In safeguarding marine waters from potential pollution of derelict boats, prevention is proving to be the key. Nearly a half-dozen counties have jump onboard to learn how the prevention program in San Juan County can help reduce hazards posed by abandoned and dilapidated boats.
Negotiations among the town, the county and Lautenbach Recyling have been ongoing for nearly two years after a town-county selection committee used a “proposal approach” under state law.
OPALCO is moving ahead with expanding its Island Network services from its base of fiber optic cable servicing its electric grid. It is already an internet service provider and a network provider, mostly in populated areas like Friday Harbor and Eastsound, and it resells “backhaul” fiber connections to ISPs such as Rock Island, The Computer Place, CenturyLink, NoaNet and Zito Media.
‘It was a better reception than we expected,’ — Mike Monson, Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve
The latest state audit of the San Juan hospital district’s books noted that financial controls “are inadequate to ensure accurate reporting,” but found no wrongdoing, misappropriation of funds or noncompliance which would require reporting to other government agencies or the legislature. District commission Chairman Dr. Michael Edwards said, “The auditors accepted our commitment to address the issues identified and said they will follow up during…”
A freshly revised design for the Spring Street Landing Building is just the start of the Port of Friday Harbor’s proposed 10-year, $10-plus million dollar revamp of the waterfront.
Although marijuana stores in Washington will not open until July or later, marijuana sales to individuals started in Colorado last year at medical marijuana dispensaries. Reports from from the Weed Blog indicate that January sales in Colorado were $14.02 million, which raised about $2 million in tax revenue for the state. (This article has been updated since its initial post to clarify applicants listing 775 Mullis Street as a potential retail location).
The upcoming election promises to highlight contrasting views on what direction Orcas Power & Light Cooperative should take.
Although the Prince William Sound fishery, as it was, is a distant memory, David Nash believes that there are lessons from the Exxon Valdez oil spill that still apply today. “They said it wouldn’t happen there and I believed them,” he said. “I don’t believe them anymore.”
Revaluations are now made annually to all county properties, although only one-sixth of the county is physically inspected every year. Other valuations are made on the basis of local property sales in the areas not physically inspected.
The noise from thousands of engine tests and training runs by new EA 18G “Growlers” has generated two recent community meetings on Lopez and San Juan islands.
Tax shift cited as cause for concern, scrutiny over compliance with guidelines for current-use programs
In addition to a dogged tenacity and unwavering work ethic, former sheriff Bill Cumming said that Silverman will long be remembered for the compassion that he brought to the job, a quality that endeared him to his many colleagues and to the community as well. Silverman was involved in every “big case” in San Juan County over the last 20 years.
