A couple years ago while I was on Center Island, I saw a large group of Jet Skis come through Lopez Pass and into Lopez Sound. Since 1998 when San Juan County Ordinance 10.28.120 was upheld by the Washington State Supreme Court, this was the first time I had seen Jet Skis around the islands. Hearing all the noise they made as they passed, I understood why the ban became law.
The Washington State Commerce Department reports that our state is ranks the worst at number 50 out of the 50 states for housing shortage. A shortage of housing creates increased rents and lack of affordability for purchases. State Lawmakers are currently considering numerous bills to address the issue.
Port Townsend, Gig Harbor, and Langley think so. They have adopted a proclamation that describes their support for action by local, state, federal and tribal governments to secure the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas.
The proclamation states:
A little noticed item in the Islander from our absentee congressman includes over five million dollars for paved trails for the Zylstra Lake Preserve.
To the citizens of San Juan County, It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Sheriff. During my time as Sheriff, we accomplished so much together. We implemented a new 9-1-1 radio and telephone system. We put our marine unit back to work successfully rescuing and transporting hundreds of sick and injured people from all areas of our county during some of the worst weather when no other transport was available.
We began the unprecedented process of seeking state accreditation for the Sheriff’s Office and are currently only a few weeks away from meeting all requirements. We put a sergeant on each island which has provided better supervision and service. We utilized Lexipol to create San Juan County specific policies which dramatically improved our organization’s overall performance and professionalism.
I instituted a policy that all my command staff as well as field training officers would attend the FBI LEEDA leadership courses. As a result, our leaders were equipped with tools to better serve the citizens of San Juan County. I formed some incredible relationships that I hope will last and serve the Sheriff’s Office and San Juan County for years to come.
Above all, the thing I am proudest of during this time, is our amazing team at the Sheriff’s Office. I am so very thankful for having been in a position to recruit and hire some of the most talented and dedicated people we now have on our team. I have the utmost respect for the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and sincerely consider myself most fortunate and privileged to have served them as Sheriff for the past eight years. I want to thank them for the excellent job they have done and continue to do every day. It is due to their quality of character and dedication that I am confident that the Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide the high level of service you have all come to know and expect.
Lastly to the citizens of San Juan County, who I consider to be my family. I have always taken my job, my duties, and my responsibilities seriously and personally. Serving my community has always been first and foremost in my heart. I look forward to returning to the Sheriff’s Office and continuing to do what I have always loved, serving my community and family.
I want to sincerely thank everyone for the support you have all given me and my family as well as the great men and women in the Sheriff’s Office.
I have truly been blessed.
Ron Krebs, San Juan County Sheriff
Because we care about our community, we are voting for Eric Peter for sheriff. These are some of the reasons we have decided to vote for Eric. While the other side is spreading false rumors about Eric, Eric rises above that and focuses instead on what he plans to do to improve the sheriff’s department.
While Eric’s political signs are being stolen with seemingly little investigation by the sheriff’s office, Eric stays focused on getting out there to meet folks and let them know who he is.
The slogan 'Experience Matters' is showing up in our Sheriff’s race. Having been with our Sheriff's Department for over 30 years, first as a Deputy then as Sergeant, I would like to offer my opinion on what 'experience' really matters.
In the early 2000s, I was the chair of the San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee. This was shortly after the Legislature had killed the motor-vehicle excise tax, a major source of funding for ferries. As a result, fares more than doubled almost overnight and service declined, mostly because of the age of many ferries.
According to Washington State Ferries, fewer than half of all ferry sailings in the San Juans through July have departed on time. The exact number is 44.1%.
Late sailings have become so standard that the measure WSF uses to determine “late” — leaving the dock more than 10 minutes behind the posted departure — we have come to consider something of a miracle. We’re much more used to sailings being 30 to 90 minutes late, sometimes longer.
I don’t know about you, but it sure seems like ferry service in the islands just keeps getting worse. That’s also the assessment of Jim Corenman, the longtime chair of the county’s Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC), who summarized it in a note to me recently “as bad as I’ve ever seen it and almost certain to get worse.”
Court decision means San Juan County voters will get a say on 4 Charter Amendments
SAN JUAN COUNTY — After the San Juan County Council attempted to block four charter amendments from going to the voters, residents of San Juan County pushed back with a lawsuit.
Did you know the San Juan County Council proclaimed July as “plastic free”? The proclamation recognized the pressing issues around plastic waste, including the fact that plastics are the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our oceans, as well as found daily on San Juan County’s shores, with devastating effects on marine life and human health.
Recently, we were guests on your beautiful island. As a senior citizen and a novice photographer, we enjoyed the beauty of your island. We reside on a nearby island. However, we were also treated to some hostility by some well meaning, "locals". I would like to point out that not ALL of the photographers who visit the island violate the wildlife regulations.
From the editor: Readers are wondering what happened to Kate Small's letter/guest column. It was removed Monday after she told me it wasn't supposed to be a letter to the editor and that it contained many inaccuracies.
Small sent in the following letter explaining her first email. It speaks for itself.