Orcas candidates fielded a range of questions from their peers during last week’s forum.
Hosted by the League of Women Voters, around 50 islanders gathered for the event at the senior center. The audience heard from school board, fire district, sewer and water district, and parks and rec candidates, as well as proponents and opponents of the county property tax levy, the parks and rec district, and the fireworks referendum.
Orcas School Board Director #1, Jim Sullivan and Chris Sutton
Jim Sullivan spoke of his “fresh perspective and different set of skills” and said he would “ask the uncomfortable questions” if elected to the board.
“As a musician and an artist, I am right-brained and understand the importance of the arts,” he said.
Chris Sutton, who went to school from kindergarten through 12th grade on Orcas, said he knows the district well.
“I represent the next generation of Orcas graduates,” he said. “I would be the youngest member on the board, and I have the youngest kids.”
Orcas School Board Director #2, Robert Connell and Tony Ghazel
Incumbent Tony Ghazel said he takes his role “as an advocate for the school district both on the island and at the state level very seriously.” He said his efforts to receive full funding from the state are proving successful.
“The state is becoming more aware of us,” he said. “Their paramount duty is to fund us and I won’t let up on that.”
Bob Connell said, “I’m a realist. I don’t look to the state for funding. I think we’re on our own for a while.”
San Juan Fire Protection District #2, Position #2, Henry “Duff” Andrews and Clyde Duke
As a former fire commissioner, Henry Andrews advocated a reduction in fire department staffing and spending less on expenditures.
Incumbent Clyde Duke said the department is not overspending, and the public can see an itemized budget on www.orcasfire.org.
When asked if EMTs should be required to undergo training as firefighters, the opponents again had different answers.
“I don’t think we should,” Andrews said. “We’ve lost EMTs because of it.”
Duke said that mandatory cross-training is not going on right now, but “there are people doing both and we hope there will be more. Right now, 80 percent of the volunteers are EMTs while only 20 percent are firefighters.”
San Juan Fire Protection District #2, Position #3, Barbara Bedell, Pierrette Guimond
“We have impressive fire department service, and I want to continue to serve,” incumbent Barbara Bedell said. “I also strive for accountability, and I am fair and reasonable. Statistics show how dependent we are on the fire department to keep each other and our properties safe.”
Guimond said she had concerns about what is reasonable for our rural community.
When asked what they would look for in a new fire chief, Guimond said: “I would want someone who will stay a while, and understands that our needs are very different than a city’s needs.”
Bedell answered, “Someone who is willing to stay for some time, wants to be involved with the community, and has strong management skills.”
Eastsound Sewer and Water Commission, Position #3, Gregory Ayers and Harvey Aldort
Gregory Ayers was unable to attend the forum, so Doug Bechtel read a statement on his behalf.
Harvey Aldort took questions from the audience, and advocated expanding the plant to provide for growth.
“Things are less money now than later on when you really need them,” he said. “We should be looking at upgrading now.”
Orcas Island Parks and Rec Commissioner #1, Marian O’Brien and Vicki Vandermay
The two candidates for the yet-to-be-approved parks and rec district shared the same vision: helping Orcas take control of its own rec activities.
Of the five commission positions on the ballot, Marian O’Brien and Vicki Vandermay are the only two running against each other.
San Juan County Property Tax Levy
Council member Richard Fralick spoke in favor of the levy, saying that the budget has been cut as much as it can, and without the levy, important (yet discretionary) programs will be eliminated.
Community member Leith Templin argued in opposition of the levy, saying “we have other choices. Now is not the time to increase property taxes.”
When asked “If we give more money how will you ensure the council will look at the budget with the same diligence as it is doing now?” Fralick assured the audience that the council would.
“That is why we only proposed a six-year levy: for accountability,” he said.
Orcas Parks and Rec District
Eric Youngren spoke in favor of the district, and no one presented an opposing argument.
“San Juan Island has a rec district, and it’s time for us to have one too,” he said.
Fireworks referendum
This referendum asks voters to approve or reject a county ordinance banning the possession and/or use of safe and sane fireworks in San Juan County. Currently, the public is allowed to use personal fireworks only on the Fourth of July.
Don Burkhart presented an argument in opposition of the measure, saying, “We’re talking about being allowed to use sparklers and pinwheels one day of the year. Don’t take that away. What’s left? Those of us on the outer islands don’t have the opportunity for a fireworks show. I’m happy the way it is now.”
Fire Chief Mike Harris was in favor of the referendum.
“Some of the worst injuries I have seen are little kids being hurt by sparklers,” he said. “And disposing of them can start fires too. We’ve had more outdoor fires this year than the whole time I have been here.”
