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Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
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Wednesday, May 3, 2017 VOL. 50, NO. 15 75¢ islandssounder.com
Sada Ashcraft | Mother’s Day profile by Mandi Johnson Staff reporter
It was always in Sada Ashcraft’s life plan to be a mother. The 38-year-old Orcas Island native and her husband Justin have three kids: Ava, 10; Levi, 8; and Mia, 6. “I’ve always known I wanted kids – always, always,” said Ashcraft. “I don’t even know if I’m done having kids – just so you know that. We haven’t made that decision yet because who knows.” Ashcraft balances having three children with working several jobs as well as volunteering. “I have my own business doing accounting and bookkeeping for people. I’m employed part-time around island and I work in a restaurant one night a week for fun – that’s my fun job,” said Ashcraft. “I had to have some sort of flexible working experience so I could still do everything with my kids – go on field trips, go to their school, volunteer at their schools.” Saying that Ashcraft is passionate about her kids is an under-
Contributed photos
Left: Sada with her son Levi. Above: Daughters Ava and Mia.
statement. She volunteers to read at the public school twice a week and she, her husband or her mother Louise are with the kids when they go on field trips.
“I like to be where my kids are. I like them to know that I’m around, that I know what’s going on, too,” said Ashcraft. “It’s hard but it’s fun and it’s fulfilling.”
Grellet-Tinner’s charges dismissed; former Orcas teacher seeks $10 million by Cali Bagby
Journal General Manager
The Orcas high school teacher previously found guilty of sexual misconduct with a minor will not be going to trial again. On April 21, Judge Donald Eaton dismissed the charges against Gerald Grellet-Tinner for two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. GrelletTinner is now seeking $10 million in compensation for damages stemming from the alleged violation of his constitutional rights by the San Juan County Prosecutor’s Office. According to Grellet-Tinner’s current lawyer Nick Powers, “his life has been completely upended by his wrongful prosecution.” The 59-year-old was accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his students, who was also
his teaching assistant, in October 2016. In the recent hearing, the court said the case presents a classic example of a “miscarriage of justice” and that it was the responsibility of one person – former Detective Stephen Parker, who had an inappropriate relationship with the victim. See the timeline below: June 2016 Guilty verdict The former teacher is found guilty of two counts of Sexual Misconduct in the First Degree in San Juan County Superior Court. He is accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his students. According to the Washington state legislature, a teacher cannot have intercourse with a registered student under the age of 21 if he or she is at least five years older than the student. The student, in
SEE GRELLET-TINNER, PAGE 6
Being a mother of three and working as much as Ashcraft does seems like it would be exhausting, but she thrives off of it. “I like to be a very involved mother, but I love work,” she said. “Having my own business lets me balance it.” Ashcraft has a degree in social
Vacation rental changes up for debate by Hayley Day
Journal reporter
Vacation rentals are almost as old as San Juan County, but new regulations to permit them may be added soon. “We were trying to craft some requirements to vacation rentals to make it clear as to what the expectations are,” said San Juan County Community Development
SEE VACATION, PAGE 11
science with a focus on law, politics and economics from the University of Washington and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She moved to Carlsbad, California after she completed her bachelor’s and then on to Orange County, where she met Justin. Married 11 years this coming June, she always knew she’d return home to Orcas. “When I left to go to college it was in my brain – because I grew up here – so I knew how life is here,” said Ashcraft. She and Justin brought their family to live on Orcas in May 2011 when her youngest daughter was just nine months old. Ashcraft also helps her dad Gregg Sasan coach the Orcas Island High School girls basketball team. She is passionate not only about her own children but the children she coaches as well. “This was the first year one of my kids was in a program. I think I’ll be starting to coach their age … but I think I see myself coaching my own children sooner than later,” said Ashcraft. “My passions were sports when I was growing up here. So that’s still where it’s at. Even at the high school, the kids that aren’t my kids, I just like watching them bloom by playing a sport.” The love Ashcraft has for her children is very evident in the
SEE MOTHER’S DAY, PAGE 8
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