Consignment Treasures Looks Forward To ‘08’

Consignment Treasures is ready to begin it’s 4th year of business making a part of their business helping local charities by taking on consignment goods to be sold to befit charities and service clubs.

Frank Penwell said so far they have donated to 68 local charities, such as the Soroptimist Club, the Lions Club, Wolf Hollow, and Hospice, and a wide variety of other organizations that have received funds from Consignment Treasures, such as school organizations and and six churches.

Penwell said “the largest one month check went to Paideia Classical School for $825.38; and the “top money getting organization to date is the Animal Shelter, which received over $3700

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Have An Opinion On Climate Change In Wa?

In February of last year, Governor Christine Gregoire signed an Executive Order directing state government departments to work together to establish “greenhouse gas emissions reduction and clean energy economy goals” for the state.

In response to the Order, a Climate Advisory Team was formed to “explore and recommend how the state can reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.” Working with the departments of Ecology and Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), and stakeholders in the state, the team has now published a draft plan in three parts; and they want to hear what the public thinks about the plan, and what suggestions they may have to offer.

The Team created three documents that are posted on a state website at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/index.htm . The documents can also be accessed here:
• A Comprehensive Climate Approach for Washington. : Make Comments.
• Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change: Make Comments.
• Citizen Engagement and Action Framework: Make Comments.
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Texting While Driving Law Starting Jan. 1

The Washington State Patrol plans and the San Juan County Sheriff plan to "vigorously enforce the state's new law against sending text messages while driving, once that law takes effect on Jan. 1.

"Texting while driving was always a bad idea," said WSP Chief John R. Batiste. "Things happen too fast on the highway to take your eyes off the road long enough to read or type a message." Sheriff Bill Cumming agrees, and stated "Certainly anyone who thinks they can send or receive text messages and drive at the same time is a serious hazard to all who are on the roadway, including themselves."

Cumming added that "It is very good advise to all to begin shopping now to find the appropriate hands free cell phone equipment for your vehicle, as the same policy of vigorous enforcement will apply when this law goes into effect."


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New Tax May Be Back On Track

Back in September of this year the County Council received a request from Human Services Division for a new sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent (i.e.10 cents per $100) to fund a therapeutic court (aka “family dependency court”) and for “chemical dependency services”.

This month (December) the Council was presented a staff report on the results of a mental health task force study to identify needs, and develop a program of services to be funded by the anticipated $300,000.00 plus the new tax is expected to generate each year.

The backbone of the program is a therapeutic court, which will be the first step in court action to provide help and treatment, so long as “participant” agrees to a court ordered therapeutic prescribed program. If not, then the court would revert to normal prosecution in the case.

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Native Plant Sale: Order Now

The Annual Native Plant Sale, held yearly for the past 18 years by the San Juan Islands Conservation District and more recently the Master Gardeners Foundation, is an opportunity to purchase a variety of young native plant species at a reasonable cost.

This year, there will be almost 30 different species of plants available for purchase by filling out the 2008 Native Plant Sale Order Form)

•There is a minimum purchase of $25 and a $25 deposit for all orders. Acknowledgement and receipt of your deposit with the balance due at the time of pick-up will be emailed to you. Make checks payable to MGF of SJC and send to: WSU Extension 221 Weber Way, Suite LL Friday Harbor, WA 98250

•Do not mail a check for the total order amount. The balance is due at the time of pickup

“Native plants” is the buzzword of late and planting native plants has merit for many reasons: reclamation, restoration of lost plant communities, erosion control, wildlife habitat development, agricultural uses such as windbreaks, and more simply, beautification.
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Drowning in Plastic

By Doris Estabrooks

Although some plastic products are recycled, the great majority of those that have ever been manufactured still exist -- buried in our landfills, polluting our land, or floating in our oceans. Only 50 years since we began mass-producing plastic, our plastic waste has built up into a poisonous mountain we have never really learned how to deal with.

A recent study found that plastics now make up 90% of all floating marine debris. In 2004, the congressional Commission on Ocean Policy identified synthetic marine debris as “a serious threat to wildlife, habitat, and human health and safety,” calling for a set of immediate measures to address the crisis. And the Algalita Marine Research Foundation has found that the amount of micro plastics in the Central North Pacific has tripled in the last decade. Because plastic debris can travel thousands of miles across the sea, shoreline areas worldwide are fast becoming the industrial world’s junkyard.


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CC Approves Right To Vote On Annexzation

The County Council held a Special Meeting Friday, Dec 21, on Orcas, to accept public input on a proposed action to annex a portion of the Rosario area to the Eastsound sewer and water district. The one item on the agenda for public hearing was supported by a majority of the public who showed up, and by the Council members, who voted to allow a vote on the question of annexation

The request to be annexation was made due to fears by property owners that the 2007 sale of the water rights and utility by the Rosario LLC to the Washington Water Service Company (a public utility owned by California Water Service Group ) will raise costs to the end user.

the matter will now show up as February 2008 ballot measure that will allow the affected property owners to make the decision to approve the annexation. Even with Council approval, and a positive vote by the property owners, there will still be a number of steps that will have to be successfully taken before the annexation can occur.


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SJC Budget Amounts Explained For 08

The San Juan County Council held a public hearing on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at the Council Hearing Room, Courthouse, Friday Harbor, WA. The Council opened and closed public testimony and held deliberations that resulted in the adoption of Ordinance 57-2007, adopted in pertinent part as follows: ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2008, SETTING FORTH THE ESTIMATED REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS

The link above incudes a summary of the budget; the full budget breakdown can be accessed by Clicking Here
[link]

Judge Linde Says “Thank you”!

Newly appointed Superior Court Judge John O. Linde would like the citizens of San Juan County to know that “I am both honored and humbled by the confidence our Governor has shown in me by appointing me Superior Court Judge for San Juan County. I want to commend Governor Gregoire and her General Counsel Richard Mitchell for the exhaustive (and sometimes exhausting) process utilized in making judicial appointments. Part of that process was carried out through interviews with minority bar association judicial evaluation committees. A diverse group of disinterested persons had an opportunity to interview the candidates and rate their qualifications. The citizens of San Juan County also had an opportunity to voice their opinions.”

Linde also expressed his appreciate for the community support through the long selection process:
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New County Veterans’ Advisory Board Formed

The San Juan County Veterans’ Advisory Board (SJVAB) to the County Council will hold their first meeting today (Thursday, Dec 20, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, in the Conference Room, Courthouse Building, Second Floor).

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John Linde Is The New Judge

Wednesday 2:40 P.M. John Linde has been appointed to be the new Superior Court Judge of San Juan County

Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of John O. Linde as San Juan County Judge, a newly created full-time position. Linde’s appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Previously, San Juan and Island counties shared judges. Past stories on the judgeship question

“As a resident of Friday Harbor for 35 years, John has a history with San Juan County that will be important in this new position,” said Gov. Gregoire. “I’m pleased to appoint someone to the bench with the depth of professional and personal experience that John has in that area.”

Linde’s previous judicial experience includes being a San Juan County District Court judge for 21 years, as well as court commissioner and Superior Court judge pro tem.

“I am delighted with Governor Gregoire’s appointment of John Linde,” said Judge Alan Hancock of the Island & San Juan County Judicial District. “She has made a wise and thoughtful choice. The people of San Juan County deserve the very best, and John is the very best.”

Judge Vickie I. Churchill, also on the bench in the Island & San Juan County Judicial District, said, “John Linde is an excellent choice for this historic occasion, the first judge for San Juan County Superior Court. John will serve the citizens of San Juan County with honor and distinction for many years to come.”

Linde has been principal in the Law Offices of John O. Linde in Friday Harbor since 1987. He specializes in general law practice, with emphasis on real estate; land use and permitting; estate planning, wills and trusts; guardianship; probate, family law; small business formation; and civil and criminal litigation.

Linde was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1972 and the Oregon State Bar in 2002.

Linde is a current board member of the Friday Harbor Athletic Association and the San Juan Golf and Country Club. He is a past board member of the Inter Island Medical Center, San Juan Community Theatre and San Juan Little League.

He received his Juris Doctorate from Willamette University College of Law in 1972 and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington in 1969.

Linde and his wife, Carol, have been married 37 years. They have two children, Brian and Kristen.

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Still No Judge, But We Do Have A Poet!

Wednesday, 2:15 P.M. Gov. Chris Gregoire has yet to announce who San Juan County’s new Superior Court Judge will be, but she has announced that she has named Waldron resident Samuel Green as the Washington State Poet Laureate, a position established by the Legislature this year to build awareness and appreciation of poetry across the state.

The lack of action in appointing a judge has many observers wondering why it is taking her so long to decide who to choose. After all, there are only two choices, attorney John Linde, a former judge, and Randy Gaylord, the current Prosecuting Attorney for the County, so how difficult can that be?

The delay is having, and will have, an impact on the offices of both Gaylord and Linde,. since both offices are going to be thrown into some turmoil once a decision has been made, and the impact can send ripples throughout the county.

If the choice is Gaylord, a new Prosecuting Attorney is going to have to be found, and quickly. As for Linde, he too will have to move quickly to bring an entire office under new control.

For both offices there is the question of what the impact will be on staff and ongoing legal cases and related issues, and of course the Superior Court clerk and staff will be impacted to some degree, no matter who is selected.

A call to Gregoire’s office failed to provide any information on when an appointment will be made, but the clock is ticking, and time is running out.

So what about this poet?


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CC Splits Vote, Rejects Fee To Study Stormwater

(Still friends after split vote on Stormwater Ord -Knapp not pictured, Ranker absent)

The County Council subcommittee on stormwater gave it their best shot, but failed to come up with a new funding ordinance for an existing stormwater utility. The interim ordinance was authored primarily by Councilman Rosenfeld, and promoted as a one year quick fix to raise money in 2008 for planning, monitoring, data gathering, and to staff a technical committee on stormwater. (previous story)

The final proposal was for a Basic Fee to be paid by all property owners in San Juan County. The fee would show up on all 2008 tax bills. Part of the money would be used to “measure the actual impermeable surface areas” of all of the commercial, institutional, and industrial parcels in San Juan County. This could then be used to calculate the amount of the fee they may have to pay once a new ordinance is passed in 2009.

Knapp said he was willing to go along with Rosenfeld’s draft, “but I put more of my confidence in the one that will follow next year.” Peterson told the Council the proposed interim ordinance did not fully address the issues that resulted in voter rejection, and Councilman Alan Lichter shared Peterson’s general concerns.

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Extreme Makeover – A New Look For Alcohol

Seems the new “energy drink” fad has evolved again. Rolling Stone named one of them (Sparks) as the Hot Drink of the Year. "Energy" drink? The newest evolution of them has alcohol in the form of malt liquor added to the mix.

But for sheriff Bill Cumming there is a real potential for problems with the promotion of these new drinks to young people. Cumming states "This is very dangerous for our youth and families,and shows a wanton disregard for our community's safety. Please pay attention to this deception when dealing with our youth."

Here is the problem: Its supposedly an energy drink with Taurine, Ginsing, Caffine, and Guarana. However, there is an added kick, its a malt beverage with 6% alcohol and comes in 16oz cans, singles or 4 packs. Sparks Lite (with less calories) has just arrived on the scene in a blue/silver can. 12 packs of both are expected later this year.


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Spring Street Begins 2008 Scholarship Fund Drive

Spring Street International School’s (SSIS) Scholarship Fund has set a goal of $250.000 for 2008. All donations to the fund will be used for San Juan County families who wish to have their children benefit from an SSIS education but who need financial assistance to do so.

Scholarships are planned for the start of the 2008/ 2009 school term in September 2008. Application details will be available after the New Year and scholarship applicants will be able to apply for a range of financial assistance packages.


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Here We Go Again? CC Takes Up Storm Water Ord

The .County Council subcommittee on stormwater has agreed upon a first draft -well sort of, Committee Chair Rich Peterson said the three member committee has 2.5 votes in favor of it; which does not bode well for a quick and satisfactory resolution for a stormwater funding mechanism the public will find acceptable. (Previous story & links)

The full County Council will discuss Draft One of the ordinance today (Council Room, 2:15 p.m., Tuesday, December 18) as a part of their normal work session. While the public may attend, public comment is not normally allowed during their “work sessions”.

But according to the County, Tuesday is the last day to start the formal process of adopting an ordinance for 2008. The Draft includes a Sunset Clause that will “terminate” the ordinance one year from adoption.

Regardless of the outcome of today’s meeting, the Council has stated they will work on a new ordinance to replace the one the voters previously rejected by a two to one margin.

the new proposal from the subcommittee is intended to simply generate some money in 2008, and is not being advertised as anything beyond that. The ideal was suggested by Councilman Howard Rosenfeld. The overall content of the draft differs little from the original funding ordinance that was rejected by two to one vote in the last election, but there are some changes.

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Christmas Carols At Senior Center

(Shutterfly Studio photo)

The Seniors at Mullis Senior Center were treated at their luncheon to Christmas Carols by the three 2nd grade classes from FHES.

Approximately 60 students and same number of seniors shared singing and the Christmas spirit as the children gave each senior decorations they made at school. The experience was enjoyed by all. Thanks to Ms. Evans, Mrs. English, Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Hull, all teachers at FHES for their involvement in this special day.


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Minor Accident On San Juan Island

Another car off the road on Cattle Point Road on San Juan Island. Based on evidence at the scene, it appeared the driver lost control, drove into the roadside ditch, and traveled for at least 50 feet before coming to a hard stop against some brush.

Driver was alert and talking at the scene. First responders disconnected the battery as a precaution against fire, and the road was soon open to traffic


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A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage.

San Juan County Public Safety and Education suggests the following simple life-saving steps to ensure a safe and happy holiday.
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New Septic Inspections Proposed

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER PROPOSED ORDINANCE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SAN JUAN COUNTY CODE 8.16 (ON-SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL) TO PROVIDE FOR NEW OPERATION & MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the San Juan County Board of Health will conduct a public hearing for the purpose of receiving testimony on a proposed ordinance Amending San Juan County Code 8.16 (On-Site Sewage Disposal) To Provide For New Operation and Maintenance Requirements.

The public hearing will be held in the Council Hearing Room on the 2nd Floor, 350 Court Street, Friday Harbor, Washington on Monday December 17, 2007 beginning at 12:00 noon.
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MOCHA

1990-2007
By Scott Bell

With a big heart and a pure spirit Mocha chased a stick into Heaven.

A well-known Island native, Mocha was a comfort to many foster children, a playmate to countless daycare kids, an enthusiastic running partner, and a devoted friend.

In a big way she is missed by Mario and Spooky, Paul and Audrey, Jacob and Cady, and Scott and Kim.

Please remember Mocha by supporting her local favorites: Sweet Retreat, Uptown Espresso, Islanders Bank, and especially Vic’s ( thanks Linda!).


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Brownies & Junior Girl Scouts Donate To Community

Local Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts Troop 183 giving Deana Banry a check for $500

The money was part of the proceeds from the troop's Thanksgiving Pie sales. The girls are committed to helping their community and the Banry family was a great choice.

After they delivered the check, the girls went to the convalescent center to sing carols and deliver cards and candy/cookie goodie bags to the seniors. All in all, a wonderful way to share the holidays!

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Eight More Homes For Islanders

(Proud new home owners at the Rocky Bay Key Turnover ceremony)

With some help from a nonprofit group, the community, and a lot of hard hands-on labor, eight more homes have been constructed by, and for, those who will live in them. A well attended ceremony was held Thursday to thank those who have helped in the Rocky Bay Homes For Islanders (HFI) project, congratulate the new home owners for their hard work, and perform a ceremonial key turnover to the proud owners.

HFI is a 501 c 3 nonprofit group that works in partnership with a USDA Rural Development program called Self Help Construction, which has come to be know as “sweat equity”. Unlike programs designed to create affordable housing that simply make housing available to qualifying individuals and groups, the USDA program requires active participation by those who will benefit; and this participation includes not only friends and family members, but also others in the surrounding community.

the president of the Board of HFI, Francine Shaw said the “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.” She said the “total hours worked by the homeowners amounted to over 16,000 hours in a 13 month period.. or 2,000 hours per home.”

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National Bill of Rights Day

National Bill of Rights Day is December 15, 2007. The San Juan Island Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington urges all citizens to honor and to express gratitude for the legacy of civil liberties passed down to us from previous generations.

The Bill of Rights limits and restricts the powers of the government, defines what the government cannot do, and states that the citizens hold the right to restrain government. The Bill of Rights protects freedoms of speech, of the press, of assembly, of religion, to petition the government, to keep and to bear arms; protects us from unreasonable arrests, searches and seizures, excessive bail, double jeopardy, coerced confessions, cruel and unusual punishment; and secures our rights to probable cause, due process, counsel, jury trials and to defense witnesses. The Bill of Rights ensures that liberty depends upon the people, not the government.


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Gladiator To The Rescue -Again!

(DOE photo) The Gladiator, the state-funded seasonal emergency response tug stationed at Neah Bay, was dispatched shortly before midnight Tuesday night to assist a tug towing a loaded oil barge after the vessel temporarily lost its primary electrical power and steering.

The San Juan County Council has been pushing for continued rescue tub funding -either at the sate level or the federal level- for sometime, and this latest incident helps to make their argument that a rescue tug is needed.

The Na Hoku was headed down Washington’s outer coast when its primary electrical generator engine failed about 12.5 miles west of Cape Flattery. The 105-foot tug was towing a fuel barge containing more than two million gallons of diesel fuel and about a half million gallons of gasoline.

“This incident highlights why we have – and continue to need – the capability of responding to vessels that can pose a serious risk to our environment if they lose power or propulsion,” said Dale Jensen, manager in charge of the Department of Ecology’s Spills Program. “A 2.5 million gallon spill would have been catastrophic to our valuable marine resources. We need to maintain the safety net that the tug provides.”

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Christmas Bird Count Sat, Dec 15

The San Juan Islands Audubon Society is once again participating in the annual Christmas Bird Count. Information gathered during the count is added to the longest running database on bird populations in the United States. The count will be held this year on Saturday December 15th on the major islands.

Everyone is welcome to join in, so If you wish to participate please contact Barb Jensen on San Juan at: 378-3068; Bob Myhr on Lopez at: 468-2258; Jerry Kasparek Orcas at: 376-5524.

To learn more about the national bird count, go to the Audubon Society web page

[link]

Land Bank Meets Friday In FH

The SJC Land Bank will hold their regular scheduled meeting on Friday (12-14-07) in Friday Harbor. The meeting agenda (attached at end of article) includes a 9:45 a.m. discussion on future acquisition projects located on Lopez, San Juan, and Orcas island; as well as discussion on two “Conservation Projects” located on San Juan.

There will also be a preliminary report on a timeline for the development of a “management plan” for the Turtleback property on Orcas; and at 12:30 there will be Beaverton Valley Marsh site visit shceduled to last until 2 p.m.

Public comments are allowed at 9:00 a.m., and the public is both encouraged to attend, and to obtain additional information by contacting the Land Bank office in Friday Harbor at 378-4402


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Kiwanis Christmas Toy Drive.

The Kiwanis Club of Friday Harbor is collecting new unwrapped gifts for local families who need help with Christmas buying for their children.

Especially appreciated are books, educational toys and clothing. Please drop your gift into one of our big boxes at any bank, the courthouse or at the drug store by December 16th. Also this year Santa's Elves will be helping the Kiwanis Club collect toys at Islanders Bank on December 14th between 4 and 6 PM . This will be a drive-thru toy drop-off. Come by and say hello!
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Islanders Bank President Announced

Press Release:

Dick Kneipp, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Islanders Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Bob Coleman to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Islanders Bank.

Bob joined Islanders Bank four years ago as Senior Vice President, Branch Administration. Bob has also held the positions of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Islanders Bank.
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CC Passes 53+ Million County Budget

It was not easy, and even as the Council attempted to wrap up and pass the 2008 budget , new requests for more money were made by county departments. At the end of the day -with a deduction here and an addition there- the budget for 2008 was passed.

The changes in the budget as approved by the Council included additions of a 3% Cost of Living for Elected Officials; Education Incentives for Deputies; 10K for GMA attorney; 5k for Prosecutor intern; $5k subsidy to Orcas Farmers Market, and 20K for an Assessor position; and an elimination of a $1 million dollar Public Works request (partly for fuel depots), for a grand total of $53,056,035.00.

Other changes in the final budget were to make no changes in the Owner Builder Ordinance fees , but to increase other land use and building permit fees by 5%. And to increase solid waste fees by 7.5% . (new fee schedule

Councilman Alan Lichter expressed repeated concerns about the financial condition of county government, and cautioned his fellow commissioners to be careful and thoughtful about granting too many requests, particularly when they come in at the last minute. “this County Council does not seem to have ‘No’ in it’s vocabulary,” he said, and added that they should take a “very conservative view on the budget.”


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Washington Continues To Recycle, But Garbage Grows

The news on recycling is a mixed bag, not only for Washinton state, but also for San Juan County. Although Washingtonians sent a total of 5.3 million tons of waste to landfills last year, they recycled 43 percent of municipal waste. At the same time, they had success diverting other materials, such as construction and demolition debris, raising the total statewide “recovery” of materials from 47 to 49 percent. San Juan County has not been in the forefront of this battle, with numbers less than those on the mainland,

Here are the numbers for the state as a whole: Standard recycling by households and businesses in Washington held mostly steady, at 43 percent in 2006, down just one percentage point from the year before, according to new numbers compiled by the state Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). That accounts for more than 4 million tons of recycled material.

In addition to construction debris, recovered materials included land-clearing debris, agricultural wastes and other organic materials, tires, antifreeze, oil filters and paint. Since these items are not part of the municipal waste stream (households and businesses), they are not calculated into the state’s municipal recycling rate.

“These numbers tell us people in Washington are responsible about not sending garbage to a landfill where it can harm the environment,” said Laurie Davies, acting manager for Ecology’s Solid Waste Program. “But we need to think a lot more about not creating waste in the first place. That means thinking about the products we buy, how they’re made and packaged.”


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Soroptimist Seek Applicants For Women's Opportunity Awards

Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek financial assistance to go back to school can now obtain applications for the Women’s Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist International of the San Juans major service project. Recipients to receive cash grants for educational expenses

Application forms (which include information about the award) are available from Stephanie Buffum Field at 472-0404 or stephanie@sanjuans.org and are due by December 15.


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Public Hearing On Fee Increase For Garbage

The County Council will hold a public hearing today (Tuesday, December 11th) at 1:30 p.m. to receive input on a proposal from Public Works for a 7.5% rate increase for solid waste Services, (e.g. garbage).

If approved, this will be the second increase voted in this year. The last fee increase took effect in April of this year, resulting in a 9% increase in fees to unload trash at the Public Works solid waste facilities.

According to Ed Hale of PW, the increase is necessary because there has been an increase in handling charges and contract costs. In addition, there has also been the traditional shift of money into the ER&R (Equipment Replacement & Repair) fund.

Under questioning by council members Alan Lichter and Rich Peterson, Mr. Hale said that if the increase was not approved, there would be a decrease in service levels.

Director Shannon had said that without the fee increase, there would be a negative balance of $130 thousand in the operation budget. In a letter to the SWAC (Solid Waste Advisory Committee), Mr., Hale said the “shift from operations to capital which is normally $125,000 to $200,000”, was not shown in a summary report for September.

Mr., Hale also reminded the SWAC that there was a $90,000 “shortfall” for 2006. In other words, 2007 began in the red, and that has carried over to the present

Back in December of 2006, the council members asked if the fees at that time had been sufficient to keep the program "in the black". Matt Zybas, manager of the program at the time, responded that so they have been, but "it has been close".

Expressing concern about the number of increases, the Council has asked for additional information, and County Administrator Pete Rose and PW Director Jon Shannon will present additional information to the Council at 10:15 a.m., prior to the public hearing at 1:30 a.m.

[link]

Open Letter Of Thanks!

$80,000.00 Raised For Banry Family
The Helping Hands Committee wants to extend a heartfelt Thank You to everyone participating in the Banry Fundraiser this past weekend. It was an incredible success, with over $80,000 raised.

We all feel blessed to live in a community that rallies around its treasured members in a time of need. The money raised puts us well on our way toward funding new, accessible housing for the Banry boys and their family.


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Black Ice

(Truck roll-over on Roche Harbor Road, San Juan Island)

Roll-over accidents on Lopez and San Juan Island may have been due to slippery roads from snow over the weekend, and "black ice" Monday morning. The Lopez accident resulted in injuried being taken by the Sheriff's boat to Anacortes, however there appeared to have not been any injuries when a pickup truck lost control and flipped on it's side on Roche Harbor road.

Rain and overnight freezing resulted in thin ice on many roads that looked to be dry and safe. Shortly after the accident on Roche Harbor, a county truck drove by while spreading a thin layer of sand on the road to provide some traction to early morning drivers.
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PW Requests Fuel Depots For Orcas/San Juan

The County Council will be holding a second public hearing on the 2008 budget on Tuesday, and controversy has erupted over a claim by the Public Works Director Jon Shannon that at least a half million dollars will need to be borrowed to build county fuel depots in order to “save money.”

The Council was also “reminded” that another reason for the County getting into the fuel business was because during the storm of last November “the vendors (were) absolutely out of fuel, and it was touch-and-go if we would have enough fuel for the vehicles.”

Not so, say two vendors on San Juan Island. Both the PSJ (Petro San Juan) and IPS (Island Petroleum Services) owners on San Juan expressed, respectively, anger and disbelief over the claim. Both stated they did not run out of fuel, and that their generators kept their pumps running for both county equipment and the public throughout the storm.

Both were also at a loss to understand how investing in the construction of fuel depots could save money, since -as they pointed out- the County already takes the lowest bid to supply fuel; and Shannon noted the life span of the depots was estimated to be 20 years, at which time they would need to be replaced.

The issue came up for discussion when County Council Chair Bob Myhr noted that the staff report on the budget stated they needed to “understand the assumption of one million dollar borrowing” was “included in the budget, and be comfortable with this approach..” Myhr asked “What does that mean?”

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No One Needs To Be Cold -Help Is Available

By Robert Low

With the high cost of fuel, people with limited income may have difficulty keeping their homes warm this winter. The San Juan Public Safety and Education Agency wants to make sure the residents of San Juan County know that help is available.

The National Fuel Funds Network is a broad-based organization dedicated to increasing resources to meet the energy needs of financially struggling residents across the country. It consists of more than 300 non-profit organizations, government agencies and utilities that raise and distribute more than $100 million annually in charitably-donated home energy assistance for families in need. To find out more about the National Fuel Funds Network, call 1-202-824-0660 or click onto the website, www.nationalfuelfunds.org

The San Juan Public Safety and Education Agency wants everyone to be warm and safe as the season changes.

The San Juan County Public Safety and Education Agency consist of the people in charge of public Fire and Life Safety education from Fire Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5, Town of Friday Harbor Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and the San Juan County Sheriff’s office.


(Robert Low is the San Juan County Fire Marshal )

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Good News, Bad News

(8:00 a.m. in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island)

Well it is not shaping up to the as good or bad (different people -and kids- have different ideals about snow storms), as the storm last year, but it is the first real snow of the year. The news is, it is expected to soon pass.

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New Property Taxes To Pay For Ferries?

In an unofficial proclamation, Bob Distler showed up at a scheduled County Council agenda item for a report from WSF (Washington State Ferries) Planner Ray Deardorf and staff, and informed the county council that in his opinion future funding may have to come from a combined counties taxing district made up of San Juan, Kitsap and Island.

While Deardorf did not embrace the idea put forth by Distler, he acknowledged what the council -and everyone else- knows, that the ferry system is in financial shallow waters and is looking at various ways to get back on course. Deardorf said currently the system is looking at as much as 400 million dollars revenue stream in the red over a twenty five year period.

The premise of the long range study is to answer the question “what can be done to minimize the costs”? The major financial problem results from the projected labor and fuel costs that are no longer valid.

Deardorf presented a flow chart and a time frame schedule they are working on to come up with some answers to the many problems facing the system.

One of the questions the council wanted to hear about was what were the future impacts to the county resulting from the problems that have show up with the hull pitting found on four of the boats.

The good news was that WSF will assign the Evergreen State to the San Juans, which will be continued to be used until one or two of the ferries can be repaired and returned to service, but the bad news was that the Evergreen requires some engine work to be completed before it can be put fully back into service; hopefully by spring.

Of the four boat out of service, only the Nisqually will most likely not be returned to service.

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Salary Commission Decides: Keep It As Is

(SJC Citizens Salary Commission meets in Whidbey Island Bank Community Room)

The San Juan County Citizens’ Salary Commission (CSC) voted on Wednesday to not make any changes to the base pay of the elected officials in San Juan County. The did vote to grant a cost of living increase of 3.0%.

Neither of the votes were unanimous. The dissenting vote was from member Ryan Drum, who opposed both motions.

Former Freehold Charles Bodenstab took advantage of a public access period to comment on the difficulty that three of the county council members have in accepting their loss of administrative powers. Bodenstab said that when council members continue to get involved in administrative matters, and “when they get into administrative areas, they are breaking the law. Think what they are doing, they are saying we are having to do this (involved in administration), which is not true, and ‘We want you to reimburse us’ for having broken the law.”

Bodenstab said the Council needs to get out of administration; and “so it is critical to maintain the salary level where it is in order to get the message across that this is a part time job.”

In voting against the “cost of living” increase, Drum said that with respect to the increase made last year for the county council, “I think 2.5% is excessive, but that is what was done for this year.. I think behavior should adjust, rather than cost of living.”

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Evans Questions Slow Down On Building Permits

At the first of two public hearings on county budget for 2008, former County Commissioner John Evans questioned why the budget for CD&P (Community Development and Planning Department) was being increased, while at the same time the department is taking longer and longer to issue permits.

While the Council had no direct answers to Evans questions, Chairman Bob Myhr said that the department is just now getting up to full staffing, and Councilman Howard Rosenfeld pointed out that some of the increase in the budget comes from grants.

But Evans had done his homework, and he had prepared a research report on the matter for submission to the Council. The report contrasted the CD&P department to neighboring counties permitting departments, and prior to Evans testimony at the budget hearing, he told The Island Guardian that the statistics in the report did not indicate a high level of efficiencies and customer service when it came to processing permits in San Juan County.
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SV College Open Enrollment Begins Thursday

Open Enrollment will begin Thursday, December 6, for all students who are interested in Winter Quarter classes and workshops at Skagit Valley College San Juan Center (360) 378-3220

Winter Quarter begins Thursday, January 3

SVC offers academic transfer pathways, professional/technical training options, courses in basic skills and English as a Second Language, citizenship preparation, job skill upgrades, as well as diverse personal enrichment courses and workshops.

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Concerns Over Future Of SJI Grange Building

A petition to the Washington State Grange has been started by Jim and Christina Sesby over concerns the local San Juan Island Grange could be closed for use as a community building.

A press release issued by Sesby cites the suspension of the local Granges charter, and what Sesby sees as an emerging pattern of suspending other Grange charters, as evidence that the use of the Grange building could be lost, but so far that has not happened, and according to Rob Horgen, the the President of the State Grange, there are no plans to close the building to public use.

Sesby charges that “The State Grange has not responded to the local members’ many requests for an explanation of the suspension (of the Charter) nor taken any steps to allow our Grange to continue to function in good standing.”

Things for the Grange came to a head when the leadership at the time had resigned in protest , and then changed their mind and came back, but the same problems continued, and as previous President (State Master) Terry Hunt explained at the time, a “cooling off” period was needed, after which the Grange would be started again “.

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Suit Over Ballot Bar Codes Will Go To Trial

Green Party members Tim While and Allan Rosato filed a law suit last year against San Juan County in an attempt to force the County to stop printing unique bar codes on the county’s election ballots.

The suit claimed that the bar codes could be used to trace how people voted, thus violating fundamental constitutional rights, as well as state and Federal laws, that guarantee the sanctity of a secret ballot.

At the time of filing they explained they had made repeated attempts to resolve the problem “by presentations to the Board of County Commissioners, the new County Council, the Elections Department, the County Elections Canvassing Board, and the County Prosecuting Attorney". Those attempts failed, so ”as a measure of last resort,” they filed the suit.

These things take time, and by November of this year they found themselves fighting motions brought by Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord to have the case dismissed, “because the county legislative body has no role” in how or what type of ballot audit system is used. It is the auditor that has that power, he told the court.

Gaylord also stated the “procedural due process” should be dismissed. White and Rosato’s attorney, Jerome R. Cronk had argued that the system being used by the county “deprive Plaintiffs of their due process right to the sanctity of the secret ballot under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”

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Remember United Way Of SJC In Your Holiday Giving!

By Bonnie Gilmore

As United Way of San Juan County wraps up its campaign on December 31st, we look forward to continuing to provide essential support to more than thirty human services programs in 2008.

For more than a decade, your United Way has worked with local agencies to make a significant community impact; helping thousands of individuals, children and families throughout the county. In November of each year, agency programs develop and submit grant requests to United Way which are carefully reviewed and considered by a committee of qualified professionals.

Requests for funding for 2008 exceed $190,000, representing a significant community need. Your financial partnership will make a valuable difference in our ability to continue help others. As you plan your holiday giving, please consider the following:

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Toxic Chemicals of Concern & Stormwater

(DOE Map from cited report)

A report from DOE (Department of Ecology) on toxic chemicals in the Puget Sound has just been published, and it indicates "’surface-water runoff’ from land is generally the largest contributor.”

The report is entitled “Control of Toxic Chemicals in the Puget Sound”. The report is a preliminary attempt to estimate the amounts of toxic chemicals, and the source of them.

Two things stand out in the report in regard to San Juan County. One, we appear to have the lowest (as in 0.00) presence of toxic chemicals, and two, it is not stormwater from development in rural areas of the county that is contributing to the problem.

The study found that “undeveloped areas (forest/field and agricultural land uses) contributed most (about 60 to 70 percent or more of the median loading) of the “chemicals of concern”. This would seem to be at odds with some of the arguments that it is all developed property in San Juan County that is contributing the most to pollution of stormwater.


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Rain Garden Manual Available

The San Juan Island Conservation District San Juan Island Conservation District now has the 2007 'Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington Homeowners, and can be downloaded by clicking here (large file) (or from the Conservation District's website .

A free printed copy can be picked up at their offices located at 540 Guard Street, Suites 130 & 150, in Friday Harbor. Residents from islands other than San Juan may call 360.378.6621 for a copy to be mailed to them.

For more info call 378-6621 or email to s.hussey@sanjuanislandscd.org or to general email at info2007@sanjuanislandscd.org


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Thank You Capitan Simpson -But Not Goodbye

(Port Commissioners Mike Ahrenius, Greg Hertel, Port Director Steve Simpson, Commissioner Barbara Marrett and Interim Port Director Marilyn O'Connor present Simpson with a framed letter)

In the over twenty years that Steve Simpson served as Director of the Port of Friday Harbor, he has served under seven different port commissioners, four Harbor Masters, and he noted, the same Airport Manger. Twenty years ago the annual budget was well over three quarters of a million, and now is well over three and a half million.

During those twenty years, Simpson said he had learned a few things about what is important for the Port Commissioners to know.

Simpson shared his opinions with the commissioners, staff, and well wishers at his last official Port Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, after the commission had presented Captain Simpson with a framed “official” letter, that wished him well and thanked him for “keeping the Port of Friday Harbor on the leading edge of the marine and aviation industries”.

When Simpson took over as director twenty-one years ago, the marina and airport had just completed the most major expansion and improvements in it’s history. Simpson inherited the improvements, but he also received all of the ongoing problems, controversies and anger that some of those improvements had created.

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