Hardy souls clean up park

Despite near freezing temperatures and snowfall nearly all day in the Park, approximately 20 Friends of Moran State Park turned out Saturday, April 19 to assist Park Rangers with the annual spring clean-up. While attendance was hampered by the snow and cold temperatures, the spirits and energies of the volunteers ran high. The north end and midway campsites were prepped and cleaned to ready the park for the Opening of Fishing Season on April 26. A hot lunch was served and while we felt like we were characters in a snow-globe, a good time was had by all. Thanks to all the hardy souls who volunteered!

Karen Key Speck

Friends of Moran State Park

Granny’s Attic succeeds in snow

The Senior Center Advisory Committee would like to give the Orcas Island Community a very large “Thank you.” Not only did you support us with wonderful and varied donation items, but you braved the rain, wind and snow to come to Granny’s Attic Sale. (Who would have thought that we would have snow on April 19?) Your support makes it possible for us to keep the lights on and to continue to make the Senior Center the wonderful place that it is, not only for our seniors, but for the whole community. Thank you again.

Jane Heisinger

Olga

Cleanup

Day a Success

The staff at Moran would like to thank the Friends of Moran and all the people who braved cold snowy weather to attend the annual cleanup day at Moran on April 19. The weather may not have been good but the enthusiasm, friendship, and spirit of the volunteers warmed the day. Even with three inches of snow falling during the cleanup, we were able to clear all of the brush from recent tree work in our Midway and North End camp areas. Thanks to the hard work of these volunteers we are on track for having our camp areas ready to go for the busy season ahead. Special thanks to Ken and Karen Speck who organized the event and Pat Moffett who helped provide a great lunch for everyone. Thanks also to Gordon Buman who kept the coffee hot, the fire in the shelter going, and greeted all of the volunteers. What a great community, thank you all!

For those of you who love the park and enjoy working with great people, we encourage you to consider joining the Friends of Moran. This nonprofit group helps the park by sponsoring events such as the cleanup day and fishing derby, raising money for much needed projects, operating an information center and gift shop, and much more. If you would like to help make Moran the best park it can be and have fun in the process, contact the park at 376-2326 for information on how you can join this wonderful group.

Chris Guidotti

Park Manager and the Moran State Park Staff

Stay in your car

[In the Apr. 23 Sounder], Mr. Felber complains that an officer approached his car and asked him and his daughter to state their citizenship. Rather than provide the correct answer, they chose to engage in legal debate about the constitutionality of the inquiry, and were ordered to pull over. At this time Mr. Felber “left [his] vehicle and walked toward the crowd of agents” to remonstrate with them in a civil manner over this intrusion. He was surprised that the agents reacted poorly? All police officers are trained to require suspects to stay in the car where they can be monitored and controlled. To exit the car is seen as an aggressive act.

Peg Manning

Olga

Council

attendance at public meetings

The Sounder and Ed Sutton criticized County Council members for not attending a public meeting with David Moseley, the new head of WSF.

Key facts were omitted in that criticism. The omitted facts are that a few days before the public meeting, the entire Council met face to face with David Moseley and his assistant in the council meeting room in Friday Harbor. It was a productive two-hour meeting set up at the Council’s invitation and included a power point presentation prepared by the county to visually show Moseley the San Juan’s unique ferry needs.

The meeting that Council members didn’t attend was one that David Moseley announced was for the purpose of him talking to members of the public.

Gene Knapp

Editor’s note: The Sounder reported on the March 12 meeting between Moseley and the Council in the March 19 issue and online. The meeting with the WSF and San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee was on April 2.

Keep it

clean for all

For the past few summers there has been vandalism to the picnic tables in the Eastsound Village Square in the form of grafitti, carving, and painting of the wood surfaces. This is expensive to the taxpayers of the County and takes away from the appearance of the park for all users. The tables are there for everyone’s use and enjoyment. The tables will soon be placed back in the park, and they have been cleaned up for the summer season. It is hoped that people using the tables and other park facilities will find them clean, unmarked and free of vandalism. As a reminder, defacing public property is illegal and is punishable by fine.

Again this summer, the Village Square will be the scene of the weekly Farmers Markets and Concerts in the Park, as well as the Library Fair, Bite of Orcas, Summer Solstice concert and other community events. Many people, residents and visitors alike, will enjoy the open space in the heart of Eastsound. We invite you to use and enjoy your park and to do your part to keep the park and its facilities neat and clean for the next user.

Gil Blinn

San Juan County Parks Commissioner

Steve Jacobson remembered

I’m writing today to publicly thank Mr. Steve Jacobson for all he has given our Orcas Island community. He has recently passed away. Orcas Landing was one of his first ports of call as a young man. He had a very successful fishing career and came back to make it his own. He had a great story, he had a big dream, he went all the way, all the way, even when the going was rough, he made it real!

He saved our Orcas Landing, Saved our little dock. Took away the fuel tanks and is owed a world of thanks. Where once, was a broken down landing, he made it like a park.

Then just the other day, he decided to take a walk. Walk on high dear friend. Walk on the high clouds to the stars and heaven above. And when you look down you will see that all you did was good and all you gave was love.

We do appreciate the sacrifice you have made. The toil, sweet sweat, the joy, the suffering and the pain. We often don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone. You will be truly missed. We will honour you and uphold our decree. We are glad you have ascended and now you are free.

Thank you for taking the time to know us and to share your vision, energy, and your beautiful spirit. We are sorry you have gone away. We had hoped you would have lived to see the day when you could enjoy all you have built, but that was not God’s plan. You were a wonderful man.

God bless you and care for you, Steve Jacobson.

Thank you,

Denise and Captain Daniel Wilk

Orcas Landing

Water loophole

Is it true?

Are blue–blooded, off island ancestors of royalty, attempting to steal water from our beautiful agricultural Crow Valley lands and pipe it 3.4 miles down Dolphin Bay Road to their proposed waterfront kingdom of “development,” on 108 acres? Apparently it is.

They have purchased land that used to be called “The Healing Place” on Dolphin Bay Road. Apparently, the ground water is scarce on the 108 acres. So what did they do? With the help of Jeff Otis, one our “local” former planning department staff, they found an “Achilles heel” in our comprehensive plan armor. Under the “exempt well” RCW it states they can pump 5,000 gallons per day from agricultural land they bought on McNallie Lane for the simple purpose of taking the water from R20 agriculture open space land, and piping it to their 108 acre (R5) piece of dry land on the waterfront.

Voila, they can potentially develop 14 home sites on this acreage by the sea. You peasant farmers be damned! They will need a permit to use the public easement along Dolphin Bay Road to get their water to and fro. OPALCO apparently will be upgrading service down Dolphin Bay Road and the new landowners plan to use their trenches for the conveyance of the water.

Is our planning department going along for the ride? Do we have the lawful ability to stop this? Is this a precedent we want to set? Mining water from our agricultural lands and redistributing it to shoreline lands would not be a prudent thing to do. What will the effects of 5,000 gallons a day have on their neighbors in Crow Valley and on the entire Westsound watershed? I guess since they won’t be living next door, you’ll have to go 3.4 miles down the road to 14 different houses and let them know your well has run dry.

Call your Council members, call the planning department and let them know how you feel about this atrocity in the making. Or not, but then don’t complain about the unknown consequences.

Errol Speed

Eastound

From the Heart

As we develop friendships in our lives, more often than not, it is because we have common interests and loves. As we pursue these together, the bonds become closer and more meaningful. When they are broken, we grieve and feel less whole.

Orcas a Cappella has lost two such beautiful friends this year, earlier Judith Struthers, and now, just this past week, Anthony Richardson.

Singing is a personal endeavor and brings forth high emotion, vulnerability, and the Jonathan Livingston Seagull in us all – that of continually striving to fly ever higher. As a director, I am particularly aware of this humanity shinning through the eyes of my singers, and for the past seven years it has been my great joy experiencing this connection with both Anthony and Judith. They have made me a richer and more loving person!

I mourn the loss of you, my dear special friends.

Dennis Bonner

Director

Orcas a Cappella

Hardy souls clean up park

Despite near freezing temperatures and snowfall nearly all day in the Park, approximately 20 Friends of Moran State Park turned out Saturday, April 19 to assist Park Rangers with the annual spring clean-up. While attendance was hampered by the snow and cold temperatures, the spirits and energies of the volunteers ran high. The north end and midway campsites were prepped and cleaned to ready the park for the Opening of Fishing Season on April 26. A hot lunch was served and while we felt like we were characters in a snow-globe, a good time was had by all. Thanks to all the hardy souls who volunteered!

Karen Key Speck

Friends of Moran State Park

Granny’s Attic succeeds in snow

The Senior Center Advisory Committee would like to give the Orcas Island Community a very large “Thank you.” Not only did you support us with wonderful and varied donation items, but you braved the rain, wind and snow to come to Granny’s Attic Sale. (Who would have thought that we would have snow on April 19?) Your support makes it possible for us to keep the lights on and to continue to make the Senior Center the wonderful place that it is, not only for our seniors, but for the whole community. Thank you again.

Jane Heisinger

Olga

Cleanup

Day a Success

The staff at Moran would like to thank the Friends of Moran and all the people who braved cold snowy weather to attend the annual cleanup day at Moran on April 19. The weather may not have been good but the enthusiasm, friendship, and spirit of the volunteers warmed the day. Even with three inches of snow falling during the cleanup, we were able to clear all of the brush from recent tree work in our Midway and North End camp areas. Thanks to the hard work of these volunteers we are on track for having our camp areas ready to go for the busy season ahead. Special thanks to Ken and Karen Speck who organized the event and Pat Moffett who helped provide a great lunch for everyone. Thanks also to Gordon Buman who kept the coffee hot, the fire in the shelter going, and greeted all of the volunteers. What a great community, thank you all!

For those of you who love the park and enjoy working with great people, we encourage you to consider joining the Friends of Moran. This nonprofit group helps the park by sponsoring events such as the cleanup day and fishing derby, raising money for much needed projects, operating an information center and gift shop, and much more. If you would like to help make Moran the best park it can be and have fun in the process, contact the park at 376-2326 for information on how you can join this wonderful group.

Chris Guidotti

Park Manager and the Moran State Park Staff

Stay in your car

[In the Apr. 23 Sounder], Mr. Felber complains that an officer approached his car and asked him and his daughter to state their citizenship. Rather than provide the correct answer, they chose to engage in legal debate about the constitutionality of the inquiry, and were ordered to pull over. At this time Mr. Felber “left [his] vehicle and walked toward the crowd of agents” to remonstrate with them in a civil manner over this intrusion. He was surprised that the agents reacted poorly? All police officers are trained to require suspects to stay in the car where they can be monitored and controlled. To exit the car is seen as an aggressive act.

Peg Manning

Olga

Council

attendance at public meetings

The Sounder and Ed Sutton criticized County Council members for not attending a public meeting with David Moseley, the new head of WSF.

Key facts were omitted in that criticism. The omitted facts are that a few days before the public meeting, the entire Council met face to face with David Moseley and his assistant in the council meeting room in Friday Harbor. It was a productive two-hour meeting set up at the Council’s invitation and included a power point presentation prepared by the county to visually show Moseley the San Juan’s unique ferry needs.

The meeting that Council members didn’t attend was one that David Moseley announced was for the purpose of him talking to members of the public.

Gene Knapp

Editor’s note: The Sounder reported on the March 12 meeting between Moseley and the Council in the March 19 issue and online. The meeting with the WSF and San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee was on April 2.

Keep it

clean for all

For the past few summers there has been vandalism to the picnic tables in the Eastsound Village Square in the form of grafitti, carving, and painting of the wood surfaces. This is expensive to the taxpayers of the County and takes away from the appearance of the park for all users. The tables are there for everyone’s use and enjoyment. The tables will soon be placed back in the park, and they have been cleaned up for the summer season. It is hoped that people using the tables and other park facilities will find them clean, unmarked and free of vandalism. As a reminder, defacing public property is illegal and is punishable by fine.

Again this summer, the Village Square will be the scene of the weekly Farmers Markets and Concerts in the Park, as well as the Library Fair, Bite of Orcas, Summer Solstice concert and other community events. Many people, residents and visitors alike, will enjoy the open space in the heart of Eastsound. We invite you to use and enjoy your park and to do your part to keep the park and its facilities neat and clean for the next user.

Gil Blinn

San Juan County Parks Commissioner

Steve Jacobson remembered

I’m writing today to publicly thank Mr. Steve Jacobson for all he has given our Orcas Island community. He has recently passed away. Orcas Landing was one of his first ports of call as a young man. He had a very successful fishing career and came back to make it his own. He had a great story, he had a big dream, he went all the way, all the way, even when the going was rough, he made it real!

He saved our Orcas Landing, Saved our little dock. Took away the fuel tanks and is owed a world of thanks. Where once, was a broken down landing, he made it like a park.

Then just the other day, he decided to take a walk. Walk on high dear friend. Walk on the high clouds to the stars and heaven above. And when you look down you will see that all you did was good and all you gave was love.

We do appreciate the sacrifice you have made. The toil, sweet sweat, the joy, the suffering and the pain. We often don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone. You will be truly missed. We will honour you and uphold our decree. We are glad you have ascended and now you are free.

Thank you for taking the time to know us and to share your vision, energy, and your beautiful spirit. We are sorry you have gone away. We had hoped you would have lived to see the day when you could enjoy all you have built, but that was not God’s plan. You were a wonderful man.

God bless you and care for you, Steve Jacobson.

Thank you,

Denise and Captain Daniel Wilk

Orcas Landing

Water loophole

Is it true?

Are blue–blooded, off island ancestors of royalty, attempting to steal water from our beautiful agricultural Crow Valley lands and pipe it 3.4 miles down Dolphin Bay Road to their proposed waterfront kingdom of “development,” on 108 acres? Apparently it is.

They have purchased land that used to be called “The Healing Place” on Dolphin Bay Road. Apparently, the ground water is scarce on the 108 acres. So what did they do? With the help of Jeff Otis, one our “local” former planning department staff, they found an “Achilles heel” in our comprehensive plan armor. Under the “exempt well” RCW it states they can pump 5,000 gallons per day from agricultural land they bought on McNallie Lane for the simple purpose of taking the water from R20 agriculture open space land, and piping it to their 108 acre (R5) piece of dry land on the waterfront.

Voila, they can potentially develop 14 home sites on this acreage by the sea. You peasant farmers be damned! They will need a permit to use the public easement along Dolphin Bay Road to get their water to and fro. OPALCO apparently will be upgrading service down Dolphin Bay Road and the new landowners plan to use their trenches for the conveyance of the water.

Is our planning department going along for the ride? Do we have the lawful ability to stop this? Is this a precedent we want to set? Mining water from our agricultural lands and redistributing it to shoreline lands would not be a prudent thing to do. What will the effects of 5,000 gallons a day have on their neighbors in Crow Valley and on the entire Westsound watershed? I guess since they won’t be living next door, you’ll have to go 3.4 miles down the road to 14 different houses and let them know your well has run dry.

Call your Council members, call the planning department and let them know how you feel about this atrocity in the making. Or not, but then don’t complain about the unknown consequences.

Errol Speed

Eastound

From the Heart

As we develop friendships in our lives, more often than not, it is because we have common interests and loves. As we pursue these together, the bonds become closer and more meaningful. When they are broken, we grieve and feel less whole.

Orcas a Cappella has lost two such beautiful friends this year, earlier Judith Struthers, and now, just this past week, Anthony Richardson.

Singing is a personal endeavor and brings forth high emotion, vulnerability, and the Jonathan Livingston Seagull in us all – that of continually striving to fly ever higher. As a director, I am particularly aware of this humanity shinning through the eyes of my singers, and for the past seven years it has been my great joy experiencing this connection with both Anthony and Judith. They have made me a richer and more loving person!

I mourn the loss of you, my dear special friends.

Dennis Bonner

Director

Orcas a Cappella