January 27th, 2012
Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. in the Orcas Island Community Church
By Sue Lewis
Scott Heisinger of Orcas Island Physical Therapy will be the guest speaker at the Thursday, February 9 meeting of the Cancer Support Group. He will discuss the many benefits of various levels of exercise for cancer patients, including those in pre-treatment, during treatment and post-treatment.
The Cancer Support Group is a monthly, no-cost, confidential support group for anyone touched by cancer. Hearing the experience of others and sharing information can be very beneficial. The more often we share with others the more we recognize that we are really all the same. We may not all be in the same stage of the journey, but we are all on the same journey. And we can help each other, sometimes simply by listening.
The Cancer Support Group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 5:00 PM in the Fireside Room of Orcas Island Community Church. All are welcome. Call Bogdan or Carol at 376-4198 for more information.
January 27th, 2012 |
January 27th, 2012
By Madie Murray
When I moved to Orcas in 2003 from Southern California, I quickly learned how superior the Orcas public schools were to those in wealthy Orange County and thought, how could this be? Since then, I learned it was because of the deep dedication and conviction of the Orcas Island community, and it urged me to do something I never did in California…get involved.
My involvement in the Farm to Cafeteria/Farm to Classroom programs and the Education Foundation for the past 8 years has helped me to come to a clear and present understanding of what it takes emotionally, financially and physically to maintain the high level of education we have come to expect, and keep it that way. The M & O Levy is a vital thread holding it all together.
You will soon receive your mail-in ballot. The importance of voting YES for the M & O Levy for the public school in February to fill that the gap between what the state funds and waht the bare-bones budget is to run the schools is imperative. It ensures the ability of our school to keep operating. I urge you to please vote YES.
January 27th, 2012 |
January 27th, 2012
At the Orcas Island School District (OISD)Board meeting last night, the board, faced with cuts in personnel and programs to make up a $118,849 shortfall, called on resources in the Financial Advisory Committee and the public to help brainstorm ideas to make alternative cuts and/or to raise revenues.
The board had a special budget workshop meeting on Tuesday night, Jan. 24, but did not have the apportionment calculations from the State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to make much headway.
Those figures came to the Orcas District on Wednesday and were presented to the board yesterday evening.
The state education apportionment is incoming revenue to the school district, based on the average monthly enrollment of the past four months. OISD Business Manager Keith Whitaker explained that the board must project enrollment numbers in the spring of each year, and report the actual enrollment figures for September through December. Based on those enrollment numbers, the state determines an average enrollment projection for the next six months of school. The apportionment formula varies for Special Education and Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) enrollment.
Whitaker said, “In this case, this year, in addition to this normal process, they had to adjust the apportionment for new ALE rules which required [in person] contact time for all ALE students: those that comply with the requirement, get 90 percent apportionment; those that didn’t, get 80 percent apportionment. That resulted in a ‘hit’ of $108,000.”
He explained that the basic apportionment figures saw an increase of $43,000 over the budgeted amount. In special education, reduced enrollment saw reduction of about $18,000. State grant programs saw minor adjustments, Whitaker said.
“The figure for ALE turned out to be almost exactly what we’d estimated.”
“The biggest hit came in local gifts and donations,” Whitaker said. Those revenues are budgeted at $280,000, but current projections indicate that amount will be about half, leaving about $140,000 below budget.
The OISD monthly payroll is higher than the apportionment payment, which varies from about $200,000 to $400,000 per month, while the district payroll is about $500,000 per month.
After scrutinizing the latest budget reports and trying to find additional revenue or cost savings, the OISD board and administration plan to meet with the Budget Advisory Committee next Monday, Jan. 30, for “another set of eyes” as Superintendent Barbara Kline said, to look at the budget revenue and expenditure figures for the current school year.
The board agreed to a special meeting next Wednesday, Feb. 1, to decide if the unpopular cuts are necessary. The meeting is open to the public, as are all school board meetings.
Superintendent Kline promised the board that they would have additional reporting about the Special Education program costs and revenue by next Monday, Jan. 30.
About a dozen teachers, parents and para-educators and several additional maintenance and non-represented OISD staff came to the Jan. 26meeting. Several spoke to the board about the damage to the school district’s educational programs if the cuts should occur.
The cuts, totaling $120,388, are proposed for:
- $49,207 for 1.77 FTE (full time equivalent) Para Educators;
- $16,000 for the school library;
- $3,900 for Waldron Para Educators;
- $23,184 for summer custodial reduction;
- $8,000 for .1FTE Business and Facilities Mangers;
- $20,097 for reduction in hours of non-represented staff.
Even if the $118,000 shortfall is made up, the district still is falling short of the general fund balance target of $100,000, Whitaker said, adding, “and even that wasn’t ideal.
“Ideal would be, at the minimum, one months’ operating expense — about $600,000.”
January 27th, 2012 |
January 26th, 2012
To the Editor:
Decisions based on fear, emotion or irrational caution and few facts are seldom successful, yet that is where we are in the rules being written by County officials and planning staff to regulate property owners in San Juan County.
The County rule-makers have bought into the notion that calamity is stalking the island’s natural environment. On their short list, they fear our streams, lakes and salt waters are polluted by toxic storm water, population growth will explode, homes are
a blight on the pristine landscapes, “wetlands” are being farmed, homes are to big, yards with non-native landscaping, gardens, and lawns are destroying the ecosystem. The shoreline homes are detrimental to the eel grass, salmon and Orca. People washing a car and or fertilizing their plants are major concerns.
The Council has just approved the General Section of the Critical Areas Ordinance. Technically, the Ordinance requires County permission for a vegetable garden or to fire up a chain saw to cut wood. On January 24th, responding to a question from Council Chair Patty Miller, the senior planner, Shireene Hale, told the Council the new regulations are no big deal. It only requires a County analysis and an “over the counter permit” approval before a property owner is allowed to disturb the environment. The Council and the CD&P staff want to be sure no one alters anything near the County’s designated Critical Areas or buffers.
The Council didn’t blink an eye when it was noted citizens from Shaw, Lopez and Orcas will be expected to go to Friday Harbor for their “over the counter permit.” (Before you spend a day getting there and back asking for the County’s permission, be aware CD&P may or may not have the staff available to approve a permit while you wait.)
There was no further questioning by the Council. Council Chair Miller was apparently satisfied. The Council voted five to one to approve the General Section of the CAO. Councilman Peterson voted no.
It is remarkable that so few islanders are paying attention to how radically our islands are being changed.
Dave Durand, Olga
January 26th, 2012 |
January 26th, 2012
by Lin McNulty
Today marks the state’s official headcount of homeless. It’s not conducted by lining them up and calling off numbers, nor by a request that they report in to make their status known; the count is conducted purely through hearsay “evidence.” By contacting local organizations and agencies that come into contact with homeless members of the community, San Juan County’s Health & Community Services Department will come up with what can best be described as a “guesstimate.”
The annual count was mandated by a state law passed in 2005 which seeks to reduce homelessness in the state by 50% by the year 2015. Last year the number of homeless individuals counted in San Juan County increased from 79 in 2010, to 110 in 2011, an increase of thirty nine percent.
Interesting numbers. But what about the man—the actual person—who has lived more than three years in a makeshift tent, frequently moving to avoid detection?
We’ll call him Mario. He’s intelligent, skilled, a great musician, talented artist, and loves to read. These traits do not necessarily translate to a job in the present economy. He spends his days at the library, or trying to connect with potential employers at a local tavern.
Mario became homeless a few years ago after his employment ran out and he was no longer able to make his rent payment. He’s not been in a situation, since, he says, to have enough money to get an apartment and pay all the deposits required.
The situation became even more grim after someone found and trashed his hiding place. His identification was stolen. (In the current Catch-22 milieu, in order to get picture I.D., you need picture I.D.)
“I am disappointed in myself,” he sighs, “but isn’t just me that’s keeping me here. I keep thinking there must be a way out of this.”
He purchases food on food stamps. He eats a good meal once a week at the Orcas Community Church. He occasionally finds a few days of work as a laborer. He maintains a sparkling sense of humor.
During the recent storm, he was able to sleep on the couch of a friend.
Questions that will be asked of people identifying themselves as homeless include approximate age, gender, whether they have dependent children who are also homeless, if they are chronically homeless or if they have a temporary living situation with friends or relatives.
Will Mario, a chronically homeless male, age 55, with no dependent children, be counted? Who knows. The system sees him and his ilk as statistics.
“Depression,” he says, “cuts the options when one is homeless.”
January 26th, 2012 |
January 25th, 2012
From Ingrid Gabriel, County Council Clerk
The San Juan County Council will conduct a Special Meeting on Monday, January 30, 2012 in the Legislative Hearing Room, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor beginning at 9 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a planning workshop between the Council and ten of the Council’s advisory committees.
The Council will also conduct an Early Start Special Meeting on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 in the Legislative Hearing Room, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor beginning at 9:00AM. Special Meeting agenda items include: continued discussion of the Council’s Rules of Procedure.
The Council’s regular meeting agenda will follow and begin at 10:00 AM.
The agenda and related materials for both meetings may be obtained 3 days prior at the County website at sanjuanco.com/council/ or at the Council offices during each business day between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For more information please contact the Clerk of the County Council at (360) 370-7470
January 25th, 2012 |
January 25th, 2012
Jeffrey Kahane returns to Orcas Island for a Salon Concert in February
From the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
“Jeff is one of the greatest pianists and most wonderful musicians I’ve ever known,” said Jon Kimura Parker, internationally acclaimed pianist and Artistic Advisor for the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. Jeffrey Kahane’s concert on Orcas Island is one night only and anticipates his March 2012 performance of the same program at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The intimate living room-like setting of the OffCenter stage at Orcas Center creates an incredibly close experience between the artist and the audience. Kahane will perform works of Bach and Chopin. The program includes Bach’s French Suite no. 5 in G, G. Kahane’s Django and Chopin’s Mazurkas, Barcarolle and Polonaise-Fantasie. Seating is limited to 60.
Kahane has an international reputation as a truly versatile artist, with a mastery of a diverse repertoire. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1983, and has given recitals in the nation’s major music centers. He appears as soloist with major orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic and Leipzig Gewandhaus. Kahane is currently in his 15th season as Music Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. A guest conductor with many prominent orchestras, Kahane recently made headlines when he used his iPad to lead the New York Philharmonic in a Mozart Symphony – a first for the orchestra!
Following the concert, guests are invited to a nightcap reception with Thurston Wolfe wines and cocktail cuisine by Cafe Olga. Tickets for the Salon Concert, Monday, February 27th at 7:00 pm, are $75. To purchase, call the OICMF Office 360-376-6636. www.oicmf.org
January 25th, 2012 |
January 25th, 2012
Services on Sunday, Feb. 5 at Orcas Island Community Church
By David Lutz
Herlwyn Lutz
L. Herlwyn Lutz left us quickly on January 12, 2012. Born in Salt Lake City September 5th, 1934, he grew up in Wyoming, Kentucky, and Illinois before hitchhiking west to Seattle at 17. After a stint as an army medic, he graduated from SPU in 1963 with a degree in zoology and education. Marrying Barbara Barnowe the same year, they settled in Kirkland, where he taught 5th and 6th grade.
With a truck and trailer packed to bursting he and Barbara arrived on Orcas in 1993. A certified Master Gardener, and member of the Garden Club, Herlwyn transformed their simple property on Kramer Lane into a blooming, fruitful eden. It was a matter of course to find a home-canned jar of pears, a brace of beets, or a fat squash on your counter after one of his visits.
An arborist for 34 years, it was a common sight to behold Herwlyn high in a swaying fir, sawdust flying. A lover of the trees he knew so well, he often refused to take one down if it was especially regal. He also spent his early years here filling in as a substitute teacher at Orcas Highschool.
Herlwyn loved music, and spent a lifetime singing. His expressive tenor/bass voice was a staple in the Orcas Choral Society for 16 years.
His foremost passion, however, was self-realization. A devoted seeker of deep spiritual truth, he meditated daily beginning in the 1950’s, and spent long hours in the company of his spiritual teachers. With an encyclopedic knowledge of religion and philosophy, and an egalitarian approach, he believed in the common purpose and truth in all traditions. He regularly attended Circle of the Spirit, the Orcas Community Church, the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Sambodha, the Theosophical Society at Indralaya, and the Cross and the Lotus.
Perhaps what he will be remembered most for though, was his non-stop, cheerful, open-hearted generosity and volunteering. It was a common sight to see him neatly tending one of our roadside community parks, mowing an elderly person’s lawn, or dropping off food for a community member in need. If help was ever needed, he would find a way to be there.
A man of simple means, Herlwyn nevertheless steadily donated to families in India, Thailand, Haiti, Africa, Central America, and elsewhere. Many lives have been touched by his noble giving.
Few people have been as devoted to making themselves, their community, and the world better. He was a shining example of humanity, and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Barbara, his sons David of Eastsound, Shawn and Aaron of Woodinville, and daughter Mira of Anacortes.
A memorial fund has been set up for Barbara at Islanders Bank in Eastsound. Donations in his name would also be gratefully received at his favorite charities, including Seva Mandir http://www.sevamandir.org/ and Heifer International, www.Heifer.org.
Please join us in celebrating Herlwyn’s life at the Orcas Community Church Sunday, February 5th at 1:30 pm.
January 25th, 2012 |
January 25th, 2012
Charter Review Commission graphic to revise County Charter adopted in 2005
Initiative and Referendum staunchly defended; Full-time Council supported
At its weekly meeting at the Orcas Hotel on Jan. 21, the Charter Review Commissioners’ (CRC’s) strong support of the initiative and referendum process, initiated with the Charter form of government in 2005, became the determinant in choosing to support the charter form of county government, rather than the “code” system used prior to 2006.
When it became clear to the group, meeting for the third time, that the code form would not allow for initiative and referendum, it tabled a motion by Orcas Commissioner Ed Sutton, to recommend to the voters that the charter form of government be rescinded.
Sutton’s motion had been criticized by Janice Peterson of San Juan Island for “legitimizing the action by presenting it as a motion.” Sutton said, “I agree that the motion [to rescind the charter] is extreme; if there’s a strong sentiment, we need to know right away.”
Barbara Thomas of Lopez/Shaw said “Initiative and referendum are critical to our decision making; through discussion and clarification, we ought to vote on that intelligently.”
Later in the meeting, Lopez Charter Review Commissioner Madrona Murphy proposed the following motion: “To preserve the powers of initiative, referendum and mini-initiative to the people in the recommendations that we make, other than to recommend repeal of the charter as a whole.”
With the review committee establishing its commitment to the initiative and referendum processes in whatever charter modifications are made, the group voted unanimously to accept Murphy’s motion. Read more…
January 25th, 2012 |
January 24th, 2012
Electromagnetic Pulses -- a new threat to the world?
Sheridan Johnston has recently published a 68-page book, In the Blink of an Eye, that discusses the scientific underpinnings of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) – both those created by nature and man-made – assesses the likelihood of a nuclear or solar EMP, and identifies defenses against EMP.
The book is an updated an expanded version of presentations given by the author to the Thursday Discussion Group on Orcas Island. John Mazzarella, M.D., a member of that group, is credited with making the suggestion that Johnston publish a book on this topic.
Blink of an Eye gives a quantitative look and the scientific and societal issues in what is believed to be a credible and growing threat to U.S. national security.
Scientific topics are presented in an easy-to-follow format in which complex technical issues are presented in a condensed, reader-friendly fashion that includes many explanatory diagrams and photos, creating a fusion of science and art. Source information is thoroughly referenced for those readers wishing a more rigorous treatment.
Although fictional works and qualitative accounts regarding nuclear EMP appear in the popular press, this book takes a more quantitative look at the physical realities involved and provides independent assessments of the threats.
The book also credits Dr. Theodore Postol, Professor of Science, Technology and International Security at MIT for “invaluable calculations on the ballistic trajectories of Iranian and North Korean missiles.”
Dr. Johnston is the author and co-author of about forty refereed journal publications in gas dynamics, applied laser diagnostics, combustion, turbulent reacting flows, internal combustion engines, hazardous waste remediation, chemical warfare agent destruction, energy use in green manufacturing, and greenhouse gas emissions.
January 24th, 2012 |
Dan Torres 
Susan McBain 
Janice Peterson 
As for the wisdom of COuncil placing decisions about so many areas of your life into the hands of CDPD personnel, well, that certainly hasn’t worked out too well in the past. This should be really interesting.
To Dave Durand,
Angry rebuttals based on fear and emotion aren’t very successful either.
Environmental degradation from human activity is an ever escalating fact globally, not just on our lovely island. We need to take this personally and seriously. Every one of us needs to be actively responsible, and that isn’t always convenient.
Which problems in particular are being solved by these imposiitons on our freedoms? Not “The sky is falling,” but rather “There is a documented abuse of x at place y that needs to be removed.”