Topic: Government
Ten Reasons Why
Written on June 7, 2016 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Town of Friday Harbor has a vacancy on the Historic Preservation Review Board and here are Ten Reasons Why you should serve: You love old buildings and local history. You live on San Juan Island (bonus points if you live in Friday Harbor)! You understand that preserving historic buildings is the original sustainable “green” building Continue Reading
Town Seeks Grant Proposals
Written on June 1, 2016 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
Town seeks proposals for allocation of Lodging Tax grant funds to promote 2017 tourism The Town of Friday Harbor’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is accepting applications for grants to fund tourism promotion. The promotions must be for events and activities specifically intended to promote tourism within the Town in 2017. Preference will be given Continue Reading
San Juan County Parks Drone Policy In Effect
Written on May 29, 2016 at 5:34 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County has adopted an Unmanned Aircraft System (“drone”) policy for County parks and the fairgrounds. Beginning on February 2, 2016, the launching, landing, or operating of unmanned aircraft systems from or on all San Juan County Parks & Fairgrounds property is prohibited, unless authorized by special permit issued by the Parks & Fair Continue Reading
Footprint Review
Written on May 28, 2016 at 10:30 am, by Tim Dustrude
The County invites you to play along and contribute to the accuracy of their maps… For hundreds of years, humans have used maps for navigating to new worlds, charting unknown locations and recording histories. Today, the county uses building footprints in maps for dispatching emergency responders, planning land use designations, appraising property values and designing Continue Reading
How Are We Doing?
Written on May 28, 2016 at 10:29 am, by Tim Dustrude
A quarterly review of County Finances by County Auditor F. Milene Henley First quarter 2016 If you’ve ever wanted to be a plumber, now’s the time. Judging from the number of radio ads I’ve heard recently for plumbers, HVAC technicians, and other tradesmen, business is booming. That’s good news, and it’s evident in retail sales Continue Reading
From the Mailbag…
Written on May 26, 2016 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Michelle Loftus writes in to share this news with you… Judah Finney Elected as Delegate to National Republican Convention Judah Finney, San Juan County Republican State Committee Man, was elected as an Alternate Delegate to the National Republican Convention in Cleveland, Ohio this upcoming July. Judah, raised on San Juan Island, has represented San County Continue Reading
Goodbye Rachel!
Written on May 24, 2016 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
On Monday morning the County Council recognized Rachel Dietzman, County Engineer, upon the occasion of her retirement.
From the Update Mailbag
Written on May 18, 2016 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Let’s see what’s in the ol’ Update mailbag today – here’s a letter from Judah Finney… This goes out to those Republican voters who were going to vote for Ted Cruz in the upcoming Primary, but are now thinking that, since he suspended his campaign, your vote is meaningless. So you’re just going to let Continue Reading
FAC Public Forum
Written on May 17, 2016 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee will be holding a public forum on Monday May 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the County Council meeting room at 55 Second St, Friday Harbor. The FAC is a volunteer committee appointed by the county council to provide a liaison with Washington State Ferries, and provide Continue Reading
County Auditor of the Year
Written on May 16, 2016 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
Just heard some good news from the County… Congratulations to San Juan County Auditor Milene Henley, who received the honor of “County Auditor of the Year” at the Washington State Association of County Auditors annual meeting. Milene was presented with this prestigious award by Secretary of State Kim Wyman. Congratulations Milene!
County Adds Electric Vehicles to Fleet
Written on May 13, 2016 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Council approved funding for the purchase of 2 new electric vehicles and charging stations at its May 10th regular meeting. The purchase is part of a concerted County effort to replace older gas or diesel powered vehicles in its fleet with new electric technology. “We purchased 2 electric utility vehicles for our Continue Reading
Letter from Diane Martindale
Written on May 11, 2016 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Dear Editor, You may be perplexed over what Washington’s May 24 Democratic Presidential Primary means, especially if you participated in the March 26 Democratic precinct caucuses. But I encourage you to vote! The media will report the results of the Washington State Republican primary on May 24, as they use the primary results to assign delegates Continue Reading
Voting the Presidential Primary
Written on May 10, 2016 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
This is the fifth in a series of articles about elections in Washington State by San Juan County Auditor F. Milene Henley. The County Auditor administers elections and voter registration in the County. Ballots for Washington’s May 24 Presidential Primary will arrive in your mailbox soon. The Presidential Primary is different from every other Washington Continue Reading
Rachel Dietzman to Retire
Written on May 9, 2016 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Rachel Dietzman will retire June 3 after 9-1/2 years at County Public Works (five as County Engineer). She worked in the private sector before joining Public Works, and says at that time she “thought government work would be easy. I imagined the job would give me an opportunity for research and training and learning skills Continue Reading
Clearest Drinking Water
Written on May 9, 2016 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
>> Update – the time has been moved up to 11:00 for this award presentation << Town to receive Department of Health award for top water quality in the state The Town of Friday Harbor is receiving top honors for providing some of the clearest drinking water in the state for three consecutive years. The Continue Reading
$19 million in Economic Benefits
Written on May 6, 2016 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Tourism to San Juan Island National Historical Park creates Over $19 million in Economic Benefits Report shows visitor spending supports 198 jobs in local economy A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 258,668 visitors to San Juan Island National Historical Park (NHP) in 2015 spent $14,811,700 in communities near the park. That spending Continue Reading
Primary Election Notes
Written on May 5, 2016 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
Attention Voters, The May 24, 2016, Presidential Primary ballots were mailed to military and overseas voters on April 8th. The remainder of ballots was mailed Tuesday, May 3rd. Voting a Presidential Primary ballot is a bit different than other elections so be sure to read all instructions before marking your ballot. You can learn when Continue Reading
Deadline Monday for Sunken Park Poetry Contest
Written on May 2, 2016 at 10:01 am, by Tim Dustrude
Town of Friday Harbor Arts Commission sponsors poetry contest Local writers are invited to submit poems inspired by the natural beauty of San Juan Island for the Sunken Park Poetry Contest sponsored by the Friday Harbor Arts Commission. The winner will read the selected poem at the unveiling of a Town of Friday Harbor mural Continue Reading
FHFF Presents: Unbranded
Written on April 30, 2016 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Friday Harbor Film Festival Winter Series: Audience Choice Presents: Unbranded Directed by Phil Baribeau, Unbranded is an in-between-college-and-real-life adventure that makes the case for better land and wild horse management. After adopting a group of wild mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management, a small group of recent college grads decide to live out their Continue Reading
Board Sets EMS Levy
Written on April 29, 2016 at 5:56 am, by Tim Dustrude
As expected, the public hospital district board voted Wednesday evening to submit a 50 cents per thousand EMS (Emergency Medical Services) levy to the voters at the August 2 election. The vote to do so was unanimous. Vividly aware that two previous levies have failed, board members vowed to pare the budget as much as Continue Reading
Let’s Talk Tourism
Written on April 29, 2016 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
The following is a Guest Editorial by Barbara Marrett of the visitor’s bureau… The first week in May is National Travel & Tourism Week, created to champion the power of travel to enhance communities across the country by contributing to the local economy and overall quality of life. In the past, I’ve used this opportunity Continue Reading
Town Construction Update
Written on April 27, 2016 at 4:42 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Spring Street Utility Replacement Project Construction Update April 27, 2016 This is a construction update from the town on what to expect today through the remainder of the week… The Spring Street Utility Replacement Project has reached its final phase. The majority of sidewalk repairs are complete, utilities are connected from the new main to individual Continue Reading
Ten Reasons Why
Written on June 7, 2016 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Town of Friday Harbor has a vacancy on the Historic Preservation Review Board and here are Ten Reasons Why you should serve: You love old buildings and local history. You live on San Juan Island (bonus points if you live in Friday Harbor)! You understand that preserving historic buildings is the original sustainable “green” building Continue Reading
Town Seeks Grant Proposals
Written on June 1, 2016 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
Town seeks proposals for allocation of Lodging Tax grant funds to promote 2017 tourism The Town of Friday Harbor’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is accepting applications for grants to fund tourism promotion. The promotions must be for events and activities specifically intended to promote tourism within the Town in 2017. Preference will be given Continue Reading
San Juan County Parks Drone Policy In Effect
Written on May 29, 2016 at 5:34 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County has adopted an Unmanned Aircraft System (“drone”) policy for County parks and the fairgrounds. Beginning on February 2, 2016, the launching, landing, or operating of unmanned aircraft systems from or on all San Juan County Parks & Fairgrounds property is prohibited, unless authorized by special permit issued by the Parks & Fair Continue Reading
Footprint Review
Written on May 28, 2016 at 10:30 am, by Tim Dustrude
The County invites you to play along and contribute to the accuracy of their maps… For hundreds of years, humans have used maps for navigating to new worlds, charting unknown locations and recording histories. Today, the county uses building footprints in maps for dispatching emergency responders, planning land use designations, appraising property values and designing Continue Reading
How Are We Doing?
Written on May 28, 2016 at 10:29 am, by Tim Dustrude
A quarterly review of County Finances by County Auditor F. Milene Henley First quarter 2016 If you’ve ever wanted to be a plumber, now’s the time. Judging from the number of radio ads I’ve heard recently for plumbers, HVAC technicians, and other tradesmen, business is booming. That’s good news, and it’s evident in retail sales Continue Reading
From the Mailbag…
Written on May 26, 2016 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Michelle Loftus writes in to share this news with you… Judah Finney Elected as Delegate to National Republican Convention Judah Finney, San Juan County Republican State Committee Man, was elected as an Alternate Delegate to the National Republican Convention in Cleveland, Ohio this upcoming July. Judah, raised on San Juan Island, has represented San County Continue Reading
Goodbye Rachel!
Written on May 24, 2016 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
On Monday morning the County Council recognized Rachel Dietzman, County Engineer, upon the occasion of her retirement.
From the Update Mailbag
Written on May 18, 2016 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Let’s see what’s in the ol’ Update mailbag today – here’s a letter from Judah Finney… This goes out to those Republican voters who were going to vote for Ted Cruz in the upcoming Primary, but are now thinking that, since he suspended his campaign, your vote is meaningless. So you’re just going to let Continue Reading
FAC Public Forum
Written on May 17, 2016 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee will be holding a public forum on Monday May 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the County Council meeting room at 55 Second St, Friday Harbor. The FAC is a volunteer committee appointed by the county council to provide a liaison with Washington State Ferries, and provide Continue Reading
County Auditor of the Year
Written on May 16, 2016 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
Just heard some good news from the County… Congratulations to San Juan County Auditor Milene Henley, who received the honor of “County Auditor of the Year” at the Washington State Association of County Auditors annual meeting. Milene was presented with this prestigious award by Secretary of State Kim Wyman. Congratulations Milene!
County Adds Electric Vehicles to Fleet
Written on May 13, 2016 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Council approved funding for the purchase of 2 new electric vehicles and charging stations at its May 10th regular meeting. The purchase is part of a concerted County effort to replace older gas or diesel powered vehicles in its fleet with new electric technology. “We purchased 2 electric utility vehicles for our Continue Reading
Letter from Diane Martindale
Written on May 11, 2016 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Dear Editor, You may be perplexed over what Washington’s May 24 Democratic Presidential Primary means, especially if you participated in the March 26 Democratic precinct caucuses. But I encourage you to vote! The media will report the results of the Washington State Republican primary on May 24, as they use the primary results to assign delegates Continue Reading
Voting the Presidential Primary
Written on May 10, 2016 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
This is the fifth in a series of articles about elections in Washington State by San Juan County Auditor F. Milene Henley. The County Auditor administers elections and voter registration in the County. Ballots for Washington’s May 24 Presidential Primary will arrive in your mailbox soon. The Presidential Primary is different from every other Washington Continue Reading
Rachel Dietzman to Retire
Written on May 9, 2016 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Rachel Dietzman will retire June 3 after 9-1/2 years at County Public Works (five as County Engineer). She worked in the private sector before joining Public Works, and says at that time she “thought government work would be easy. I imagined the job would give me an opportunity for research and training and learning skills Continue Reading
Clearest Drinking Water
Written on May 9, 2016 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
>> Update – the time has been moved up to 11:00 for this award presentation << Town to receive Department of Health award for top water quality in the state The Town of Friday Harbor is receiving top honors for providing some of the clearest drinking water in the state for three consecutive years. The Continue Reading
$19 million in Economic Benefits
Written on May 6, 2016 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Tourism to San Juan Island National Historical Park creates Over $19 million in Economic Benefits Report shows visitor spending supports 198 jobs in local economy A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 258,668 visitors to San Juan Island National Historical Park (NHP) in 2015 spent $14,811,700 in communities near the park. That spending Continue Reading
Primary Election Notes
Written on May 5, 2016 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
Attention Voters, The May 24, 2016, Presidential Primary ballots were mailed to military and overseas voters on April 8th. The remainder of ballots was mailed Tuesday, May 3rd. Voting a Presidential Primary ballot is a bit different than other elections so be sure to read all instructions before marking your ballot. You can learn when Continue Reading
Deadline Monday for Sunken Park Poetry Contest
Written on May 2, 2016 at 10:01 am, by Tim Dustrude
Town of Friday Harbor Arts Commission sponsors poetry contest Local writers are invited to submit poems inspired by the natural beauty of San Juan Island for the Sunken Park Poetry Contest sponsored by the Friday Harbor Arts Commission. The winner will read the selected poem at the unveiling of a Town of Friday Harbor mural Continue Reading
FHFF Presents: Unbranded
Written on April 30, 2016 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Friday Harbor Film Festival Winter Series: Audience Choice Presents: Unbranded Directed by Phil Baribeau, Unbranded is an in-between-college-and-real-life adventure that makes the case for better land and wild horse management. After adopting a group of wild mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management, a small group of recent college grads decide to live out their Continue Reading
Board Sets EMS Levy
Written on April 29, 2016 at 5:56 am, by Tim Dustrude
As expected, the public hospital district board voted Wednesday evening to submit a 50 cents per thousand EMS (Emergency Medical Services) levy to the voters at the August 2 election. The vote to do so was unanimous. Vividly aware that two previous levies have failed, board members vowed to pare the budget as much as Continue Reading
Let’s Talk Tourism
Written on April 29, 2016 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
The following is a Guest Editorial by Barbara Marrett of the visitor’s bureau… The first week in May is National Travel & Tourism Week, created to champion the power of travel to enhance communities across the country by contributing to the local economy and overall quality of life. In the past, I’ve used this opportunity Continue Reading
Town Construction Update
Written on April 27, 2016 at 4:42 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Spring Street Utility Replacement Project Construction Update April 27, 2016 This is a construction update from the town on what to expect today through the remainder of the week… The Spring Street Utility Replacement Project has reached its final phase. The majority of sidewalk repairs are complete, utilities are connected from the new main to individual Continue Reading