The general election on Nov. 3 will present voters with a wide range of candidates: positions are open on the school board, fire commission, sewer and water commission, and the yet-to-be created Orcas Park and Recreation District.
The PTSA forum for the school board candidates will be at the school library on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The League of Women Voters of the San Juans is presenting a forum for all Orcas candidates on Monday, Oct. 12 at the Orcas Senior Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Proponents and opponents of the Fireworks Referendum, the SJC Property Tax Levy, and the Orcas Island Park and Recreation Levy will also be in attendance to answer questions.
The Sounder asked each candidate a series of questions. Their answers are presented below.
San Juan fire protection district #2, Position #2
Henry “Duff” Andrews
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the fire district?
A: The biggest concern and challenge is the unbridled spending on salaries and equipment that will result in problems when the current levy expires.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: Restructuring administration, avoiding duplication of tasks/personnel.
Q: The fire department is carefully watched by the community. How do you intend to deal with that?
A: As a past Orcas Island Fire Commissioner I have always encouraged open communication with the public. There has been entirely too much controversy and misunderstanding. Public opinion counts and should be heard.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring to the board?
A: I was a Fire Commissioner for eight years and instrumental in designing the long-term planning for facilities and equipment and volunteer benefits. The current board has exceeded the intent of the levy and long range plan.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: Public support has encouraged me to again run for this position. I respect the department, care about the community needs and want to encourage volunteerism and provide the best possible department WITHIN OUR MEANS.
Clyde Duke (incumbent)
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the fire district?
A: I feel that the biggest challenge for the department is communicating with the community. I feel there are those who don’t understand that the mandates of the levy lid lift and the strategic plan’s benchmarks are being met in a timely and financially responsible manner and that the department is endeavoring to have all goals met and still have a reserve after the levy lid lift has expired.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: To overcome the challenge of clear communications with the community the department has established a web site at www.orcasfire.org, and we are doing annual reports for the community showing benchmarks met and the financial status. I would like to see the department start a quarterly report to be printed in the newspaper. For me personally, I’m most concerned with attracting and maintaining an active volunteer corps, which we are addressing with online training, the health and wellness program, and by providing the environment for each volunteer to find the best in themselves and to become part of an amazing team.
Q: The fire department is carefully watched by the community. How do you deal with that?
A: I don’t have a problem with the community carefully watching the department. I encourage it.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I am running for commissioner position #2 again because I’ve been asked to continue on the board by members of the community and the department. I became aware of the challenges as a volunteer and now as a commissioner of the changing needs of Orcas. When the strategic plan for the fire district was completed in 2004 with the community’s involvement, we realized for long-term stability within the organization that certain objectives needed to be met. Three simultaneous studies for fire service, emergency medical services, and communications were done and the findings became our benchmarks to achieve.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring to the board? Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: Our family moved to Orcas Island in 1990. We started our roofing company in 1991. I was exposed to the extreme danger of wild land fire during the Panorama fire in San Bernardino when 365 homes were lost in 48 hours. I joined the Orcas Fire Department in 1992 and served as a volunteer and a lieutenant at Rosario station 23 and later Eastsound Station 21. I served as vice president and president of the Volunteer Firefighter Association. I’ve been on the Board of Fire Commissioners since 2004 and was chair for three years. I chaired the chief search and fire service committees.
San Juan fire protection district #2, Position #3
barbara Bedell
(incumbent)
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the fire district?
A: The most significant challenge facing the fire district is the final implementation of the 2005 Strategic Plan which included mandates on new equipment, new station construction and/or improvement, suitable training for volunteers, and effective communications both within and outside of the department.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: I believe that overcoming this challenge will require cultivating an atmosphere of open communications among the Commissioners, OIF&R, and the Orcas community and making intelligent, well-informed decisions that follow the voter-approved fiscal guidelines of the Strategic Plan.
Q: The fire department is carefully watched by the community. How do you intend to deal with that?
A: I believe in the policy of conducting open meetings, and I welcome public comments and suggestions that are positive, well-considered, and thoughtful. Advance knowledge of specific questions is very helpful, and I would encourage members of the community to contact me with their concerns before the monthly Fire Commissioner meetings so that I can better address their questions.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring to the board?
A: Because of my experience on other local boards, such as Orcas Island Medical Center Association, Spring Point Homeowners Association, and Orcas Center as well as being a member of one of the 2005 Strategic Planning Committees, I bring to the Board of Fire Commissioners a variety of administrative skills, including the responsible management of budgets, a commitment to judicious planning, and a recognition of the need for effective communication, including a willingness to listen to other points of view.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I was appointed by the current Fire Commissioners to fill a vacancy in the number three position and would like to complete the two years remaining in that term. If elected, I will work hard to ensure that Orcas Island has the best Fire and EMS services available within the appropriate financial guidelines.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: I have lived permanently on Orcas for eight years and want to stay actively involved in island organizations. I believe that one should contribute to where one lives through personal dedication and involvement. Serving as a Fire Commissioner is very important to me for that reason, and I would consider election to this position an honor on the part of the Orcas Island community.
Pierrette
Guimond
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the fire district?
A: Two equally important challenges are 1.) meeting the needs of our rural community while keeping expenditures reasonable and 2.) recruiting and retaining volunteers.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: We need to reexamine the strategic plan to see what has changed in the last five years in order to determine what is both necessary and appropriate in providing for our community’s future needs.
Q: The fire department is carefully watched by the community. How do you intend to deal with that?
A: I believe in an open process and feel that the community needs to be given clear explanations regarding our procedures and expenditures. Additionally, I feel it is important to solicit public input and for the public to feel their concerns have not only been heard but adequately addressed.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring to the board?
A: I served as a Library Trustee for four years and Cemetery Commissioner for six years. I have also done a great deal of research on the budgets of the library and the fire department.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I have been attending the Fire Department meetings for the last year and believe strongly that I can offer a balanced and reasonable approach in determining and providing for our future needs.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: I was a flight attendant for 35 years and I have been retired for eight years. I am very involved in my community doing volunteer work at the Orcas Library, Orcas Senior Center and Orcas Center. Hiking, gardening and reading are my favorites activities. I have been a full time resident for 18 years.
Orcas School Board Director #1
Jim Sullivan
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the school district?
A: Unquestionably, we must establish a sustainable annual budget to avoid the constant upheaval of staff layoffs, program and service cuts, and reliance on our generous community donors to compensate for shortfalls.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: We need to relentlessly pursue our legislative representatives to increase state funding for our remote, rural district so we can provide a quality education for our island students. Increase enrollment by offering educational alternatives.
Q: What improvements would you like to see at the school?
A: Improve communication between the elementary, middle, and high schools, while still maintaining their individuality. Lessen staffing expense by eliminating duplication of effort. Save resources. Coordinate programs and schedule. Bring staff training to the island to decrease travel expense. Focus on every child’s individual learning needs.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring to the board?
A: I am an independent voice for all the children and will make up my own mind after carefully considering all points of view. I bring a fresh perspective to the board, and acknowledge the importance of music and the arts to the development of the whole person. I am a graphic artist and musician/singer. For 14 years, I was the art director at a large printing company, overseeing projects for major national companies. Time has taught me to be a good listener and observer. This spring, I visited Waldron School to experience their educational model. I was impressed with the fine work being accomplished there in a way that fits their unique lifestyle.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I feel strongly about participating in efforts that make an important long-term difference to our quality of life. Previously, I developed a grassroots coalition to save historical forest land from development so it could be enjoyed by future generations. Today’s students are our future doctors, engineers, service personnel, teachers, etc. I caught the passion from my wife, Linda, a special education teacher, and my goal is to do whatever I can to see that every child’s educational needs are met so they can be productive citizens.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: Music and the arts have always been central to my life, and I am a strong advocate for them. I am proud to be an army veteran. My wife and I have two adult children and two exuberant granddaughters who keep us centered on the importance of future generations.
Chris Sutton
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the school district?
A: I think there are a couple. The first is the continual lack of funding at the state level, which makes it impossible to guarantee funding needed to educate our children. The second big issue is dealing with the facility, specifically the middle school.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: We should continue the excellent work with the budgeting and finance process, but go even further by streamlining activities where possible.
On the facilities issue, we need to be very proactive about what the goals are and why, and make sure the community is involved in the entire process.
Q: What improvements would you like to see at the school?
A: I think there needs to be more current, up-to-date information online about the school and for the school community. This includes day to day activities, as well as budgets, current policies and procedures, enrollment numbers, history, etc. Information is very powerful and, if available to everyone, more people can be involved and educated about the school and the challenges it faces.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring to the board?
A: As a self-employed businessman, I am a web-based computer programmer who works closely with small and large companies to understand unique business practices, and to build custom programming systems that efficiently run their company. Doing this requires that I be a good listener and that I have an understanding of complex systems.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I have a daughter, Arla, in second grade, and a son, Sam, who will start kindergarten in two years, so I’m invested in making sure that the resources are available not only for them to get a great education, but all Orcas kids to get a great eduction.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: I moved to Orcas in 1974, when I was four years old. I attended Orcas Public School from K-12, and graduated top of my class of 34 students. I went on to graduate from the University of Washington and worked in Seattle until 2007 when we moved back to Orcas.
Orcas School Board Director #2
Robert
Connell
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the school district?
A: The school district’s biggest challenge now is to maximize our academic environment in spite of current financial constraints. This includes a need to coordinate efforts between parents, teachers, and administration to make sure that students are getting the best and child-specific education possible for them.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: This challenge can be met by utilizing the OISD Site Council to enhance parent/teacher/administration communication and planning. Additional funding can continue to be sought from generous donors, as well as potentially using the new Parks and Rec District for sports and after-school activity programs, should it be voter approved and funded.
Q: What improvements would you like to see at the school?
A: I would like to see clear expectations of child behavior in all parts of the school with clear consequences for not meeting them. I would also like to see good use of the school web site and emails to keep parents regularly informed about how their child is doing in class, assignment submittals, and grades, so there are never any surprises.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring to the board?
A: I have been heavily involved in the school on a number of different fronts. I have gained valuable insight into the school by volunteering in my daughter’s classroom and as a substitute teacher for the last two years. I was the driving force behind the OISD Site Council formation, which brings parents, teachers, and administration together to work on school issues. Also, I previously served as a co-chair for a committee that looked into school scheduling.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I believe that, as a school board member, I can make meaningful contributions to the school above and beyond what I have previously done at the school. From a personal standpoint, I also want to make the school the best it can be, since I have a daughter who attends Orcas Elementary.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: I, with my wife and daughter, moved here from Oregon after 30 years working in the high-tech industry. I am very interested in community and resource planning and am the vice-chair of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee, on the board of Eastsound Water User’s Association, and co-founder of the Sustainable Orcas Island group. I also enjoy being a PTSA volunteer at its weekly rollerskating sessions.
Tony P. Ghazel (INCUMBENT)
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the school district?
A: The biggest challenge is providing an innovative and challenging learning environment with high expectations for student learning and the commitment to creating conditions for student and staff success during the state’s budgetary challenges.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: I have lobbied at the state level for full funding of education, working on attaining more local control of our educational vision and working in the community in fundraising activities to supplement the programming that our students need.
Q: What improvements would you like to see at the school?
A: I want us to continue improving our excellent educational programs and teacher training. By providing an Alternative Learning Experience, we have been successful in keeping students in school and learning. I want us to keep improving on that. I want us to improve the campus so that the whole community can engage in learning and the facilities would be available after hours for adult education.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring to the board?
A: I have served as a School Director since 2004, elected Chairperson, Legislative and WIAA representative, Treasurer of OIEF (2002-2004), Orcas Lions president and current board member. I bring many years of business and community leadership experience, I have been actively involved and volunteered in the school and community life. I have advocated for education and I know how to bring people together to create a successful environment for student learning and staff success.
Q: Why are you running for this position again?
A: Education is what defines a community and serving in the capacity of a School Board Director allows me to be at the fore front of advocating for that belief. It is also a duty which I take seriously. Additionally, as an elected official, it is my responsibility and pledge to be a careful steward of the generosity of our donors and taxpayers.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: My family and I have been part of this community since 1997 and we believe in giving back to help the less able. Education has been instilled in me since childhood and I have not stopped learning. After getting some of the best education possible, which I want for our students of all ages, I had a career as an electrical engineer and a medical and digital imaging computer specialist. Since 1997, I have owned and operated a computer consulting business on Orcas. I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids, refereeing Orcas Rec and MS/HS soccer games. I like to read technical journals, the Bible and spy novels. Periodically I enjoy a good cup of coffee with many friends on the island.
Orcas Island Park and Recreation Commissioner #1
Marian O’Brien
Q: Why is it critical to enact an Orcas Park and Rec District?
A: Children and adults who are engaged in exciting and life-affirming activities create health and vibrancy in a community. Putting together the heads and hearts of our new Park and Rec district commissioners with those in the community who provide this programming will give us a great opportunity for local administration.
Q: As a commissioner, what do you hope to accomplish?
A: I’m very optimistic about the possibilities. We will be able to facilitate collaboration with the Funhouse, the Senior Center, School and others, that will allow us as a community to reduce expenses while increasing program potential.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring?
A: When our girls were young, we were fortunate to find a lot of rich recreation programming for them. As a member of the advisory group in my daughter’s elementary school, I learned about historically-proven collaboration and consensus. I was a member of the founding committee of a middle school that focused on arts in education and social justice, and I helped facilitate the establishment of an association of parents and teachers in a performing arts high school, in a political hotbed in the inner city. In our printing business, I facilitated innovative projects between publishers, artists, authors, granting organizations and non-profits. I have consulted and served with the boards of numerous non-profits.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I see an exciting opportunity in joining with the other commissioners as public servants to invent a new relationship having a singular mission: creating a park and recreation district that serves Orcas Islanders’ needs; making the best use of our resources; and protecting our quality of life for the long-term. I have long loved Orcas Island, and I think this is a positive way for me to use my skills to contribute in a meaningful way.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: Throughout my life I’ve had an intense interest in justice, education and aesthetics. Luckily for me, my husband, Keith and my daughters, Quinn and Kelsey, share these passions!
My commitment to positive, growth-building programming for children and adults has been a constant with me, and continues to inform every project that I become involved in here on Orcas. My personal life revolves around these projects as well as looking for time for cooking, gardening, reading and making art.
Vicki Vandermay
Q: Why is it critical to enact an Orcas Parks and Recreation District?
A: I believe it is critical to enact an Orcas Parks and Recreation District so that we can save our programs. The funding has been cut for most if not all of our county programs. We are in dire straits and need to act now and pull together those programs the community wants under one umbrella.
Q: As a commissioner, what do you hope to accomplish?
A: I intend to work with the people of Orcas Island to form a viable, quality program that serves our community’s needs. I also intend to ensure that we have a budget that we can live with.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring?
A: I currently serve on the Orcas Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. I am a board member for the Orcas Public Schools PTSA. I am very involved in Orcas Island youth sports, have an education background, worked with business executives for the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) for seven years and I was an executive assistant for 16 years.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I am running for this position because I believe in the programs that Parks and Recreations offer. I want to be a part of the solution in conjunction with our island community, to find a way to keep these programs running. They are vital to our youth and the community. I have a strong passion for children and the programs that help guide them into becoming quality citizens.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: I have a certificate in Early Childhood Education and have been substitute teaching at the Orcas Island School District for the past three years. My husband, two daughters and I have lived in Olga for the past four years. I enjoy all sports, reading, running, hiking and family time.
Eastsound Sewer and Water Commissioner #3
Harvey Aldort
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the sewer and water district?
A: Upgrading the plant now while costs are extremely low is the prudent thing to do. Annexation of Rosario water as the District promised to do. Connect failing septics when legal. Restructuring the rates because they are inequitable.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: I will use my business experience to effectively handle these matters in the most cost effective way possible. I am an expert at holding down costs.
Q: How do you see the district expanding as the population grows (in regards to the UGA)?
A: The Growth Management Act prohibits expansion outside the UGA period. When the plant is upgraded the District will be able to handle all natural growth quite likely forever.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I have been actively involved in dealing with the Sewer District for more than 12 years. I have spent many thousands of dollars for hookups. I am a landlord whose tenants receive seven sewer bills every month. I also live in the newly annexed Rosario water district. More than ever I am understandably concerned about the smooth functioning of the District and am uniquely qualified to handle all issues and see to it that the district functions smoothly, giving the rate payers and myself the most bang for our buck.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: I am a late father with a son in college and two prodigy musicians at home, (Lennon 19 and Oliver 16 in a week). I am a news junky. I have no TV and get my news from NPR on the radio. I also follow numerous sites online. I am an avid follower of decent movies, however my wife, Naomi, (a writer and psychologist) and my son, Lennon, would disagree about my use of the term “decent.” I live at 800 feet overlooking the Youngrens’ forest as it drops away in front of me. If I never had to leave home again it would be fine with me.
Gregory M. Ayers
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the sewer and water district?
A: Through attending ESWD Board meetings, reviewing documents, and speaking to residents, I conclude that the biggest challenge is to find additional cost-effective plans to help residents hook up to the system.
Q: What are your ideas for overcoming this challenge?
A: ESWD currently allows low-income homeowners to defer hook-up fees; this creative thinking must continue. I believe the ESWD should have two groups, which would include community members, to explore potential solutions to promote usage. One would evaluate cost-effectiveness and affordability of service, and the second would identify the other issues and potential solutions to promote hook-ups.
Q: How do you see the district expanding as the population grows (in regards to the UGA)?
A: The UGA creates two community needs for the ESWD to manage: (1) sewer expansion and increased hook-up within the UGA, as required under the GMA; (2) planning for expansion outside the UGA, where some services currently exist. The ESWD must prepare specific plans to expand sewer service if any UGA expansion occurs. The District must have a well-conceived and continually improved plan for expansion. While the plant is now operating at about 65 percent capacity and may be able to handle the entire UGA today, we must look at the potential need to expand the facility, including the complexities of locations for physical expansions and adopting new technologies to increase efficiency.
Q: What experience or expertise do you bring to the board? Why are you running for this position?
A: As an engineer, physician and businessman, I understand the technical issues, the public health consequences of inadequate wastewater management, and the need for affordable service. My goal for serving the community is finding opportunities where I can assist in evaluating multiple needs and requirements and in finding effective solutions. I am a resident of the ESWD and have a vested interest. I plan to bring my skills and experience to the ESWD to develop logical, problem-solving processes for managing issues of public health and technology.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your interests.
A: I spent the past 18 years managing biotechnology start-up companies that provide new devices and drugs to extend or improve patients’ lives. After moving to Orcas three years ago, I became an active citizen of our community. I serve on the board of the Orcas Medical Center Foundation, participate in the Actors Theater, and participate in Kiwanis activities. My wife Pat and I are building a house on Buck Mountain.
