Support White Cane campaign

There’s a mailing going on this week and its from the Orcas Island Lion’s Club asking for contributions to the White Cane campaign. It’s our most important drive of the year because it deals with the eyes, and that is the main purpose of the Lions Clubs, though we find time to do a few other things. This year we paid to have one cataract surgery on an islander and were helpful in getting 30,000 others completed around the world. Few people have the money to have this service; that’s where the Lions come in with the money and the experience to get the job done.

This year on island the Lions and Lion Dr. Chris White were helpful in getting nine people fitted with new glasses. Hearing aids were provided to others.

The Health Van tests for blood pressure, glaucoma, diabetes, hearing, and eyesight. It is another part of our program that we are very proud of. There is no charge for the testing service, as it’s neighbor to neighbor and we are able to keep the costs for the ferry and skilled professionals very low.

The Lions Club also makes sure the Food Bank is supplied with enough turkeys to go around at Thanksgiving and hams at Christmas. Sorry, I just had to get a plug in for the Food Bank.

By the way, the Lions Club is always looking for new members, so if you have a little extra time, male or female, and want to make this island an even better place to live and have fun doing it, contact Lion Kyle Hall at 376-7370.

Dave McPeake

Chairperson White Cane Committee

Humans are not causing global warming

Carbon Dioxide is essential for all life on planet Earth. It is hubris to fantasize that humanity’s small contribution to what amounts to 0.04% of all atmospheric gases can effect climate in any way.

Climate alarmists continually claim there is “consensus” that humans are responsible for “Global Warming.” Has anyone noticed that expression has subtly morphed into “Climate Change”? That’s because the “warming” scare isn’t supported by the data. And as for consensus, there are currently over 31,000 scientists in the United States, over 9,000 with PHDs, who have signed the following petition organized by the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine:

“We urge the United States government to reject the global warming agreement that was written in Kyoto, Japan in December, 1997, and any other similar proposals. The proposed limits on greenhouse gases would harm the environment, hinder the advance of science and technology, and damage the health and welfare of mankind.

“There is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gasses is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth’s atmosphere and disruption of the Earth’s climate. Moreover, there is substantial scientific evidence that increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide produce many beneficial effects upon the natural plant and animal environments of the Earth.”

Here’s a portion of an abstract from a peer-reviewed paper from the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine authored by Robinson, Robinson, and Soon:

“A review of the research literature concerning the environmental consequences of increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to the conclusion that increases during the 20th and early 21st centuries have produced no deleterious effects upon Earth’s weather and climate. Increased carbon dioxide has, however, markedly increased plant growth. Predictions of harmful climatic effects due to future increases in hydrocarbon use and minor greenhouse gases like CO2 do not conform to current experimental knowledge.”

Do an internet search for “Global Warming Hoax” and get the facts. “Cap and Trade” is a sure disaster.

Jerry Reger

Eastsound

Thanks for help with OIPP community forum

I wish to extend a big thank you to all who attended and helped put on the first community forum sponsored by Orcas Island Prevention Partnership on Sunday, May 16.

Approximately 100 adults and children came to enjoy the “farm to community” dinner, hear Swil Kanim, renowned Native American musician and speaker, and to then take part in “Empowering Ourselves in Mindful Ways,” an interactive community dialogue facilitated by Swil Kanim and Michael Mele. Owen Cheevers was instrumental in organizing the dinner, aided by Charles Dalton from the Kitchen, who helped create the menu and the soup. Cooks for the evening were Michael McGregor and Brian DeCaro. We received free or discounted produce from Maple Rock Farm, The Orcas Farm, La Campesina Project, Black Dog Farm, Sweet Home Farm, Morning Star Farm, Island Market and Patrick Bennett, Learner Limbach baked several loaves of his amazing sourdough bread with flour from Home Grown, Sukima Hamilton created her “special” pizzas and erb’s restaurant supplied a variety of mouthwatering hor d’oeuvres. Community members Ethna Flannagan, Moriah Armstrong and Patrica Ayers contributed yummy deserts. Raven Sky, Michael Greenberg, Margie Doyle, Michael Mitchell, Ezekiel Barr, Whitney Hartzell and POINT BLANK leadership club members Katie Dawn, Stephanie Shaw, Alison O’Toole and Emily Diepenbrock were awesome worker bees. Patricia Ayers, our incoming board president, designed the programs for the evening and helped update our OIPP slide show.

Orcas Island Prevention Partnership has plans to hold these types of “mindfulness” forums, where community members can come together to share concerns, problems, ideas, network etc. on a once a month basis beginning in the fall. Come join us!

Marta Nielson

Director

Orcas Island Prevention Partnership

Fire Department deserves thanks

I have had enough of Pierette Guimond’s complaints, ranging from the cemetery board, to the library board to “concerned citizen” of Orcas Fire and Rescue. I speak as an equally “concerned citizen.”

Orcas Fire and Rescue, for those who may not know, is a combination fire and rescue department, with oversight by three publicly elected commissioners. OIFR provides 24-hour protection to the citizens and property of the largest of all the San Juan Islands, with what has been recognized in our region as some of the most advanced care and training available. In fact, Orcas Fire and Rescue protects an area larger than the square miles of Olympia, Bellingham and Walla Walla combined!

Guimond feels that her $107 of property tax levy entitled her rail against an organization that is dedicated to one purpose, protecting our island. She mentions a memorial garden. Why shouldn’t an organization dedicated to its purpose honor those who have passed? How do you choose to honor them?

You question expenditures. Volunteers make up 83 percent of the Orcas Fire and Rescue department, all unpaid, and yet are on the cutting edge of treatment in the North region. They are skilled in areas such as stroke response and cardiac arrest, with advanced protocols that neighboring counties have yet to even implement. Try volunteering in that department for one week. How about carrying bunker gear or spending your free nights and weekends training with no pay? How about holding a stroke victim’s hand and stroking her hair, or newborn child fighting to survive? They do it EVERY DAY. Orcas Fire and Rescue says that every day, and every night, no matter who I am, or where I am, that I am safe. That when something goes wrong, anything at all, that they will be there. From a teenager still in high school, to a septuagenarian actively doing his duty, they take an oath, that their lives and talents are always available to serve my life, without recompense, without even a cordial thanks.

You want to talk about “sustainability.” Orcas Fire and Rescue has been sustaining this island for decades. The population of Orcas is increasing and so is the number of emergency calls. This is a clinical fact. You want a “strong voice for the public.” I give you one. Mine. And it says “Thank you Orcas Fire and Rescue.”

Steven Siler

Orcas Island

ORCAS REC PROPOSED FUNDING CUTS

Orcas Rec. is vital

For the past 13 years I have coordinated opportunities for children to be creative, to sing, dance, make art, cooperate on teams, stay active physically, learn from adults, solve conflicts, develop skills, and enjoy growing up on the island with interests and fun things to do. Now there is a proposal for the county to cut $10,000 that represents 10 percent of funding for the program.

I realize the county budget is in dire straits. I also think it’s a shame to cut funding for this vital youth program. I urge the council members to continue to fund the Orcas Island Recreation Program because the alternative is not healthy for kids or the community. For those of you who may agree, this is the time to contact county council members with your thoughts. I’ll hope for the best for kids, families, the island, and this important program.

Didier Gincig

Coordinator

Orcas Island Recreation Program

Orcas Rec. should not be cut

“Mom, there’s nothing to do on Orcas in the summer!” is a complaint that should be heard less and less this year. The Orcas Island Summer Recreation Program was founded in order to bring a variety of activities and events to children, families, and residents of the community”. Islands’ Sounder, June 15, 1994.

I understand that the county is considering eliminating the $10,000 that had been budgeted for the Orcas Island Recreation Program for the upcoming year. As the original co-director of the program (and author of the above initial press release) I feel compelled to comment on this possibility.

The Orcas Island Recreation Program began from a county grant and was implemented by a local board consisting of Cy Fraser, Mandy Bartram Randolph, Barry Acker, Leith Templin, Lynn Richards, Craig Sanders and chaired by Gretchen Krampf. My co-director, Risa Birnbach, and I had very little time before the summer began but we set up a phone in a home and quickly put together an offering that included pick-up sports games and clinics, arts and crafts workshops, an open game time at a room in the high school and a few more activities. It was a very rudimentary beginning.

Since that time the program has grown and flourished under the outstanding leadership and vision of Didier Gincig. It has completely changed the way children, teens and adults live on Orcas, not just in the summer but all year long. I can’t imagine that $10,000 in any county budget anywhere could have more positive impact than it has had on Orcas Island.

I hope the county can find a way to keep supporting this recreation program. It is well managed and locally supported, meets the community needs, and provides an infrastructure to connect people in a way that will be impossible to duplicate if the program is not able to continue.

In terms of getting “the most bang for the buck,” this program more than meets the criteria.

Kathi Ciskowski

Orcas Island

EPRC board member leaves

The EPRC would like to honor Brian Ehrmantraut for his six years of generous service on the Eastsound Planning and Review Committee. During this time Brian brought his keen insight and ability to find the core issues to many problems before EPRC. He acted as our coordinator with the County Planning Commission and the Housing Bank where he also volunteered his time, and as a board member of EWUA and OPAL. While replacing Brian will be impossible, we are looking for a community advocate to take his place with a special interest in Housing and Community Services. If interested contact Maureen See at the county council or call me at 622-6090.

Thank you Brian!

Gulliver Rankin

EPRC Chair

No to LAMIRD

Please don’t compound a previous mistake by pushing another: The County should not have allowed construction of a resource-thirsty commercial entity without pre-existing infrastructure: sewer. Since residential neighbors paid to have very expensive, over-engineered (for actual use) septic systems installed before we were allowed to build, Country Corner should step up and solve its own problem – we don’t have one!

Nown addressing previous comments: “Septic systems don’t work and when they do, they don’t.” (Letter, Sounder, 3/25/09). Untrue! Our system is professionally maintained, a closed pump unit with alarm. Last time we had it checked we were told we didn’t need a pump out – we did it anyway. Jerry also took the ESWD septic education class for their certificate to self-inspect. Does this sound like people who don’t care about our environment? Sewer hook-up price vastly understated in Sounder editorial on 4/22/09. It’s currently $12,000 plus, with monthly (forever) fees, and often other undisclosed costs. Despite the “specious debate” comment by and ESWD commissioner (public meeting 4/13/09), that if this was “free” there’d be no oppositions – untrue! Who would want destructive excavation in a neighborhood when not needed? And why, so close to wetlands and sensitive ecosystems, would the county encourage more light/industrial-commercial building and impervious surfaces?

Reflect on why you moved here. Weren’t you captivated by the jaw-dropping beauty and “Island-time” pace of Orcas? We moved back for family, that amazing island beauty, and special community, NOT for strip mall syndrome; redundant gas pumps, and other so called services (another car wash!?); traffic congestion and its noise; and increasing visual blight. LAMIRDs encouraged this type of “growth.” What a welcome for visitors: how ugly do we want Orcas to be?

Tina Davidson

Eastsound

Editor’s note: Eastsound Sewer and Water District maintains that it is between $6,000 and $8,000 for sewer hook-up.

Volunteers needed for Hearts and Hands

Orcas Island offers a unique living experience and I would venture to say we all hope to live this life for a long, long time. For some of our islanders this aspiration becomes a challenge. Hearts and Hands is an organization that makes it possible for many of our elderly, frail, or disabled community members to continue to live a healthy, independent life. Trained volunteers help neighbors in need with friendly visits, light housekeeping, simple home repairs or yard work, local errands, or on-island transportation. The people we serve have led rich lives but are now often unable to get out and experience much of what this island has to offer. A friendly visit can be the highlight of a recipient’s week. Through the magic of this experience our volunteers feel it is their lives that have been enriched.

In January, Hearts and Hands joined the Senior Center. Since this time, the number of people served has expanded and requests for service are coming in regularly. We are in need of more volunteers!

Generally, volunteers visit care recipients weekly but Hearts and Hands also welcomes those who are unable to manage such regularity. There is opportunity to fill in for a volunteer going on vacation or who has house guests. Volunteers receive an orientation and on-going support.

There will be a Volunteer Orientation on Friday, June 19. 10 a.m. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or know someone in need of assistance please call 376-7723 or stop by the Senior Center.

Betsy Louton

Hearts and Hands Volunteer Coordinator