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----------------------------------------Auction items & donations Request for the Matt Johnson fund raising event ----------------------------------------New Letter “County Circus is at it again – or still” ----------------------------------------
SJC Firefighters Take Advance Testing
 (contributed photo)
Firefighters from San Juan Island, Lopez Island and Snohomish County participated in an International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Firefighter 2 certification test recently held at the SJI Fire headquarters on Mullis St.
The written test and practical skills evaluation are based on a nationally recognized curriculum. This is the same certification undertaken by firefighters in larger departments like Seattle and Tacoma. Firefighter 2 represents an advanced level of skill and ability. It is founded on the basic information and abilities the candidates learn during the Firefighter 1 recruit class. This is the first time this level of evaluation and certification has been available in the county.
SJI Dog Park Trotting Along
The “Eddie & Friends Dog Park” Steering Committee announced today that with over a third of necessary funds raised, site preparation and construction will begin soon.
“Strong community support is allowing us to move from the planning stage to action in making our dog park a reality,” commented Lori Stokes, co-chair of the Steering Committee, “This is a very exciting step for our community.”
Jim Stegall, one of the key organizers of the dog park effort , added, “We know that once people see the park being built, the additional funds we need will be donated. We’re building it, and they will come.”
$275K Raised For SJI School District
San Juan Island School Superintendent Michael Soltman has reported impressive community response to a call for help in balancing the budget. A budget that is short by $600K. A budget that is required to be balanced by May 15.
Soltman said on Wednesday that local donors have coordinated efforts, and have so far pledged $275,000 -with more expected- toward a “Challenge Gift” to the School District designed to offset otherwise potential program reductions required to meet the budget requirements.
SJ islander Charles Anderson is the current Chair of the San Juan Island Community Foundation Board, and said, "these donors are committed to ensuring that our schools will continue to provide an outstanding education on San Juan Island." Anderson is optimistic that other donors will soon step forward to preserve school programs in precognition of the importance of education to a healthy community.
San Juan County is not alone in finding that money is not there for all of the programs. In an email, Soltman stated there are “significant program cutting” in other school districts..due to inadequate basic education funding.”
Soltman pointed out that “SJISD (San Juan Island School District) was early in identifying this problem this year due to our ability to work with our business manager, Ben Thomas, and Northwest ESD to run the revenue formulas over a month ago. Our early analysis has allowed our community to have more indepth conversation and understanding of this issue, and to have the time to work together to address this challenge through local fundraising efforts.”
Change Your Schools
By Dan & Liz Seaton
By now you have heard the rumors…. the staggering numbers… the cuts and it’s time to take action before we loose what makes up our schools. By May 15th the School has to present a balanced budget and if you are not aware, we are approximately $600,000 short.
These shortages are going to continue if the economy continues to falter, and we can not depend on it to change over night at the state level. We have to act at the community level today!
After the public meeting on Thursday it was clear that we as a community have to take action if we are going to preserve our teachers our programs and our future.
There was a gentleman that spoke at lasts nights meeting and he made a great suggestion that if every family invested $100 towards our children and the school that our shortfall would diminish greatly. We encourage those of you that can contribute that or even more to please do so. We also realize there are a lot of families that are not in the position to contribute at that level and we are proposing :
Deja-vu All Over Again
(Meeting on Orcas with Boarder Patrol Deputy Chief Giuliano)
Give or take drifters in and out of the room, 60 people showed up on Orcas Tuesday to speak to, and ask questions of, Border Patrol Deputy Chief Joseph Giuliano about the Anacortes spot checks. Giuliano had held a similar County Council public meeting with the Council in Friday Harbor in April to discuss immigration issues. Not much came out of that meeting, except for the debunking of some rumors, confirmation of others, and assurance that the spot checks would not be going away anytime soon.
Council Chair Howard Rosenfeld had informed the council at a later meeting that Giuliano had agreed to attend the scheduled May meeting on Orcas. While it was assumed the meeting would only serve to allow more venting of frustrations over the delays caused by the stops, the potential impacts on tourism related business, and concerns on curtailing of civil liberties, the meeting did produce some productive and informative dialog with the public.
While many of the questions had already been asked and answered at the Friday Harbor meeting, a question from Councilman Kevin Ranker generated new information when Ranker asked Giuliano “where was the decision made to target Anacortes?’ Giuliano responded “I’ll tell you right up front that I signed off on it.”
This may not have been the answer that Ranker expected, and he was for a moment unsure what to say, then stated “so you and your staff said this is a good place to target..” Giuliano explained that the local sectors in the country decide how to implement the general sense of direction given by the D.C. office.
Ranker then asked what information did Giuliano need to reverse his decision. Giuliano responded that they are “already in somewhat of a measured reversal; we have cut the frequency down by one-half” and added that based on intelligence that is coming in they can continue to cut back, and that “I have no problem putting mitigation in place to, for example, address weekend tourist traffic.”
Ranker then turned away from questioning, and told the Council he wanted to ask for help from their federal delegation in reversing the spot checks. Both Ranker and Rosenfeld have been pushing to send a joint Town of Friday Harbor and County Council letter to various politicians, asking them to take action to end the spot checks, but so far all they had was a draft letter that was not approved for signing.
Ranker said “our federal delegation can make this stop, they the have the ability to make this stop, and we need to stand up and ask for that.”
Councilman Alan Lichter responded to Rankers suggestion by asking Giuliano if “can in fact the federal legislators deflect your mission here, and if so, how can that be done?” Giuliano explained that he has stood before Senators Cantwell and Murray more than once” to explain why the checks are in place. He told Lichter that the legislators power “rests in their power to legislate” and if they change the law, then he would follow accordingly, but as “far as walking across the hall and saying “I don’t want this to happen anymore…that doesn’t work very well.”
Ranker was not impressed, and asked Giuliano if there would be any impact if the local legislators called his office. In response Giuliano reminded Ranker that he has been talking to them for months..and Ranker interrupted him to say he believed that “a little bit more pressure could slow or stop this (spot checks) over night.”
Ranker then made a motion for the Council to sign a letter next week to send to D.C that would ask for direct action, but given the letter was only a draft, the motion failed for lack of a second. Then meeting ended with the San Juan Island contingent heading for the ferry terminal; leaving Rosenfeld behind to allow more people to discuss the issues with Giuliano.
Council Will Advertise For Committee Openings
The County Council is wrestling with when and how to make appointments to citizens advisory groups and committees. The problem arose when Councilman Rich Peterson asked why an applicant was moving forward to appointment without the Council having advertised there was an opening.
During the discussion the pros and cons of having some citizens sitting on more than one committee was reviewed, and there was some questioning was there a balance on the committees, not only in views, but also in island representation. Some committees require a balance, and some do not.
The question caused the Council to review and discuss past policies, and Peterson suggested that each year when an expiration occurred the council would interview any and all applicants, including someone that has already served and wishes to be reappointed.
Councilman Kevin Ranker agreed that if at the end of a term a person sitting on a committee wished to remain, they would need to apply for the position with anyone else who had shown an interest. Ranker said that “the historical knowledge is really important on these committees; and the last thing we want to do is push away good volunteers in our community,” but added that all applicants should be treated equally in the selection process.
Councilman Alan Lichter said that asking the chair of a committee about the performance of a sitting member was also helpful in making a selection.
County Administrator Pete Rose reminded the Council they had directed staff to draft a policy on how they appoint; but agreed that they will advertise all openings as they come up
Money Up Front For That Building Permit
Starting next week on the 12 of May, applicants for a building permit from the County will have to figure out what the project may cost, and then pay a fee based on that amount.
The building fee schedule is a part of Ordinance 49-2007, which sets all of the fees for CD&P (Community Development & Planning). They will begin implementing the collection of estimated Plan Review Fees at the time of Building Permit application submission.
This requires that the permit applicant provide an estimated valuation of all the work, including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems. If the estimate is too low (according to CD&P), then one will be charged more.
The estimated valuation should be equal to the contract cost a contractor would charge for all the work, utilizing new commercially available construction materials. The estimated valuation does not include the cost of the land or non-building site improvements.
What happens if the estimate is too high? Will the County come back to the applicant with a refund check? Or what if the applicant believes the estimate by the County is incorrect? The County will not use actual costs to determine the fee, but a guideline that sets arbitrary amounts for the cost of construction.
The ordinance states an applicant can appeal a code interpretation by paying an appeal fee of $525.00; but what about an appeal of a permit fee? The intent of the interpretation fee is to pay for the cost when the department is asked to respond to a land use or building code ruling; but will the County also charge a fee for an appeal of a finding of construction costs, based on the code, when the applicant questions the amount?
“Spring Fling” Auction For Spring Street School
Spring Street International School is hosting their annual “Spring Fling” auction at the San Juan Island Yacht Club in Friday Harbor, Washington, Saturday May 10, 2008, from 5:30 to 9:00pm Tickets available at door or by calling (378-6393) in advance.
The public is asked to join in celebrating their 13th year of quality education with a worldview!
Spring Street International School is a highly regarded independent school that gives financial assistance to many of our island families. In order to do this, we count on funds generated by fundraising events such as our annual “Spring Fling” auction.
Mark your calendars for a great night out! Find a great gift for Mother’s Day: Works of Art, trip adventures, weekend packages, local crafts, accents, ethnic food, drink, music, dancing and a great cause to support. Kick up your heels for kids: Entertainment by: Stephen Keys and Friends
Donor For Matt Johnson Found
 Matt Johnson started his preparation for a bone marrow transplant with a physical and another blood transfusion on Thursday May 1. The good news is that a donor's been identified (a 28 year old female) and she is having her physical exam this week.
Until the point of beginning chemo on the 17th, he'll be in and out Fred Hutchison with various tests They'll be continuing with physical testing and provide education regarding food safety and what will be expected after the transplant which is tentatively scheduled for May 23rd.
Houston Taylor Awarded As A Red Cross Real Hero
 Houston Taylor, R.N., has been selected as a “Real Hero” by the Anacortes-San Juan Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross for his tireless efforts to provide hospice care to San Juan County patients.
When Taylor saw a need for hospice care services in the San Juan Islands, he did NOT say, “Someone should do something about that.” He took it on.
Houston approached Skagit Hospice for the training he would need to deliver care to islanders on his days off, and he labored 24/7 for over a year to provide education on end-of-life issues and support for family, patient and physician to manage symptoms.
Heritage Vessel: Pacific Catalyst
 The historic Pacific Catalyst is a restored 1932 wooden vessel. Her maiden voyage was up the Inside Passage and across the Gulf of Alaska, beginning her oceanographic research for the University of Washington’s, Friday Harbor Labs, and the marine sciences community.
The Catalyst has been thoroughly and richly restored, and now takes visitors on marine adventures in the Salish Sea and north into Alaska and Canada.
Friday Harbor is her home base, and is currently moored in the Friday Harbor Marina. For more information call 360.378.7123 or visit http://www.pacificcatalyst.com/index.htm.
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