As your former elected San Juan County Council Member I strongly recommend retaining Rick Hughes as the Orcas representative on the San Juan County Council. Based upon his thoughtful and balanced approach to county government, Rick Hughes deserves to be re-elected this November.

In the past four years, Rick has worked hard to make San Juan County better. By passing the Critical Areas Ordinance modifications, the Shoreline Master Plan update, the Economic and Transportation Elements San Juan County is for the first time in 25 years compliant with Washington State Law and the Growth Management Act. The Eastsound Comprehensive Plan has been updated. Financial hemorrhaging from the solid waste program has been staunched. Solid waste debt has been paid off and the solid waste excise tax has been lowered. There have been four years of hold the line budgeting and the Rainy Day Reserve, Capital Reserve and Lodging Tax Reserve Funds have been fully funded. County debt at the same time has been reduced. Rick has developed good working relationships with our neighboring counties and with state legislators resulting in synergistic approaches to shared problems and the passage of a state bill allowing San Juan County to use road levy funds for marine facilities.

There is more work to be done. The speed with which building permits are approved by county planning department continues to be an issue. The traffic problems at the ferry landing must be resolved and the ferry park and ride facilities initiated by Rick fully implemented. Funding of the building shell for the new Exchange needs to be completed. Rick has identified these as priorities and is working to resolve them. He should be allowed to continue working on these important issues. Please join me and vote to re-elect Rick Hughes for another four years.

Richard Fralick

Deer Harbor