|
Dear Editor,
posted 02/01/05
If the people that made the monument possible were here today, I feel that they would allow the monument to be moved back a few feet to allow better flow for Ferry traffic. It is a safety issue and their main concern would most certainly be that the monument not be moved to an entirely new location, but stay at the head of Spring Street. We should allow the monument to be moved towards the water a few feet. It does not change the historical significance of the monument in the least, and after the park is complete, it will still be the main focal point, only more protected from vehicular traffic.
While we are at it, why not place stone bollards in front of it and move it a few more feet back to protect it from any runaway vehicles? It would be a shame after all this, to have someone run into it. Right now it is in a vulnerable location and why not focus on protecting the monument from accidents in the future?
Nina Le Baron, AIA
Dear Editor:
posted 12/18/04
Is the same group that brought us the Reed Street entrance to the Post Office and the recent change on Caines St going to try their luck again. I hope not. Reed Street only works when there is just one vehicle present, and they took away all the parking to make it that bad. Caines Street is no better, and in fact much weirder. Here they again took away all of the parking and the traffic pattern is no Better!!!
How can they possible believe that the town staff is competent to redesign the Memorial Circle? I don’t want the ferry system to use the town’s incompetence to cut our service.
I think it is time for some folks on this island to start working toward the greater good. I think it is a safe bet that the veterans honored by the park died for our greater good. They gave all they had to be sure we could flourish. I find it hard to imagine that any of those brave people would want there marker to remain exactly in place, when it endangered the greater good. I think the park is a wonderful tribute and a historic landmark, but a couple for feet of movement will not diminish it or the legacy to those who’s deaths created it.
I hope the council will not issue the permit, until it can be proven that parking will not be lost and that the new design will actually work.
Vern Tator
Dear Editors:
posted12/17/04
As a freeholder from San Juan Island I'm very pleased to see the amount of positive coverage the local media has provided the community as we start the collaborative process to improve the efficiency and accessibility of county government via a "home-rule" charter. It confirms for me that this is an idea who's time has come.
It was therefore disappointing that your correspondent characterized our second meeting last Saturday as being "embroiled in contention" as we discussed our initial issues of organization and process. Strong words indeed when you check Webster's. Friends have been offering their sympathy about this brutal soap opera I'm apparently involved in!
The freeholder's are simply "learning to dance" with each other, to establish an operating process with solid working relationships based upon trust and mutual respect. We are well on the way to this goal. The relative merits of a Robert's Rules vs. "consensus-based" decision making process, while important, is a minor issue when looking at the big picture of our goals.
Readers must realize that our group of 21 freeholders come from five unique island communities. We are an extremely diverse group in terms of age, professional experience, life-style, politics and interests. Isn't that the way it should be? We all care passionately about our islands and are idealistic enough to want to create a model for better governance to offer voters next November. I'm honored to be part of such an outstanding group!
We're meeting again this Saturday the 19th, at the San Juan Island Yacht Club. The time is 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Stop by for a while and see for yourselves what's happening.
David Bayley
Freeholder- District #1
San Juan Island
Dear Editor,
posted 12/16/04
The recent state Supreme Court decision affirming a the privacy rights of a child's telephone calls did not, contrary to Mr. Gaylord's contention, make new law. It merely applied and affirmed existing law.
The law as written is clear. Telephone conversations in Washington are private. Nobody may record or listen in on a conversation unless both the people involved know that the conversation is being monitored. That's why companies who want to record your conversations with their employees have to tell you in advance that the call may be monitored or recorded.
The law protects you, it protects me, it protects Randy Gaylord, and it protects children. There is no exception in the law for parents and children. The Court in this case did not make new law; it simply applied the law as written, which is what a court should do. The prosecution in this case didn't like the law, and argued that it should be disregarded in their case. The Court, rightly, said no.
Christopher Hodgkin
Response to letter about Laramie Project (posted below)
Dear Editor and Mr. Hodgkin,
posted 12/02/04
Thank you for your thoughtful letter about the Island Reads program sponsored by the library. It is true that both To Kill A Mockingbird and The Laramie Project deal with some similar themes. The basic premise of this program is that it involves more than just the library. Besides the San Juan Island Library, the San Juan Community Theatre is a primary agency for choosing what material we will present and explore. Additionally, the material must fit with Friday Harbor High School's curriculum to involve students. -Without this as the foundation, I think it is unlikely that we could have such broad participation or such varied and stimulating discussions on the various themes in the works. I think it is coincidence, more than anything else, that we are presenting these two works consecutively.
I am very interested in suggestions for future projects. Perhaps you would like to participate in a committee for that purpose? It's possible that we could work with another dramatic organization to explore a Shakespearean work, or maybe we could do a collaborative project in odd years and read a purely literary work in even years. We are a public library, and all ideas from the public are welcome. If you or anyone else would like to be involved in the selection of future Island Reads works, please let me know.
Lauren Stara
Director, San Juan Island Library
Dear Editor:
posted 11/30/04
We want to thank the FHHS football team, coaches, managers, cheerleaders, fans and everyone who paticipated for a great season. It was a joy to watch you guys play and a honor to help with announcing! Way to go...we are proud of you!
Marc, Deb, and Charlie Vermeire
Dear Editor:
posted 11/29/04
I would like to send personal congratulations to Janet Wright and Nan Simpson. They truly inspired me to teach even though the stakes were high. It is tougher than I could ever imagine but it is a job I must do.......Thank you to you Ladies!
Sue Patterson
Responses to letter about Laramie Project (posted below)
Dear Editor:
posted 11/29/04
Bravo Ms. Stara and Merritt Olsen and the San Juan Island Community Theatre for continuing the dialogue on the issues of racism, discrimination and intolerance in our society through the production of The Laramie Project. Unfortunately we have not yet really begun to scratch the surface of such a difficult and highly personal issue. It is my greatest hope that our community will embrace this project for, indeed, there is still much to think about.
Thank you
Susie Hale
Dear Editor:
posted 11/27/04
I’m afraid that I don’t share Mr. Hodgkin’s experience of To Kill a Mockingbird. To me, undoubtedly part of the group Mr. Hodgkin would call "socially liberal," the play does not "invite a smug response of ‘look at those wicked people, isn't it good that I'm not like them.’"
The challenge of the play isn’t that we are not like them, but rather that we are. We are all burdened by our prejudices and complacency. How much easier is it to accept that "that’s just the way things are?" It never occurred to me to think of them as “wicked,” just as very, very human. To Kill a Mockingbird doesn’t comfort us with the smug knowledge of our own virtue. Rather, it discomforts us with troubling questions of whether we would have the strength and courage to stand up for justice.
John Jull
Dear Ms. Stara:
posted 11/25/04
I regret the appearance of a political agenda in the choice of reading materials for the community reading projects which the library is participating in. After the reading of To Kill a Mockingbird, I expected that the next reading project would be something substantially different, to bring a broader perspective to the community. But with The Laramie Project, you are simply revisiting the same basic topic, a liberal condemnation of community intolerance, in a slightly different guise.
There are many thousands of excellent works of literature which could serve as valuable shared reading experiences for our community. Why do you feel the need to pick such a similar work, focusing on a negative rather than a positive aspect of human nature?
How about a shared community reading of King Lear? Or a Platonic dialogue, opening a discussion of what it means to live a virtuous life, or how a society should be organized? How about The Brothers Karamazov, arguably the greatest novel ever written, with a richness of themes that offers scope for nearly every reader to view the novel with their own special perspective?
Instead of these recognized works of great thought, you have chosen two works which deal with the same basic issue, which both focus on the same theme, and which do little to uplift and inspire, but mostly invite a smug response of "look at those wicked people, isn't it good that I'm not like them." Yes, both are what is generally termed "politically correct." As such they are "safe" choices for a community many members of which view themselves as socially liberal.
But it's too bad that you couldn't find in your entire library a work which goes beyond that agenda and offers a challenge to think, not just to respond.
Christopher Hodgkin
Dear Editor,
posted 11/22/04
Mr. Steward's points are well made. It is incumbent upon all of us to find ways to conserve fuel. Like it or not, the resource is finite and dwindling. Conservation is the most cost effective means we have to extend our fuel supply. Hopefully that will buy us the time needed to develop meaningful alternatives to a petroleum based economy.
Charlie Meyer
Dear Editor,
posted 11/22/04
Thanks for your editorial of November 4 on the issue of the planned Memorial Park renovations [which I just read after returning from a quick trip to Southeast Asia]. You seem to have stirred up some much needed dialogue. It now appears this issue may be discussed at a joint BOCC-Town Council meeting early next month and at a public meeting scheduled for the 16th in Friday Harbor.
The changes to Memorial Park will have impacts on in-town parking as well as on traffic flow at one of the town's most critical intersections, which will affect the time it takes to offload ferries. It thus carries with it the potential to negatively influence the level of ferry service, something that is of concern to everyone on San Juan Island and throughout the county.
The San Juan Islander has provided needed coverage of this project and of the Town Council's actions to date. Many of us hope it's not too late to get the work done right.
Bob Distler
Dear Editor,
posted 11/22/04
Congratuations to the entire Medical Center staff and Board for accomplishing the Rural Health Clinic designation. Doing so is a signal of how far the Medical Center has progressed in recent years in terms of providing high-quality medical care on a routine basis.
This is wonderful news for all San Juan Islanders. There is less reason all the time to travel to the mainland for medical matters.
Steve and Judy Brandt
Dear Editor,
posted 11/13/04
These photos are extremely difficult to look at. My heart aches for my father, and for my family at the loss of our barn. A solid structure in our lives. He and his brothers lived and worked there; my siblings and I worked and played there. We thank God that he was not harmed.
Betsy Dues
Dear Editor,
posted 11/12/04
Janet Thomas needs to get her facts straight. FYI, Diebold had systems in only 2 counties in Ohio on election day -- Lucas (which went to Sen. Kerry by a wide margin) and Hardin (a very small jurisdiction in NW Ohio). Both used paper-based optical scan systems. Elsewhere in the country, our touchscreen systems were used predominantly in Georgia, Maryland, California, Texas and Kansas.
Michael Jacobsen
Dear Editor,
posted 11/11/04
Janet Thomas leaves the impression that the elections in Ohio were fraudulent. So your readers might be interested in this comment, in the Boston Globe, from Jack Corrigan, the Kerry aide who was in charge of the campaign's legal team:
"No one would be more interested than me in finding out that we really won. I get why people are frustrated, but (Republicans) did not steal this election. There were a few problems here and there...But unlike 2000, there is no doubt that they actually got more votes than we did, and they got them in the states that mattered."
Of course some of us are pleased with the election results, and some of us are disappointed. But we should all come together and accept the results -- for the good of our country.
Herb Meyer
Dear Editor,
posted 11/09/04
I went to two events last week which had the usual programs. One was the Celebration of Academics at the Friday Harbor High School and the other was the Northwest A/B Boys Soccer playoffs that the FHHS Varsity was playing in. However, there seemed to be a lot of duplications in names on those programs:
Seniors:
-
John Fryqvist, Mid-Field/Defense - 4.0
- JoHannes Paul, Mid-Field/Defense - 4.0
-
Trefor Bacon, Forward - 3.30+
-
Carl Billington, Mid-Field/Defense - 3.30+
-
Hank Shuman, Mid-Field-3.30+
Juniors:
- Christopher Benz, Goal Keeper-3.30+
-
Daniel Jones, Mid-Field/Defense - 3.30+
-
Felipe Lopez - Forward - 3.30+
-
Eric Rothlisberger - Mid-Field - 3.30+
Freshman:
-
Louis Paul - Mid-Field/Defense - 4.0
-
Shay Byington - Mid-Field/Defense - 3.30+
-
Erik Haenel-Nash - Mid-Field/Forward - 3.30+
-
Kevin O'Connor - Mid-Field, 3.30+
- Jens Townsdin - Mid-Field, 3.30+
It's no wonder this is the first team to win the Class A State Academic Championship. The team is also undefeated. Along with playing soccer better than any team we have ever had, having the highest academic record of any team, this team has an incredible saxophone player who once spent his Christmas break helping a 6th grader start playing the saxophone (Hank Shuman and Jens Townsdin), there are two brothers (Johannes and Louis Paul) who can be seen working with their younger brother daily with unbelievable patience. Mother, Kathy Paul, a long-time soccer coach is often mimicked, "That's it sweetie - outside - outside! "
Carl Billington is the envy and mentor of every under-classman wanting to master the snowboard. Felipe Lopez can always be relied upon to give a ride to any player whose busy parent got the time wrong for practice or just needs help. Finally, they have, not just a coach, Ron Duke, but his wife(Carol), his son (Andy) and his wife (Lisa) and their son - at every game. This community has all the reason in the world to feel unbelievably positive about the both the parents and the children being raised on this Island.
Cathaleen T. Cavanagh
Dear Editor,
posted 11/06/04
Your editorial about the Friday Harbor Memorial Park project very effectively detailed the concerns many of us here in the county have, both with this project as well as with the way the decision to proceed was reached.
Impacts on traffic flow in Friday Harbor and thus on ferry service affect not only the town itself but all of San Juan Island. Given the interdependencies within the schedule, those impacts ultimately relate to the level of ferry service for the entire county. It is unfortunate that those who represent ferry users, particularly residents of San Juan Island who live outside the town's boundaries, were not part of the decision-making process.
I would like to believe that this issue can still be dealt with in a comprehensive way, although I can detect little reason for optimism. But even at this late stage, the Board of County Commissioners and our Ferry Advisory Committee would welcome an opportunity to meet with the Town Council and reexamine the project's wider impacts and explore alternate solutions.
Bob Distler
Dear Editor,
posted 10/26/04
Great Homecoming Parade and Football Game! The photos in the Islander were super fun to look over. FHHS is having a terrific season in all of its sporting activities. I especially love that purple color!!!
Go Wolverines (and Vikings)!!!
Joe Vermeire
Dear Editor,
posted 10/26/04
Aloha from Hawaii, just wanted to wish the best of luck to the Vikings during the post season!
Matt Stolmeier
Dear Editor,
posted 10/21/04
The county got caught with its hand in the cookie jar; trying to avoid
obeying a Growth Hearings Board order by, among other things, allowing
people with a 1,000 square foot house to re-classify it as a "guest house"
so that they could build a second "main" house on their undersized lot.
To
deflect attention from this, the county is making accusations of "altered
documents", which is a low-down smoke screen. Adding the descriptive
heading "County Policy" to an e-mail, in which the county Permit Center
describes the circumstances in which it will issue a permit, is absolutely
not a crime. Whether the county wants to call it a "policy" or an
"interpretation" or a "practice" has absolutely no significance of any kind.
What matters is whether it is violating the order of the Growth Board that
it may issue permits for only one house per lot, not two, unless the owner
built a legally-vested guest house before building a main house.
Maile Johnson
Dear Editor,
posted 10/21/04
I too am quite astounded to learn that the city council of Friday Harbor is so enthusiastic about moving forward with a project like Memorial Park without an expert opinion on the effects of the "remodel" in hand. Even more astounding was the remark by Howie Rosenfeld when he said, "we might not want to know the answer." Excuse me, but why don't you (the City Council) want to know?
If I were spending over a quarter of a MILLION dollars on changing the shape of Memorial Park, I'd sure want to know if it were the right thing PRIOR to doing the work. All that money, just so people can read the inscription on the monument without standing in the street. Councilman Rosenfeld sounded like the City Council would rather stick their collective heads in the sand than know what would happen after the job was done instead of prior! I have to say in Rosenfeld's defense that he did try to postpone any action until more study could be done on this idea and was soundly (and somewhat illegally) overruled when Mayor Boothman allowed Wally Gillette to make a motion to endorse the project before Councilman Rosenfeld was done speaking. From the start, this project has been a series of mistakes, errors, and poor judgement, yet it still continues on.
So how does the city of Friday Harbor study the effects of the proposed change to the park? They conduct a study done by the Town Administrator and the Mayor who watch trucks as they come off the ferry. Not by hiring a traffic engineer or other professional. Their dubious "scientific" study result--remove 2 more parking spots in front of The Ale House. As anyone who has spent any time downtown, you know that parking is already at a premium. Now they want to remove more parking? Oh, not to mention that the council never even considered the effects of moving the yield sign by The Front Street Cafe. How did the council respond to this extra consideration? They did not resolve it at all, instead voting to move forward with the project.
I understand historic significance of the monument. I understand the importance of those lives it honors. But in this case, the City Council is wasting time and money just to preserve a monument that could very easily be moved 5 feet. Using Council member Carrie Brooks' excuse of "it was here before the ferry was" is short-sighted and just goes to show that your City Council (I live in the county) is out of touch with the reality of a budget shortfall and what the town (and the island) really need. Even after hearing Friday Harbor Historic Preservation Coordinator Sandy Stehlou state that the movement (of the monument) would not jeopardize the historical status of the monument, the City Council wants to move forward with an ill-advised, money wasting project that will affect town and county alike. Initial estimates for this "remodel" were around $200,000. Now it is projected at $275,000. And according to architect David Waldron, even this price was "probably low." What are we paving the park with--gold? I wonder how many affordable housing units that same money would help build? Or how many upgrades to sidewalks and other existing infrastructure that money could help.
We all know the huge importance and impact of the ferry system on our island way of life. I think it is of critical importance that everyone who lives in town, or on the island, to contact the city council and tell them to find better projects to spend their time and money on. After all, the City Council is wasting your hard-earned tax dollars. I say leave the monument and park as is, or move the monument. The town has plenty of other projects, good projects that can affect the lives of many islanders in a positive way to spend this ill-advised projects' money on!
John Boyd
San Juan Island
Dear Editor,
posted 10/18/04
Well Im a bit dumbfounded at the decision to allow this project to go forward without proper engineering. "We might not want to know the answer" does not cut it when talking about the bigger picture. Ferries are a way of life here. Period.
Supplies must come from the mainland, yes in big trucks. If the re-creation of this park impedes this process how can it be justified. I am a veteran and appreciate the memorial but for cryin out loud, be realistic.
Why should moving it a few feet make a difference. It will still qualify as a historic monument so that argument doesn't work...Put it in the turn around over by the port if you want. Taking away more parking while creating the possibility of more traffic snarls is not good planning.
The town already balked at buying the Brown Lumber property which would have maybe created some core parking. But no... So Spending $275,000 on this? Whose money? Where does that come from?
The town council is somehow making decisions that affect the entire populace of the island and I might add that some of these decisions are at the very least not very well thought out. Gotta be done by Memorial Day 2005? What's the hurry? At the expense of losing a ferry as well! Asked for his reaction to the council's actions, San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee Chair Bob Distler said, "This is unfortunate and counter-productive to the committment to work in a comprehensive way to deal with the vehicle situation."
Do the homework first. Talk to all involved. Don't make personal priority decisions on town coucil time...Kind of like measure twice cut once. Good thinking I'd say...
Mike Adams
Dear Editor,
posted 10/14/04
I am a FHFD firefighter currently on medical leave due to a hip replacement. I agree with the Chief that we need a fulltime training officer. Without being a fulltime officier and being able to concentrate on constantly changeing trainging requirements of the goverments standards it is impossibe to meet these requirements.
Our past training officers have all been forced to quite due to time and/or financial restraints forced on them by the department, which prohibits them from performing the job they hve been hired for.
It suprises me greatly that Howie questions this need when he was the one that moved the department towards the establishment of a fulltime paid Chief when he was Chief of the fire department and quit when
the council would not pay for a fulltime chief which was before the new current legal demands of goverment since the 9/11 attact on our nation.
Terry R. Sanders
posted 10/12/04
Thanks for the ink Ralph. My mention of the Amana collonies was in reference to expanding a more diverse type of roadside attraction. Working farms and ranches offering local food, cottage industy, cluster housing for the participants dotting the scenic byways. Thus adding tax dollars to the empty coffers and cutting down on the rapidly aproaching road congestion issues. Good luck on your new assiggnment.
Tom Fenley
Dear Editor,
posted 10/01/04
I hope others on the island share my outrage at graffiti defacing buildings, walls, etc. I also noticed graffiti at Sunken Park last week. If the sheriff would allow civilians to organize for graffiti clean-up, I think a number of residents would be willing to bring paint, solvents, whatever to get this crud off as soon as it appears.
Janice Peterson
Response to letters in general
Dear Editor:
posted 09/27/04
From the letters I read on the San Juan Islander, it appears that the San Juan County I so loved for over 68 years has gone to extreme Liberals. (Socialists?)
So sad!!
Jim Latshaw
Dear Editor:
posted 09/27/04
Hooray for the Friends of San Juan. One plus one equals two in all the math I have been taught.
Sally Bryan
Dear Editor: posted 09/27/04
Yes the bumper sticker language is offensive, but no more so than Cheny's language in the house. What is good for the goose.......
Tim Pope
Dear Editor:
posted 09/24/04
I'm enjoying the bumper sticker letters and appreciate Mr. Kuheim's efforts. I too have seen that bumper sticker and it actually reads "Buck Fush", not F--- Bush. I certainly did a double take after reading that same bumper sticker the first time then laughed at myself becuase I made the same mistake that Mr. Kuheim did.
Heather Hankins
Dear Editor,
posted 09/23/04
Regarding any offensive language on bumper stickers or any profanity in public's view. I wish the Fore Fathers of the United States of America could return and explain, and then revise their intentions of "Freedom of the Press or Freedom of Speech" by restating they intended "Freedom of RESPONSIBLE Press or RESPONSIBLE Speech." I guess they thought after 200 years that the citizens of the greatest experiment in world history would have understood that, as they did in their time.
I find it difficult to imagine, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the rest of the drafters and signers of the BILL OF RIGHTS would imagine how some "simple"concept could be so distorted, twisted and stretched to include profanity as an accepted form of speech. I guess the founders of this country imagined our civilization would have evolved from their time for the better, not regress.
What do you think their comments would be and their interpretation be of these bumper stickers, regardless of whom they bashed?
Common sense should prevail. I guess to some, even administering common sense needs a better definition or clarification.
Jim Carroll
Dear Editor,
posted 09/23/04
Where will it end? While I understand that the language used might be considered offensive, it is still the right of the people to voice their opinions. Who is it that decides what verbage is "moral" or not?
I understand that it might be taking it too far to suggest that if we start prohibiting verbage that eventually we might prohibit the very expression of an offending view, but whose to say?
Mr. Kuhein chose to read the bumper sticker. Surely he knew that there might be something that he might find offensive on it. The inherent nature of a bumper sticker is to express a view. If we don't honor our rights to express our views, who will? No matter what we say, or how we say, someone will find it offensive. And aren't we fortunate for that.
Samantha Davis
Dear Editor,
posted 09/23/04
Perhaps we should behead those opposed to Bush. What about free speech? Thank goodness the council refused to address this issue.
Garth Jones
Dear Editor,
posted 09/23/04
I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Kuhein and Mr. Gillette. Anyone who would put and obscene word like "BUSH" on their car, for the sake of decency, should be reprimanded and reminded to behave in a more civil manner.
Peggy Sue McRae
Dear Editor,
posted 09/23/04
Moving the line back again on common deceny and doing nothing, reminds me of Edmund Burke's wisdom: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Our community and our children deserve better.
Dubi Izakson
posted 09/01/04
I was personally shocked and embarrassed when I read Island Rec's Opinion
Piece against Commissioner John Evans in Sanjuanislander.com. I was equally horrified at the Candidates' Forum on San
Juan Island when Island Rec supporters booed and hissed at Chris
Sly-Prochnow as she read her con speech against their levy. This type of
verbal abuse is unacceptable for anyone, but especially for a junior taxing
district.
I believe that Island Rec should be setting an example by building
consensus and by listening and respecting everyone's opinion, instead of
admonishing anyone who disagrees with their levy proposal. Will our youth
now think it is appropriate behavior to express their disapproval by raging
their anger against anyone who disagrees with them? Should Island Rec offer
a public apology to Commissioner Evans and Chris Sly-Prochnow? I sincerely
think they should.
Mary Ann Anderson
Dear Editor,
posted 08/14/04
My thoughts at this moment are with the MacCormack family.
I don't personally know you. I only know you in passing but feel compelled to
tell you how sorry I am for your loss. There is nothing I could possibly
say to you that wouldn't get lost in your grief. There is nothing I can offer
you that will take away your pain. For that I'm sorry. All I can do is send
you love and hugs and pray for a brighter tomorrow for you and your loved
ones.
Jana DeFreece
posted 08/11/04
We just wanted to thank you for the Countdown to the Fair. We are Summer School teachers, and this week our theme is the County Fair. We decided to use your countdown in a writing project! Our students chose a letter of the alphabet and made a poster with information about the Fair. Some used letters you'd already done, and others predicted what the remaining letters would be.
We are posting the alphabet in our classroom and are adding a letter each day! Thank you for inspiring us to learn about the Fair while having a lot of fun.
Dori and Kate Hodgkin
Dear Editor,
posted 08/10/04
San Juan Island School District is operating on a shaky budget with a razor thin reserve. Cuts in staff and supplies are approved by the Board and students will pay for extra curricular activities, so that the district can show a balanced budget.
Yet, during this time of budget stress, administrators are given a salary boost to make them "competitive" with off island districts. The rationale is that this was needed to attract future quality administrators and that it would be unfair to have present administrators live here under noncompetitive salaries.
I don’t question this rationale. In order to attract quality professionals we need to pay them well. I do question the timing, however, of giving salary increases to one class of employees, while axing the staff and educational program at the same time. And I might question the size of administrator salaries in relation to the salaries of the other school district employees.
There is an assumption that the administror determines the "quality" of the school district. There is no questioning that the administrator is an influential determiner of educational quality. But the "general" can’t win the war without "quality" troops in the trenches. In fact, I would argue that a good teacher will give quality service in the classroom regardless of the quality of the present administrator.
We need to attract quality teachers as well as administrators and, perhaps, a few dollars should be devoted to attracting them. In fact, given that our cost of living here on the island is much greater than the mainland, it would make sense to give more than "competitive" salaries to attract and retain good teachers. But, then, are we willing to be taxed more or to increase our levy to do this? Mere lip service to the excellence of our teaching staff does not pay the household bills. Nor does it create a feeling of cooperative good will within the institution, when one class of employees is being paid well, while the other class is paid with understanding smiles of sympathy.
Richard W. Wright
posted 08/05/04
Countdown to the County Fair...I can't wait for the rest of the ABC's! Whoever came up with the ABC's idea should get an award! I can't hardly wait for the fair. I'm taking the whole week off from work and am planning on spending every day there!
Can there be a better "bang for your buck" than the county fair! Where else can you enter your prized fruit, flowers, quilts, pigs, goats, artwork, photographs, baked goods, canned goods, beer, wine, driftwood, scare crows, decorated shoes and much, much, more?
And... you get to catch up with your island friends, spend time with your kids, eat the most scrumptious food, listen to awesome entertainment, watch the kids scream with delight on the rides, discover hidden talents of your friends, co-workers and neighbors, and watch shawls created in a day right from the sheep!
Where else can you gain admission for four days for so much fun as an exhibitor for $10.00 (Kids for $5.00)? I don't think there's a better way to spend a vacation than right here at home at our county fair!! Hope to see you there!!
Trish Lehman
Dear Editor,
posted 07/15/04
Thank you for an excellent summary of the points to consider regarding the county guest house issue. It's the best tool for intelligent and factual discussion I have yet to see!
Robin Jacobson
Dear Editor,
posted 07/14/04
Randy Gaylords article regarding "guest houses" is exactly on the right track - as was Rhea Millers earlier article after visiting New Zealand. Both these articles should be reprinted side by side every week until the legislature finally screws its head on straight.
Lin Bowman
Dear Editor,
posted 07/13/04
I agree with Randy's analysis of the use of a guest house as a guest house. However, what is missing is any reference to the County Commissioners' oft-repeated contention that guest houses should also be used as affordable housing units.
There is a BIG difference between guest housing and affordable housing. One is irregular and short-term, the other is regular and full-time. One does nothing to density, as Randy makes clear, and the other is an additional density unit. Unless, of course, the tenants of a guest house used as affordable housing use it only irregularly and occasionally.
Bob Querry
Dear Editor,
posted 07/13/04
Well done Randy. I thoroughly agree.
Stephanie Johnson O'Day
Dear Editor,
posted 07/08/04
I think Petro San Juan deserved an award for Best Flower Arrangement. We really do have a bunch of creative people on our Island. Thank U for sharing.
Carole Woolsey
Dear Editor,
posted 06/22/04
This was my first open water swim and though I found out how to eat humble pie during a race, I plan to attempt it again next year. This is a great place to finish a very fun race. The view is great for the bike portion and the support was wonderful for the swim.
Donna Miles
Dear Editor,
posted 06/17/04
Great article on two outstanding educators!!! Congratulations to both of you on your outstanding careers. Your retirement is your school students' loss. Glad to see that Nan still looks forward to being an educator in "a different way."
Jan Yates
posted 06/17/04
As an attorney who represented San Juan County in the Northern Tier Pipeline case and who administered the San Juan Energy Project in 1982, I gained tremendous respect for the citizens of Friday Harbor and the other communities of San Juan County. Most apparent was the tolerance shown for the diversity of opinions held by its independent thinking residents.
This attempt at censorship by Adelphia to prevent the airing of Democracy Now! severely limits the opportunity of San Juan County citizens to gain access to the marketplace of ideas. As a constitutional lawyer for forty years, I see it as a flagrant attempt to favor one particular ideology at the expense of a free and fair debate on critical issues of the day. Adelphia, whose egregious financial misdeeds have been brought to light in recent years, is hardly suited to extoll its integrity and trusted to be fair in its evaluation of programming.
I urge the Town Council to reject this insult to our constitutional
heritage.
Alan Merson
Seattle, WA
posted 06/17/04
Hi folks...I really miss my old home...the hanger flying with Dodie and Ernie, the BS Ranch and all my wonderful friends. Health pushed us over to the mainland and Fairhaven is second best to Friday.
Worked on the Dean campaign extensively and will be going to Boston.
Am an avid listener to Amy every morning and it would be a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY is you were to loose the single mosst truthful news and commentary on the planet.
E. Raymond Pedersen
PCO 16th Precinct
Dear Editor,
posted 06/17/04
Go for it San Juan! We aren't so blessed here on the high desert. We don't even have a P.B.S. for Friday nights NOW. from an X Seattleite in Truth or Consequences NM.
Ed Boond
Dear Editor,
posted 06/09/04
Congratulations to you George! I know your parents are proud of your accomplishments. You come from good stock and have shown that you continue to achieve as did your Grandfather Ray, your GGrandfather Harold and others before them. You have such a terrific support group and know you will continue to do well in your life. All your cousins send their "cheers" to you.
Aunt Shirley
Dear Editor,
posted 06/09/04
Our daughter,Jan, has had so many wonderful people help her since her return back to the Island after her surgery for brain cancer. We loved seeing her picture in the Relay for Life article. Thanks to all of you.
Molly Clark
Dear Editor,
posted 06/09/04
Thank you for the great coverage of the women's fastpitch softball this year. Because I live in Virginia, it was the only way to follow the team and action of my great niece, Erica Percich. I was fortunate, however, to be in Friday harbor last month and travel to the Tri-District Championship with many local fans. Everyone in the community should be very proud of this wonderful group of young women. They represented Friday Harbor very well!!!
Jerry Hammond
Dear Editor,
posted 06/09/04
As an infrequent visitor to San Juan Island, I am delighted to see these posts installed. They are beautiful and a perfect welcome to the Pacific Northwest. Congratulations to all the Islanders on their excellent taste.
Marcia Gallagher
Dear Editor,
posted 05/20/04
While the $5,000 increase in 2% bed tax collections seems paltry, the math is that $5,000 is 2% of $250,000 of increased lodging business. Assume a conservative economic multiplier, let's say times four, and that cute little $5,000 bed tax increase represents an additional million dollars of additional activity in our local economy. Hospitality pays!
Mike Stolmeier
Dear Editor,
posted 04/29/04
I'm very proud of my older brother. The team's accomplishments show just how great of a teacher Marc is. Congratulations from Colorado go out to all who were a part of the competition. Way to go!
AMee Vermeire
Dear Editor,
posted 04/27/04
Congrats on the 2nd place finish! What an amazing accomplishment! You should all be VERY proud of yourselves - and I'm especially proud of your teacher!
Kim Lang
Dear Editor,
posted 04/14/04
I wanted to add to the story that Frank's influence on emergency medical care in the San Juans extends beyond the shores of his home island. Frank was very active in the County EMS Council, and kept stats on responses for all our agencies for years.
Frank was a giver. I remember one meeting I attended where a fire chief from another area had told a story about responding to a fire and arriving first to a fully engulfed house which was just across the street from the boundary of his fire district. And though the engine from the other district was nowhere in sight, "I just turned my lights off, turned around, and went back in service."
Frank listened politely and then simply said: "And that's the difference between you and me." When Frank saw that he could make the difference, he never hesitated. He's been an ispiration to all of us in EMS in San Juan County.
David Zoeller
paramedic
Dear Editor:
posted 04/12/04
I don't understand you people. I was born in Friday Harbor 42 years ago, back when you really did know everyone. Back then hard work was rewarded and better yet respected. Now days it seems the harder you work, the more road blocks are going to get thrown in your way.
As long as I've known the McKays they have been some of the hardest working people I've met. Yet seemingly like clockwork whenever they overcome yet another hurdle there is always some politition ready to throw another in the way. Why?
They are providing a much needed service to your community. They are trying to do so at a cost that won't drive customers away. Every restriction placed on their business only serves to drive up cost in an already way over inflated area.
They then have no choice but to pass on the expense to the consumer. That's you and me and yes even the politicians. The McKays are not trying to "spoil the quality of living" on San Juan. They are trying to provide a much needed service and in doing so protect thier livelihood and that of all the construction workers and business owners who rely on thier product.
Roger Landahl
Dear Editor,
posted 04/12/04
The 4/06/04 article on Town sidewalks was a little harsh stating that the Council went against the Transportation Committee, a blind woman and the librarian. Ouch! What a bunch of meanies we must be. First of all, three members of the Transportation Committee are current Councilmembers, and three Councilmembers constitute a majority vote. So we went against ourselves, I guess. But what do you do when unforeseen obstructions cause delays to accommodate other agency's funding needs? We're still proceeding to build sidewalks on Tucker where we can and will work to acquire needed right-of-ways.
Yes, there are the REET 1 and 2 funds that can be used for sidewalks but there are other projects those funds can potentially be needed for, especially when expected shared funds from the County get cut by $125,000. Then State funding for the Transportation Improvement 80/20 matching grants the Town was counting on to do Guard St. has been drastically cut this year (did you vote for those tax-cutting initiatives?). $400,000 doesn't go very far when faced with million plus costs. As we see how the economy goes this year perhaps we'll feel better towards using the REET funding sources. Meanwhile, the Town will be building sidewalks on Caines. Getting that job completed will keep the Town crew busy and determine how quickly we can proceed to the next project.
You failed to report that it was decided at that meeting to improve the shoulders on Guard St. A work order has now been issued and $6000 allocated for this project which will give more room for multiple uses including more room for walkers. It's not sidewalks but it will make the situation better. This was also one of the major recommendations of the Transportation Committee.
Howie Rosenfeld
Councilmember
Commissioners,
Your press release was pathetic! If we lose the trash to treasures grant, it will not be because Claudia insisted you follow the law, but because you chose to ignore it. Shame on you for blaming Claudia Mills for your misdeeds. The facts in this case are clear. You were trying to do something illegal. You were stopped by a brave citizen who did not let you bully her into submission. Claudia won on all counts because you were so obviously wrong on all counts. You owe her a public apology.
Chris Clarke
Dear Editor,
posted 04/03/04
I just want to wish the best of luck to Pamela Coffey and Valerie Tibbett of Friday Harbor and all the other Washington State couples who are suing for the right to marry. When John Singer and I sued for that same right, back in 1971 it seemed like an impossible dream.
"Tilting at windmills" is how my mother described it. But now, over three decades later it seems like an impossible dream whose time has come. Cancer claimed John a few years ago, but I know that if he were still alive he would be as proud as I am in these 11 couples and the others like them around the country.
Paul Barwick
San Franciso
Dear Editor:
posted 04/05/04
I just have to get my 2 cents in here....
Don't you think the government has done enough to try and 'restrict' those poor people???!!! As an elected official I think Mr. Boothman would be more concerned about keeping our working families here on this island!
By tearing apart the company OUR officials have been so diligently trying to ruin (for whatever reasons) can't you see the families you are hurting??? It's not just the McKays! The many families that they employ as well as the contractors who employ all the workers who use those "horrible" truck loads of gravel.
We all talk about needing affordable housing on this island and yet here we are once again building another road block! If I were you Mr. Boothman I would think about the many families you will be affecting by adding another road block for them.
Not only are you affecting how they may work in the future but you are also influencing their votes in the future. I know you have certainly influenced my vote. I have always liked you as a person but as a mayor this has stepped to far for me.
Good luck to you with your political career.
Tiar Black
Dear Editor:
posted 04/03/04
Although I understand the concerns the town has with the additional trucking that went throught town this week, I question Mr. Boothman's comments, "Right now the public "can use the streets anytime they want," he said."....it seems to me that these ARE public roads, therefore the public can and should be able to use them anytime they want. What other freedoms does Mr. Boothman wish to restict?
Lisa Anderson
Dear Editor,
posted 03/04/04
The issue though is that in allowing ADU's one increases the perment population by a factor of 2. So if they are included the county needs to document where the water, sewer, storm runoff and trash go and how to handle the growth.
In addition how many of these things will be rented and not "grandma's" house?
Sherman Lackey
Dear Editor,
posted 02/12/04
I think The Friends of the San Juans has earned a huge debt of gratitude from all of
us simple working class islanders by having the courage, the necessary
leisure time, the big war chest,and the education and associated degrees
to fight the demons that are so evident to them... and
to continually put our money where their mouth is.
After reading the latest in a
long line of thoughtful and well written opinion pieces, I see that The Friends have stumbled on to the perfect formula for providing a solution to the
primary problem that has dogged the Affordable Housing issue... they have
proven that the problem cannot be solved by using mathematics alone.
It is by their creative use of statistics and mathematics blended
with magic and self-serving wishful thinking that The Friends
will provide us with the formula for solving the Affordable Housing
dilemma.
I rest easy knowing my children and grandchildren will not be denied a
place to live on the Affordable Housing Reservation that The Friends will so generously provide with their compassionate vision
and creative planning.
Scott Bell
Dear Editor,
posted 02/11/04
In his guest column With Friends Like These ... (2/9/2004) Commissioner
John Evans includes a gratuitous, and possibly false, attack on Lynn Bahrych
and Stephanie Buffum. This is clear example of the fallacy of ad hominem,
or directing personal attacks against a proponent of a position in lieu of
presenting arguments against the position itself.
This attack was unnecessary regarding the proximate issue of whether the
legislature should permit the county not to count guest houses as part of
overall density. Evans makes his points well before the paragraph
containing the attack, and I was personally persuaded more by his position
than I was by Stephanie's arguments in her legislative testimony that was
also published in the Islander.
However, it is clear that Commissioner Evans' motive in this opinion piece
extends beyond refuting the Friends of The San Juans position on the guest
house issue. His call for us "folks who contribute to this organization" to
"evaluate whether the 'Friends' current direction really represents what is
best for the future of our community" makes it clear that his ultimate
purpose is to do damage to the Friends as an organization. Since he can
offer no rational support for his general debasing of the Friends, he is
forced to resort to logical fallacies.
I am a member of the Friends of the San Juans, and I intend to remain so
despite my disagreement on this particular issue. Their current direction,
which includes taking well thought out stands on matters of critical
importance to the islands, backed up by good science, is exactly what is
"best for the future of our community." So, let me turn the tables a little
bit on the final sentence of the Commissioner's opinion piece: Those of you
who are not members might do well to take a look at all the good work the
Friends have been doing lately and consider joining the organization.
Kit Rawson
Mount Vernon
|
