Many of you know that I am passionate about recycling and the need for siting of Essential Public Facilities. I can attest to the fact that over the last 4 years, Bob Jarman has been the only Council member to agree to meet with me on these two issues, and to publicly support Community Treasures’ activities. Last month I organized a public meeting to discuss the future of Community Treasures and its being at a crossroad. Watch here. The questions and answers are posted on youtube as well. I invited Bob Jarman and Bill Watson to that public meeting via email. Bob Jarman was the only Council member to show up and speak in support of CT. I hope Bill Watson will, at some point, see the value of CT, and speak out in favor of CT. Months earlier when I asked Rick Hughes to meet with me on the topic, he wrote back, “I don’t think it is a good idea to meet.” When I wrote back listing the Essential Public Facility issues and reasons to meet, he refused to reply. When I challenged Hughes about not meeting with me on a ferry ride to Lopez, his reply was that he was not going to support me.

These are troubling times when Council members and those running for office will not stand up in support of recycling and the needs of Essential Public Facilities.

Frank M. Penwell

San Juan Island