Elementary School Needs Funding (matching or otherwise) to Fix Utilities

Work was completed this month at the Orcas Island High School for the energy conservation upgrades provided by the State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction grant awarded earlier in the year. Now the Orcas School Board must decide how to “match” the awarded grant funds to pay the $150,000 costs.

“This changeover to more efficient [energy] will save us money in [heat] and water costs and have also earned us an energy incentive through OPALCO,” said Orcas Island School District Superintendent Barbara Kline.

Weather-stripping, motion-sensitive lights and water-saving fixtures have been installed. The heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) system has been retooled.

Unlike the high school, more extensive repair and renovation to the utility systems in the elementary school will require more extensive funding.

The district had applied for a grant to the State Department of Commerce for $1.5 million for HVAC and plumbing replacements in the elementary school. But Orcas did not get that grant “largely due to our inability to do a three-to-one match for the grant funds,” said District Superintendent Barbara Kline late last month.

The Eastsound Planning and Review Committee (EPRC) holds its monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month. This Thursday, Sept. 2, it will change locations to meet at the Eastsound Fire Hall from 3 to 5 p.m.

The agenda calls for filling empty positions, updates from County Council Members Gene Knapp and/or Richard Fralick, solid waste, Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) update, Road Transfer to Public Works, and new issues.

Chair Gulliver Rankin described the EPRC goals to create better communication with the County Council on:

• 2009/2010 priorities;
• Pending ordinances affecting Eastsound

A request to change the Uniform Development Code (UDC) to remove the airport overlay zone from the Gerard Property will be presented by Francine Shaw.

John Campbell and Lisa Byers will address the EPRC on affordable housing with the goal of understanding the context and issues of housing in Eastsound in developing a housing element.

EPRC Member Audrey Moreland will give an update on the “Streetscape” plan for Eastsound; EPRC Member Patty Miller will give an update on the “A” Street to Main Street and Mount Property stormwater treatment project.

Finally the EPRC will review 2010 priorities in light of county budget constraints and refocus on one priority.

Not long ago the Sounder had a cartoon caption entitled, “In The Argument Over Airport Access Rights.”  It was a two panel drawing of “The Losers,” and “The Winners.” The “Losers” were the Port of Orcas and property owners adjacent to the airport. The “Winners” were the “Lawyers.”

A new group now needs to be added to the “Losers.” That will be the “Taxpayers.” It is regrettable that the cartoon was so prescient.

In order for the owners of the property adjacent to the airport to protect their deeded access to the runway it appears the Port of Orcas and the FAA are backing the landowners into a corner which will inevitably lead to expensive lawsuits defending the Ferris Deed. This will not only be costly to the landowners; it will ultimately result in taxpayers paying to defend the Port’s and FAA’s position.

In all likelihood, the landowners will prevail. The 1959 Ferris Deed is a legal document clearly stating that the property owners shall have the right of access and the use of the airstrip for aviational purposes only.

The San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind everyone that our local schools will soon be back in session.  Here are some safety tips offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help keep your children safe:

Schools will be welcoming students back to the classrooms in the coming weeks. FEMA has tips to offer for help to keep your student safe as they travel to and from school.

On the School Bus

If your child’s school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus.

Children should:

• wait for the bus to stop before approaching it.
• not move around on the bus.
• check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing the street to enter the bus.
• make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.

In the Car

• All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.
• Children should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4′ 9″ in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age).
• All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles.  If you must drive more children than can fit in the rear seat (when carpooling, for example), move the front-seat passenger’s seat as far back as possible and have the child ride in a booster seat if the seat belts do not fit properly without it.

Riding the Bicycle

When it comes to bike riding, remind your children to:

• Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.
• Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
• Use appropriate hand signals.
• Respect stop signs.
• Wear bright colored clothing to increase visibility.
• Know the “rules of the road.”
• Make sure your child’s walk to school is on a safe route.
• Be realistic about your child’s pedestrian skills.  Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.

Walking to School

Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.

Orcas Island School District (OISD) continues to see enrollment figures climb to over 700 students, and on Thursday, Aug. 26, the OISD Board of Directors voted to approve teacher and administrative hiring to serve those students and their families.

Superintendent/High School Principal Barbara Kline told the board that enrollment was particularly high in the K-8 grades of the Orcas Alternative Student-Initiated Studies/Alternative Learning Experience (OASIS/ALE). “OASIS teachers (some of whom have been RIF’d [Reduction in Force, or laid off]), have been working this summer to be sure that all of the OASIS students have learning plans in place. This will allow us to count them all on September 1.”

“We will need to bring back the staff that we had last year and also to add more staff, particularly in OASIS. To serve this many students, we also need to add support staff to OASIS and to help with administrative tasks.”

Kline said that a minimum of seven additional teachers is needed.

Business Manager Keith brought up that there is a wide divergence of salary amounts among the low and high range of salaries.

Crowd-waving preceded the dancing as the Orcas Rec benefit concert began at the Village Green on Saturday

Updated Aug. 30

The “Cherry Cherry Band” regaled Orcas Islanders with a Neil Diamond-style concert on the Stage at the Village Green on Saturday late afternoon.

While many concert-goers brought their own chairs, most were up and swaying, rocking, dancing or jumping to the music.

The band came from Seattle at no charge, in order that the Orcas Rec program could derive the most benefit from the donations. Linda Sheridan, Orcas Rec Coordinator, was pleased with the turnout and the donations, which totaled around $1,000.

"Acrobatic" father-son dancing at the "Cherry Cherry Band" benefit for Orcas Rec

Along with lead singer Steve Kelly leading Neil Diamond favorites “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “I Am, I Said,” the band played rock-era and funk favorites, “Under the Boardwalk,” and “Play that Funky Music, White Boy.” Couples slow-danced to the Boys Town anthem, “He Ain’t Heavy — He’s My Brother.”

A craft table was set up to make necklaces and other adornments, while kids tripped barefoot through the crowd, tossed balls around, climbed over each other, nibbled on ice cones, pizza and other treats provided by local vendors, (also to benefit Orcas Rec), or occasionally circulated with donation canisters during the show.

Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager for the Port of Orcas, announced on Friday, Aug. 27 that geotechnical work will be performed at the Orcas Island Airport during the first full week of September.

“Some of the work requires an overnight closure of the airport on Wednesday, September 8 from 7:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Thursday, September 9.

“The runway, taxiway, REILS, VASI and PAPI will be turned off for the overnight work.  The beacon and helipad will remain lighted.  The helipad will be operational.

“On September 9 (Thursday), portions of the taxiway will be closed off.  Patrons may backtaxi on the runway to a crossover for access.

“On September 10 (Friday), men and equipment will remain on the operating surface to finish work on the south apron and any other work needing completion.

“A NOTAM will be issued on Monday September 6 with this same information.

“Please let me know if you have any questions. ” VonTobel may be reached at 376-5285.

By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager

The County Council will review the results of the public opinion survey on solid waste services and solutions on Monday, August 30, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Council’s hearing room in Friday Harbor. The survey report is available online through a link on San Juan County Council’s agenda page at: www.sanjuanco.com/council/displayAgenda.

“The objective of this project was to characterize county residents’ attitudes, beliefs, and values about solid waste management through a transparent, inclusive process allowing any interested resident to participate,” said Nina Rook, of Marketing Resources who designed and conducted the survey on behalf of the county.

Four thousand of the 9,000 households in the county were randomly selected to receive a survey questionnaire in the mail. A total of 1052  (26.3%) of this core group responded, and their answers and comments provided a substantial base for statistical analysis.  The results are shown in the report both county-wide and in comparisons between islands.

The report to be presented at Monday’s workshop charts community-desired services, consideration of different organizational structures, attitudes towards paying for services, and support of different budget options.

Program  safely disposes of excess prescription drugs

By Marta Nielson
Orcas Island Prevention Partnership Community Coalition Director

The “Medication Take Back” monthly program continues next Wednesday, September 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ray’s Pharmacy located in “Templin’s Square” at 68 North Beach Road in  Eastsound

The Take Back Program initiative was begun with a partnership between the San Juan Sheriff’s Office and the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition.  Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas, Friday Harbor Drug and the Lopez Pharmacy are all joining in to help with this important program that addresses the need to have a safe way to dispose of excess prescription drugs.  The Lopez Island Prevention Coalition and Orcas Island Prevention Partnership are also helping to get the word out and encourage all Islanders to take part.

Take Back Programs are beginning nationwide to offer a safe place for citizens to dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications.  The problems surrounding the disposal of prescription drugs is two fold.  These chemicals are highly toxic to the environment when flushed or washed down the drain, but, if kept at home beyond their prescribed usage time, they can fall into the wrong hands.

As part of their Business Education Series, the San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a course entitled Customer Service 101.

In this two-hour workshop, participants will learn easy and effective ways to get customers to come back to their retail or service establishments – again and again.  The course will also cover techniques and tools from CRM – customer relationship management, and CEM – customer experience management.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 21, from 9-10:30 a.m., in the community room of Skagit Valley College, at their campus at 221 Weber Way, Friday Harbor.

The cost of the workshop is $10 to cover course materials.  Advance registration is required – please call 378-2906 or email info@sanjuansedc.org.  More information is available at: www.sanjuansedc.org/classes.htm.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council’s Business Education Series was created by the EDC in response to concerns from local business owners and overall increased demand from new businesses.  This series will present a variety of business topics designed for both those opening a new business or those wanting to take their business to the next level.

Fourth-graders at the Orcas Elementary School learn from a salmon dissection conducted by the San Juan Nature Institute's "Salmon in the Classroom" program

By Fiona Norris
Science Director, San Juan Nature Institute

Jim and Kathy Youngren have graciously agreed to host a benefit fundraiser for Salmon in the Classroom at Orcas Elementary School, on Sunday September 12 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Supper will be barbecued salmon from the Queen Charlotte Islands, or sausages, served with salad and a dessert. Tickets are $30 per person with a discount for couples ($50) and families ($60 for family of four). Reservations are required to assist us in the planning.

Tickets will be available at Island Market from 10 -12 noon on Saturday August 28. Reservations may also be made by calling 378-3646 or emailing San Juan Nature Institute at science@sjnature.org.

This year, San Juan Nature Institute will offer Salmon in the Classroom to the fourth-grade classroom. The Glenwood Springs Hatchery will supply eggs so that salmon may be raised in the classroom aquarium with equipment on loan from the Department of Fisheries.

By Stan Matthews
County Communications Progam Manager

The San Juan County Solid Waste Survey received responses from 26% of the recipients of the questionnaires mailed in late July. Survey Consultant Nina Rook of Marketing Resources termed the response rate “Outstanding.” Rook will present the results of the survey to the County Council at a workshop held on Monday August 30; beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Council’s hearing room in Friday Harbor.

The survey report should provide insights into the public’s attitude toward the difficult decisions the County faces in providing public services for garbage, recycling, and reuse over the next six years.  The draft report will be available to the public on the County website by Friday, August 27.

The survey was mailed to a core group of 4000 randomly-selected household addresses within all zip codes in the county.  More than 1000 households – nearly one-eighth of all households in the county – filled out questionnaires.

To provide an opportunity for all other interested parties to have their opinion recorded, an  online survey was also available on the County website.

Lopezian Rob Nou leads in Sheriff contest

Election results as of 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18, show that the Orcas Island School Bond for Capital Projects registers a 46.15 percent approval rating with 1,013 votes cast in favor of the $27 million, 25-year commitment. Votes against the proposition counted 1,182.

Rob Nou of Lopez Island has the lead in the County Sheriff race, with 2,086 votes. Brent Johnson maintains the second position, with 1,247 votes. Brad Fincher trails Johnson by 96 votes, with Jeff Asher behind Fincher at 1,121 votes.

According to Washington State law, the top two vote-getters proceed to the General Election in November.

With 400 county votes remaining to be counted the standings among other races are as follows:

U.S. Senator (Patty Murray incumbent)

• Patty Murray 4,005
• Dino Rossi 1,083

U.S. Representative (Rick Larsen incumbent):

• Rick Larsen 3,337
• John Koster 1,718

State Representative (Dave Quall retiring):

• Kristine Lytton 1,628
• Tom Pasma 1,444

State Representative (Jeff Morris incumbent)

• Jeff Morris 3,701
• John Swapp 2,022

Lopez Island County Council position (Bob Myhr incumbent):

• Bob Myhr 514
• Jamie Stephens 486

The next vote tabulation is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 19.

By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager

Deputy Rob Nou has a commanding lead in the hotly-contested race for San Juan County Sheriff, County Auditor Milene Henley reported Tuesday night.  Nou is one of five candidates vying to replace retiring Sheriff Bill Cumming.  Nou leads with 29.3% of the vote, followed by Deputy Brent Johnson with 20.89%, Probation Officer Brad Fincher with 18.73%, Deputy Jeff Asher with 18.52%, and Deputy Felix Menjivar with 12.11%.  The top two vote-getters will go on to the general election ballot in November.

“Our voter turnout so far is only 48%,” cautions Henley.  “We could easily receive another 12%, or almost 1400 ballots, prior to certifying this election.  Nou will be on the November ballot, but the votes for the next three are close enough that things could change.  I’m not ready to call this race yet.”

On Orcas, a school bond issue, re-worked and re-packaged since its failure in the February election earlier this year, failed once again to get voter approval.  54.5% of Orcas voters voted against, versus 45.5% for.

By Brigid Ehrmantraut

Tuesday saw the setting up of the San Juan County Fair.

With the exception of the horse 4-Hers, who went over on Saturday and Sunday, everyone from Shaw, Lopez, and Orcas (as well as a few from other islands who are part of these clubs) crowded onto the 10:00 ferry this morning. When you take into account that catching chickens, corralling steers, and loading up campers and trailers can be extremely time consuming, some people were starting at six or seven this morning and staying to decorate barns until ten in the evening! And the fair hasn’t even started yet!

Among the entries heading over were:  Emily Reid’s ginormous cabbage (entered in the horticulture tent under oversized; yes in places it’s over three and a half feet across), numerous chickens, rabbits, and cavies (better known as guinea pigs), pigs, sheep, goats, cattle and any variants thereof I haven’t mentioned, still life ranging from jams and jellies to photographs to table settings, and almost anything else that you can imagine being judgeable.

The deadline for the Primary Election is today, Tuesday, August 17.

After the mail goes out (between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. at the various Orcas Island Post Offices), one can still go to the various Ballot Drop-Boxes — until 8 PM sharp!

On Orcas Island, the Ballot Box is outside the Senior Center in Eastsound.

Thanks to Bonnie Bossler

Planning Commission to review changes this Friday

By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager

The San Juan County Council will hear its first formal staff presentation on a set of proposed amendments to the appeal provisions of the Unified Development Code at its August 24, 2010 meeting.

The purpose of these amendments is to improve consistency between the UDC and the County Charter. These amendments were carried over from 2009, and will be a part of the first set of UDC amendments to be considered by the Council in 2010.

Other changes that will be considered in the year’s first set of UDC amendments include proposed changes to SJCC Chapter 18.30 concerning regulations for Land Use Districts; amending SJCC Chapter 18.90 to consider requests related to legislative actions and site-specific redesignations; and amending SJCC Chapter 18.20, to update the definitions associated with the proposed changes.

A copy of the work plan which summarizes all proposed UDC amendments can be viewed at http://www.sanjuanco.com./cdp/default.aspx.

The proposed amendments to Chapter 18.90 will be heard by the Planning Commission on August 20 in the Council Chambers. Hearings for other items have not been scheduled.

Seabastian Paige, incoming Orcas High School freshman, helps put away fresh green beans during Farm to Cafeteria's 5th Season

By Madie Murray

More than 200 lbs of fresh food right out of the ground was processed and frozen for use in the school cafeteria menus this coming school year.

Deliveries from La Campesina, Black Dog and Morningstar Farms of Yukon Gold potatoes, rhubarb, beets, chard, cabbage, kale, onions, garlic, basil, sour cherries, green beans, and zucchini squash were made early Tuesday morning.

By noon Wednesday, F.E.A.S.T. students and community volunteers had finished washing, slicing, dicing, grating, bagging, tagging and freezing everything.  It’s expected we may have another day of processing later in September of other items that were just not quite ready to harvest right now because of the cool summer such as tomatoes, plums and berries.

Thanks to Bruce Orchid who pulled it all together and took command, F.E.A.S.T. students Sophie Prewitt, Sebastian Paige, Bailey Johnson, Ursula Pamatian and Iris Parker-Pavitt, as well as Farm to Cafeteria members Whitney Hartzell, Margie Doyle and Garden Keeper Chelsea Cates.  Couldn’t have done it without you!!

Haven’t sent in your ballot yet?  Good!  Vote for Tom Pasma for State Representative!  We haven’t heard much about this race here, possibly because none of the candidates comes from San Juan County, but Tom Pasma has strong ties to our islands.

For many years Tom has volunteered his services as 4H auctioneer.  He’ll be at the San Juan County Fair next Saturday working hard – for free – to help 4H kids gets top dollar for their lambs, pigs, steers, rabbits, poultry and eggs.  The auction supports the kids and the 4H program.  Tom is an expert at using his charisma and energy to get the crowd involved in the kids’ stories, and in supporting their work in local agriculture.  If he can get people to bid over $600 for a dozen duck eggs, imagine what he could do for us in Olympia!

Tom believes deeply in helping kids work with animals, understand where their food comes from, and learn about farming and ranching as a way of life.  Over the six years I have seen him in action, I have been continually impressed with his commitment, his intelligence and his professionalism.  Tom really cares about sustainable agriculture and about the kids in his district.

David Ryan, Friday Harbor Airport Manager, announced on Aug. 10:

Due to concern over closure dates from our commercial operators, Friday Harbor Airport is revising the runway closure schedule as follows: Runway 16/34 will be closed from Tuesday, September 7 at 8:00 pm until Friday morning, September 10 at 6:00 am weather permitting. If weather conditions preclude closing during this time, runway 16/34 will be closed Monday, September 13 at 8:00pm until Thursday, September 16 at 6:00 am. If weather conditions preclude this closing, the runway will be closed at the contractor’s discretion at a date to be announced. There is a 30 day interval between the fog seal and final painting. Both require warm dry days to apply. Postponement of this closure may result in additional closure dates. Thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please call me at the airport office 360-378-4724.

Earlier, Ryan had issued the announcement that Friday Harbor Airport Runway 16/34 would be closed beginning at 8:00pm August 17^th, 2010 and remain closed until Friday morning, August 20^th at 6:00 a.m.