By Toby Cooper

Sounder contributor

In a prelude to the upcoming August primary election, six hopeful candidates gathered on July 12 to contend for seats on two of Orcas Island’s key governance bodies — the Port of Orcas and the Board of Fire Commissioners, respectively. Nearly 40 islanders gathered in the Fire Hall, with an equal number logging remotely on Zoom, to meet the candidates.

Hosted by the League of Women Voters’ President Susan Martin, the mid-week event likely served as the only public-facing moment in a fleeting summer of campaigning before the primaries.

Introducing the Board of Fire Commissioner candidates, LWV’s Martin chose her words carefully, urging all three candidates to address the “turmoil” in the Board’s recent history. A spate of disputes, personality clashes, and unplanned resignations of staff have tarred the reputation – though not the performance – of Orcas island’s durable firefighting and public safety institution, as evidenced by public comments in and around recent public meetings.

Turmoil was heightened when, on May 11 of this year, the Board of Fire Commissioners approved a resolution calling for a Levy Lid Lift ballot measure that would effectively raise the Fire Department’s component of Orcas property taxes by nearly 83 percent. The measure is slated to appear on the August 1 ballot, alongside the vote for BOFC board candidates.

Still, civility and positivity won the day on July 12, beginning with third-generation local Kate Hansen, who focused directly on the “need for our elected leaders to listen” to the needs and concerns of residents while “guiding the department in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner.”

Hansen’s qualifications for the role of commissioner include training and experience in project management, service as treasurer for Orcas Island’s trash and recycling service, business manager of The Funhouse, and service as Administrator, Board Secretary, and Public Records Officer for King County’s Fire Department.

Hansen fully supports “properly funding our fire department,” but does not support the current levy. She believes the department has not given the community adequate details to determine “whether this is the correct levy amount to request,” and prefers to “go back to the drawing board, determine the community’s needs and priorities for our fire department, then determine the most cost-effective way to fund that scope of services.”

Orcas Island entrepreneur Toni Knudson echoed Hansen’s call for unity and a pullback from the proposed Levy Lid Lift. Holding a degree in accounting, Knudson runs Buck Bay Shellfish Farm and Bistro, a thriving business in Olga. “It’s time for a change,” she said, offering to focus on healing the department’s culture. “We need stronger support for our great firefighters and first responders, and more community input.”

Like Hansen, Knudson leans against the Levy Lid Lift, but adds that there may be something more important. “We need to address what is going on inside the Department. We need to restore the faith.”

The incumbent, Leith Templin, was appointed in March 2022 and lists an exhaustive resume of community public service. Besides serving on the Fire Commission and the San Juan County Cemetery District, she is a current member and past Chair of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee and has held positions on about a dozen other Orcas organizations, from Park and Rec to Little League. She concedes the Fire Board has been a learning experience.

Templin believes the Fire Department and its board have been targeted by disgruntled former employees and community members who cling to ill feelings from years past. “The culture of the Department is healthy,” she says, pointing to a recent internal study that showed the departmental personnel working well together. “Social media has played a role” in spreading misinformation.

Templin is realistic about the August ballot measure. Although she voted in favor of the proposal at their May 11 special meeting, she now says, “we need to be looking to the community.”

Still, challenger Hansen holds out hope for innovative solutions to the Orcas Fire Department’s financial dilemma which is complicated by “Initiative 747,” a legislative constraint that starves the Department of needed funds even during times of rising real estate values and population growth.

Initiative 747 – one of roughly 17 such constraints imposed on Washington’s public services and infrastructure by prolific anti-tax activist Tim Eyman – limits departmental revenue increases to one percent annually, effectively rendering the old $1.05 levy rate financially impotent and forcing the Board to consider a tax increase.

Hansen believes the Board can achieve efficiencies by segregating operational revenues from capital needs and passing temporary measures to fill the gap. “The old Board sat on their hands during 10 years of historically low-interest rates and low inflation and did nothing to address Initiative 747’s uncompromising constraint. We need to acknowledge this constraint, think outside the box, and adapt accordingly.”

Time was also provided on July 12 to the candidates for the Port of Orcas – Incumbent Commissioner Mia Kartiganer, and challengers Rick Fant and Bob Phalan. However, the shortcomings of the League’s chosen “room-and-Zoom” format became apparent; Kartiganer’s Seattle-based Zoom link faltered, and despite the best efforts of staff to restore a connection, she was unfortunately unable to participate in the Q & A.

First elected in 2019, incumbent Kartiganer served as Chair. She twice oversaw searches for a new airport manager, facilitated compliance with FAA regulations, and led the Port through COVID. Today, she believes it is “important to encourage younger generations and women to become involved in governance,” and looks forward to another term of service.

Fant highlighted his standing as a lifelong Orcas resident, a pilot, and a business owner. “The Port can do more,” he told the assembled group. “We can manage growth and promote economic development for all.” He recognizes that the problems we face are not simple. “The most complex problems can be solved,” he promised.

Although neither a pilot nor aligned with the airline industry, candidate Phalan is motivated by a desire to “maintain the rural nature of our airport,” and give back to the community. He stressed his commitment “to reducing spending while researching other funding sources in order to reduce taxes on locals.”

The top two vote-getters in each of the two primary contests on August 1 will move on to face each other in the Nov. 7 general election.

To see a recording of the forum, visit https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/SE4kPXUqFSXz7dzSIo7nHeYpDKjXdrYuwXaT1Of9g-qGWvwXhrI3sYKAp_VWHLBf.doE5_D7DtK9WpPHN

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