Letters?to the?editor
Published 12:07 pm Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Windermere agents beautify school grounds
On behalf of the staff, students, and families of our students I want to thank the Windermere staff members who worked for hours on Wednesday, June 11 on the landscaping around our high school. Thanks to their efforts, the plantings looked beautiful for graduation on Saturday.
The Windermere agents, Michael Whellams, Cassandra Whellams, Stu Stephens, Patsy Stephens, Mariah Buck, Gwyneth Burrill, Peter Drape, Dave Douglass, Jim Murrey, Wally Gudgell, Laura Hasselman, Victoria Shaner, Harvey Olsan, Jan Zahner, Jaylin Peacock joined staff member Phil Branch and wonderful landscaper Robin Kucklick as they worked that afternoon.
Their work was admired by many of the members of our community who were able to attend the Orcas Island High School Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 14. Thank you Windermere agents!
Sincerely,
Barbara Kline
Principal
Linde earns widespread respect
I would like to voice my support for retaining John Linde as superior court judge. Judge Linde and I have lived here for about the same amount of time. Judge Linde and I come from distinctly different sides of the political arena. With all this history I am absolutely comfortable that Judge Linde is the best choice by a substantial margin.
Judge Linde has demonstrated expertise in the management skills necessary to operation of his “Department.” All of his years in private practice and continuous re-election as District Court Judge provide ample demonstration of his managerial skill. This management skill and understanding of the law will not lead him to propose costly and illegal venue adventures such as those proposed by his opponent.
In the course of my residence here I have had quite a few occasions to use the services of the legal industry. I have used a variety of counsel in these situations. I have yet to meet a legal professional who does not speak very respectfully of Judge Linde’s professional management of the District Court.
Law and Justice expenses in San Juan County are almost a runaway expense. We desperately need Judge Linde’s managerial expertise to keep these costs down as much as possible while still providing quality in this most essential service of our governance structure.
Our Governor, being the ex Attorney General, has all of the qualifications to do a quality job of selecting San Juan County’s first Superior Court Judge. There is a reason why Governor Gregoire chose Judge Linde. I’m proud to support Judge Linde and to urge all of you to do your homework as you make this most important decision.
Superior Court is the primary venue where the disputes of society get their hearing and resolution. Judges are the embodiment of the third leg of the governance tripod that provides the system of law that allows our orderly society to exist. We must make the absolute best choice and that choice is Judge John Linde.
I am proud to volunteer on his committee!
Thank you,
Jim Slocomb
Friday Harbor
Water Committee thanked
On behalf of the members of the Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA) I would like to thank the members of the Eastsound Water Supply Coordinating Committee for their two years of dedicated volunteer work in creating the Eastsound Water Supply Report. The report was recently reviewed and approved by the SJC Board of Health, Water Resources Planning Committee and the SJC Council.
The committee members included Bob Eagan, Guliver Rankin, Lisa Byers, Mike Stolmeier, Perry Pruett, Matt Zybas and Paul Kamin, and was ably coordinated by Vicki Heater from the SJC Health Department.
The planning process’ accomplishments included important recommendations concerning the interaction between stormwater management and aquifer recharge protection. The grant-funded groundwater monitoring network that has been installed through this process will provide valuable information about the area’s aquifer capacity and contamination threats. This information will be key to planning future system growth, and groundwater protection policies.
The plan also provides a commitment that EWUA will be the primary water purveyor in the Eastsound region. This assurance is key to EWUA being able to appropriately plan and fund system capacity to correspond with the anticipated demand, and to protect the community’s senior water rights.
The approved Eastsound Water Supply Report is available on the San Juan County website at www.sanjuanco.com/health/docs/ehswrm/3-08_Eastsound_Water_Supply_Report.pdf –
Paul Kamin
EWUA General Manager
To Rant or
not to Rant….
That is the question. For anyone who reads the Seattle Times, on Sundays there is a small section called Rant & Rave. People write in to either criticize or commend other peoples’ actions. I enjoy reading this section as I find it interesting as to what is going on in the ‘big city’. So, it is with that section in mind that I am writing. I would rather be doing a Rave, but alas, I have a Rant. I showed up to work on Friday, June 20, to find my large flower pot in front of the Chamber of Commerce had been stolen. Now, it can be replaced, and maybe it was just a kid prank, but I put it out there knowing that it would not be taken because I live on Orcas Island not in Seattle. Honestly, that is what I told myself when I planted it and brought it to work. I just wanted some color and pretty flowers to look at out our door, you know, kind of “sprucing up” the place. How naive I was! I’m hoping that whoever took it is at least enjoying it on their deck and that it didn’t get destroyed if it was a prank. I’d have been happy to plant a pot of flowers for you vs. having my flowers “ripped off’.” I’m really disappointed. I guess it’s just the principle of the thing. Hopefully next time I’ll have something to Rave about.
Terri Gilleland
Administrative Assistant, Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce
Grad-Night 2008
This year’s Grad Night at the Funhouse marks the seventh year that this incredible all-night drug and alcohol-free event for OHS graduating seniors has taken place. A great time was had by all.
Grad Night was made possible by the generous time, effort and donations of so many. We would like to thank Darlene Pohl and Pete Moe of The Funhouse, Craig Canine, Jerry Schmidt, Justin Paulsen, Bob Phalen, Moriah Armstrong, Cassandra Whellams, Melinda Milligan, Kevin O’Brien, Shannon O’Brien, Brett Thurman, Soozie Shipman, Owl, Tona Armstrong, Sarah Mosher, Martin Taylor, Bill Wulff, Mark Padbury, KT, Pam Loew, Rick and Theresa Boucher, Julie Pinardi, Marcia Gillingham, Mary Gropp, Penny Sky, Anita Holladay, Lori Gallo, Kathi Ciskowski, Phil Branch, Helen Hale, Jean Henigson, Mary Kisko, Ann Sanchez, and Julie Remington, Island Hardware and Supply, Orcas Home Central, Island Excavators, Country Corner, Ray’s Pharmacy, Annette Deon of Salon Mir Toi, Suzi Phillips of Suzi’s Barbershop, Island Market, Moon Glow Arts and Crafts, Darvills Book Store, Orcas Net, and Orcas Excavators.
Thank you,
Nancy Schmidt, Betty Corbett, Suzi Rose, Bonnie Bossler, Molly Cox, Dick and Debra Hansen, Jeni Sanders, Nancy Brown, Tony and Janis Ghazel
2008 Grad Night Committee
Farmers’ Market Julie Miller says goodbye
The first annual Farmers’ Market Fundraiser took place last Sunday, June 15 and it was a whopping success. To those who missed it, it was a great party. Of course, our greatest appreciation goes to the people of the community who supported the event as well as those who support the Market so loyally each season. The reason for the event, other than to showcase our incredible farmers and artisans, was to raise funds to help off-set Parks Dept. fees for the annual rental of the Village Green so that vendor fees can remain stable or lower in the future as well as the many other administration costs. From your generous contributions, we took in a little over $5,000. Thank you!
No event can be so successful without an abundance of volunteer help and we had great ones. Our new Market Manager, Melloni Bertoletto, chaired the event with help from Brenda and Erica from Black Dog Farm, Jill Curtiss, Rick Hughes and Lisa Murphy (former market baker). The fabulous buffet dinner was created and cooked by Anthony Echerson with food donated by our farmers and Coffelt lamb.
Doing absolutely everything else were the awesome interns from Maple Rock Farm. The hall was transformed into the sweet backyard of a farm with vintage tablecloths and plants and trees. Neighbors and friends gathered together as they so often do at the market and bid on items from the silent auction. A good time was had by all. Don’t miss next year’s event!
As for me, Victor and I are leaving for Colorado today and are looking forward to returning to the island after our family obligations are fulfilled. We will miss you all terribly, our farm and the wonderful, kind and generous community of good friends we have come to appreciate over the years. More than anything, I have loved my seven years managing the Farmers’ Market and watching it grow into a major community event. Our vendors are exceptional people with whom to work and as you might have noticed, we have a lot of fun while we’re there. The quality of the products emanating from this little market is extraordinary and the presence of farmers has increased awareness of how precious our agricultural land is in these islands. Thank you dear Orcasites for all the lovely days of seeing you at the market. Please continue to be present and support local farmers and entrepreneurs and be nice to Melloni, who has become a very competent and enthusiastic manager. Keep in touch and we’ll see you soon.
Julie Miller
Former Farmers’ Market Manager
