The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
LOCAL
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 — 5
News briefs OPALCO earns two awards of ‘Excellence’
At the Northwest Innovations Conference in September, OPALCO was honored by the Northwest Public Power Association with two Excellence in Communication awards: first place for best annual report publication in 2012, and another first place for 75th Anniversary commemorative items such as caps, bags, mugs, pins and lunch bags. The Excellence in Communication awards recognize the top communications efforts from Northwest Public Power Association member utilities and associations. NWPPA is an international association of more than
Candidates: Continued from page 4
made easily accessed. I support using best medical practices. I’ve stated that I don’t support religion in medical care besides providing a healing environment and praying for good outcomes. I support affordable health care. Costs for basic medical care locally continue to increase. This is a major concern important to all of us. I support our Emergency Medical Service (EMS). I’m a former first responder that believes our EMS is one of the best in the country and I want to keep it that way. We’ve got a great EMS and Hospital. I want to work with Peace Health, their local hospital board and the County Board of Health to ensure the best, affordable medical care for our community.
SJI Hospital District Commission candidate: Mark Schwinge
Journal: What purpose does the hospital commission serve? Schwinge: Per RCW 70.44, the Public Hospital District (PHD) No. 1 board’s responsibilities include overseeing the hospital district’s policies and organization, and San Juan Island EMS/Medevac. Each has its own levy. Peace Island Medical Center (PIMC) reports twice yearly to the PHD board, which monitors how PIMC spends its tax levy for local charity care, emergency services, and physician services.
150 customer-owned, locally controlled utilities in the Western U.S. and Canada, plus nearly 300 associate members allied with the electric utility industry. The 2013 Excellence in Communication awards received 176 entries from 40 utility and associate members. Receiving the awards, OPALCO Communication Specialist Suzanne Olson thanked Tif and Gif Creative of Friday Harbor, who designed the 2012 Annual Report and created the 75th Anniversary icon. Olson also recognized Touchstone Energy Cooperative, who made creation of high-quality branded items for OPALCO members possible. The 2012 Annual Report, which is also OPALCO’s 75th Anniversary publiAt PHD meetings, commissioners address public comments and concerns. The PHD provides islandappropriate community health care needs as its budget allows. J: Why do you want to be a hospital district commissioner? Schwinge: I am running for three reasons: to serve our community; to support its health care system; and to advance our EMS and its air ambulance system. Many of us seek to help others, to make a difference in this broken world. I offer relevant experience, professional ethics, motivation, and a skill set suited to meet the challenges. J: Explain your thoughts about fixed-wing EMS ambulance service and its possible expansion through a countywide insurance program? Schwinge: Currently PHD residents receive, as a benefit of their district taxes, ground and air ambulance transportation with no outof-pocket expenses. Island Air Ambulance’s MedEvac Membership (not insurance) program provides other county residents and visitors medically necessary air medical transportation to mainland hospitals, with no out-of-pocket expenses. The MedEvac Membership program likely will increase our air ambulance’s utilization, and benefit judicious expansion. Our county’s Island Air Ambulance program, accredited by the same organization as Airlift NW, for years has used a capable Cessna 207. But like the helicopter, our plane can-
cation, is available online at www.opalco.com/history/. 75th Anniversary commemorative calendars are available at OPALCO offices; 2014 replacement pages will be available in December.
Port mulls legal action over fire insurance claim
The fire insurance report and claim settlement for repair or replacement of the Spring Street Landing building has moved to the “potential litigation” stage for discussion at the Port Commission, and the commission began the process to have some or all of the building demolished. Meeting in executive session before a Oct. 23 commission meeting, the com-
not operate into known icing conditions aloft. To serve our county in a broader range of weather, we need to acquire a turboprop air ambulance. In a single stroke, this action will expand our ability to meet countywide critical care air transport needs. We must accomplish this in a fiscally responsible manner. J: In light of concerns about costs, services and policies, what role should the hospital commission play in the operation and administration of Peace Island Medical Center? Schwinge: Responsibility for operation of PIMC properly belongs to its own administration; they consult with PIMC medical staff to select clinical services. But the PHD board can and should be a conduit for public comment regarding services not presently available, and communicate to the PIMC board the public’s interests and desires. Realistically, patient safety and treatment costs will limit local services unless other funding can be found. The PHD board may have opportunity to support additional clinical services apart from PIMC if the public approves additional levies, or if secular interests raise money to establish and operate a specialized clinic, for example, a maternity services office, possibly under the aegis of our PHD. Wide public support for any tax increase would be needed. Meanwhile, referral to mainland providers for services with low patient demand makes sense. PIMC limits only elective
mission and Port Director Marilyn O’Connor discussed with port attorney Frank Chmelik preliminary reports of what port insurer Enduris Washington and excess insurance carrier Lexington Insurance Co. would pay on fire insurance claims for the building on the Friday harbor waterfront that housed Downriggers Restaurant and three marine businesses. O’Connor said the Port has received no offers of settlement from the insurers and had not discussed costs to repair or replace the building. She also stated that no decision had been made on rebuilding or replacing Spring Street Landing, although Commissioner Ahrenius has stated his preference for replacement. abortions and life-ending prescriptions. Birth control pills and devices are available. Resident expectant mothers will continue to receive personal clinical support from visiting specialists.
Almanac TEMPERATURES, RAINFALL LOPEZ High Low Precip Oct. 21 54 46 — Oct. 22 54 43 — Oct. 23 51 42 — Oct. 24 51 40 — Oct. 25 55 45 — Oct. 26 56 46 — Oct. 27 57 47 .07 Precipitation in October: ..59” Precipitation in 2013: 18.10” Reported by Jack Giard Bakerview Rd. ORCAS High Low Precip Oct. 21 51 46 — Oct. 22 49 45 — Oct. 23 48 39 — Oct. 24 49 40 — Oct. 25 55 45 .03 Oct. 26 53 47 — Oct. 27 51 48 .11 Precipitation in October: .88” Precipitation in 2013: 21.23” Reported by John Willis Olga SAN JUAN High Low Precip Oct. 21 49 46 — Oct. 22 50 43 .01 Oct. 23 54 41 .01 Oct. 24 53 44 .01 Oct. 25 51 46 — Oct. 26 55 48 .01 Oct. 27 58 48 .03 Precipitation in October: .45” Precipitation in 2013: 13.45” Reported by Weather Underground Roche Harbor Water Systems SUNRISE, SUNSET Sunrise Sunset Oct. 30 7:56 a.m. 5:54 p.m. Oct. 31 7:58 a.m. 5:52 p.m. Nov. 1 8:00 a.m. 5:51 p.m. Nov. 2 8:01 a.m. 5:49 p.m. Nov. 3 7:03 a.m. 4:47 p.m. Nov. 4 7:04 a.m. 4:46 p.m. Nov. 5 7:06 a.m. 4:44 p.m.
O’Connor said no decision would be made until after a public hearing and a commission vote. In addition to insur-
ance coverage for repair or replacement, the Port has coverage for loss of rents from the building, according to O’Connor.
SAN JUAN COMMUNITY THEATRE 100 Second Street Friday Harbor, WA
Weds., Oct. 30 ۰ 7:30 pm
On Book! Readers Theatre Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Edward Albee’s Tony award-winning drama; directed by Tony Vivenzio. FREE Admission. Doors open at 7 pm
Fri., November 1 ۰ 7:00 pm National Theatre Live’s
Frankenstein The National Theatre re-broadcasts this sellout 2011 production as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. Tickets: Adult $20; Members $18; Student Reserved $10
Sat., November 2 ۰ 7:30 pm Chamber Music San Juans
Brass Reflections Artistic Director Patricia Kostek presents the Northwest’s Brass Reflections quintet-performing classical standards, jazz and gospel. Business Partner: ISLANDERS BANK Tickets: $26 for adults, $13 student reserved, with $5 RUSH at the door.
Sun., November 3 ۰ 2:00 pm The Met: Live in HD
The Nose Shostakovich’s satirical opera highlights the misadventures of a bureaucrat in search of his missing nose. Tickets: Adult $20; Members $18; Student Reserved $10
Mon., November 4 ۰ 7:00 pm National Theatre Live’s
Macbeth Kenneth Branagh is featured in his first Shakespeare performance in over a decade. Tickets: Adult $20; Members $18; Student Reserved $10
For more event info or to purchase tickets: www.sjctheatre.org SJCT Box Office: 378-3210