hearing due to the inability of their expert witnesses to appear at the hearing.

[more..]

Washington State Sno-Parks Open for Winter!

(State photo)
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces that Sno-Parks are now open and ready for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding/tubing and dog sledding. The Commission also reminds winter-sports enthusiasts to register their snowmobiles and purchase Sno-Park permits and cross-country ski trail guides.

Visit http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/parks/motorparks.asp for a map of Snowmobile Sno-Parks locations.One-day Sno-Park permits also are available for purchase online at http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/.

Because dealers are not always located near Sno-Parks, the Commission recommends purchasing permits prior to visiting Sno-Parks.


[more..]

Learn About Historical Reef Netting Of Salmon

Free Dinner & Lecture: Tuesday, December 13, 5:00 PM at the Camp Orkila


(Photo: Coast Salish settlement on Orcas ca. 1901; gift of Ron and Donna Radke to the Samish Nation research center; do not reproduce without permission)

On Tuesday, December 13, 2005, Russel Barsh, Director of the Center for the Study of Coast Salish Environments, Samish Indian Nation, will present an engaging program for the whole family to learn about historical reef netting of salmon off the shores of Orcas Island. The youth-friendly evening will feature Barsh's energetic and interactive program, and pizza dinner will be provided for all participants. This is the third lecture of the 2005/06 season in Orcas Island's highly successful marine science lecture series. The program and dinner begin at the special time of 5:00 PM at the Camp Orkila Larry Norman Lodge and is free to the public.

"For a thousand years or more, Coast Salish people anchored reef nets just offshore from Camp Orkila every summer to harvest great numbers of sockeye salmon," Barsh commented. "Our program will explore the salmon fishing traditions of northwest Orcas Island through pictures, games and stories on the beach where Coast Salish families dried their catch and fixed their nets."

Please park only in the upper parking lot at Camp Orkila. Shuttle service from the parking lot to the Lodge is available before and after the program.

[more..]

Affordable Housing "Bank" Still Moving Forward

(Karen Vedder, SJC Deputy Prosecutor, and John Manning, County lead on the project, discuss proposed Ordinances at an earlier meeting with the BOCC)

The next interesting step to be taken before the BOCC adopts two proposed draft Ordinance that will allow the County to collect, and disburse, a new excise tax on the sale of real estate, is to see what the State Attorney General may have to say on the legality of the draft ordinances. While the first Ordinance collects the tax, a second Ordinance has been proposed that will result in the "restructuring" of the existing Affordable Housing Commission into an Affordable Housing Bank that will be the county agency that is responsible for disbursing the money collected from the new tax.

While the Prosecutors office seems at this point to be comfortable with the legality of the new tax (after forcefully questioning the first couple of submittals) Karen Vedder pointed out to the BOCC that there are a number of questions on how the enforcement and follow-up of operating the housing bank (the second Ordinance) will work once it has been passed. The questions appear to be generated by the simple fact that the proposed Ordinance is simply silent on a number of questions that come to mind when it is perused. As examples she asked what happens if a loan is not paid? Who will be responsible to take action? What if there is illegal activity in, or on, a property? What happens if the owner of a property fails to maintain it? If someone qualifies for a home, and then -for whatever reason- becomes flush with money, do they get to stay there forever, even if there making huge amounts of money as a result of their job or profession? Can they pass on the ownership to a family member even if that person would not normally qualify?
[more..]

County Questions Rosario EIS Responses

Commissioner Lichter joined staff from CD&PD (Community Development and Planning Department) to meet with representatives from Rosario Resort on Thursday, (December 8), to discuss how the Resort's EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) might address issues that had been raised by county staff. The EIS is required as part of the planning process for the new resort master plan.

The county staff will receive the amended EIS later this month for additional review, and then the two groups will meet again to outline the next steps.

The Guardian had asked to attend the meeting as a reporting observer, but were informed the meeting was closed to the public.


[more..]

the Compassionate Friends is having it's 9th annual Worldwide Candle Lighting on Dec 11 at 7pm in front of Kings Market. Jim Cole, head of EMS, will be the speaker. Compassionate Friends is a support group for bereaved parents of any stage in their grief.

Believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, the Worldwide Candle Lighting creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. Hundreds of formal candle lighting events are held and thousands of informal candle lightings are conducted in homes as families gather in quiet remembrance of children who are no longer with them.


[more..]