Hughes vs. Byers | Letter

Published 11:50 am Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Lisa’s qualifications have a narrow, limited focus of professional and personal experience. She has never been employed by “for-profit” organization/company. All nonprofit: OPAL Community Land Trust, Eastsound, executive director, 1996 – present. San Juan County Land Bank, Friday Harbor, program assistant/stewardship manager, 1994-1996. Historic New England, Boston, manager of farm properties and environmental projects, 1991-1994, properties administrator, 1989-1991, assistant to the executive director, 1987-1989, administrative assistant, Conservation Center, 1985-1987. Charles River Watershed Association, Newton, Mass. cartographer, CEIP Internship, 1984-1985.

Professional volunteer activities: Solid Waste Vendor Selection Committee, 2012; San Juan Initiative, 2007-2010; Co-founder and director, National Community Land Trust Network, 2006-Present (President 2006-2008); Co-Founder and advisory board member, National Community Land Trust Academy, 2006-2012; Co-founder and trustee, Northwest Community Land Trust Coalition, 2004-2006; Appointed member, Eastsound Planning Review Comm., 1998-2006 (Chairperson 2001-2003 & 2005-2006); Member, Madrona Point Stewards, 1998-2000; Director, Boston Preservation Alliance, 1991-1994; Research historian, Berkshire Museum, 1988; Preservation advocate, Springside Preservation, 1983-1985.

Education: Boston University, School of Management, Boston, Mass. M.B.A. in Public and Non-Profit Management, May 1991.

Rick Hughes has a broad range of business and personal experience. The Hughes family has been on Orcas Island since 1944. His wife Marlace is a fifth-generation Orcas Islander.

Executive ESPN, National Outdoor Leadership School graduate, national board member Outward Bound Wilderness, owner Ray’s Pharmacy and General Store, helped develop San Juan Country Drug Take-Back Program, local property management group president, treasurer Eastsound Water Users Association, treasurer Orcas Island Farmers Market Association, board of Eastsound Planning and Review Committee, Little League coach, PTSA co-president, instrumental in bringing cattle farms and school cafeteria program together, helped produce annual Orcas Island Cider and Mead Festival that raises revenue for Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program, helped with Friday night roller skating, Ray’s Pharmacy completed five-year $5,000 pledge to Orcas Food Bank, Orcas Senior Center Advisory Board and County Board of Health.

The negatives (from local press): Hughes = 0, Byers = many (read local press in print/online) includes “flip-flops,” nonresponse to past positions and quotes and attempts at suppression opposition in print. Lacks understanding of all Orcas residents.

Don Pencil

Eastsound