Islands' Sounder, October 16, 2013 by Sound Publishing

OPINION Islands’ Sounder

Page 4

Editorial

he wore red lipstick and her neck was often adorned with a colorful scarf. She was an artist who painted watercolors with scenes of vibrant bouquets and shorelines of calm waters. She loved martinis and silver jewelry from her travels to Mexico and Europe. She was known for her witty charm, bright smile and a cigarette constantly held between her fingers. But by the time I knew my grandmother, the smoke that often lingered behind her was replaced by the smell of nicotine gum that she constantly chewed. And by the time I was a teenager, the gum was no more. In its place was a plastic tube and tank of oxygen. Emphysema had ravaged her lungs, and she described life without the tank as akin to breathing through a thin straw. By the time I reached 16, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Colorful scarves now appeared on top of her bald head, and the martini glasses were kept in the cupboard. She was too weak to indulge in those night caps. She died on Valentine’s Day, and at her funeral we all spoke of how she had 78 years – a full life with loving family and friends. But as the years went by, I began to doubt those sentiments. I graduated from high school and looked up into the crowd still halfOur annual cancer expecting her to appear with her cheerful and flashing that wide grin. During awareness special wave the next couple of years, I competed in singis on page 8 and 9 ing competitions but my grandmother – my biggest fan – was not there. of this edition. And at night I dreamt of her. In one of these visions, she pulled me close to her and demanded to know why I had not been looking for her. “When you sing, look for me in the back of the room. I’m there,” she said urgently. She was gone, but her memory lived on with determination in the caverns of my mind. But it was in life that I wanted her. As the years continued and more milestones were met, as my younger cousins grew older with only fuzzy memories of the vivid grandmother I had known, and as I grew into an adult and formed more mature relationships with my living grandparents, I felt robbed of the years I had lost with my grandmother. And this thing, this disease called cancer that claims so many lives each year, seemed a one-dimensional villain that was hell bent on breaking my heart. But cancer is a thing without feelings and can be defeated. Just read Teri Williams’ story of survival on page 1 to see how we are not helpless against the disease. But for those of us who have lost a loved one to cancer, it will remain a near and ever present danger and a reminder that our days are limited, and that even 78 years on this planet can feel like not nearly enough time. – Cali Bagby

Public meetings WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16

THURSDAY, OCT. 24

Eastsound Planning and Review Committee open house, 4 to 7 p.m., Orcas Senior Center.

• OPALCO Board of Directors monthly meeting, Eastsound OPALCO office, 8:30 a.m.

SOUNDER The Islands’ Sounder (USPS #764-230) is published weekly for $38 a year to San Juan County addresses; $58 per year to Washington state addresses; and $58 per year to out-of-state addresses by the Islands’ Sounder at 217 Main Street, Eastsound, WA.

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013 • The Islands’ Sounder

To the Editor:

Reporter’s notebook: losing family to cancer

THE ISLANDS’

Write to us: The Islands’ Sounder welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be

Publisher/Editor Colleen Smith Armstrong editor@islandssounder.com Staff Reporter Cali Bagby cbagby@islandssounder.com County Reporter Scott Rasmussen srasmussen@soundpublishing.com Advertising Sales Colleen Armstrong carmstrong@islandssounder.com

Opposition to Prop 1 I am writing to oppose San Juan County Proposition 1. This proposition is an attempt to run around what the voters decided last year on how to change the charter. Last year’s vote on changing the charter (our form of county government) has already brought the county closer together and council meetings are running more smoothly. Currently, we have the right to elect freeholders every ten years who suggest changes to the voters for the charter. This is a reasonable way to do government. With the County Proposition 1, citizens are expected to study certain changes to the charter every year. Most voters are not going to do this. We have other things on our minds, and once every 10 years is enough. But a few people with an ax to grind want to foist their upset upon the rest of us. The proponents call this a small change, but it is not. Please vote “No” and let us get on with our lives. Rhea Miller Lopez Island

Tony Ghazel for the school board I am writing in support of Tony Ghazel for re-election to the Orcas Island School District Board. Tony has served with great effectiveness on the Board for 9 years. During that time he has been a solid voice of reason on both financial issues and curricular strategy. He has helped lead the district through challenging financial times to a solid and bright future. Under his leadership, our schools regularly receive distinctions as exceptional educational programs. We graduate knowledgeable young adults who can succeed and compete in this complex world. While those achievements are primarily a function of parental support and guidance and quality teachers and staff, it is also a function of solid Board leadership. Tony has consistently made that contribution to the success of our schools and our students. In a time of great concern about balancing what public entities would like to do and what the public believes it can support finan-

Circulation/ Nicole Matisse Duke Administrative Coordinator nmatisseduke@soundpublishing.com Marketing Artists Scott Herning sherning@soundpublishing.com Kathryn Sherman ksherman@soundpublishing.com Proof Reading Maura O’Neill

cially, Tony has been exceptionally reasonable and fiscally responsible while being firmly committed to our students receiving a quality educational experience. On a more personal side, Tony is always accessible. He listens openly and considers all perspectives. It is very clear to me that his primary goal when considering specific issues and decisions is to ensure that our students will benefit from the outcome. Tony has the wisdom of understanding the complexities of the local, state and Federal systems of public education. As an expert technology consultant, he well understands the need for creativity, innovation, change and continuous improvement of what the District does and how it does it. As a parent of three OISD graduates, he has been directly involved in many aspects of the schools’ offerings in the classroom, in sports and in extracurricular activities. I enthusiastically recommend Tony Ghazel for re-election to our School Board. Art Lange Orcas Island Tony is the longest continuously serving current school board member with close to 9 years tenure. He will continue to help create conditions in which children and the school’s staff are able to succeed, that everyone involved in the education process is appreciated and held to a high standard. He will continue to encourage strong connections between the school and community. He participated in creating OISD’s long-range plan, became a member of the Budget Advisory Committee and helped improve financial practices with the support of the Educational Services

District. This led to the evaluation of the 1980’s buildings and the eventually successful bond measure for replacement / retrofit work. Tony demonstrated fiscal responsibility, significantly increased the reserve fund and guided the modernization of teaching techniques, replacing aging computers and printers. Work included a variety of building upgrades on the high school, elementary school, and the Waldron building. All projects came in under budget and on time. Other work addressed long term planning and making sure there is support for extracurricular activities, special education and preschool services. We want board members with experience, creativity and commitment to education for our children. Overall, Tony is dedicated to making sure that our children are prepared to graduate from high school with confidence in anticipation of higher learning academically or in a technical college. Tony’s relationships with key legislators in Olympia will assure further progress, as he expects to hold our legislators to the constitutional burden of properly funding the education of all children. We need Tony Ghazel’s leadership, experience, fiscal discipline and his skill of working with people who hold many different points of view. His integrity is above reproach. He will always seek the best for our kids and the school. We need to re-elect him to the school board. Please favor him with your vote, as we will. Ruth and Rolf Nedelmann Orcas Island Tony Ghazel is a valuable member of our school board and deserves to be re-elected.

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