On your ballot right now is the years-long campaign to build a new Library. The issue is shrouded in rumors and misinformation.

Many wonder why the Library itself has not done more to respond and answer people’s questions. The answer is simple — public agencies are highly constrained in their ability to campaign, and the Library is acting within the law. The Library has documents and facts on its website but must leave it to outside volunteers to campaign and advocate.

A dedicated group of volunteers has been trying to get the facts in front of voters with an extensive FAQ page and letters to the editor, as well as personal letters to friends and neighbors. Our site clarifies and guides you through the documents you see on the Library’s website.

We understand that the new Library represents expensive public construction. Our group believes that the right time for our community to improve civic infrastructure is now. By building it now, we’ll do it at a time where interest rates for public entities are at very reasonable levels – between four and five percent, a far cry from some of the misinformation floating around.

We believe that we are doing the right thing for the community, for this generation and the next, in voting yes for the Library. And we ask you, our friends and neighbors, to do so as well.

Louise Dustrude
Beth Helstien
William Appel
Dana Anderson
Eileen Drath
Gay Graham
Susan Mazzarella
Lovel Pratt
Boyd Pratt
Liz Pillow
Mark Madsen
Lara Braithwaite
Laurie Orton
Jean Griffin
Richard Grout
Alan Roochvarg
Lynn Weber/Roochvarg

Every community deserves a first-rate public library, and I hope that we will all embrace this opportunity to build one. The existing structure is bursting at the seams, with no room to expand in its current location. Through years of work and study, our library board has created a vision for a facility that can serve the island for decades. Some argue that now is not the time, but it’s hard to imagine that the future would be a better time, when real estate and building costs will be even more expensive, and when a suitable site will no longer be available within the walkable core of Friday Harbor. This project allows us to address a clear community need in a thoughtful way, substantially offsetting the public investment with grants and private fundraising. That approach can serve as a model for other local priorities, and in fact it already has. Ten years ago, similar efforts resulted in a fine new hospital to care for the health of our bodies. Let us do the same now to nourish the health of our minds.

Thor Hanson
San Juan Island

Following a successful season for Friday Harbor Tigers youth football, all three teams will host a first-round playoff game tomorrow at Linde Community Fields.

The Midget team (ages 9-10) kicks off at 11 a.m. against Bellingham, followed by the Juniors (ages 11-12) at 1 p.m. against Bellingham, and the Pee Wees (ages 6-8) at 3 p.m. against Oak Harbor.

The teams enter the playoffs with confidence after strong performances against difficult off-island competition all season.

“Friday Harbor Tiger youth football has historically played against similarly rostered teams from La Conner, Lummi Island, Concrete, Darrington, Lakewood, and Granite Falls,” says Pee Wees coach Juan Unpingco. “But this season, leagues were merged to include Bellingham, Anacortes, Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon, Ferndale, and Sedro Woolley. These teams have twice the number of players and are usually two times the size of our Friday Harbor Tigers.”

Each team rose to the challenge this year, with the Juniors finishing 6-2, the Midgets 7-1, and the Pee Wees 5-3.

Coach Juan encourages the community to come out to the games on Saturday to show its love and support for our hard-working island athletes.

• Today is homecoming at Friday Harbor High School. The parade starts at 3 p.m. from WSF Lot C and proceeds up Spring St., to be followed by a pep rally at 3:30 p.m. at Turnbull Gym. The football game against Coupeville High School starts at 6:30 p.m.
• High school boys soccer finished up their regular season strong with a come-from-behind road win at Mt. Vernon Christian by a count of 3-2. They ended the season 10-2 overall, 7-1 in conference, and play in the district tournament next week.
• The San Juan Islands Museum of Art hosts a gallery walk-and-talk with artist Kevin Christison tonight at 5:30 p.m.
• Tommy Dale & the Dangerfields host a Halloween dance tomorrow night from 7-10 p.m. at Brickworks. The 21-and-over event has a beer and wine garden, and a costume contest with prizes. It’s pay-what-you-can, with a $5 suggested donation.
• The second annual Friday Harbor Witches Paddle takes place on Sunday. All human-powered vessels are invited to meet at Shipyard Cove for a 10 a.m. launch. Parking at Shipyard is limited, so carpooling and drop-offs are encouraged. Email [email protected] for more information.
• Here are the week’s specials at Kings and Market Place. Market Place is having a Halloween-themed anniversary sale that runs through Nov. 1, with special deals and a chance to win prizes like Alaska Airlines miles and a stay at Suncadia Resort.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!

Friends who know I served on the Charter Review Commission asked for my take on the four CRC propositions that are on the ballot. Here’s what I told them.

During the CRC meetings the only one of the four proposals I supported was Prop 2. The 2021 CRC spent three weeks trying to secure basic support from the County administration so we could function. The CRC is in the original County charter and is a part of County government. It’s also a low-cost operation. I believe we spent $14,000 for the entire year of our term, primarily for clerical assistance. Prop 2 is intended to clearly define the County’s responsibility so that no future CRC has to experience what we did. It deserves approval.

Prop 1 would create a new position of Public Advocate. I still don’t understand the need for it. In my experience, when you aren’t sure who in the County you need to talk to about a particular issue, County employees are impressively helpful in directing you to the right office or the right person.

Prop 3 is the one that worries me. It says that if the legislature authorizes ranked-choice voting it would automatically become law in our county. We don’t know how the legislature might structure it, or when it might happen, but we’re going to impose it on ourselves now, sight unseen. I don’t think that’s a very good idea. On top of that, look at your ballot. We have a hard time getting two people to run for the same County office, never mind three or more. In my view, Washington’s current top-two system has served us very well.

Prop 4 would make it easier to put initiatives on the ballot by lowering the number of signatures required. What’s wrong with that? It short-circuits the deliberative process that, in my opinion, is necessary for good government. Look at the havoc that’s been created statewide over the years by ill-advised initiatives. The problems with our ferry service go back to an initiative that destroyed WSF’s funding base.

Richard Grout
San Juan Island

Contributed photo

The Library shares news about their upcoming Halloween event for island children.

The third annual Trick or Book event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 2-4 p.m. on the Mullis Center lawn behind the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center.

This free event is designed for families with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Older siblings are welcome to attend. Children will receive a book along with other goodies for their treat bags.

Trick or Book was started as a community enrichment and literacy promotion event to help give families with children ages five and younger a safe and welcoming space to wear costumes, hear stories, enjoy Halloween festivities, and receive an age-appropriate book to keep.

Trick or Book is organized by the Joyce L. Family Resource Center and the San Juan Island Library with additional support from San Juan Community Theatre, SAFE San Juans, San Juan County Health and Community Services, P2P, Co-op, and Peace Island Medical Center Volunteers.

Local voters have already approved the purchase of the Life Care Center property. Now there are opponents saying we should not approve a bond to actually build a new library. Unbelievable!

We choose to live in this beautiful place where we have good public services to meet our needs. Our library has been preeminent in serving the needs of all segments of this community, seniors as well as children, aiding the technology-impaired as well as the proficient, serving the English language — fluent or not, those who read books and those who read online — meeting our needs onsite and offsite.

Our current library is bursting at the seams and has never had adequate parking. The opportunity to build on an ideal site has already been decided, and it should not now be set aside. To nay-sayers we say: there will always be other ways to spend our money. Yes, we can always tighten our belts and make do with what we have. On the other hand, we can see a better future and make a commitment to getting there.

We will vote yes for the Library and urge you to do so too.

Rita and Richard Weisbrod
San Juan Island

San Juan County shares their responses to common questions about the road levy proposition up for a vote in this November’s election.

November’s ballots will include Resolution No. 20-2022, a proposition to increase the County road levy from $0.56 to $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value. The $0.44 increase will be used to maintain roads and marine facilities, repair storm damage, and enhance roads for pedestrians and cyclists.

What is the levy rate? The lid lift is $1, but what’s the rate?

The proposed ballot proposition is to increase the road fund levy to $1.00 per $1,000 assessed value. The new levy rate would also be $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value — making both the lid lift and the levy rate $1.00.

What does a “single-year permanent levy lid lift” mean?

With a permanent single-year lid lift, the levy lid bumps up more than one percent in the first year, and then that amount is used to calculate all future 101 percent levy limitations. The measure never expires, and the levy lid never reverts. However, future annual increases may not exceed one percent without going to the voters for another lid lift.

Will the road levy really raise my property taxes by 79 percent?

No, your overall property taxes will not increase by 79 percent. The road levy rate will increase by roughly 79 percent — from $0.56 to $1.00 — but the road levy is a small percentage of total property taxes paid. Last year it was about seven percent of the total taxes levied. A 79 percent increase of about seven percent of the overall tax bill results in only about a 5.6 percent increase overall.

How will this levy lid lift affect my taxes?

Use this formula to calculate your tax: 2023 assessed value x $1.00 levy rate/ 1,000 = your road fund tax. For example, a home in 2022 that was valued at $700,000, paying last year’s road levy rate of $0.56, contributed $392 to the road fund. If that same home received a 30 percent increase in assessed value this year, it is now valued at $910,000. With the new road levy, the rate becomes $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value, and that home would pay $910 to the road fund.

What happens if the County collects more revenue than was estimated?

The County estimated revenue to be generated by this levy lid lift using 2022 property valuations. Actual revenue collected will use 2023 property valuations. Any additional funds collected by this levy lid lift are expensed for the same purposes for which they are collected — repairs and replacements of failing culverts, updates to marine facilities, and widening of shoulders for multi-modal transportation.

Can the County use money from other funds to support the road fund?

The County uses funds sources to support a variety of existing programs and services including but not limited to the Sheriff’s Office, District and Superior Courts, Community Development, Parks and Recreation, grant matches, and more. Diversion of general fund proceeds to the road fund may affect existing programming.

Why doesn’t the County use LTAC to pay for road shoulders?

LTAC stands for Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and is a grant program for tourism-related improvements. The County does apply to LTAC for public works projects including road shoulder improvements. While the County has and will continue to apply for LTAC funding, as well as other state and federal funding sources, these grant programs do not replace the need for a levy lid lift.

Where can I learn more about the road levy?

Learn more about the proposed levy and use the interactive project map on the San Juan County website.

I live on San Juan Valley Road and each day as I drive or ride my bicycle through the valley, I have seen the sign and now the banner at the Undersheriff’s home supporting Ron Krebs. I did a little checking and discovered that the vast majority of the currently serving as well as retired deputies in this County are supporting our Sheriff for re-election, not Eric Peter. I have nothing negative to say about Eric Peter. I just think there is a good reason there is so much support among Ron Krebs’ department members. I hope that helps you decide instead of who has the most signs.

Brad Pillow
San Juan Island

The Chamber of Commerce shares news about the event that will kick off San Juan Island’s holiday season.

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the Island Lights Festival will take place this year on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. This kick-off event for the Friday Harbor Winterfest is presented in partnership with Island Rec and, of course, Santa Claus.

Our tree lighting will be a touch different this year and we will be resorting to how the Island Light Festival was years ago. This is due to the sad demise of the big tree in Memorial Park. The Town will make the shape of a tree with twinkling lights and the colors will coincide with the Noel sign, which is managed by the San Juan Island Lions Club.

It will be a fun-filled evening when the community gathers on Spring Street between First and Front streets to await the arrival of Santa. We will have caroling while sipping some hot chocolate and coffee before he arrives to light the tree.

There are a number of important differences between Sheriff Ron Krebs and his opponent, but one of those differences is critical. Ron is the only candidate who understands what’s required to be the sheriff in a small rural county.

Ron’s built relationships over time. People trust him and are willing to confide in him. That’s critical for a small town sheriff. Those relationships and his approach to law enforcement help him and his deputies solve crimes and keep us safe.

Ron has also been willing to stick his neck out and publicly support critical community services, like the recent EMS levy, even when the community debate is contentious.

It’s also telling that a large majority of the deputies favor Ron’s re-election. They’re the ones who know what’s going on inside the department and who will be immediately affected by the voters’ decision.

Ron isn’t perfect. He’s made some mistakes. But over the course of his tenure as sheriff he’s served us well. We will continue to be well served by re-electing Ron Krebs.

Richard Grout
San Juan Island

United Way of San Juan County shares news about their severe weather shelter program.

It’s that time of the year, where the suggestion of very cold weather is loud and clear. We are hoping to put together a team of volunteers to open the Severe Weather Shelter this year.

An orientation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. at Islands Community Church — 127 Gilbert Lane, on the south side of San Juan Valley Road, just east of Douglas Road. Coffee and treats will be served.

See what we are about and decide if it’s for you. Trained and committed volunteers get paid $10 to sign up shelter attendees and $75 to stay overnight. The shelter is half policy-and-procedure and half we’re-just-keeping-folks-warm. Sign up with a friend, if you wish. You can chat and play cards.

Volunteers also require a background check, but not all records will exclude one from volunteering.

My sense is that we are doing quite well having Ron Krebs as Sherriff. Why change what isn’t broken? Sure there have been some awkward moments, as anyone in such a high-profile position will experience in this insular, small County fishbowl. We live in an unusual place of trust and hope that is profoundly different than the violent crime-ridden big city of Houston, Texas.

I count it a major plus that Krebs has had other career paths that balance his perspective. I have talked with him about specific issues many times as Sheriff. I well remember his articulate and compassionate understanding of the causal relationship between a lack of affordable housing and compounding stress, family abuse and low-level crime. He has followed through with increasing the diversity of deputies to better reflect our community. More cops out of their cars; but there is more to do. We have our share of troubled characters hanging out in Friday Harbor. I have been impressed with his respect for the first amendment rights of all individuals and seeing law enforcement as a tool to persuade, rather than punish, some non-violent offenders.

I worked closely with many law enforcement rangers in the National Park Service who transferred to lightly visited, huge Alaska park units previously having been stationed in urban, urban-influenced or rowdy recreational parks in the lower 48. With few exceptions, individuals from serious crime area postings, especially after many years, have a hardened perspective that makes necessary adjustments to quirky, small-town problems with only a sprinkling of violent crime, very difficult. There is some truth in the old saw, “if you only carry a hammer, you see every problem as a nail.”

Sheriff Krebs has an islander’s “family is the foundation for community” view, and has spent years building good working relationships here — seldom easy — with changing County Councils, prosecutors, EMS, Fire, business leaders, and federal and State agencies working daily in complex cooperative roles. I believe that he shares our common desire to live in a safe, cohesive, respectful and slower-paced community.

Steve Ulvi
San Juan Island