THANK YOU LETTERS

Thanks and appreciation to Island Towing

Dear Editor,

posted 08/18/04
District 3's heavy rescue team conducts monthly drills to train for the 20-30 motor vehicle accidents that we experience on the island annually. Gene Wilson, of Island Towing has been very helpful in working with us to set up realistic crash scenarios for our rescue techs to sharpen their skills.

Our most recent drill on Monday, 16 Aug, required Gene to commit himself, an employee and two tow trucks to help us set up our training scenario (an "under-ride" situation with a rear-ending vehicle burrowing under the car in front). Thanks, Gene!

Francis Smith
Volunteer Battalion Chief of Special Ops

Thanks to paramedics and EMTs

posted 06/17/04
I would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to Jim Ricks and John and Laney, and all of those sleepy-eyed EMTs who attended my impromptu 911 party last Monday at 3 a.m. Especially impressive, was their agility and strength in the heavyweight lifting and transfer operations.

I must say that even though I was showing a minimum of classic symptoms, it was truly a godsend to have such fine, kind and professional care. In addition, the proper diagnosis of more than indigestion and immediate treatment will make it possible, hopefully, for me to extend my stay here on this beautiful island with its special, caring people for some time to come. The angiogram confirmed the diagnosis.

You are indeed...a "GOOD" group as another big fella would say.

Herb Cunniff
San Juan Island

Thank you from Scott Taylor in Iraq

posted 06/14/04
My name is Scott Taylor. I am a permanent resident of Orcas Island and I am currently deployed overseas and serving with the 81st Brigade Combat Team in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am writing this letter to thank the residents of San Juan County and in particular the community of Orcas Island who participated in the Victory Garden Project. When Stacey, Rachel, Justin and I relocated to Orcas a little over two years ago, we had great expectations. I looked forward to spending more time with my family. I looked forward to making new friends, developing lasting relationships with neighbors. My expectations were exceeded more than I could have possibly imagined.

Prior to my departure, Stacey and I had just moved into a home. We were excited about making our yard look as beautiful as we could. We spent many hours working on our yard. Unfortunately, I was mobilized and deployed prior to completing the project.

Before I departed for Iraq, many of my friends and fellow Orcasians approached me and told me to stay focused and not to worry about my family because they would be looked after. I can not express to you properly and in the right words how wonderful that made me feel. Since I have been gone, Stacey has informed me that many residents of Orcas came out to our home and completed the work that I was unable to complete.

One of the strengths of the United States military is that we act as a team. When we execute a task, it is synchronized between all the different elements. We gain confidence in our ability and each other through training and through doing what we train. Over the years, I have gained a great sense of pride in the soldiers of the 81st Brigade because I have experienced numerous training and real world missions with them.

I can say the very same thing about the members of our great county and in particular the community of Orcas. My experience has been that the community of San Juan County offers the best of the best.

Being in Iraq has been one of the most challenging events of my life. It has also been the most rewarding. It has humbled me. I have seen the best in my fellow soldiers since I have been here.

The community of Orcas has humbled me as well. Your commitment and sacrifice and goodness are what make America truly great. You are with me and you give me great strength to endure. I thank you with all my heart and salute you for all that you do and have done for my family. I look forward to seeing the beautiful shores of Orcas once again. I look forward with great joy to seeing her green grass and smelling her crisp ocean air that is ours to share and enjoy. I look forward to seeing all of you.

Sincerely,

James S. Taylor
Captain, 81st BCT
Washington Army National Guard

Thanks for Orcas Fest help

Dear Editor,

posted 06/13/04
It’s happened to us all, we get wrapped up in our problems and we forget why we came to this island. Then, something happens that reminds us, and for a moment we sit back in awe, realizing how lucky we really are. I am one of those people, I was involved with The San Juan Island Orca Fest: A Celebration of Water and Wildlife, and what I’ve discovered is more than being a celebration of water and wildlife, this festival was a celebration of the island community and showed what makes us strong, our willingness to get involved.

Without your help, this festival would never have happened. Yes, this is going to be one of those letters where I thank everyone involved, but please don’t move on to the next letter, please read through the list of names and when you spot one of your neighbor’s on the street who helped make this event work, take a moment and tell them thanks for making this island such a great place to live.

I’d like to thank the following businesses for their financial and/or other support: Friday Harbor Drug Store, Friday Harbor Inn, San Juan Safaris, Town of Friday Harbor, Western Prince Whale and Wildlife Tours, San Juan Excursions, Bon Accord Charters, Front Street Ale House, J & M Excavation, John’s Little Island, Maya’s Whale Watch Charter’s, Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, San Juan Island Visitor’s Bureau, San Juan Transit, Stegman Painting, Waterworks Gallery, Westcott Bay Institute, Whale Museum, Whale Watch Operator’s Association Northwest, Island Bicycles, The Office Supply, Toy Box, Rick at Car Quest, and Audio on Demand . I also want to thank The Friday Harbor Sheriff’s department and George Johnson at The Computer Place and his wonderful staff who learned to cringe in fear whenever they heard the phrase, "How do I make it work?"

I want to thank all the individuals who donated time and muscle: Michael Hartzell, Forrest Emery, Patty Bair, Kevin Pope, Michelle Franklin, Peter Boyle, and Andy Liedtke.

Finally, I want to thank all the performer’s who donated their time and talent: EGA, Holi Smoke, Dirt Monkeys, Lot Ratz, Dirty Forman, The Drumheads, The Seattle Neutrino Project and Darrell and Nate (where ever you are, you guys were the best film runners).

Thank you so much for being there and making me remember why I live on the islands. I’m proud to be a resident of San Juan Island, and it’s because of all of you.

Dawn Nivinski

Thanks for support of After School Study Club

Dear Editor,

posted 06/09/04
We are writing to express our appreciation and gratitude to United Way for providing the funding for the 2003-2004 After School Study Club. As co-directors of this valuable program, we were thrilled to be able to serve 48 students—more than 10 percent of our Elementary School population—during our Fall, Winter, and Spring terms.

Our students showed great progress as they developed important study skills in this program. We saw many of our students showing confidence and pride in their academic skills as the program progressed, and we’d like to share our joy in our students’ accomplishments with United Way and with our supportive San Juan Island community. Thank you to United Way for making this important program possible!

With thanks and appreciation,

Dori and Kate Hodgkin
ASSC Co-Directors

Thanks for Relay for Life

Dear Editor,

posted 06/08/04
My thanks to everyone ... The organizers (Christi Beckley and Kim Harris) for bringing the Relay For Life to Friday Harbor, all the volunteers along the way, the businesses donations, and the team participants who all made the very first Relay For Life a success!

It was very special for me to join my fellow survivors on that first lap, to see all the candles around the track lighting the way at night, and to join the "Lap of Hope" walkers at 10 PM. As the ACS banner stated: There is no finish line until we find a cure!Hope to see everyone next year! Eve Burton, 12 year survivor.

Eve Burton

Thank you from Doug Bison

Dear Editor,

posted 05/26/04
For those of you who know me it is safe to say I am rarely, if ever, short on words......... until now.

Wednesday May 12th, at 9:06 A.M. , I died. I was a victim of SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest). Only through the immediate action and knowledge of two individuals am I able to be here today and thank them. They were literally in the right place at the right time.

Chief Bob Lowe and EMT Cheyenne Mauldin saved my life. Their instant response and the use of the Fire Department's new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) prevented me from becoming a statistic. (The survival rate for victims of SCA is 5 to 6%.)

I will be indebted the rest of my days to Cheyenne and Bob, along with Bruce Nelson, Weyshawn, Jim and all the wonderful EMT's who responded, as well as to the girls on Air Lift Northwest and the ER team at St. Joseph's Hospital.

The Island's response, Marion's support, and concern for my health has been overwhelming. All the friends, cards, flowers, calls, Emails, thoughts and prayers, will never be forgotten.

I feel great and thank you all, so very much.

Doug Bison
San Juan Island

Special Thanks

Dear Editor,

posted 05/03/04
A great big Thank You goes to our local Boy and Girl Scouts who participated in the April "Clean Up Friday Harbor Day." Scout Leader, John Jull, along with scouts Andrew Dunn, Riley Eltrich, Bernice Jull, and Joby Jull gave several hours of their time on a Saturday morning to clean up our sidewalks with a "can do" attitude!

The "Clean Up" program is sponsored by the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce to complement the hard work of our Town of Friday Harbor Street Crew whose major focus is on sweeping and washing the streets, and maintaining the public garbage cans. We look forward to working with the Rotary Club for our May cleanup!

Debbie Pigman
Executive Director San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce

Thank you to compassionate islanders

Dear Editor,

posted 05/03/04
We wish to thank all those involved in George Jull’s care these last few weeks. Dr. Burk Gossom provided consistent, calm, and sensible care and suggestions over these last weeks and months. Susan Hill, ARNP and Dr. Susan Mahoney, as well as Rosalee LaVee, provided urgent care when George first became acutely ill. The Aid Unit crew, Hospice and the wonderful staff at Islands’ Convalescent Center were kind and compassionate no matter the hour.

We know that there are others who have cared for George in innumerable ways. It is such caring and compassion that make Friday Harbor not just a town, but a home town.

Again, thank you.

The family of George Jull
San Juan Island

Kudos!

Dear Editor,

posted 04/23/04
The Friends of the San Juan Island Library wish to express our appreciation to The Place Bar & Grill for making the Library's Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon a great success. As it has over the past several years, The Place prepared an exceptional meal that made our gathering a very special day for all of the volunteers.

The Friends have traditionally sponsored this luncheon for the Library. This annual event is held to express appreciation to all the volunteers for their daily contributions in assisting the staff to keep our Library providing exceptional services to our community. This year, length of "volunteer service" pins were presented … and again this year, a few more volunteers clocked in with 25 years! Congratulations to all!

We all look forward to another year of supporting the library … and another great special luncheon at The Place Bar & Grill.

Eve Burton, President
Friends of the San Juan Island Library

Dear Editor,

posted 03/31/04
On behalf of the WSU Master Gardeners, San Juan County, I want to thank all of those who made our 2004 Spring Gardening Workshop a great success. We had wonderful speakers, the classroom sessions were interesting and educational, the Friday Harbor Middle School was an ideal location, and our garden-theme auction was better than ever.

We were very fortunate that many San Juan County businesses supported our workshop and the WSU Master Gardener program with their generous donations. We especially want to thank those sponsors who were exceptionally generous and contributed $100 or more:

• Islandscape Nursery and Garden Center
• Chimayo Restaurant
• Crow Valley Pottery
• Orcas Home Central
• Sea Island Sand & Gravel
• Beaverton Valley Farm Bed and Breakfast
• Coldwell Banker Real Estate (San Juan Island)
• Friday Harbor (Ace) Hardware and Marine
• Friday Harbor Inn
• Halvorsen House Bed and Breakfast
• and Maya's Orca Charters and Tours.

Personally, I also want to thank the WSU Master Gardeners for the hours they put invested to make our Spring Workshop so successful. There are many, many tasks involved with putting on an event, and having so many involved helped everything run smoothly. They are a wonderful group of people to work with.

WSU Master Gardeners are trained in all areas of home horticulture to provide community service through education. It is through events like these that we are able to share gardening knowledge with a wide group of people. We also want to thank all of you who demonstrated your support for the Master Gardener program by attending the 2004 Spring Gardening Workshop.

Katie Hover
Volunteer Coordinator, WSU Extension San Juan County

Thank you from Drew family

Dear Editor,

posted 03/27/04
To all of our friends who have stood by us during our recent crisis, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

In a community as small as ours it's comforting to know that there are still people that have the compassion to come to you and ask you questions rather than listen and pass on idle gossip. For this we thank you all.

For the letters and cards of consolation, for the beautiful bouquets of flowers, for all the food, stuffed animals, candles and for the kind words and hugs and the pats on the back, for the kindly smiles from the ones who didn't know what to say, we thank you all. We can't begin to express how much it has meant to us.

The Giovanna Drew Family

Thank you to Town Staff

Dear Editor,

posted 02/01/04
Bureaucracy: (Webster) An administrative system in which the need or inclination to follow complex procedures impedes effective action. With that definition in mind I’ll begin my story.

While reading the local Journal, about six months ago, I spotted an add, "Home for Sale, buyer must relocate.". I thought, "That might be a good Affordable Housing project." Well, I bought the house even before I had a re-location lot (Do I get an A+ for that move?)!

Next I contacted two realtors, John Lackey and Donna Prichard, and with their expert help procured a suitable lot. Now the story gets serious. I drew up a set of plans (lot and house location etc.) and headed for the (See first paragraph, gulp) Building Dept!

I threw myself into that den and the only thing I could think to say was "HELP!" First I contacted King Fitch and he patiently outlined the procedure to follow. Next was Roxanna Zalmanek, Permit Tech. who was delightfully helpful. She then directed me to Warren Jones, Permit Coordinator.

I said, " Warren, help." He looked at my plans, shook his head and said, in a fatherly tone, " No No." BUT, if you’ll do it this way all will be well. I did … and it was.

Next I went to Nolan Campbell, Building Inspector. As all builders know, the Building Inspector is the REAL " Gate Keeper." Cross him and you get a " Go back to GO" card., so I said " Nolan, HELP!" Nolan said " Set down and let’s make this project happen." In other words the staff of the Building Department all pitched in with patient and professional assistance.

There were many more people, all part of the Bureaucracy, whom went the last mile to help make this project a reality. Don Reitan, Sewer Dept. Supervisor, Mike Deegan, Water Dept., Mike Wilks, Utilities Super., OPALCO’ s Dale Blackburn, Staking Technician, and all the gang whom actually got out in the rain and put the pieces together!

I also needed construction help and for this I called on John Burton, Burton Building, Inc. John took charge of all outside construction and fabrication details including skirting, sewer, water and electrical details that make a project like this happen.

And finally, there’s one more bridge to be crossed, the BANK! Without the "doe-rae-me" … there’s no "la-tee-dough." Tony Fyrqvist, Asst. Vice President of Islanders Bank, with his polymathic council rounded out the team that brought this project to a satisfactory conclusion for both builder and buyer.

So …This note is a thank you to the staff of the several Town of Friday Harbor Departments who went that extra mile to assist me (The Town of Friday Harbor bureaucracy actually does serve the tax payer in an efficient and productive manner).

A special thanks to Nolan Campbell who kept me on track with Building Dept. requirements. To John Burton, Burton Building, Inc., for his skillful contribution, and to Tony Fyrqvist, VP, Islanders Bank, for his council in matters financial. Because of the positive attitude of all members of this team we now have a new "First Time Home Buyer" family in Friday Harbor.

Virgil Hennen

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