Island Guardian

Thursday, April 19th

New Septic Maintenance Program Proposed

A Draft Plan for the Operation and Maintenance of septic systems in San Juan County is now ready for public review, and public meetings have been scheduled to receive input. The time and places are as follows::

Lopez - May 1, 2007 6-8 pm
San Juan - May 2 6-8 pm
Orcas - May 9 7-9 pm

In 2006 San Juan County Heath and Community Services formed a citizen advisory committee to develop an operation and maintenance program plan. The committee was formed in response to the State Board of Health requirement that the twelve Puget Sound Counties develop and submit an On-site Sewage System Management Plan to the State Department of Health by July 1, 2007.

[more..]

Wednesday, April 18th

County Counts Successes at State Capital

In January the County Council, with support from their County Administrator, developed a large list of legislative priorities , from which their top priorities were identified for action (they later moved ferry related issues to the top of the list).

Councilman Kevin Ranker recently presented a summary of the successes of San Juan County in the state capital during the 2007 legislative session;

Throughout the 2007 legislative session in Olympia, some members of the County Council spent a combined total of 31 days at the state capital testifying in hearings; working with legislators and staff; and meeting with WSAC (Washington State Association of Counties)..

Councilman Kevin Ranker has taken upon himself to travel to Olympia to ensure representation of San Juan County in discussions that may affect San Juan County, and has noted that he “spent every Wednesday through Friday in Olympia”. Ranker told the Council that together with the dozens of citizens who wrote letters, and also traveled to Olympia, the “community’s efforts showed some great successes.”

“Unless there are last minute, drastic changes in Olympia, we have much to be thankful for,” said Ranker. “We had twelve major priorities and were successful with ten of them. Ten out of twelve is pretty good,” he continued.

Ranker highlighted some of the highlights of San Juan County’s successes, which included:

• WSAC: After intense work by the County Council, WSAC, who represents all 39 counties in Washington State, unanimously passed a motion to support San Juan County’s position on Washington State Ferries fare increases. This was the first time in the WSAC’s history that all 39 counties supported a ferry issue ;

• Ferries: The State Transportation Commission passed a modest increase of 2.5% for our ferry user fees. This was inline with the positions of San Juan County and WSAC;

• Saving Lopez Hill: With strong support from Senator Harriet Spanel, Lopez Hill has been included in the Trust Land Transfer Program, protecting this recreational resource for generations to come;

• $2 Million Proposed for Local Salmon Recovery and Community Projects: Currently, San Juan County stands to receive approximately $2 Million for community-based projects to address salmon recovery efforts. This money will restore critical shoreline habitat and create local jobs as salmon recovery in San Juan County will be done in a way that also benefits people and our communities;

• $193K Proposed for San Juan Community Theatre: The County Council enthusiastically supports the San Juan Community Theatre’s expansion and urged the State Legislature to fully fund the grants submitted by the “Building for the Arts” program.

[link]

Tuesday, April 17th

Is Your Name On This List? If so, There Is $ For You

What do Roche Harbor Resort, Key Bank, AT&T, Global Computer Supplies, and other companies, have in common with a long list of private citizens in San Juan County?

Perhaps a number of things, but one thing in common is that San Juan County has money to pay them. One person is owned $363.03, which is only a little less than Roche Harbor, at $301.56. And then there is Curtis Tucker, who can collect the grand total of $4.35 from the County. All any of them have to do is step forward and say "Pay me!"

Those who are eligible need to step forward, and they need to do so soon. "Warrants have been issued by the Auditor's Office for all claims against San Juan County and the various Special Purpose Districts within the county during calendar years 2001 - May 4, 2006; and some of the warrants have not been presented for payment by those who are entitled to collect the money."

In other words, some folks are due some money, but they forgot about it or "whatever", and now is their last chance to get there money, or else the County will simply cancel the debt and keep the money.

"RCW 36.22.100 allows for such warrants to be cancelled if not presented for payment within one year of the date of issue; and warrants, issued from the funds so designated, will be legally cancelled if not presented for payment by May 4,2007"

You can check and see if your name is on this List of Names, and also find out how much you may be able to claim. (the file is a Word

document)
[link]