Hazardous waste disposal well attended
A total of 29 island businesses are to be commended for safely disposing of flammable, toxic, corrosive or reactive materials at this spring’s hazardous waste collection events. A total of 965 gallons (3.86 tons) of hazardous waste was disposed of by these businesses at a cost to them of $4.50 per gallon; 210 fluorescent tubes were also collected from businesses for mercury recycling at no cost.
Thank you to these Orcas businesses and government agencies: Steve Bailey DDS, Camp Orkila/YMCA, Classic Body & Paint, Davis Autobody, Grindstone Ink, Island Excavating, Brenda Ivans DDS, Orcas Island Animal Shelter, Orcas Island High School Science Department, SJC Derelict Vessel Project, T. Wood Construction, White Blackbird Construction, White Construction Company.
And thank you to these San Juan Island businesses and government agencies: A.W. Beyers Excavation, Best Painting, Craig Youngquist Construction, Edencare Landscaping, Friday Harbor Dentistry, Harbor Rentals, Island Gardens, John Kurtz Painting, Larry’s Auto Body, Luxel Corporation, Port of Friday Harbor, Port of Friday Harbor Airport, San Juan County Public Works Facilities Department, San Juan Island Fire District #3, San Juan Island National Historical Park, Town of Friday Harbor Street Department.
Island residents also participated in these collections (100 from Orcas, 109 from San Juan Island). The grand total of 17.8 tons of hazardous waste was exported from the Islands by Clean Harbors Environmental, Inc. for either recycling, special incineration in Arkansas or Utah, or reuse to fuel the contractor’s mercury reclamation plant in Arkansas. In descending order of quantities disposed the following hazardous wastes were collected in the round-up: paint, gasoline/other fuels, thinner/solvents, contaminated oil/antifreeze, acids, bases, lab chemicals, cleaning chemicals, inks, pesticides, x-ray chemicals/fixer, lead foils.
Collections for hazardous wastes from households and businesses are being planned for September on Lopez and Shaw.
For more information, call Helen Venada, San Juan County’s Hazardous Waste & Waste Reduction Coordinator, at 370-0503 or Brian Rader, the county pollution prevention specialist, at 370-7581.
Helen Venada
SJC Hazardous Waste
Concerns about fire department
I have a lot of concerns about current expenditures at the Orcas Fire Department and what is sustainable for Orcas Island in the long run. I have a feeling that it has become to easy to just buy whatever and let the taxpayer pay for it.
The Chief at the last meeting proposed that our current part-time fly-in mechanic that comes in a few times a month from Las Vegas at a cost of $45,000 yearly plus flight costs will now become a responder, so that might cause him to have to work overtime.
He is also proposing that our new front desk clerk will also become a responder. A few years ago we had a staff member that was responsible for the front desk, financials, meetings responsibilities, etc., but now that person’s job is being shared by three individuals.
The propane tank was moved recently in order to put in a small memorial garden in the back of the fire station because the Chief has a discretionary fund of $5,000. Meanwhile the place has not been properly weeded for the last two years.
The department recently bought seven i-phones to improve their communication.
Luckily a lot of purchases can be made by using the credit cards issued to five department members.
There are two positions for Fire Commissioners that will be on the ballot this fall and I feel that we need a strong voice representing the public. Filing is due by June 5.
Pierrette Guimond
Orcas Island
Please, no LAMIRD
Please add my name to the increasingly number of nearby residents who oppose creating a Light Industrial Zone in our neighborhood. Not only would we wind up paying for a sewer system we don’t need, but we’d be subsidizing a developer who wants it to enable him to build another island car wash. With limited water resources this seems to be a slap in the face to those of us dedicated to protecting our limited supply of fresh water.
I’ve spent thousands of dollars upgrading my septic system and shudder at the additional money (estimated at over $6,000 per household) it would cost to hook up to the proposed sewage line. The LAMIRD is a bad idea whether for just the commercial area or not. Give us a service park or better yet, non-conforming uses for the businesses.
Caroline Yarnall
Eastsound
No to the LAMIRD
We own a home within the LAMIRD study area on Montgomery Lane. We have owned it for many years, and although we do not live in it full time, someday we hope to. We are writing because we want to express our voices on the matter, since we are not available to attend the meetings in person.
We are opposed to any LAMIRD – at all. We want the area to remain rural in nature and do not want to see more intense development. It appears that, after having read everything in regard to the proposal, this is really about a corner convenience store getting the sewer extended to their property. It is just not right to saddle 40 or so homeowners with the huge expense and ongoing cost of an unnecessary sewer system in order to justify a convenience store.
We enjoy Orcas precisely because it is rural. Let’s keep it that way.
We are concerned that the decision remains fair and that everyone has a chance to cast a vote that will count. We note no.
Jim and Natalie Warren
Orcas
“Don’t Mess With The Dress” a big success
For the past six weeks a group of nine high school junior and senior girls have been meeting weekly at Fitness Quest/Ryu Dojo studio in Eastsound to attend “Don’t Mess with the Dress,” a woman’s assault and rape prevention program created by Chuck Silva and Corey Wiscomb. These high school students learned how to prepare themselves for the possibility of a physical assault or even an attempted rape situation.
Although they were taught the physical skills for defending themselves, the main emphasis was on verbal de-escalation skills – the process of showing confidence through body language and vocal skills to stop a situation before it escalates to the physical element.
The training is scenario-based. I was the chief instructor, and with my staff we repeatedly put the students in situations that elicit an adrenalin response so that they learn to handle the “fight or flight” feeling that comes along with any intense situation.
On the final day, the students faced a very aggressive, fully padded predator who took on many different personalities in order to give the students an opportunity to experience a variety of situation possibilities. They must first show their verbal skills and then their self-defense skills as each situation ends in a full-on physical attack.
It was one of the best groups of students we have ever run through our program. We were very impressed with these girls and would like to once again congratulate them on an exceptional job! We also want to thank them for their hard work and dedication during a very busy time in their lives.
We also extend a huge thank you to the “Don’t Mess” staff and a special thank you to Julie Pinardi, Readiness To Learn Advocate, for her help with the organization of this class.
“Don’t Mess With the Dress” will be offered this summer to women of all ages. For information call 376-9568 or email fitquest@rockisland.com.
Chuck Silva
Orcas Island
Thanks to Camp Orkila
On Sunday, April 26, the fabulous, hard-working staff at Camp Orkila hosted our Orcas sixth graders and their parents for a rich, family-learning workshop organized by our fantastic counselor Moriah Armstrong. The evening began with a delicious meal served by the camp’s culinary staff and transitioned into learning activities led by the camp’s educational specialists. It was a beautiful evening in a majestic setting, surrounded by people who are committed to the success of our children.
The event could not have happened without the generosity and community leadership of Camp Director Dimitri Stankevich. The evening was not an isolated event. It seems that Dimitri and his staff open the camp to our community on a weekly basis for an assortment of activities, including educational presentations, team building events, team dinners, and most importantly, fun!
Thank you Dimitri and thank you Camp Orkila, you are a great gift to Orcas Island!
Kevin, Nancy, Keenan, Daniel, and Colin O’Brien
Eastsound
Comment on “Response to Earth cooling letter”
The response letter would have been more effective if it had utilized the current knowledge base in climate change science. A good place to start is at www.friendsofscience.org, where research papers and articles from around the world, as well as an informative, three-part video can be found.
Sheridan Johnston
Eastsound
Time to pull up Scotch Broom
That beautiful, dreadful plant, Scotch Broom, has opened its golden blooms again for us to spot everywhere on Orcas, particularly along roadsides, and where it has not been checked.
Even though it may be too late this season to keep them from dispersing their seed, we need the vigilantes to ride forth again, weed wrenches in hand, and take out as many as they can.
Only by constant attack can we keep the foe from advancing. Although I’ve annually pulled, cut and burned it on my property, I saw six or seven plants last week nodding their golden heads at me. I just bought my own weed wrench, though the Noxious Weed Control Program (376-3499) can loan you one. Happy pulling!
Margot Shaw
West Sound
Thank you for help with Farm to Cafeteria
The Farm to Cafeteria Program is off and running and truly grateful for the generosity of those people who have provided services and supplies for projects and the revitalization of our school garden! Thanks to Charlie Nigretto for wood chips, Scott and Therese Lancaster at Orcas Island Hardware for numerous discounted and donated items. Mia Kartiganer, Justine Pope, Nicole Gelb, Miss Mandy Randolf, Anne Ford McGrath, Pam Jenkins, Iris Pavitt-Parker and her friends, Liz Hance, and all you others for garden help, and if I missed anyone … thanks so much, you know who you are! For anyone wishing to help out either with volunteer hours or a donation, give me a call at 376-2608 or e-mail, borchid@orcas.k12.wa.us.
Bruce Orchid
Orcas Island School District
Farm to Cafeteria Coordinator
