Response to EWSD letter

I have been accused by ESWD of writing a letter to the editor about a “nefarious” scheme by Country Corner. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact my letter said, “Country Corner is completely innocent and has been completely open.” Actually, Country Corner is only a pawn in their game. ESWD pointed out in their letter that they have been planning for years to extend the sewer line to the Country Corner area. What has been preventing them from doing it so far? The rules and money have been in their way. They must follow a preset path in order to extend the sewer line.

There are two options available to them: 1.) They must show proof of a health concern or environmental damage or 2.) A LAMIRD must be created and then a developer with money within the LAMIRD must ask the line to be brought in.

ESWD cannot use option one because there is no proof. (Proof is hard to come by when there is no problem.) ESWD is pursuing option two and so far, they have two of their ducks in a row: they have a developer who will request that the line be brought in. The developer will provide the initial funds required to bring in the line, after which he will be reimbursed by subsequent hook-ups. All that is needed now for ESWD to proceed is the creation of the LAMIRD.

Is this a nefarious plot? It might seem so to people in the neighborhood, but it is the process by which ESWD hopes to be able to extend the sewer line and complete the plans that they formed long ago. This process is not yet complete. In a poll of lot owners within the LAMIRD area, 80 percent rejected the LAMIRD. Planner Colin Maycock said, “This isn’t about what I want to do, it needs to be what the neighborhood wants.”

ESWD has two options: 1.) Get proof that their line is needed for some other reason than to facilitate the expansion of commercial interests, or 2.) Wait five or so years and try to create a LAMIRD again. Will they still have a developer with money then?

How long does Country Corner want to truck their laundry waste to the ESWD treatment plant every day? Is ESWD giving Country Corner special consideration to encourage them to be the developer with the money? While we might consider that nefarious, I’ll bet ESWD and Country Corner consider it fortuitous.

Chris Butler

Orcas Island

Response to “Earth cooling” letter

When I saw a letter to the editor on April 15 suggesting that the Earth was on a cooling trend, I had to check to see if I had picked up the Flounder and not the Sounder! Most of what was presented in that letter is inaccurate. Average annual global temperatures are not falling. Calling the trend from 1998 to 2008 a cooling trend is like noting that it was 69 degrees in Eastsound on April 6 and 52 degrees on April 12 and concluding that winter must be fast approaching! Last year was the eighth warmest year in history. The 10 warmest years in history have all occurred in the last 12 years! As a geologist, I can tell you that you would be hard pressed to find a scientist who would deny that global warming is occurring. While variations in sunspot activity, Earth’s orbit and wobble, volcanism, and other natural phenomena do have an impact on Earth’s temperatures, the global warming we are experiencing correlates negatively with these natural phenomena but correlates positively with the dramatic additions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Yes, hundreds of millions of years ago it was much warmer and sea level was many tens of meters higher, but let’s not wish for that because even a likely one- or two-meter rise in sea level will displace tens to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

There is near unanimity among global climate change scientists that the greenhouse gases being pumped into the atmosphere are the major cause of this rapid global warming and that the warming will accelerate if we do nothing about it. Scientists have documented that species ranges of plants and animals in our hemisphere are migrating northward an average of 6.1 kilometers per decade, spring events (flowering, egg-laying, etc.) are occurring 2.3 days earlier per decade, glaciers worldwide are melting dramatically, the north polar ice cap is shrinking and will soon disappear, ice shelves in Antarctica are disintegrating, and sea level is rising. Pretending there is no problem is not the solution.

Jonathan H. Berg

Eastsound

No to Country Corner LAMIRD

I generally don’t write these kinds of letters but this is just so wrong, I have to speak up. Frankly, this “LAMIRD” WILL encourage urban sprawl. Being someone with development and planning experience, I see this as a “no brainer.” Turning the area surrounding the Country Corner development (which has never posted gasoline prices as required by Federal law, by the way) into a light industrial area, will be a major eye sore for our seasonal visitors as well as residents. The roads are traveled by locals and tourists alike on their way to and from Eastsound, Moran Park, and the Rosario and Olga areas. To implement such a designation that will in fact harm the entire community’s visual beauty, economy, and children’s safety, to only benefit the Country Corner owners and a few other developers is totally irresponsible! It ignores the bigger picture so important to maintaining our island lifestyle while smacking of being the self-serving ambitions of a select few. We have a chance to do it right for a change here on Orcas! This LAMIRD would be a BIG mistake. There are other options. Solutions that benefit the entire community and not just a select few. This LAMIRD is clearly not the solution, unless we DO want urban sprawl. I don’t. Do you? We should not encourage more light industrial uses for this area and we should not be paying for infrastructure (sewers, etc) paving the way for such uses. The claim that residential septic systems are unhealthy for this area is so fraught with misinformation that I can’t even address it all here. Simply, that is a smoke-and-mirrors reason that can easily be exposed with the facts. There should be no LAMIRD for this area!

David Selwyn

Orcas Island

Be sustainable and shop locally

What’s more sustainable than shopping locally?

Let’s support our local economy … three stores at a time. Pick your favorite three stores, spend $50, and support our local economy. It’s a start. Change our thought process, first think local.

The Chamber of Commerce is starting an education effort in our community of shopping local first. Visit your local merchants and see what they have to offer. Also, give them opportunities to work with you … if you see a better price somewhere else, see if they can match or come close. Your contribution is what keeps our local businesses around.

It only takes one person to start a trend … so let’s start by stopping by your three favorite shops, spend $50 and feel good that you have contributed to our community.

Kathleen Speed

Chamber Of Commerce Board Member

Help sustain the Off Leash Area

When the Eastsound Off Leash Area was looking for a new home, an amazing effort by the Orcas Island community made it happen. The Port of Orcas loaned the use of some of their land. The Community Foundation came through with support. Dozens of donors contributed generously. Local contractors and architects contributed their services and many island businesses donated materials. Representing the Off Leash Area (OLA) Board of Directors, I can tell you that we have been overwhelmed with the support the facility has received. We recognize and thank everyone who provided help in any way.

Moving and building was one big step. The next step is continuing to assure that the Off Leash Area continues to provide an area for both residents and visitors to exercise and socialize their dogs in an environment safe for the dogs, their owners, and the general public. The OLA is supported by the users and that brings great opportunity along with great responsibilities.

As the weather gets warmer and more people and their dogs return to the island, the OLA will get busier. That’s what it’s all about: a place for dogs and their people to socialize. The Board of Directors is in the process of updating the OLA rules and holding orientation sessions. We ask that every user become a steward of the OLA by taking the time to understand the proper and safe use of the OLA and encourage others to do so.

Sustaining the OLA will also take continued community donations. There will be opportunities to join together to support the OLA and keep it as a great Orcas Island asset.

A place like this, on land loaned for this use, run by the users and guided by volunteers, is a rare and fragile thing. Let’s appreciate and enjoy it!

Jeff Hanson

Eastsound Off Leash Dog Park Board of Directors

Granny’s Attic – a great event

Once again, Granny’s Attic was a success. We raised nearly $7,300. On the day of the sale, there was a large crowd waiting at the entrance of the Senior Center for our doors to open at 10 a.m. We had three rooms full of merchandise and by the end of the day, little was left. We wish to thank the Orcas Island community for all the support provided during this fundraiser. Not only did we receive an amazing amount of donations, but the large turnout and number of purchases were incredible.

Michele Streich

Advisory Committee Member

Orcas Senior Center

OPALCO election

Support for Winnie Adams

The OPALCO Board will be holding elections at its annual meeting on May 16. These elections are very important, as the board of OPALCO determines the vision and strategies for the future of our electric utility. If you are unable to vote in person, please be sure to vote by mail. All members of the utility will be mailed a ballot in early May.

Now is a moment in history where we have the opportunity to make decisions that will shape the future. Winnie Adams possesses the leadership to made those decisions. Therefore, I support Winnie Adams for the OPALCO Board, District #2 Orcas. Her background and experience will allow her to facilitate productive community process. She has spent over 30 years on Orcas and Waldron Island and appreciates the value of community input and community process.

Winnie has developed relationships with our legislative representatives in Olympia and can be effective in representing our utility at the state level. The most important reason why I am supporting Winnie Adams is because of her inspired can-do attitude. I know she will work towards green energy, promote sustainable local

generation, conservation and quality infrastructure. I will vote for Winnie Adams for the OPALCO Board. I am confident that she will effectively represent our community and help lead our electric utility towards a green future.

Mindy Kayl

Crow Valley

Winnie Adams will work hard for us

Winnie Adams will get one of my votes for OPALCO’s board of directors. She has lived on and off the grid while in San Juan County, she has worked on other people’s farms, and now has her own to tend (she owns a tractor too), and she cares for and communicates with our community from children up to the elderly.

Needless to say, she is very passionate about our Earth and its resources, many of which we know are being depleted. Winnie is eager to work with the board of directors to explore alternative methods for electricity and to find what is best for us, while keeping our rates low.

Sara Jane Johnson

Orcas Island

Armstrong – a candidate for OPALCO Board

The elections for directors to OPALCO provide an opportunity for cooperative members to select individuals who bring diverse skills and experience to OPALCO’s Board of Directors. I am pleased to be a candidate for election to that board.

I have lived on Orcas Island for 32 years, raised four children here, and worked. As I have watched our community grow, I have seen OPALCO respond to the increasing needs for reliable and affordable energy. It made great strides reducing power outages and the resultant manpower expense through the laying of underground cables. Under wise management, it has done an excellent job of securing and distributing affordable, pollution free hydroelectric energy from the Bonneville Power Administration.