After reviewing the many articles and letters that have been published about the forthcoming vote on the school bond, I am encouraged by the amount and depth of interest in this issue. For the most part, I see this as a reflection of community concern for the school. and I hope the outcome will be a voter turnout commensurate with that concern.
While I don’t think there is any argument that the OISD facilities need renovation and upgrade, is spending $27 million on facilities that will be used by a declining number of on-site students the solution? What bothers me is a more modest proposal is missing as an alternative to the expansive plans represented by the current bond.
I want to give everyone who was part of presenting the Women’s League of Voters Candidates Forum on Orcas Island a huge thank you! It is such a pleasure to hear from such a range of candidates, in person.
In the race for our U.S. Representative in Congress, Larry Kalb stands out as a thoughtful, respectful, hard-working, highly-educated person, who is willing to think outside the box.
I want to clarify something. Our children did participate in the OASIS program at its creation. Our children were very young and we did not see it as a traditional classroom experience. For us it was mostly social, field trips, outdoor stuff and we met at the Funhouse.
Rebekah & I are voting "NO" on the Orcas school Bond issue. This call for a mandated (mandatory tax) capital improvement when other options have not been seriously pursued or even explored seriously seems very unwise and even irresponsible to our small community.
My wife Judy and I have nearly always supported school issues when they made sense. When the superintendent offered tours of the buildings, I took her up on it and was shown through the elementary and junior high school buildings by the elementary principal and a school board member.
I am a high school student at the Orcas Island Public School, and I would like to ask something to all the people who are planning on voting "no" for the bond:
As all of you were going to school, did you have a bond that passed? If you did, isn't it fair that since your community paid for a bond, it is now your turn to pay for ours?
Under Jeff Asher’s leadership, this dive team has gained a reputation as a competent and respected dive team among state and national rescue teams. Jeff has demonstrated to us the qualities and policies that he proposes to implement as Sheriff, including careful personnel selection with an eye towards a commitment to excellence.
It really is quite simple.
If the people of this county want accountability from their Sheriff’s Department in the form of quarterly reports to the County Council and through a Citizens’ Advisory Committee, they will vote for Jeff Asher.
According to county assessor figures, on Orcas, roughly 19% of our properties fall in the less than $250k assessed range and account for 4% of our School bond tax; there are 6% of properties that fall in the over $1M range that account for 19% of the bond tax. 45% of our properties belong to owners who have off-island addresses. Eligible seniors and the disabled community can get relief from their property tax, and only need apply.
Thank you.
On behalf of Helping Hands Noramise and the people of Limbe’, Haiti, we thank you so very much for the support that enabled our Orcas youth to travel to Haiti on the first island-to-island youth exchange and also for the support you are lending to the projects we have underway in Limbe’.
Thank you, United Way, for your generous contribution to Hearts and Hands.
Your mission of ensuring a healthy living environment for all and creating systems that increase physical and mental well-being focuses on those in our community who might otherwise go unnoticed.
Last week, as part of Orcas Island Library’s Summer Reading Program for kids, a group of 17 children and parents were treated to a fascinating guided tour through the Journey Stories exhibit now on display at the Orcas Island Historical Museum.
We are writing to you as two teachers at Orcas Schools who…
It’s no secret the school cafeteria, located in the 1960’s middle school building is old; yet this space, which has adapted to the easily forgotten times of plastic bagged sandwiches and deep fried processed French fries, now produces up to 300 delicious meals every school day made mostly from scratch and with locally produced fresh food products … like it used to be when so many of us older folks now considering the school bond used to enjoy at school.
The Orcas Island Historical Museum would like to thank Bill and Valerie…
As the former President, CEO/CFO, Director and Secretary of the Board of…
At the League of Women Voters Forum I saw many fine candidates…
As I have watched and listened to the response from the community…
I normally don't like "letter wars," but I feel compelled to respond…
From friends with whom I correspond I learned that there is another…
On behalf of the School of the Salish Sea I would like…
After the Eastsound parade celebrating the Fourth of July and our glorious…
I must also add my name to the others who do not…
The sun shone on Orcas Center last Saturday. Approximately 120 guests attended…
Wow, what a great issue last week!
On the front page, news about discovering why animals in the islands are disappearing, and an article about our tax dollars doing something new and innovative to change our sometimes toxic effect.
Then, in letters to the editor, a very cogent synopsis of our present situation and its origin.
Our primary election day is coming up on August 17, and ballots…
I support Jeff Asher for Sheriff. He will do an excellent job.…
I will be voting no on the school bond despite the tent…
In the 1940s the island school enrollment was around 100 students. Orcas…
Greetings from the back room of the Food Bank!As members of an…
I am pleased to see that Jeff Asher decided to run for…
I would like to ask that you join me in voting for…
I like to think that logic, historical perspective and common sense are…
I encourage you all to vote “yes” for the school bond.I believe…
Keith Whitaker and others suggested my enrollment numbers are inaccurate and misleading.…
So the Barefoot Burglar has been caught.Some people are going to be…
As a past employee of the Orcas School, I have consistently supported…
The recent article of your climb of Mt. McKinley was very good,…