SOUNDER THE ISLANDS’
Sports
Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, October 12, 2011 n VOL. 40, NO. 41 n 75¢
– PG 10 & 13
Meredith M. Griffith/staff photo
www.islandssounder.com
Orcas candidates weigh in at election forum by MEREDITH M. GRIFFITH Staff reporter
An election forum hosted by the League of Women Voters on Oct. 5 gave candidates and interested parties a chance to air campaign intentions and assess pros and cons of various measures on the November ballot.
Port of Orcas commission Gary Abood and Dwight Guss are both running for the position of Port of Orcas Commissioner 2. “I’d like to see a little more ‘putt-putt aviation’ and a little less expansion,” Abood said. He said he favors “more traditional management” of the port, opposing any involvement with trash or the county dock. Abood said with the port’s current savings account of half a million, he doesn’t see any reason to continue taxation at current rates. The Sounder called the port, and its savings account is actually $300,000.
Guss’s statement cited his eight years of regular port meeting attendance, understanding of the community and experience as a mercy pilot, and said his goal is maintenance of a safe airport. Sheldon Gregory and incumbent Al Edwards are running for the position of Port of Orcas commissioner 3. Edwards’ statement cited his extensive flying experience of 15,000 hours that began in 1952, and said he opposes “Through the Fence” fees required by the FAA. Gregory cited his experience in corporate financial oversight and recent part-time work at the airport, and said he can be objective as he is neither a pilot nor an airport neighbor. He also said the port could need to secure future
2011 ELECTION
sources of funding if current FAA funding levels drop.
Eastsound Sewer and Water Incumbent Rollie Sauer faces challenger Roger Adams for the position of Eastsound Sewer and Water District Commissioner 5. “I’m running because I tried to initiate change from the outside, and I was ignored,” said Adams, an OPAL resident who has been vocal about the district’s decision to require all the homeowners in his development to connect to the sewer. He cited a degree in technology and said he wants to improve septic treatment beyond “dumping” effluent into Puget Sound, mentioning wetlands as a possible solution. Sauer said advanced septic treatment technology is “very expensive” but that he would
SEE ELECTION FORUM, PAGE 7
Something enchanted this way comes... Orcas Center’s fall production is unlike anything Orcas Island has seen, says cast
School puts $900k levy before Orcas voters
2011 ELECTION by COLLEEN SMITH Editor/Associate Publisher
When school started on Sept. 7, Orcas Elementary students walked into a more energy efficient building. As part of a state energy grant awarded to the district, the elementary school’s air and water handling systems were upgraded over the summer. In order to receive the grant, the school had to provide matching funds, which they secured through a $900,000 loan from Cashmere Bank and local donors. In order to pay back that loan, the school is asking Orcas voters to approve a oneyear, $900,000 levy this November. The terms are 28 cents per thousand of assessed property value. The voters guide offers a “for and against statement” from Orcas Islanders.
SEE LEVY, PAGE 8
Sounder deadlines Display advertising: Friday at noon Classified advertising: Monday at noon Legal advertising: Thursday at noon Press releases, Letters: Friday at 3 p.m.
How to reach us
Colleen Smith Armstrong/staff photo
Some of the cast of “Enchanted Forest, a Cabaret of Magic and Mischief.” It will be performed for two weekends. See the story on page 11.
Office: 376-4500 Fax: 376-4501 Advertising: advertising@ islandssounder.com Classified: 1-800-388-2527, classifieds@ soundpublishing.com Editor: editor@ islandssounder.com