The Journal applauds the Derelict Vessel Removal program and Joanruth Baumann for a job well done, not only for removing 75 unsightly and environmentally dangerous boats from the water, but also for revitalizing the program to the point that it’s become a model for the state.

Local boaters and shoreside residents well remember rotting hulks and leaking illegal liveaboards which dotted bays and anchorages throughout the county, and sometimes sunk. Our waters are cleaner and safer now, but some 20 derelict boats still await removal and more derelicts can be expected.

As Marc Forlenza takes the helm of the program, the Journal is encouraged by his past involvement in raising matching funds required by the state and by his evident dedication to build on Baumann’s successful tenure.

Keep up the good work!

While we’re waving a green flag for the DVR program, we want to raise an orange caution flag about two other current county matters.

Both the Christmas eve traffic stop in Friday Harbor and the earlier tree-cutting at Mar Vista  near False Bay raise questions of transparency, timeliness and justice.

In both matters, the public and this paper are waiting for action. Nobody wants either the sheriff or Community Development & Planning to act rashly, but nobody wants the matters swept under the rug, either.

Mainly, we want to know what happened and what our public officials will do to ensure that incidents like these events do not become accepted practice, either by design, denial or by default.