LETTERS ON BC SEWAGE

---------------Wholeheartedly Agrees!
Editor:

An article appeared in the Times Colonist, " Victoria's sewage raising a stink on San Juans" (July 15th). While I find it a bit of a stretch to assert that Victoria's sewage is arriving on your shores, as a Victoria resident, I wholeheartedly agree with the import of your article.

As you may be aware, our Premier Campbell originally mandated that Victoria provide secondary treatment for it's effluent. However following research investigations in Sweden , firstly privately by a local engineer and subsequently by representatives of both the Victoria Regional District comprising a number of Municipalities and The Provincial Government, it appears that there is agreement that we should provide the latest in tertiary treatment, which will virtually remove all offensive sewage material from entering the Juan de Fuca Straits, and will be far superior to secondary treatment.

This will involve the establishment of numerous small plants, scattered throughout the greater Victoria area. The planning and execution of this project is obviously very complex, and as a lay person, I fully understand that it will be several years before completion.

I believe that in spite of the time lapse this is a good decision and one that will not be deflected by groups who have a " do nothing " point of view. While there are obviously more serious forms of pollution of our waters, the health of the ocean is critical to it's many inhabitants.

David Shillington
Victoria
---------------"Noting Can Be Done About It??"
Editor:

I'm a little confused by the County Council candidates saying "there's nothing we can do" about Victoria's/B.C.'s raw sewage discharge.

1. We can ask our Congressional representatives -- 2 Senators and our Representative -- to lobby our State Department to intercede with the Canadians concerning this issue. We can also ask our state representatives to lobby our Congressional representatives in the same vein. We do have an Embassy and Consulates in Canada, don't we? It wouldn't be the first time a squeaky wheel got some grease.

2. We can make this a state gubnatorial election issue by asking the Governor to issue an executive order directing the Washington State ferries NOT to sail to B.C. during the tourist season; this would have a direct economic impact on Victoria and B.C. It also would have a more tangible sub-benefit of providing an extra ferry for service in the San Juans or in the ferry system at-large, during a time when we're short 4 ferries.

3. Provided we can PROVE that we have been damaged by the discharge of raw sewage, we can sue the Victoria/B.C. government in a U.S. Court. It will be expensive and take years, but probably not longer than the current Canadian time-table of 2016. U.S. citizens have in the past sued the Cuban government in U.S. courts and have attached Cuban assets within the United States, so this idea is not so far-fetched as it might first appear. We obviously can also sue them in a Canadian court, if we choose. Proving "damage" is the key, however -- not merely proving "disgust."

4. International Law is a complicated but fascinating subject. Historically around the world, it is amazing what has from time-to-time been accomplished via law suits across international borders. Rather than simply responding "nothing can be done," at least one of the council candidates ought to be saying "we should do a little research and see what can be done..."

5. There may already be a bi-lateral (Canada and the U.S.) or multi-lateral treaty (think NAFTA here) forbidding one country from allow noxious substances from industry or government to affect a neighboring country. It doesn't take too much of a stretch to define "noxious" as including untreated sewage

John Chessell
San Juan Island

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Reader Responds To Smoking Story

To the Editor

Re: "Tobacco Costs to Employers and Employees"

I don't really see what the point of the 25 foot law is if it is not enforced. If you look at the front door to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the tavern, almost anywhere I see people standing right in front of the door smoking away.

My favorite is the people who set their lit cigarette next to the door while they go in and shop so they can recover it off the ground when they come back out.

25 feet has become a nominal 25 inches at most. I watched my mother die a horrible death, stuck in bed for 10 years thanks to smoking and I sucked in second hand smoke for the first 20 years of my life. If people want to smoke that is their choice - just don't make me or my children have to "enjoy" it with you.

From what I can tell the State leaves it up to local Health Departments to enforce the law. My questions would be how many citations have actually been issued in San Juan County since the law was passed? Has the County Health Department made a concerted effort on all islands to get signs posted about the law in places where violations are frequent - the signs are available from the State website?

Tom Tillman
Orcas island

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LETTERS ON COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION

---------------------------------------Gordy Helped Write The Charter & Comp Plan
Dear Editor:

I am writing to urge voters to cast their ballot for Gordy Petersen in the upcoming San Juan County Council election. He has an extensive background in County matters, volunteering his time to serve on the committee that drafted the Comprehensive Plan and Unified development Code and to serve on the San Juan County Planning Commission. Most recently, Gordy was elected to serve on the committee that drafted the San Juan County Charter.

Gordy was the leader who stopped the unwanted mega-marina development in Orcas Village, was instrumental in securing the award winning sewer system for Orcas Village and directed the development of the village water system. In other words, Gordy knows how to get things done! He will do the same as a Councilman for citizens on San Juan Island.

I have known Gordy for over 20 years. He is forthright, impeccably honest, has a strong sense of community and is blessed with plenty of good old-fashioned common sense. He understands the quality of life we wish to maintain in the islands.

Gordy voted for the Charter. In doing so, he also made a clear statement that the Charter was going to increase the cost of County government. He was criticized by some for his honest assessment of the Charter’s impending financial cost. As it turns out, Gordy’s analysis was certainly correct.

As a voter, I greatly appreciate a person with Gordy’s strong business background and who understands budgets at a time when the County is headed for serious financial difficulties. Having a person with Gordy Petersen’s experience on the Council, an elected official who will “tell it like it is” and who is not beholding to special interests will benefit all of us.

Sincerely,

John Evans
(Commissioner Evans served as a San Juan County Commissioner for 12 years)
---------------------------------------Gordy Has 20yr History of Service to SJC
Dear Editor:

We are 40 year property owners on San Juan Island and full time residents since 1993. During these years, we have observed Gordy Petersen and appreciated all that he has contributed to San Juan County.

We are disturbed by the number of flashy activists who arrive on our Islands, push their personal agendas and then simply move on leaving behind unsolved problems and wasted taxpayer dollars.

This is certainly not the case with Gordy Petersen. Gordy has dedicated his skills and energy to San Juan County for over 25 years leaving a long trail of visible, successful and enduring accomplishments. He is known and respected on San Juan Island and Orcas Island as a community leader and honest businessman. Simply walk up Spring Street to admire the beautiful half block of stores and offices he rebuilt after the devastating fire of 2002.

Just three months ago, when the Washington State Department of Natural Resources pushed to establish a 90 Year Aquatic Reserve throughout San Juan County, Gordy Petersen stepped forward to organize county citizens against this unnecessary restriction to our Island waters.

San Juan County needs the qualities of vision and proven leadership demonstrated by Gordy Petersen. Thank you,

Kare & Ross Brown
San Juan Island
---------------------------------------Gordy For County Council
I have known Gordy for 15 years and until my store Friday Harbor Grocery, burned to the ground, he was my landlord. During the years that I have known and done business with Gordy I have never met a more sincere and honest person and it has been a privilege knowing and working with him.

Gordy’s experience working on many different local Committees and Boards and his dedication to our community is unsurpassed. Unlike his competitors in this race, Gordy brings a vast amount of knowledge, experience and a sense of humor that our County Council has been lacking. While our current Council continues to spend much of their time on national issues that are not relevant to our local problems and spending our tax dollars like drunken sailors, I am convinced that Gordy’s ability to reach consensus with others will steer this group back to the problems that we all face locally.

There are many issues that need to be addressed and resolved. Reliable and affordable ferry service, affordable housing, sustainable farming, ever increasing taxes, secret meetings, just to name a few. Gordy’s experience and vision will be invaluable to the future of our community and the future of our children.

I strongly urge you to VOTE for GORDY, County Council Position #1.

Respectfully,

Ray Bigler
San Juan Island
---------------------------------------Fralick Best Choice For Council
Editor:

Next month voters in San Juan County will be selecting the final candidates for County Council in the primary election. I recommend that voters mark their ballots for Richard Fralick. Richard has a long history of service to the community, going back as far as the Orcas School Board in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Richard and I served on that board together. His presence on the board was an asset to its members and contributed to the progress the school district achieved during that time.

Richard listens before he speaks. He has a scientific mind that looks at all the facts, analyzes a problem, and then works out a solution. He always completes his work with professional thoroughness, and he knows how to work cooperatively with others and bring out their best. I believe he will be a positive influence on the County Council.

Joyce Pearson
Orcas Island
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