<(04-10-12)

Dear Editor

Letter to the Editor

Barry "Jerry" Lewis has not been judged by one particular incident he has been judged by several incidents.

Several individuals in the community listened to the call to dispatch that particular day and we did not hear him being calm nor professional.

As I recall The Federal Judge even chastised Lewis for the way he handled Mueller's Tiny dog off his leash that day.
Have you ever watched him interact with the public? I have and what I see is a little man with a gun syndrome. He is out of control and rude "JUST PLAIN MEAN."

I guess if your a Park Ranger it's okay if your cat runs all over the neighborhood pooping anywhere it see's fit, any cat off leash laws?

I was wondering if The National Parks have in their budget to build bigger bathrooms this year due to moped impounds?
Anyone with any common sense knows you can't go around being an ass everyday "Law Enforcement or not" and expect to be respected by the community. The disrespect towards Lewis is by his own unethical actions.

I do have to admit I feel some compassion towards Ranger Lewis now that people in the community are wearing those "Sarcastic" sweatshirts, pins, and hats. Not to mention the posters around town with a Park Ranger in a straight jacket that is urinating on himself.

Evelyn Lee
San Juan Island
<(04-10-12)

Dear Editor

I am writing in agreement with Frank Penwell’s letter [letter below]. I lived next door to officer Lewis on the South end of our island when he first moved here. As a favor to the home owner he was renting from, I took him the keys to the house, turned on the water and heat, and welcomed him and his girlfriend to the island.

The first question I was asked from him was “Is there a dog problem in the neighborhood?”. I responded that there was not a dog problem, and asked why he was concerned. He stated he was worried his cat would be attacked by a loose dog. I told him there would be a greater risk from eagles, raccoons, or foxes. That was the end of our conversation.

After several months of his cat off leash in my neighborhood, I discovered his cat preferred my planter box as its toilet, rather than it’s own yard or litter box. I did not confront him about this, as his true colors as a LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER had been begun being revealed. I wonder, is there a cat off leash law in the national parks?

He has done many things in short order that many islanders do not agree with. I believe most of us see park rangers as stewards of our parks, educating and talking to the people that visit the parks here.

The issue with Karl is well know by all of us. How about the issue of feeding the foxes? Well as I understand it foxes are not native to this island, they were brought here to control the rabbit population, as I have been told by many longtime islanders.

Rabbits are also not native to this island, brought here to feed the troops long ago. Please correct me if my statements about foxes and rabbits are wrong. So as the National Park sees it... Killing hundreds of (or more) rabbits is just fine.

If you feed a fox, you get a large ticket, and a lecture from our Park LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. How about parking a moped illegally? Well, the moped gets impounded to the restroom (for evidence), you get a ticket and a lecture, and have to figure out how to get back to town from south beach. Justice served??

I still live on the south end of the island, where I own my home. I travel through the park twice a day commuting to work. I have on many occasions seen LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Lewis sitting on the side of the road with his radar detector on the dash of his cruiser waiting for the crazy speeder he can apprehend. Luckily he hasn’t got me yet, usually because I’m behind a tourist doing 25 mph.

Will he start ticketing the tourists who regularly park their cars in the middle of the road on a blind corner? I am comforted to know, through his enforcement of the laws, that there are more eagles at south beach since his arrival (that is sarcasm, for those of you who didn’t see the Journal article that he actually stated that!).

Personally, I know dozens of islanders who will not go back to south beach until OFFICER Lewis is gone, and I am with them.

I wish the best for our new park superintendent, who has stated she is a dog lover, and has a beautiful black Labrador. This is a dog loving island, and many offices & businesses have dogs that greet their customers every day (Off leash!). I hope we will survive the licks & tail wags!

Sincerely,

Jay Johnson
Cape San Juan
(04-10-12)

Dear Editor

There are always two sides to events. Certainly Karl Mueller was angry for being threatened with a gun, and for being made to take his shoes and socks off. The "facts" are that the Judge in this case sympathized with Karl regarding Ranger Barry Lewis's handling of this dog leash violation. The judge chose to fine Karl Mueller the absolute minimum fine possible, $1 and 90 days to pay the $1. The judge also chastised Ranger Barry Lewis for the way Ranger Barry Lewis handled this incident. Personally, I liked the way the Park was managed and cared for before Ranger Barry Lewis arrived, without a heavy handed "Law Enforcement Officer's" presence, and I have to wonder why Robin DelaZerda had so many facts wrong, and was trying so hard to paint Ranger Barry Lewis's actions in a different manner than the Court did.

Ranger Barry Lewis should be required to take additional ranger training in how to diffuse situations. Karl Mueller was an unarmed citizen going about his daily routine that he had done for years. There was no need for Ranger Barry Lewis, a new ranger to the islands, to threaten someone with a gun and make him walk barefoot for a dog leash violation? Aren't there other ways to deal with unhappy dog walkers?

One needs to look at what the behaviors of both individuals were, and weigh in on the responsibilities and expectations of both individuals. The Ranger was in the position of power and therefore, expectations of a high level of positive interaction would be anticipated. From most citizens' viewpoints, Ranger Barry needs to have additional training in order to learn how to de-escalate potential problems, or he needs to be relieved of his gun, or perhaps find a new job. The last time our family went to American Camp, we kept looking over our shoulders worrying about Ranger Barry Lewis showing up, and how he might deal with us and our dog. I might add, Karl Mueller is not the only person this Ranger has tried to intimidate.

Let's put to rest this incident, chalk it up to "having a bad day" on both their parts, and hope that all individuals who visit American Camp, be they islanders or visitors, have delightful experiences enjoying this land that was declared a national park.

Frank Penwell
San Juan Island

Dear Editor

I recently was approached (again) about Ranger Barry Lewis and Carl Mueller.

Barry was doing the job he was hired to do. He performed his duties professionally and exercised good judgment while interacting with an out of control individual.

Here are the facts: Barry warned Carl several times about his dog not being on a leash. Barry is a LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER and is mandated to uphold the laws of the National Parks on our island. I worked in dispatch that day; the way that Carl treated Barry was appalling. He was screaming and cursing as Barry remained calm. Throughout the entire incident, Barry was calm and professional. He asked Carl for basic information to fill out a ticket and the response he got was F*ck YOU and other derogatory remarks. Barry radioed for back up and every time the radio was keyed up, I could hear Carl yelling and cursing over the air.

Barry is a great person. As a community, he has been treated poorly. This is opposite of our “island way”. Barry and his girlfriend, who has also received fall out for this incident, are kind people who would be an asset to our community, if given a chance.

My point in writing this letter is to ask you to become informed before criticizing Barry for this incident. I would welcome you to come in and request a copy of the report from the Sheriff’s Office or the National Park Office on Mullis. I can even release the pieces of recordings that were played in court. I do not know how Carl can say he feels vindicated. What gives anyone a right to treat people poorly?

During court proceedings, Carl was found guilty of not following lawful orders. Prior to court, he paid the $50 fine for dog off leash.

I am informed of the events that day, please take a moment to get the facts before we loose two excellent community members.

In no way does my opinion reflect on my place of employment and is my personal opinion.

Robin DeLaZerda
San Juan island