-- Guest Column --

(02-20-12)

By Frank Penwell

Consignment Treasures/CT Recycling (CT), has been operating for 7 years as a private not for profit business, and it has provided over $130,000 to local charities and citizens.

In the last few years, CT has taken a lead in community recycling activities, and in 2010 it recycled approximately 73 tons of materials.
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-- Guest Column --

(02-13-12)

by Charlie Bodenstab

When the charter was written we freeholders were careful to include a provision for reviewing it in five years. We specified a “Charter Review Commission” to perform this task in order to make the adjustments that would inevitably be needed for something so new.
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-- Guest Column --

(02-13-12)
By Alex MacLeod

Anyone who has watched the six-member County Council since its creation in 2006 has probably been struck by how inept it has been in its leadership of the county. While the charter’s creation of a professional administrator has, at least in theory, been an improvement in the county’s ability to manage its day-to-day responsibilities, the expansion of the Council has undone any improvements voters expected in approving the Charter.
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-- Guest Column --

(11-22-11)

By Nick & Sara Jones

The issue we are objecting to is whether or not it is reasonable to demand that farm-stands come up to commercial code.

The price of the permit is irrelevant if compliance with the permit is going to cost $20-30,000(contractor friends came up with this estimate).
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-- Guest Column --

(11-01-11)

By Sam Buck II
My big concern is for the people of the San Juan Islands: working people, retired people and the preservation of all the life styles on all the islands. We have assets: 16,769 people, a wonderful population of very well educated, very capable and responsible individuals of all walks of life - from cabins to castles - who love the land, waters, and peace and tranquility of the islands.
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-- Guest Column --

(11-01-11)

By Ed Kilduff

Quangos may sound like a strange kind of endangered species, but they are a political animal. From my perspective, we have a quango management problem in the County, and I hope it can be effectively and dispassionately addressed in the upcoming charter review.

“Quango” is primarily a British term that originally stood for “quasi-non-governmental organization.”

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-- Guest Column --

(10-27-11)

By Mike MacDonald

As a veteran of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee who wearied of banging his head against the department of Public Works’ arrogance and lack of respect for the taxpayers, I urge you to vote NO on the solid waste charge.

There has been some recent progress towards a more rational trash system. A yes vote to extend funding for those who wrecked the current system is a step backwards.

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-- Guest Column --

(10-11-11)

By Sam Jacobson

Randall Gaylord’s letter [see below -Ed] is classic rhetoric used to cast fear, doubt and uncertainty on the opposing side. His argument focuses on selective “unknowns” that go along with Plan B. [related story-Ed] Sure, some exist -and much has been done to address these issues (see http://planbanotherway.com/ for more information).

While Mr. Gaylord introduces on a few scare tactics related to Plan B, he avoids a slew of things we know to be true if you vote “yes” on the solid waste user fee:


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-- Guest Column --

(10-11-11)

By David Hyde

My wife and I came to San Juan Island in 2009 to enjoy the wonderful ambience of these Islands. Like many friends and neighbors, we are environmentally oriented, I having retired from 40 years of ocean technology work, and she a long career in public relations. We both are alarmed by San Juan County’s recent CAO developments and public disclosures --her from a public information perspective, and I from an ocean sciences point of view.

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-- Guest Column --

(08-12-11)

By Sam Buck III am 84 years old, was born on San Juan Island and have lived here most of my life. My father was farming at Doe Bay on Orcas Island when other returning World War I veterans persuaded him to run for county attorney. He was elected, moved to Friday Harbor, and served from 1920-28, then two years in the state legislature, and two more terms as county attorney. My brother served as county attorney from 1946-54.
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-- Guest Column --

(08-02-11)

By Mark Anderson

The just completed rule-making process that led to Protective Regulations for Killer
Whales by the National Marine Fisheries Service has left San Juan Islanders in the current situation:

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-- Guest Column --

By Peg Manning

The County Department of Public Works has applied for funding (a total of $600,000) for something entitled “Roadside Hazard Mitigation Program,” whose stated purpose is to “identify and systematically mitigate . . . roadside hazards”-- trees, ditches, water and steep embankments
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-- Guest Column --

By Paul Dossett
San Juan Islanders received a mailer from the San Juan Island Library this week. The mailer is supposedly giving the electorate the facts relating to the Levy Lid Lift Ballot for the August 16th 2011 Primary Election.

Every community should have a library and most of the ferry served islands have Library Districts, similar to San Juan Island.

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-- Guest Column --

By Tim Blanchard

Did you know the County Community Development and Planning Department (CDPD) has proposed a significant expansion of its code enforcement authority?

I suspect that most citizens and land owners are not aware of the proposal currently before the Planning Commission that would dramatically change and increase the power of the CDPD to regulate almost everything we do on our land. Ask yourself:

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