Beautiful Flowers the Result of Hard Work

To the Editor:

Although it felt a little "Fall-ish" as I drove into work this morning, the beautiful hanging baskets that have lined our streets all summer long quickly pulled me back into a summer state of mind! I have had locals and visitors alike comment to me about the colorful baskets and what a welcoming gesture they extend.

I want to thank the Town of Friday Harbor for providing these flower baskets. And I especially want to thank Sharon Hammel who is responsible for the Town's green spaces. Did you know that Sharon works from about 4:30am- 12:30pm watering and feeding over 100 hanging baskets? She also waters the plants in most of the tree wells (those not adopted through the Chamber's "Adopt a Tree Well" program), plus she maintains all of the Town benches - and there are over 100 of those, too!

The mass of color these baskets add to our streetscape certainly make the Town a welcoming place to live, work and visit.


Debbie Pigman
Executive Director
San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce





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Open Letter on Buck Property

Dear Members of the Town Council and Mayor David Jones:

I’m writing about the annexation of the 46.5-acre Buck property, 15.5 acres of which would be an affordable housing neighborhood developed by the San Juan Community Home Trust.

I am concerned about a possible irony in this proposal. The proposed 46.5-acre annexation to the Town of Friday Harbor is touted as providing affordable housing. However, I am concerned that there will be costs of the proposed development that will result in housing that is not affordable for the current and future citizens of the Town of Friday Harbor.

If developers do not pay for the true costs of development, those expenses will be paid by the residents of the Town of Friday Harbor in the form of higher utility rates, fees, and taxes. Increased utility rates, fees, and taxes decrease the affordability of living in Town.

To determine the costs of this development and their impact on the affordability of housing, for the future and current residents of the Town of Friday Harbor, I believe the Town Council needs to:

1. Carefully analyze the infrastructure analysis to be completed by the Town’s consulting engineers, Gray and Osborne;

2. Require the developer to fulfill the conditions for annexation as recommended by the Planning Commission and approved by the Town Council on June 21, 2007; and

3. Ascertain and address any other costs of annexing and developing the additional land.

I urge the Town Council to engage in thoughtful deliberations and analysis of all possible costs of the proposed annexation and development, to make sure that affordable housing is exactly and ultimately what all citizens of Friday Harbor get from this proposal.

Sincerely,


Jay Westphalen
Friday Harbor
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LETTERS ON 40th DISTRICT ELECTION

---------------------------------------Ranker Is Ready To Be A Senator
To the Editor:

Last week we hosted a “meet Kevin Ranker” gathering at the home of Christina and Bruce Orchid in Westsound. Kevin spoke to a varied group of neighbors, young and old, liberal and conservative, Republican and Democrat alike. He ably showed each one of us that he is ready to be state senator. Kevin does his homework, staying on top of the issues. He is both heartfelt and smart, dedicated to his chosen causes and open-minded. He listens. His priorities include education, the environment, transportation (particularly ferry issues), and the local economy. He knows how to work constructively with fellow politicians to make a positive impact. He has what it takes.

This position is representative of parts of Whatcom and Skagit Counties in addition to San Juan County. It will be the first time in half a century that the San Juans have had a local representative in either the House or Senate. Our unique issues call for someone to speak for island needs on the state level. All of the major mainland newspapers have endorsed Kevin, discrediting falsehoods with which his opponent and a few others have tried to damage his reputation.

When our gathering concluded, all who attended agreed, despite political differences, that Kevin is the candidate to support. Please join us in voting for Kevin Ranker, Washington State Senate.

Thank you,

Bruce and Christina Orchid,
Kathy and Ron McDowell,
Susan and Wally Gudgell,
Lance Evans and Janet Brownell



---------------------------------------Ranker's Story vs. The Official Story
To the Editor:

My name is Mark Lann. I am a Whatcom County Sheriff's Deputy and live in the 40th district. I am also the President of the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs (WACOPS www.wacops.org)

Here are some facts about WACOPS:
*We represent about 110 city and county police departments across the state, and are made up of approximately 5000 individual police officers and sheriffs deputies.
*We are a professional organization dedicated to protecting the rights and quality of life of law enforcement officers in the State of Washington.
* Finally, we are a non-partisan organization- our list of political endorsements is spit about even --although this election cycle we support slightly more democrats that republicans.

Here are some other facts; the facts about the Ranker incident-let me try to paint the picture for you:

* It's July 17, 1995-Lakefair parade in Olympia, WA.
*Mr. Ranker and his two friends, crash the parade as a form of protest-they were carrying protest signs and one was wearing a statue of liberty costume. Mr. Ranker, and the other two, were yelling about injustice and the freeing of prisoners.
* The police repeatedly warned Mr. Ranker to leave the parade, as it was still in progress.
* Mr. Ranker refused the repeated police warnings and simply stands in the middle of the street, as the parade was moving. As this is happening, one of his friends is falling to the ground, in a non-violent form of protest, forcing the police to physically carry him from the parade route.
* The police attempt to push Mr. Ranker out of the parade route and Mr. Ranker refuses to move and is pulling away from the police officers attempt to escort him out of the street. He is told he is under arrest.
* Mr. Ranker refuses to obey the police and physically resists the police officer trying to get him out from the parade route, Mr. Ranker is taken to the ground, by the police officer, and handcuffed.
* As Mr. Ranker is being escorted away, he yells to the people watching that he is being arrested for freedom.
* The parade actually had to be stopped due to Mr. Ranker's protest and the protesting of his two friends.

What was Mr. Ranker protesting? This is the heart of the matter and what law enforcement find particularly offensive about Mr. Rankers actions -He was demanding the release of a convicted cop killer- Mumia Abu- Jamal. On December 9, 1981, Officer Danny Faulkner, of the Philadelphia Police Department, was shot in the back by Abu-Jamal. The wounded officer fell and Abu-Jamal stood over the downed officer and shot him four more times, at close range, once directly in the face. Officer Faulkner died. On July 2, 1982, Abu-Jamal was convicted of murdering Danny Faulkner.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania heard the defendant's appeals and upheld the conviction on March 6, 1989.

For Mr. Ranker's behavior that day, he was arrested for 1. Disorderly Conduct, and; 2. Resisting Arrest.

He ultimately plead guilty to a reduced charge and paid a $50.00 fine in addition to the time he had already served in jail. The charges were not dropped, they were reduced. In the criminal justice system, there is a big difference.

WACOPS has been forced to make a public statement about the Ranker incident because Mr. Ranker has not taken responsibility for his behavior that day. Rather, he has made a number of excuses. He has said everything from he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, to it was a case of mistaken identity, to the police were lying. None of these excuses are consistent with the facts.

It is unfortunate Mr. Ranker has not taken the high road and simply apologized for his youthful indiscretion and error in judgment. It is for those reasons, WACOPS was forced to write you this letter.

WACOPS supports Steve Van Luven for state senate.

Mark Lann,
President WACOPS 360 920 8912

---------------------------------------Ranker's Story Is The Correct One
To the Editor:

We were surprised that the Island Guardian chose to publish the allegations of Steve Van Luven against Kevin Ranker. My husband and I were there that day in 1995 when Kevin was arrested in Olympia and feel it is important that the public know the truth. Kevin was not carrying signs, yelling or even protesting. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. In fact, the case against Kevin was dropped and he was issued a $50 jaywalking ticket.

On that day, Kevin was walking parallel to the parade near the edge of the street. Police officers entered the parade route and began arresting the protestors. Kevin was still within a few feet of the sidewalk when he was arrested. He did not resist arrest and did not yell anything. It is very unfortunate that these sorts of baseless negative attacks have now come to our local races. We deserve to know about the candidate’s position on issues and not the rehashing of groundless attacks.

Sue & Nikos Vulgares


(Editor’s note: “The [“Rumors and Ranker”] story is not base on "allegations of Steve Van Luven against Kevin Ranker.' The story covers the official record of events as testified to by three police officers.

The police arrested three people, Kevin was one of those. There is no evidence that Kevin was singled out of a group in a parade to be arrested apart from the obvious ones who had brought attention to themselves by protesting.

Had the police made a large number of arrests from the general crowd -including some from or near the sidewalk on the far side away from where the arrests were taking place- then it would have been possible for a mistake to have been made; but again, there were only three arrests, the charges were reduced for all of them. As far as facts go, Kevin was not, in fact, charged with jaywalking.)

---------------------------------------Rare Opportunity for San Juan County Voters
To the Editor:

This year’s election presents a rare opportunity for the voters of San Juan County: we have a serious, qualified candidate running for our State Senate District who knows what it’s like to live and work here. I mean, of course, Kevin Ranker.

The last time an “Islander” was elected to the state legislature was about 70 years ago. During that islander’s term, the “Capron funds” were passed: a way of giving state gas tax money to San Juan County, even though we have no state roads. We could use that kind of representation again.

It was clear at last week’s candidate forum that the Republican candidate, who is from Bellingham, was unaware of both the dilapidated condition of our ferries (duh!) and what Capron Funds are. There’s undoubtedly a lot more that he doesn’t understand about this County" and won’t think about if elected.

The other Democrat who attended the Forum, who is also from Bellingham, is not just a Democrat: he’s an Optometrist. And while I don’t think that’s a political party, the Public Disclosure Commission reports that optometrists account for about 60% of his financial support. That sounds like a lobbyist to me.

At a ferry meeting last week, a Skagit County Commissioner referred to the islands as “a group of wealthy retired people.” Most of Skagit County is within our Legislative District. If this perception exists in Skagit County, imagine what they think on the east side of the state.

Some of us differ with Kevin on some issues. Some will even be tempted to vote along party lines and choose a Republican. I submit to you all: no one is better equipped than Kevin to represent San Juan County residents in Olympia. Why? Because Kevin knows these islands; he knows our issues, he’s been working on those issues for years (both here and in Olympia), and will clearly represent interests that are important to islanders better than any of his opponents.

So please join me in making history: vote for an “Islander” to represent us in the State Senate. Kevin Ranker: the only choice for San Juan County.

George Johnson
San Juan Island
---------------------------------------Endorsement Letter For Ranker
To the Editor:

Yet another endorsement letter, ah, won’t we all be glad when election year is over!
We feel that we need to write this final letter of endorsement because it is such an important issue. We are urging voters to vote and we are endorsing Kevin Ranker for the State Senate, 40th District.

We have known Kevin for years and have worked personally with him on many issues which have been paramount to this county. We have seen Kevin take responsible, sensible action and make decisive decisions. He has proven to be articulate and dedicated and shares in the values and vision we have for our County and State as a whole. Kevin works with people and has a genuine way of communicating which is refreshing and honest.

Kevin is a problem solver. He is also a voice for the environment and for sensible growth which we feel is necessary in this position and in the position he has held as Commissioner and Councilman. Kevin has the expertise and ethics for this position and would not just be representing the San Juan’s, but both Whatcom and Skagit Counties as well. Kevin has always been accessible and we mentioned that importance last week in another endorsement.

It is important to have your concerns listened to and be able to have a person in this important position to be accessible to your concerns. Kevin’s endorsements are too many to mention but I will say that he is the Official Nominee of the Washington State Democratic Party as well as two prestigious conservation groups. It would be an honor to have a Senator elected from our county and it has been an honor to know and work with Kevin. Kevin will listen; he will take action and will work hard to represent all of our needs and concerns. His passion for our unique island situation, on intelligent growth and preservation are real. His experience and accomplishments are real and he will bring this to Olympia.

We hope you will join us in endorsing Kevin for Senator!

Sincerely,

Patty Pirnack-Hamilton
Jim Hamilton
Eastsound
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What, We Should Worry?

To the editor:

I just read the County press release on the Auditor’s Financial Report: “Time to Start Worrying.”

With all due respect to the Auditor (we shouldn’t shoot the messenger), the “time to start worrying” was last December, when the County Council passed a budget reportedly increasing County spending by 10%, with hardly a whimper, despite clear signs that the real estate market was tanking, and the economy and tax revenues were going down with it.

Margaret Manning
Orcas, WA


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