Last night's dinner theater celebration of "The Magical Season" was packed with snow-bound islanders ready to enjoy the warmth and humor of the holiday season. And they got a wassail bowlful, thanks to the Victorian Room Readers' Theater, under the direction of Patty Monaco, and the production genius of Leslie Ginnis.
The room was packed, and unfortunately, folks had to be turned away. The audience was primed to boo the pompous professor who didn't want the world to know he'd written the jingle, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," to applaud Rhys and Gracie Thompson as they spiritedly recited that poem and to guffaw along with the auction-bound husband who saw "the bowling ball of fate rolling right down his alley."
In that spirit, as we race out of the house for the ferry and pack Christmas presents and clean up the mess from the garbage the dog got into (thank heavens I put the pork chops back in the fridge), here's the old Walt Kelly "Pogo" version of "Deck the Hall"
Deck us all with Boston Charlie
Walla Walla Wash. andKalamazoo!
Nora's freezin' on the trolley,
swaller dollar cauliflower alleyga roo!
Don't we know archaic barrrel
Lullaby Lilla Boy, Louisville Lou
Trolley Molly don't love Harold,
Boola boola Pensacoola
Hullabaloo!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
School board holds regular meeting Dec. 18
The Orcas Island School District board had a rollicking good time on Thursday, Dec. 18 as the threat of snow, ice and winds combined to keep all but the heartiest school supporters away.
Board member Charlie Glasser communicated by phone conference, with his remarks kept to a pithy minimum.
As the upcoming school bond work session had been postponed, the OISD board quickly dispensed with the consent agenda and reports. OISD Business Manager Ben Thomas was not able to attend, and so there was no business report.
The Farm to Cafeteria program will be further discussed at the Board's January meeting. OISD Board President Janet Brownell noted that the San Juan Island School District's new cafeteria program has increased the number of school lunches from 200 to about 600 daily. The district also prepares box lunches to sell to the community. The San Juan program is funded with a three-year grant.
Superintendent/High School Principal Barbara Kline commented on a conference, to take place Jan. 7-9. on using technology to improve student learning.
The board was in agreement that the elementary school music program, scheduled for that night, should take place once school begins again in January. Board member Tony Ghazel said that the students had worked hard to perform for the community, who enjoyed the children's concerts whenever they were performed.
The board will need to reschedule the two missed snow days this past week, and hope that there aren't further snow days this winter.
Board member Scott Lancaster spoke on a security matter brought up by the San Juan County Sheriff Bill Cumming at an earlier meeting: the need to re-key outdoor locks in the school building. The board discussed whether to pay for that expense out of the $33,000 left over from the current bond funds.
Lancaster said he would get an opinion as to whether that money can be used to replace about 20 exterior locks. In the discussion, it was brought out that OISD has a very good bond rating.
the board was in favor of replacing the keyed locks with a number pad.
The Board scheduled their retreat workshop to discuss the OISSD's Strategic Plan for Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. This meeting is open to the public, as is the regular OISD Board meeting on Jan 22, beginning at 3 p.m. for the re-scheduled bond workshop, followed by the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Marta Branch, OASIS high school teacher, mentioned that some of her students will be attending a Washington Alternative Learning conference in Olympia in February, which wil include a tour of the state Capitol and legislative sessions. Branch suggested that the OASIS students travel with the OISD board members, as they will be in Olympia at the same time.
Both the OASIS and Waldron School Improvement Plans, which Kline noted were more like annual reports, were approved by the board.
Board member Charlie Glasser communicated by phone conference, with his remarks kept to a pithy minimum.
As the upcoming school bond work session had been postponed, the OISD board quickly dispensed with the consent agenda and reports. OISD Business Manager Ben Thomas was not able to attend, and so there was no business report.
The Farm to Cafeteria program will be further discussed at the Board's January meeting. OISD Board President Janet Brownell noted that the San Juan Island School District's new cafeteria program has increased the number of school lunches from 200 to about 600 daily. The district also prepares box lunches to sell to the community. The San Juan program is funded with a three-year grant.
Superintendent/High School Principal Barbara Kline commented on a conference, to take place Jan. 7-9. on using technology to improve student learning.
The board was in agreement that the elementary school music program, scheduled for that night, should take place once school begins again in January. Board member Tony Ghazel said that the students had worked hard to perform for the community, who enjoyed the children's concerts whenever they were performed.
The board will need to reschedule the two missed snow days this past week, and hope that there aren't further snow days this winter.
Board member Scott Lancaster spoke on a security matter brought up by the San Juan County Sheriff Bill Cumming at an earlier meeting: the need to re-key outdoor locks in the school building. The board discussed whether to pay for that expense out of the $33,000 left over from the current bond funds.
Lancaster said he would get an opinion as to whether that money can be used to replace about 20 exterior locks. In the discussion, it was brought out that OISD has a very good bond rating.
the board was in favor of replacing the keyed locks with a number pad.
The Board scheduled their retreat workshop to discuss the OISSD's Strategic Plan for Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. This meeting is open to the public, as is the regular OISD Board meeting on Jan 22, beginning at 3 p.m. for the re-scheduled bond workshop, followed by the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Marta Branch, OASIS high school teacher, mentioned that some of her students will be attending a Washington Alternative Learning conference in Olympia in February, which wil include a tour of the state Capitol and legislative sessions. Branch suggested that the OASIS students travel with the OISD board members, as they will be in Olympia at the same time.
Both the OASIS and Waldron School Improvement Plans, which Kline noted were more like annual reports, were approved by the board.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Outlook Inn's Christmas dinner and show Friday night only
The Outlook Inn in Eastound is doing its best to help islanders "keep cheerful" during this winter, with Chef Sean Paul preparing special dinners for the Victorian Room Readers Theatre Dinner performances.
Last month, Noel Coward's Fallen Angels delighted a sold-out audience ($30 for dinner and show, $8 for show alone) with Coward's rapid-fire wit at the expense of upper-crust British society.
This month, director Patty Monaco again brings together a cast of local stars -- Lesley Liddle, Tony Lee, Ron Herman and Louise Carnachan, augmented by student actors Rhys and Grace Thompson, in a trio of Christmas-themed performances.
The first will be Tony Lee's recitation of the Dylan Thomas classic, "A Child's Christmas in Wales." The second piece will be a rendering of the composition of "A Visit from St. Nicholas," Clement Moore's famous poem that famously begins, "Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house..."
The third performance will be vignettes from the writing of Robert Fulghum, author of "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten."
Dinner seating begins at 6 p.m., with the theatre performance starting at 7:30 p.m.
Dinner orders must be made at the same time as reservations. reservation. Beverages will be available for purchase. Seating for dinner is 6 to 6:30 p.m. Call 376-2200 to make reservations.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Governor's proposed budget: many cuts, no new taxes
The following is a statement issued by Governor Chris Gregoire's communications office on Dec. 18, 2008:
Gov. Chris Gregoire today proposed her 2009–11 state budget, closing a projected $5.7 billion shortfall through a combination of program reductions, suspension of state employee, teacher and care worker salary increases, pension changes, increased federal contributions and the use of the state’s rainy day fund.
“The deepening national recession is already the longest in a quarter century and has resulted in dramatic budget gaps in states across the nation,” Gregoire said. “Our state is not immune and our revenue — largely reliant on a sales tax — is down significantly, resulting in the largest budget gap in state history.”
The governor’s proposed budget will close the projected shortfall without raising taxes.
“Now is not the time to be raising taxes on our residents and businesses,” Gregoire said. “Our families are tightening their belts, and that’s what government needs to do. The state must squeeze every ounce of value from each taxpayer dollar while maintaining our priorities of protecting families and children the best we can.”
Each part of the state budget will be reduced in the proposed budget. Education and public safety took the smallest cuts, followed by health care, human services and natural resources.
“As we face this crisis, the most important thing we must do is protect our children,” the governor said. “Even as we make cuts in other areas, we must make sure our children are safe in their homes, have high-quality health care, and are provided with an education that will equip them with the skills and opportunity they need to succeed in the economy we are building for tomorrow.”
“Hardworking teachers, state employees and care workers provide immeasurably valuable services to the people of our state,” Gregoire said. “They are well deserving of adjustments to maintain the value of their salaries. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to put their raises on hold. Forgoing the raises allowed us to protect early learning, keep smaller classes in our K-12 schools and protect teachers’ jobs, as well as avoid even deeper cuts to services for our most vulnerable and health care for children and families.”
Gregoire’s proposed budget leaves a $507 million ending balance, which includes $100 million in the rainy day fund.
As the economic downturn took hold in Washington late last year, the governor took steps to save money, including a freeze on hiring, equipment purchases, out-of-state travel and personal service contracts; across-the-board reductions in state agencies and higher education institutions; and other program savings.
Gov. Chris Gregoire today proposed her 2009–11 state budget, closing a projected $5.7 billion shortfall through a combination of program reductions, suspension of state employee, teacher and care worker salary increases, pension changes, increased federal contributions and the use of the state’s rainy day fund.
“The deepening national recession is already the longest in a quarter century and has resulted in dramatic budget gaps in states across the nation,” Gregoire said. “Our state is not immune and our revenue — largely reliant on a sales tax — is down significantly, resulting in the largest budget gap in state history.”
The governor’s proposed budget will close the projected shortfall without raising taxes.
“Now is not the time to be raising taxes on our residents and businesses,” Gregoire said. “Our families are tightening their belts, and that’s what government needs to do. The state must squeeze every ounce of value from each taxpayer dollar while maintaining our priorities of protecting families and children the best we can.”
Each part of the state budget will be reduced in the proposed budget. Education and public safety took the smallest cuts, followed by health care, human services and natural resources.
“As we face this crisis, the most important thing we must do is protect our children,” the governor said. “Even as we make cuts in other areas, we must make sure our children are safe in their homes, have high-quality health care, and are provided with an education that will equip them with the skills and opportunity they need to succeed in the economy we are building for tomorrow.”
“Hardworking teachers, state employees and care workers provide immeasurably valuable services to the people of our state,” Gregoire said. “They are well deserving of adjustments to maintain the value of their salaries. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to put their raises on hold. Forgoing the raises allowed us to protect early learning, keep smaller classes in our K-12 schools and protect teachers’ jobs, as well as avoid even deeper cuts to services for our most vulnerable and health care for children and families.”
Gregoire’s proposed budget leaves a $507 million ending balance, which includes $100 million in the rainy day fund.
As the economic downturn took hold in Washington late last year, the governor took steps to save money, including a freeze on hiring, equipment purchases, out-of-state travel and personal service contracts; across-the-board reductions in state agencies and higher education institutions; and other program savings.
Sheriff reports on snow-related accidents and transport
Late yesterday afternoon, County Sheriff Bill Cumming responded to a snowboarding accident at the Orcas Island Golf Course. A 16-year-old boy fell while snowboarding at suffered a cervical spine injury. He was transported to Harborview Hospital in Seattle by the Coast Guard, and the severity of his injury is not known at this time, Cumming said.
When the Guardian, the Sheriff's rescue boat, was called to the Orcas Landing to transport the boy from the ambulance, the wind had picked up. There was an attempt to contact the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island for a Medivac flight, but the weather had shut down the station.
The Sheriff then contacted the Coast Guard in Port Angeles, which first attempted to land in the ferry parking lot. When that landing didn't work, the Coast Guard went to the airport at Eastsound to transport the boy to the Seattle hospital.
The Guardian had been called out repeatedly yesterday, responding to respond to two cardiac arrests on Orcas Island, a broken hip on San Juan Island, and another broken hip on Lopez Island. At one time, there were two patients being transported on the Guardian at the same time.
During this cold snap, Sheriff Cumming said, "The roads continue to be hazardous. People are exercising caution, but are advised to stay warm, and to keep a supply of water and food ready in case we lose power.
"And check on your neighbors; this is the time for us to realize what a community we live in," said Cumming.
Currently, the cold weather is expected to continue at least until Dec. 24.
Weather information and advice on safety during the freezing temperatures is available at the county website, www.sanjuanco.com.
When the Guardian, the Sheriff's rescue boat, was called to the Orcas Landing to transport the boy from the ambulance, the wind had picked up. There was an attempt to contact the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island for a Medivac flight, but the weather had shut down the station.
The Sheriff then contacted the Coast Guard in Port Angeles, which first attempted to land in the ferry parking lot. When that landing didn't work, the Coast Guard went to the airport at Eastsound to transport the boy to the Seattle hospital.
The Guardian had been called out repeatedly yesterday, responding to respond to two cardiac arrests on Orcas Island, a broken hip on San Juan Island, and another broken hip on Lopez Island. At one time, there were two patients being transported on the Guardian at the same time.
During this cold snap, Sheriff Cumming said, "The roads continue to be hazardous. People are exercising caution, but are advised to stay warm, and to keep a supply of water and food ready in case we lose power.
"And check on your neighbors; this is the time for us to realize what a community we live in," said Cumming.
Currently, the cold weather is expected to continue at least until Dec. 24.
Weather information and advice on safety during the freezing temperatures is available at the county website, www.sanjuanco.com.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
4th and 5th grade hoops for girls to start in Jan. - register now
PTSA President Barb Skotte just sent out the word that Orcas Rec has added a 4th and 5th grade girls' basketball program to its schedule. The program will start January 6th and run every Tues and Thurs from 5:30 m-7 pm until March 12th (except the week of 2/16). The coaches are Carol Rost and Tim Hance, and the program will culminate in a basketball tournament in March!
Practices will be at the Orcas Christian School Gym. Cost is $50 for the entire program. No experience is necessary, but sign up soon--space is limited. Call Orcas Rec at 376-5339 for more information. Also--Thank you to sponsors Orcas Rec, Ray's Pharmacy, Studio 29, The Office Cupboard, West Beach Resort, The Sunflower Cafe, Gudgell Properties, Windermere Orcas Island, and All Islands Home Inspections for making this program possible!
Practices will be at the Orcas Christian School Gym. Cost is $50 for the entire program. No experience is necessary, but sign up soon--space is limited. Call Orcas Rec at 376-5339 for more information. Also--Thank you to sponsors Orcas Rec, Ray's Pharmacy, Studio 29, The Office Cupboard, West Beach Resort, The Sunflower Cafe, Gudgell Properties, Windermere Orcas Island, and All Islands Home Inspections for making this program possible!
Navigating in the snow
In my haste to rush home before the snow began to fall again yesterday, I locked my keys in the car. Luckily, AAA came in time for me to make the 8:25 p.m. sailing, and I was home safe by 10 -- with my daughter's 130-pound French mastiff, Cooper to babysit for a week while she goes skiing in Alaska.
Cooper's looks scare me, but he is a gentle giant. I've tried explaining that to our 15-year-old cat, Six. Six doesn't understand why he is the only one who abides by the rules: specifically, no dogs in the house. Cooper is scared of Six, the hissing demon and he misses his mom. We will probably venture out to the dog park this afternoon, while Six returns to his study of the Peloppennesian War.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Help the Dolan Family - Update
Roseann Dolan has been in Swedish Hospital since Dec. 4. Her husband Chris, now working at Orcas Market, says that she's recuperating from a collapsed lung, with a chest tube draining fluid.
RoseAnn has had two surgeries this fall, and Chris has had to take time off work to be with her. Daughter Adia is at Orcas Elementary School, and son Zach graduated from Orcas High School in 2007.
A fund has been set up at Islanders Bank to assist the Dolan family at Islanders Bank, 475 Fern Street, 376-2265. PO Box 699, Eastsound WA 98245. Please contribute.
Also, a website has been set up so that friends can be updated on Roseann's progress and wish her well. Go to www.caringbridge.org, and in the "visitor" window, type in
roseanndolan1
(no spaces or capitals)
Please sign the guestbook, so that Roseann and the Dolans can hear from you.
RoseAnn has had two surgeries this fall, and Chris has had to take time off work to be with her. Daughter Adia is at Orcas Elementary School, and son Zach graduated from Orcas High School in 2007.
A fund has been set up at Islanders Bank to assist the Dolan family at Islanders Bank, 475 Fern Street, 376-2265. PO Box 699, Eastsound WA 98245. Please contribute.
Also, a website has been set up so that friends can be updated on Roseann's progress and wish her well. Go to www.caringbridge.org, and in the "visitor" window, type in
roseanndolan1
(no spaces or capitals)
Please sign the guestbook, so that Roseann and the Dolans can hear from you.
Planning Commission Wednesday meeting rescheduled; will consider Housing in Comprehensive Plan
(The Planning Commission's Dec. 17 meeting agenda will be addressed on Jan. 16 meeting. )
The Planning Commission was scheduled to meet Wednesday, Dec. 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at San Juan County Fire District #3, 1011 Mullis Street, in Friday Harbor. Administrative Items to be included are:
Update from Chair, Bob Gamble;
Update from Ron Henrickson;
Update from Housing Bank Subcommittee;
Update from Marine Resources Committee;
Approval of Minutes – November 21, 2008.
A Public hearing and deliberations to consider the proposed update of the
San Juan County Comprehensive Plan Housing Element and Appendix 5 will take place at the meeting, as well as a continued public hearing for deliberations only on proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) and Appendix 2 of the
Comprehensive Plan to allow for Essential Public Facilities (EPFs).
Essential Public Facilities
At the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) meeting in October, where the EPFs were reviewed, EPRC member Gulliver Rankin commented that stormwater facilities were not included in the proposal and questioned why stormwater detention treatment was not considered an essential public facility.
EPRC member Audrey Moreland brought out that certain roadways and bridges should be considered as essential public facilities, considering that, in an emergency such as an earthquake, the destruction or inaccessibility of bridges such as the Moran Park bridge and the Channel Road bridge would make parts of the island unreachable.
County Public Works Director Jon Shannon said at the EPRC meeting that the policy objective of the ordinance is to outline the broad context, but it does not address the shoreline where many EPFs are located and it provides siting standards for only one type of facility.
For further information on EPFs contact Shireene Hale at 370-7569 or shireeneh@san-juan.wa.us.
Affordable Housing
Senior County Planner Colin Maycock has been updating the housing element in the Comprehensive Plan this fall. The housing element is based on the Housing Needs Assessment originally completed in 1999, based on 1990 census data. At the October EPRC meeting, Maycock noted that the housing element is not a big section of the Comprehensive Plan.
A roundtable of affordable housing advocates met with Maycock on Oct. 15, at the Lopez Community Land Trust (LCLT) offices on Lopez Island,to review the goals and policies of the housing component of the county Comprehensive Plan.(see summary of the meeting below.)
A Dec. 31 deadline has been extended into 2009, in order that the county can hold public hearings such as the one scheduled for Dec. 17, in order to update the housing component, following the legal settlement of a challenge by John Campbell, Orcas Island architect and board member of Homes for Islanders.
Campbell contested an earlier approval of the first phase of expansion of the Friday Harbor urban growth area as a means of forcing the county to produce the updates. Counties like San Juan that plan under the state Growth Management Act (GMA) must periodically update portions of their comprehensive plans.
Maycock is tasked with revising the county’s Housing Needs Assessment to assist in the review of the Housing element of the comp plan.
Affordable Housing Review at Lopez Community Land Trust Common Ground offices
The Executive Summary of the Housing Needs Assessment’s most recent draft states, “The primary elements of the housing needs equation are: population projections, building land and affordability.”
Projections of 2005 still hold, Maycock said at the Oct. 15 meeting: the population of the county is estimated to reach about 24,000 by 2030, and will require approximately 11,287 dwelling units. 2005 housing figures show that there were about 10,650 dwelling units; so for the next 22 years, “the County would need to provide sites for a further 378 units or approximately 17 units per year.”
Building land availability “appears… to meet the potential long-term demand for housing. Such a statement must be qualified with a consideration of the provision of housing affordable to members of the community earning something in the vicinity of the area median income, or, as is commonly the case for those working in the county, something considerably lower,” the assessment summary read.
The Affordability of Housing section of the summary states, “As recently as 2000, a person or family earning close to the area median income could afford to buy a house in the County. Since then … it has become almost utterly impossible for wage and salary earners in the county to afford to purchase a home here.”
In 2000, the median county income was $53,900, and the median home price was $250,000. in 2004, those figures were $60,100 and $337,000. In 2007, the median income was $61,600, while the median home price was $563,300.
Karin Agosta of the county Planning commission, Bill Agosta of the Housing Bank Commission, Sandy Bishop, Executive Director of the Lopez Community Land Trust, Nancy DeVaux of the county Home Trust, Carrie Lacher of the Friday Harbor Town Council, Angie Lausch, county Affordable Housing Coordinator, Patty Miller of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee and Barbara Thomas of the county Planning Commission were in attendance at the Oct. 10 meeting at LCLT.
The group analyzed section 5.2 of the Comp Plan, “the housing element,” point by point to clarify the policies for achieving the stated goal: “To make adequate provision for a variety of housing choices in terms of type, cost, size, design, and suitability for various households including families, the elderly, the disabled, and housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income ranges while recognizing the unique physical, social, and economic environment of the islands.”
Karin Agosta mentioned that because implementation of the comprehensive plan comes through the county’s development codes, it’s important that the goals, policies and philosophies are clearly enunciated in the Comp Plan. “This [document] sets the principles to be enforced by the Uniform Development Code (UDC),” said Agosta.
Revisions agreed upon in the LCLT discussion were to be incorporated by Maycock as he re-drafts the document.
Also on the agenda for Dec. 17 is a noon break, time approximate for lunch, with reconvening at 1 p.m., time approximate depending on lunch break, continuation of any hearing or workshop, if necessary, and adjournment to take place when agenda items have been completed or continued.
The Planning Commission was scheduled to meet Wednesday, Dec. 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at San Juan County Fire District #3, 1011 Mullis Street, in Friday Harbor. Administrative Items to be included are:
Update from Chair, Bob Gamble;
Update from Ron Henrickson;
Update from Housing Bank Subcommittee;
Update from Marine Resources Committee;
Approval of Minutes – November 21, 2008.
A Public hearing and deliberations to consider the proposed update of the
San Juan County Comprehensive Plan Housing Element and Appendix 5 will take place at the meeting, as well as a continued public hearing for deliberations only on proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) and Appendix 2 of the
Comprehensive Plan to allow for Essential Public Facilities (EPFs).
Essential Public Facilities
At the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) meeting in October, where the EPFs were reviewed, EPRC member Gulliver Rankin commented that stormwater facilities were not included in the proposal and questioned why stormwater detention treatment was not considered an essential public facility.
EPRC member Audrey Moreland brought out that certain roadways and bridges should be considered as essential public facilities, considering that, in an emergency such as an earthquake, the destruction or inaccessibility of bridges such as the Moran Park bridge and the Channel Road bridge would make parts of the island unreachable.
County Public Works Director Jon Shannon said at the EPRC meeting that the policy objective of the ordinance is to outline the broad context, but it does not address the shoreline where many EPFs are located and it provides siting standards for only one type of facility.
For further information on EPFs contact Shireene Hale at 370-7569 or shireeneh@san-juan.wa.us.
Affordable Housing
Senior County Planner Colin Maycock has been updating the housing element in the Comprehensive Plan this fall. The housing element is based on the Housing Needs Assessment originally completed in 1999, based on 1990 census data. At the October EPRC meeting, Maycock noted that the housing element is not a big section of the Comprehensive Plan.
A roundtable of affordable housing advocates met with Maycock on Oct. 15, at the Lopez Community Land Trust (LCLT) offices on Lopez Island,to review the goals and policies of the housing component of the county Comprehensive Plan.(see summary of the meeting below.)
A Dec. 31 deadline has been extended into 2009, in order that the county can hold public hearings such as the one scheduled for Dec. 17, in order to update the housing component, following the legal settlement of a challenge by John Campbell, Orcas Island architect and board member of Homes for Islanders.
Campbell contested an earlier approval of the first phase of expansion of the Friday Harbor urban growth area as a means of forcing the county to produce the updates. Counties like San Juan that plan under the state Growth Management Act (GMA) must periodically update portions of their comprehensive plans.
Maycock is tasked with revising the county’s Housing Needs Assessment to assist in the review of the Housing element of the comp plan.
Affordable Housing Review at Lopez Community Land Trust Common Ground offices
The Executive Summary of the Housing Needs Assessment’s most recent draft states, “The primary elements of the housing needs equation are: population projections, building land and affordability.”
Projections of 2005 still hold, Maycock said at the Oct. 15 meeting: the population of the county is estimated to reach about 24,000 by 2030, and will require approximately 11,287 dwelling units. 2005 housing figures show that there were about 10,650 dwelling units; so for the next 22 years, “the County would need to provide sites for a further 378 units or approximately 17 units per year.”
Building land availability “appears… to meet the potential long-term demand for housing. Such a statement must be qualified with a consideration of the provision of housing affordable to members of the community earning something in the vicinity of the area median income, or, as is commonly the case for those working in the county, something considerably lower,” the assessment summary read.
The Affordability of Housing section of the summary states, “As recently as 2000, a person or family earning close to the area median income could afford to buy a house in the County. Since then … it has become almost utterly impossible for wage and salary earners in the county to afford to purchase a home here.”
In 2000, the median county income was $53,900, and the median home price was $250,000. in 2004, those figures were $60,100 and $337,000. In 2007, the median income was $61,600, while the median home price was $563,300.
Karin Agosta of the county Planning commission, Bill Agosta of the Housing Bank Commission, Sandy Bishop, Executive Director of the Lopez Community Land Trust, Nancy DeVaux of the county Home Trust, Carrie Lacher of the Friday Harbor Town Council, Angie Lausch, county Affordable Housing Coordinator, Patty Miller of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee and Barbara Thomas of the county Planning Commission were in attendance at the Oct. 10 meeting at LCLT.
The group analyzed section 5.2 of the Comp Plan, “the housing element,” point by point to clarify the policies for achieving the stated goal: “To make adequate provision for a variety of housing choices in terms of type, cost, size, design, and suitability for various households including families, the elderly, the disabled, and housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income ranges while recognizing the unique physical, social, and economic environment of the islands.”
Karin Agosta mentioned that because implementation of the comprehensive plan comes through the county’s development codes, it’s important that the goals, policies and philosophies are clearly enunciated in the Comp Plan. “This [document] sets the principles to be enforced by the Uniform Development Code (UDC),” said Agosta.
Revisions agreed upon in the LCLT discussion were to be incorporated by Maycock as he re-drafts the document.
Also on the agenda for Dec. 17 is a noon break, time approximate for lunch, with reconvening at 1 p.m., time approximate depending on lunch break, continuation of any hearing or workshop, if necessary, and adjournment to take place when agenda items have been completed or continued.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Council meets today and tomorrow
On Monday, Dec. 15, The San Juan Community Council members will give updates on the areas of their particular concern:
. Council Retreat – Howie Rosenfeld
. Veterans' Advisory Board Terms – Howie Rosenfeld/Alan Lichter
. Ferries/Ferry Advisory Committee/Ferry Subcommittee – Howie Rosenfeld
. Cell Phone Subcommittee – Rich Peterson
. Legislative Priorities and Lobbying Efforts – Bob Myhr
. General Government Subcommittee – Gene Knapp
. Budget Subcommittee – Howie Rosenfeld
Later County Administrator Pete Rose will give report to the council in a discussion of budget policy ideas and housing needs and changes, with County Development and Planning Director Ron Henrickson.
Tomorrow, Dec. 16, the Council will have a continued discussion of their lobbying efforts and San Juan Co. Legislative priorities which have been identified for the purpose of discussion as:
Washington State Ferries
Position: Washington State Ferries needs to maintain a level of service that supports the business, personal, and visitor transportation needs in Puget Sound.
1. Use federal government stimulus funds to support construction of ferries and improve island ferry terminals.
2. Prioritize capital expenditures to support safe and reliable new and existing vessels.
3. Fully fund the construction of at least two 144 car ferries and at least three 64-90-car ferries.
4. Authorize and fund an impact study of the economic significance and contribution of ferries for the Washington State economy.
5. Emphasize that San Juan Island’s run is unique because the ferry system is our highway that links our community together and is a major draw for state tourism.
Restoration/Allocation of CAPRON funds
Position:
1. Support the continuation of the statutory refund of Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Revenue to San Juan County (RCW 46.68.080) CAPRON ACT
2. Support the restoration of the portion of the CAPRON Act refund that was transferred to Washington State ferries in 2006 by the passage of ESSB 6839
Stormwater Regulations for Rural Counties
Position: Authorize and fund $200,000 for Department of Ecology to help prepare a new manual for stormwater regulations for rural counties.
Federal Funding for Year-round Rescue Tug at Neah Bay
Position: Support the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2007.
• Support State funding for the Neah Bay Rescue Tug if the federal legislation looks like it will fail.
• Support State funding for Oil Spill Advisory Council.
Cattle Point Road Relocation
Position: Ask the Washington State legislature, the Governor, and the Congressional delegation to provide transportation funding to relocate the Cattle Point Road on San Juan Island and to support a sustainable long-term funding source to meet the transportation infrastructure needs of Washington State counties.
Save Mitchell Hill
Position: Develop a private, local and federal partnership, and secure the necessary $4.5 - 8 million to preserve this natural and historical resource on San Juan Island. San Juan County and the Department of Natural Resources agreed to a three-year stay on logging and/or development of this property in order for the County to develop a process to preserve this unique natural and recreational resource.
Odlin South
Allocate $607,000 for Trust Lands Transfer Program to acquire 37 acres of the Odlin South 106-acre bloc for SJC Land Bank/Parks.
Position: 1. Work with legislature to get full funding for Odlin South transfer to San Juan County via the Trust Lands Transfer program
Fully Fund Public Schools
Position: Compel the legislature to meet Washington State’s constitutional requirement to equitably and fully fund basic education.
For more information on the Council's meetings and agenda, go to www.sanjuanco.com and click on "Council."
. Council Retreat – Howie Rosenfeld
. Veterans' Advisory Board Terms – Howie Rosenfeld/Alan Lichter
. Ferries/Ferry Advisory Committee/Ferry Subcommittee – Howie Rosenfeld
. Cell Phone Subcommittee – Rich Peterson
. Legislative Priorities and Lobbying Efforts – Bob Myhr
. General Government Subcommittee – Gene Knapp
. Budget Subcommittee – Howie Rosenfeld
Later County Administrator Pete Rose will give report to the council in a discussion of budget policy ideas and housing needs and changes, with County Development and Planning Director Ron Henrickson.
Tomorrow, Dec. 16, the Council will have a continued discussion of their lobbying efforts and San Juan Co. Legislative priorities which have been identified for the purpose of discussion as:
Washington State Ferries
Position: Washington State Ferries needs to maintain a level of service that supports the business, personal, and visitor transportation needs in Puget Sound.
1. Use federal government stimulus funds to support construction of ferries and improve island ferry terminals.
2. Prioritize capital expenditures to support safe and reliable new and existing vessels.
3. Fully fund the construction of at least two 144 car ferries and at least three 64-90-car ferries.
4. Authorize and fund an impact study of the economic significance and contribution of ferries for the Washington State economy.
5. Emphasize that San Juan Island’s run is unique because the ferry system is our highway that links our community together and is a major draw for state tourism.
Restoration/Allocation of CAPRON funds
Position:
1. Support the continuation of the statutory refund of Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Revenue to San Juan County (RCW 46.68.080) CAPRON ACT
2. Support the restoration of the portion of the CAPRON Act refund that was transferred to Washington State ferries in 2006 by the passage of ESSB 6839
Stormwater Regulations for Rural Counties
Position: Authorize and fund $200,000 for Department of Ecology to help prepare a new manual for stormwater regulations for rural counties.
Federal Funding for Year-round Rescue Tug at Neah Bay
Position: Support the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2007.
• Support State funding for the Neah Bay Rescue Tug if the federal legislation looks like it will fail.
• Support State funding for Oil Spill Advisory Council.
Cattle Point Road Relocation
Position: Ask the Washington State legislature, the Governor, and the Congressional delegation to provide transportation funding to relocate the Cattle Point Road on San Juan Island and to support a sustainable long-term funding source to meet the transportation infrastructure needs of Washington State counties.
Save Mitchell Hill
Position: Develop a private, local and federal partnership, and secure the necessary $4.5 - 8 million to preserve this natural and historical resource on San Juan Island. San Juan County and the Department of Natural Resources agreed to a three-year stay on logging and/or development of this property in order for the County to develop a process to preserve this unique natural and recreational resource.
Odlin South
Allocate $607,000 for Trust Lands Transfer Program to acquire 37 acres of the Odlin South 106-acre bloc for SJC Land Bank/Parks.
Position: 1. Work with legislature to get full funding for Odlin South transfer to San Juan County via the Trust Lands Transfer program
Fully Fund Public Schools
Position: Compel the legislature to meet Washington State’s constitutional requirement to equitably and fully fund basic education.
For more information on the Council's meetings and agenda, go to www.sanjuanco.com and click on "Council."
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Orcas Choral Society concert canceled
"Brr! the night is so cold!
Brr! How warm is your cloak!"
The Orcas Choral Society sang those words in the most heartfelt concert ever last night, but, as of 11 a.m. Sunday morning, the second concert at the Orcas Center at 2 p.m. was canceled. "On With the Snow" (and singing) seemed to be the spirit of last night's performance, but thanks to the severe weather, we can't go on with the show today. We're so disappointed.
For 31 years, the Winter Concert has been an Orcas tradition, yet there were many in attendance last night for the first time. They got to see and hear the Choral Society sing old favorites such as White Christmas, While Shepherds Watched, and Rudloph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and sing along to Deck the Hall, O Christmas Tree, and Jingle Bells.
From the choir, there were so many highlights -- the New England-purity of Stan Miller and Denise Babcock's solos in Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, the spirited and multi-chorded piano duets of Terri Triplett and Patty Johnson, the call to triumph of the brass accompanists.
But for me, I'd single out the transcendence of Silent Night, sung with the audience. There often comes moments in special concerts where the director, the choir and the audience are elevated by the hopes and cares of all to unify in one beautiful agreement that there are no differences between us, that we all live in a world of generosity, forgiveness and good will. That's what love is, and that's what Christmas is all about.
On a more "grounded" note, when we sang the medley of Let it Snow it was pure pleasure to look out into the audience and see friends and loved ones and sing "The weather outside is frightful... but as long as you love me so, let it snow."
Which reminds me of another special moment in a concert that was a perfectly-woven tapestry of special moments -- Christmas Kumbaya, which combined hallelujahs in a lullaby. Here, where so many of us are retirees and elders, it was such soothing and simple pleasure to sing a lullaby to a baby and celebrate his birth.
John Heath's exuberant solo in a remembrance of Chanukah also celebrated the Choral Society's respect for all cultures and beliefs that is incorporated into much of Catherine Pederson's programming and direction.
This was my eighth Choral Society Winter Concert. It's become the highlight of my Christmas celebrations, and I'm sorry that those who were unable to make it last night will miss this special concert.
Brr! How warm is your cloak!"
The Orcas Choral Society sang those words in the most heartfelt concert ever last night, but, as of 11 a.m. Sunday morning, the second concert at the Orcas Center at 2 p.m. was canceled. "On With the Snow" (and singing) seemed to be the spirit of last night's performance, but thanks to the severe weather, we can't go on with the show today. We're so disappointed.
For 31 years, the Winter Concert has been an Orcas tradition, yet there were many in attendance last night for the first time. They got to see and hear the Choral Society sing old favorites such as White Christmas, While Shepherds Watched, and Rudloph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and sing along to Deck the Hall, O Christmas Tree, and Jingle Bells.
From the choir, there were so many highlights -- the New England-purity of Stan Miller and Denise Babcock's solos in Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, the spirited and multi-chorded piano duets of Terri Triplett and Patty Johnson, the call to triumph of the brass accompanists.
But for me, I'd single out the transcendence of Silent Night, sung with the audience. There often comes moments in special concerts where the director, the choir and the audience are elevated by the hopes and cares of all to unify in one beautiful agreement that there are no differences between us, that we all live in a world of generosity, forgiveness and good will. That's what love is, and that's what Christmas is all about.
On a more "grounded" note, when we sang the medley of Let it Snow it was pure pleasure to look out into the audience and see friends and loved ones and sing "The weather outside is frightful... but as long as you love me so, let it snow."
Which reminds me of another special moment in a concert that was a perfectly-woven tapestry of special moments -- Christmas Kumbaya, which combined hallelujahs in a lullaby. Here, where so many of us are retirees and elders, it was such soothing and simple pleasure to sing a lullaby to a baby and celebrate his birth.
John Heath's exuberant solo in a remembrance of Chanukah also celebrated the Choral Society's respect for all cultures and beliefs that is incorporated into much of Catherine Pederson's programming and direction.
This was my eighth Choral Society Winter Concert. It's become the highlight of my Christmas celebrations, and I'm sorry that those who were unable to make it last night will miss this special concert.
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