The San Juan County Public Works Department proposes closing two of the county’s three solid waste transfer stations in order to cut costs and balance the budget of the Solid Waste Division, beginning next year. Public Works Director Jon Shannon told the County Council on Tuesday that only the Orcas Island transfer station would remain open beginning next year under the department’s preliminary 2011 budget. If that preliminary budget is approved by the council as is later this year, those who live on San Juan or Lopez could either haul and dispose of their trash and recycling at the Orcas facility or rely on the county’s franchise hauler, San Juan Sanitation, to pick it up.
Friday Harbor’s Tanner Buck had a hand in all four touchdowns as the Wolverines opened the season with a decisive 29-8 win Sept. 3 at La Conner. Buck, a senior, tossed two touchdown passes and rushed for another two as Friday Harbor turned a 15-2 halftime lead into a runaway victory down the stretch against the Division 2B Braves. La Conner, led this year by a new head coach, proved a worthy opponent in the trenches despite the lopsided score, Friday Harbor Head Coach Darrin Scheffer said.
Job cuts. Employee furloughs. Reduced office hours. In an era of economic upheaval, public agencies are pinching pennies like never before. But at the headquarters of the San Juan County Conservation District, they’re breathing a little easier knowing there’s a decade worth of dedicated funding in store.
As former chairman of the Board of Freeholders, George Johnson played a large role in writing the county charter. And his wife, Auditor Milene Henley, maintains control of the county’s purse strings. But it turns out not even Johnson is immune to the county’s financial woes.
A retooled defensive and offensive line will get their first taste of action when the Friday Harbor Wolverines open the 2010 season Friday on the road at La Conner. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.
The Watershed Company has been selected as consultant for the pending update of San Juan County’s critical areas ordinance and shoreline master program. The Watershed Company, a Seattle-based environmental consultant, was one of three firms vying to undertake those two long-range planning projects. It was chosen unanimously by the County Council Aug. 24.
San Juan County Council members Rich Peterson and Richard Fralick voted Tuesday to reject the deed for historic preservation and open space easements at 150 Nichols St., site of a proposed farmers market and events center. Voting to accept the deed: Council members Gene Knapp, Orcas East; Bob Myhr, Lopez/Shaw; and Howard Rosenfeld, Friday Harbor. Under the county charter, at least four votes are needed for a new law or resolution, such as acceptance of a property deed, to be approved. Councilwoman Lovel Pratt, a former director of the project’s proponent, the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, recused herself on the advice of the prosecuting attorney.
rry bound for Friday Harbor turned out to be either a hoax, or, depending on who you ask, a big misunderstanding. “What we were talking about was taking some ‘bong’ hits and somebody I guess thought we said we had a bomb,” said one of two men confronted by local authorities when the Yakima arrived at the Friday Harbor ferry landing at about 4:35 p.m. “I’m moving away from the island and we’re having a party later on tonight.”
The San Juan County Council is expected to decide after an Aug. 24 public hearing whether to give final approval of the Land Bank’s investment of up to $400,000 in historic preservation and open space easements at 150 Nichols St., site of a proposed year-round farmers market and events center.
Island Towing dominated from Day 1 to finish Island Rec’s co-ed softball season undefeated at 10-0 and with its sixth-straight A League title. Can you say dynasty? Second-place Distinctive Stone (8-2) gave the defending champs a run for their money — actually, a trophy and league title T-shirts.
A $3 gate fee aimed at recycling? Or a $4 hike in the minimum disposal fee instead? The San Juan County Council agreed Aug. 10 to consider the potential fee increases to bolster the cash-strapped solid waste operation and help erase an anticipated $334,000 shortfall by the end of the coming year.
The ballots are out. The primary election — Aug. 17 — is just around the corner. And over at the San Juan County Elections Office, they’re preparing for a deluge. Why? Because as of Wednesday morning, only 2,855 of 11,488 ballots mailed out for the primary had been returned.
Friday Harbor has its own radio station. Seriously. San Juan Island’s Ken Norris recently received a business license and Friday Harbor tinyRadio — 1650 on your AM dial — is already on the air.
