The editorial staff of the San Juan Journal is to be commended for their standard policy of making the average reader aware of any official or political association of authors of letters or articles published in the Journal.

Unfortunately, a few authors, accidentally or otherwise, refrain from stating their actual position with their group. For example, I’ll specifically mention two such recent incidents.

No. 1: In the Nov. 21 issue Mr. Kyle Loring authored an article extolling his one-sided extreme radical environmental opinion regarding the CAO and other issues (“Of coal ships and critical areas”, pg. 7). At no time did Mr. Loring make any reference whatsoever to his position as the staff attorney of Friends of the San Juans.

Fortunately, at the end of the article the Editor’s note revealed to the readers his association.

Example No. 2: In the Sept. 26, 2012 issue Ms. Stephanie Buffum authored a similar biased extreme environmental article expanded her one-sided views (“Time is now to be better prepared”, pg. 5).

In this article Ms. Buffum gave no indication or reference that she is the executive director of Friends of the San Juans. But this fact was exposed in the “Editor’s note” following the article. We are indebted to the editor for doing so.

It’s interesting and instructive that neither author saw fit to acknowledge their close association with Friends of the San Juans. The initial concept for forming that organization was excellent but they seem to have drifted to extreme environmentalism and with apparently unlimited funds now publish and inundate people in the San Juans with endless publications and propaganda.

It seems to me private property owners have in general proven to be excellent stewards of their land.

Tyra Park, Seattle

— Editor’s note: a self-described boating enthusiast, Ms. Park has been a frequent visitor to the islands for more than 40 years.