Four local ballot measures lack ‘con’ statements

The measures without opposing arguments are the initiative banning genetically modified organisms in San Juan County, a bond measure for the Orcas Island School District, a tech levy for the Orcas Island School District and the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District property tax funding measure.

The November election pamphlet will have arguments for and against the proposed amendments to the County Charter, but four other ballot measures will have only “pro” statements, unless county Auditor Milene Henley can find people to write “con” statements.

“Providing two sides to every argument provides an important service to the voters, and helps to ensure an informed electorate,” Henley noted in a press release calling for concerned voters to volunteer to write arguments opposing four ballot measures.

The measures without opposing arguments are the initiative banning genetically modified organisms in San Juan County, a bond measure for the Orcas Island School District, a tech levy for the Orcas Island School District and the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District property tax funding measure.

Proposition One, proposed by the Charter Review Commission, which would return the County Council to three members elected county-wide in place of the six-member council provided in the current Charter, has three former county commissioners arguing in favor of a three-member council.

They are Tom Cowan from Lopez, Kevin Ranker from San Juan Island, and John Evans of Orcas Island.  In opposition are Art Lange of Orcas, Lola Deane of Shaw and Charlie Bodenstab of San Juan Island.

The other two Charter Review Commission propositions also have a full complement of people preparing “for” and “against” statements.

To view the full text of any of the measures, or to express an interest in writing an argument against any of them, contact Henley at (360) 370-7558, or mileneh@sanjuanco.com