Topic: Government
San Juan County Homeless Count Declines
Written on March 12, 2018 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
The 2018 San Juan County “Point-In Time” (PIT) Homeless Count identified 120 people who have no stable place to live, a decrease from the 2017 count of 154.The decrease can be attributed to success in placing families into housing by local service providers, as well as changing definitions of homelessness at the State level. The Continue Reading
Washington State United Against Oil Spills and Fish Spills
Written on March 10, 2018 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
The passage of SB 6269 marks another critical step forward to increase Washington state oil transportation safety. Similarly, the phase out of Atlantic salmon net pens in Washington received significant bi-partisan support. These bills represent a victory for Washington state and the Salish Sea. It is a call to decision makers in Washington and British Continue Reading
Visitor Survey Findings now Available
Written on March 10, 2018 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
In late February 2018, consultants with Confluence Research and Consulting shared their findings from the 2017 surveys at a series of public presentations. We’d like to extend our thanks to all who participated in this process. It was delightful to see so many interested citizens attend these presentations. Those results are now available at http://www.sanjuanco.com/1391/San-Juan-Islands-Visitor-Study.
Vacation Rental Code Amendment Hearing
Written on March 10, 2018 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
The public hearing will be held in the Council Hearing Room at 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor, Washington on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 beginning at 9:15 AM. The proposed amendments to the vacation rental regulations would require all vacation rentals to have a property management plan, have a contact person located on the island Continue Reading
In Support of School Levy
Written on March 9, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Dear Editor, We encourage all eligible voters to join us and vote YES for our children, schools, and community in the upcoming election on April 24th. The renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (formerly the M&O) Levy will help ensure that our students continue to receive a first-rate education in Friday Harbor. Island voters Continue Reading
Comments Sought on Mount Grant Preserve DRAFT Management Plan
Written on March 8, 2018 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Land Bank is inviting public comment on the Mount Grant Preserve DRAFT Management Plan and will hold a public meeting on Monday, March 26th at Brickworks from 5:30 to 6:30pm. We value public input in helping guide the long term care of our County’s conservation areas. This meeting is a great opportunity to learn Continue Reading
County Positions Open
Written on March 8, 2018 at 5:39 am, by Tim Dustrude
The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Information about each committee is available on the County’s website at: http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies. Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council Office Continue Reading
Letter from Deb Langhans
Written on March 7, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s what’s in the SJ Update mailbag this morning… Greetings, Friends & Fellow Community Members, I’ve just learned about plans to rezone our old convalescent center into commercial property so pending buyers can replace it with a hotel. If you believe that providing for our local community’s needs–present & future—should take precedence over accommodating more Continue Reading
Planning Commission Briefing: Vision Statement
Written on March 5, 2018 at 5:35 am, by Tim Dustrude
On March 16, 2018 Community Development Staff will brief the Planning Commission on the second draft of proposed Vision amendments. The meeting will take place in the County Council hearing room. The public will have the opportunity to provide comments on the second draft at this briefing. Proposed amendments were first discussed at the January Continue Reading
Logic and Accuracy Test
Written on March 2, 2018 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Vote counting equipment testing March 14 at 11 am In the upcoming April 24 Special Election, voters on Orcas Island will decide whether to approve a proposed hospital district. Also on the ballot will be the election of five hospital commissioners, who will take office only if the hospital district proposition passes. Voters on San Continue Reading
Civic Campus Survey
Written on March 2, 2018 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Take the San Juan County Civic Campus Plan Community Survey! San Juan County is exploring options to centralize and streamline government operations in an efficient and community-centered Civic Campus located near the courthouse in Friday Harbor. As County services have grown over the past decades, staff and operations have become spread across many buildings around Continue Reading
Position Opening on Historic Preservation Review Board
Written on March 1, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Is every old building worth saving? Not always. However, by preserving some, we protect the visual fabric of our community’s character. By carefully rehabilitating buildings in a way that honors the original ubiquitous building style of their day, we preserve some of the architectural story that gives our community its authentic sense of place. With Continue Reading
Civic Campus Planning Project
Written on February 21, 2018 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County’s Civic Campus Planning Project Over the years, the County has been looking towards a new Civic Campus to bring specific departments together in an effort to increase efficiencies, reduce operating costs, and provide better service to County residents. A new Campus could also provide increased inside and outside spaces for community use. Continue Reading
San Juan Islands Visitor Study
Written on February 20, 2018 at 5:34 am, by Tim Dustrude
Local, state, and federal agencies that manage lands or recreation facilities in the San Juan Islands sponsored a study in 2017 to collect better information about use, impacts, visitors, and preferences for management. The study addresses several questions related to San Juan Islands tourism, public lands, and recreation areas. The goal is to describe visitor Continue Reading
League of Women Voters to Meet
Written on February 8, 2018 at 5:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
“Now is the TIME for Advocacy and Action” is the topic of the League of Women Voters meeting February 12 at 12:30 pm in the San Juan Island Library meeting room. Geared especially to those members who are new to League Advocacy as well as information for all members on what and how to take action, Continue Reading
WSDOT Open House at Brickworks
Written on February 1, 2018 at 12:38 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Spring highway construction will affect San Juan Islands and north Whidbey Island vacationers A large Connecting Washington project will cause delays on Highway 20, just east of Anacortes from early April into July. WSDOT contractor crews from Tapani, Inc. will build two new roundabouts in the area of SR 20 and the SR 20 Spur Continue Reading
SJC PHD
Written on January 29, 2018 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 is soliciting applications for Position 3 and Position 5 Board of Commissioners through February 7, 2018. Please submit your Letter of Interest and your CV to the District Superintendent, Pamela Hutchins, at hutchins@sjcphd1.org. You can call (360) 378-2857 (District Office) for additional information if necessary. A Special Continue Reading
Force Protection and Security Exercise
Written on January 29, 2018 at 5:35 am, by Tim Dustrude
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, along with Commander Navy Region Northwest and other Navy bases in the Puget Sound and Seattle area will participate in an annual security readiness exercise, Solid Curtain – Citadel Shield (SC-CS18), from January 29 through February. 9, 2018. During the SC-CS18 exercise, installation personnel and the surrounding local area community Continue Reading
Women’s March
Written on January 27, 2018 at 5:54 am, by Tim Dustrude
In addition to the photos she shared after last week’s Women’s March, Liza Michaelson has now also shared this video. Click on it and see who all you recognize.
SJIFD Banquet and Awards
Written on January 25, 2018 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Island Fire Department celebrated another year of service at their annual banquet at Downriggers, Saturday, January 20. As part of the festivities, Chief Brad Creesy presented many members with awards and recognition for their dedication to the department. Among the awards (left to right in picture): Assistant Chief Noel Monin for 20 Continue Reading
Town Seeks Board Members
Written on January 25, 2018 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Town of Friday Harbor is looking for two people to fill immediate vacancies on the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). The best candidates are people who appreciate Friday Harbor’s history and historic sites, and are willing to attend two meetings a month to help preserve Friday Harbor’s rural character. At least one of the Continue Reading
Overnight Tsunami Watch…And Wait
Written on January 24, 2018 at 5:53 am, by Tim Dustrude
This article was shared by Dave Holloran of the SJC Department of Emergency Management… If you are like me, you woke up in the early morning hours yesterday to a phone call, text or other notification of a potential tsunami stemming from the 7.9 magnitude earthquake in the Gulf of Alaska. A flurry of activity Continue Reading
San Juan County Homeless Count Declines
Written on March 12, 2018 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
The 2018 San Juan County “Point-In Time” (PIT) Homeless Count identified 120 people who have no stable place to live, a decrease from the 2017 count of 154.The decrease can be attributed to success in placing families into housing by local service providers, as well as changing definitions of homelessness at the State level. The Continue Reading
Washington State United Against Oil Spills and Fish Spills
Written on March 10, 2018 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
The passage of SB 6269 marks another critical step forward to increase Washington state oil transportation safety. Similarly, the phase out of Atlantic salmon net pens in Washington received significant bi-partisan support. These bills represent a victory for Washington state and the Salish Sea. It is a call to decision makers in Washington and British Continue Reading
Visitor Survey Findings now Available
Written on March 10, 2018 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
In late February 2018, consultants with Confluence Research and Consulting shared their findings from the 2017 surveys at a series of public presentations. We’d like to extend our thanks to all who participated in this process. It was delightful to see so many interested citizens attend these presentations. Those results are now available at http://www.sanjuanco.com/1391/San-Juan-Islands-Visitor-Study.
Vacation Rental Code Amendment Hearing
Written on March 10, 2018 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
The public hearing will be held in the Council Hearing Room at 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor, Washington on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 beginning at 9:15 AM. The proposed amendments to the vacation rental regulations would require all vacation rentals to have a property management plan, have a contact person located on the island Continue Reading
In Support of School Levy
Written on March 9, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Dear Editor, We encourage all eligible voters to join us and vote YES for our children, schools, and community in the upcoming election on April 24th. The renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (formerly the M&O) Levy will help ensure that our students continue to receive a first-rate education in Friday Harbor. Island voters Continue Reading
Comments Sought on Mount Grant Preserve DRAFT Management Plan
Written on March 8, 2018 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Land Bank is inviting public comment on the Mount Grant Preserve DRAFT Management Plan and will hold a public meeting on Monday, March 26th at Brickworks from 5:30 to 6:30pm. We value public input in helping guide the long term care of our County’s conservation areas. This meeting is a great opportunity to learn Continue Reading
County Positions Open
Written on March 8, 2018 at 5:39 am, by Tim Dustrude
The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Information about each committee is available on the County’s website at: http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies. Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council Office Continue Reading
Letter from Deb Langhans
Written on March 7, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s what’s in the SJ Update mailbag this morning… Greetings, Friends & Fellow Community Members, I’ve just learned about plans to rezone our old convalescent center into commercial property so pending buyers can replace it with a hotel. If you believe that providing for our local community’s needs–present & future—should take precedence over accommodating more Continue Reading
Planning Commission Briefing: Vision Statement
Written on March 5, 2018 at 5:35 am, by Tim Dustrude
On March 16, 2018 Community Development Staff will brief the Planning Commission on the second draft of proposed Vision amendments. The meeting will take place in the County Council hearing room. The public will have the opportunity to provide comments on the second draft at this briefing. Proposed amendments were first discussed at the January Continue Reading
Logic and Accuracy Test
Written on March 2, 2018 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Vote counting equipment testing March 14 at 11 am In the upcoming April 24 Special Election, voters on Orcas Island will decide whether to approve a proposed hospital district. Also on the ballot will be the election of five hospital commissioners, who will take office only if the hospital district proposition passes. Voters on San Continue Reading
Civic Campus Survey
Written on March 2, 2018 at 5:37 am, by Tim Dustrude
Take the San Juan County Civic Campus Plan Community Survey! San Juan County is exploring options to centralize and streamline government operations in an efficient and community-centered Civic Campus located near the courthouse in Friday Harbor. As County services have grown over the past decades, staff and operations have become spread across many buildings around Continue Reading
Position Opening on Historic Preservation Review Board
Written on March 1, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Is every old building worth saving? Not always. However, by preserving some, we protect the visual fabric of our community’s character. By carefully rehabilitating buildings in a way that honors the original ubiquitous building style of their day, we preserve some of the architectural story that gives our community its authentic sense of place. With Continue Reading
Civic Campus Planning Project
Written on February 21, 2018 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County’s Civic Campus Planning Project Over the years, the County has been looking towards a new Civic Campus to bring specific departments together in an effort to increase efficiencies, reduce operating costs, and provide better service to County residents. A new Campus could also provide increased inside and outside spaces for community use. Continue Reading
San Juan Islands Visitor Study
Written on February 20, 2018 at 5:34 am, by Tim Dustrude
Local, state, and federal agencies that manage lands or recreation facilities in the San Juan Islands sponsored a study in 2017 to collect better information about use, impacts, visitors, and preferences for management. The study addresses several questions related to San Juan Islands tourism, public lands, and recreation areas. The goal is to describe visitor Continue Reading
League of Women Voters to Meet
Written on February 8, 2018 at 5:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
“Now is the TIME for Advocacy and Action” is the topic of the League of Women Voters meeting February 12 at 12:30 pm in the San Juan Island Library meeting room. Geared especially to those members who are new to League Advocacy as well as information for all members on what and how to take action, Continue Reading
WSDOT Open House at Brickworks
Written on February 1, 2018 at 12:38 pm, by Tim Dustrude
Spring highway construction will affect San Juan Islands and north Whidbey Island vacationers A large Connecting Washington project will cause delays on Highway 20, just east of Anacortes from early April into July. WSDOT contractor crews from Tapani, Inc. will build two new roundabouts in the area of SR 20 and the SR 20 Spur Continue Reading
SJC PHD
Written on January 29, 2018 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 is soliciting applications for Position 3 and Position 5 Board of Commissioners through February 7, 2018. Please submit your Letter of Interest and your CV to the District Superintendent, Pamela Hutchins, at hutchins@sjcphd1.org. You can call (360) 378-2857 (District Office) for additional information if necessary. A Special Continue Reading
Force Protection and Security Exercise
Written on January 29, 2018 at 5:35 am, by Tim Dustrude
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, along with Commander Navy Region Northwest and other Navy bases in the Puget Sound and Seattle area will participate in an annual security readiness exercise, Solid Curtain – Citadel Shield (SC-CS18), from January 29 through February. 9, 2018. During the SC-CS18 exercise, installation personnel and the surrounding local area community Continue Reading
Women’s March
Written on January 27, 2018 at 5:54 am, by Tim Dustrude
In addition to the photos she shared after last week’s Women’s March, Liza Michaelson has now also shared this video. Click on it and see who all you recognize.
SJIFD Banquet and Awards
Written on January 25, 2018 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Island Fire Department celebrated another year of service at their annual banquet at Downriggers, Saturday, January 20. As part of the festivities, Chief Brad Creesy presented many members with awards and recognition for their dedication to the department. Among the awards (left to right in picture): Assistant Chief Noel Monin for 20 Continue Reading
Town Seeks Board Members
Written on January 25, 2018 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Town of Friday Harbor is looking for two people to fill immediate vacancies on the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). The best candidates are people who appreciate Friday Harbor’s history and historic sites, and are willing to attend two meetings a month to help preserve Friday Harbor’s rural character. At least one of the Continue Reading
Overnight Tsunami Watch…And Wait
Written on January 24, 2018 at 5:53 am, by Tim Dustrude
This article was shared by Dave Holloran of the SJC Department of Emergency Management… If you are like me, you woke up in the early morning hours yesterday to a phone call, text or other notification of a potential tsunami stemming from the 7.9 magnitude earthquake in the Gulf of Alaska. A flurry of activity Continue Reading