Biography
Rick Hughes and his wife Marlace manage Ray’s Pharmacy. He also runs a property management group; serves as treasurer of the Orcas Island Farmers’ Market Association, is a board member of Eastsound Planning and Review Committee; volunteers as little league coach; and serves as the PTSA co-president. Prior to moving to Orcas, Hughes was an executive with ESPN. His family has been on Orcas since 1944 and Marlace is a fourth generation Orcas Island resident.
Sounder: Why are you running for this position?
RH: As an operator of a small business in Eastsound, I have seen what it takes to run an organization in an efficient manner. As a concerned citizen, I have seen how people can work together to solve problems like a county-wide drug take-back program or garbage cans in Eastsound. Everyone can make a difference.
My pledge to the community is to operate a fair, honest and transparent government, to work for better communications and interaction between county employees and the public, and to have county government serve as an aid to the public. In short, to give the government back to the community.
Sounder: How do you plan to juggle this position with your full-time business?
RH: If elected, this position will be a full-time position for me. My primary responsibilities will be shifted to other people in the organization and we will hire a new staffer.
Sounder: What are the greatest concerns currently facing the county?
RH: Economic development and jobs. What the recession that began during 2007 has shown this generation of San Juan County islanders is that an economy based primarily on tourism and construction is hit hard with any prolonged economic downturn and takes longer to recover.
Sounder: What are your solutions to those problems?
RH: We need to encourage development of alternate industries, along with expansion of agricultural based export business and growth of agro/ecotourism to provide opportunities to county citizens that can help mitigate the impact of deep recessions. Due to the cost of shipping to and from the islands we should look for industries that are less hard goods based and more knowledge based.
Organizations that offer pure research and development could thrive here. OPALCO’s broadband initiative could be a boon for the county to bring new industries to the county. Also, a media commission should be developed to work with the state’s film production incentive program and local media professionals to bring commercial, television and film production to the county instead of British Columbia.
Sounder: What are the strengths and weaknesses of our current government?
RH: One of the strengths of government here in the islands is that it really feels like “We The People.” Virtually everyone knows someone who works for government in some capacity and for the majority of people this helps dispel any “use versus them” feelings. The government has also shown the capacity to adapt and respond to economic changes. Some could argue over the magnitude of the changes, but that doesn’t negate the efforts of our neighbors employed by the county. The government could develop a greater sense of urgency and a stronger customer service focus. It should continuously evaluate its processes to insure that are sufficiently meeting the needs of the people and not “just the way they’ve always done it.”
Editor’s note: Richard Fralick, council position #4, is not running for re-election.
