Journal of the San Juans, September 28, 2011

Page 1

Sports

Scene

Young Wolverines strike a blow vs. Lynden Christian

17th Annual Oktoberfest, lederhosen, the chicken dance and more

PAGE 7

Editorial Starting this week, the Journal helps you prepare for the November election PAGE 6

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Journal

The 75¢ Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Vol. 104 Issue 39

of the San Juan Islands

Fitch retiring after 25 years

www.sanjuanjournal.com

More money woes at state Parks By MEREDITH M. GRIFFITH Staff reporter

By Scott Rasmussen

Of its many claims to fame, the fact that Friday Harbor is managed by an administrator whose longevity is unmatched in Washington state is not — widely known. But those days are numbered. After 24 years at the helm of Friday Harbor, retirement beckons for town Administrator King Fitch, and those plans have been set in motion. King Fitch “It’s time to go, I know that,” Fitch said of the pending retirement. “I just feel it. I think 25 years is long enough.” Friday Harbor Mayor Carrie Lacher Friday announced that Fitch intends to hand over the helm of the town’s day-to-day operations by the end of June, 2012, and that he notified town employees of that decision earlier in the day. Lacher said Fitch informed each member of the town council with a personal telephone call. Fitch’s pending departure will present a tough challenge for the town in the months See RETIRES, Page 4

You Can’t Beat These Prices At Our After-Tourist Season

Journal photo / Cali Bagby

It’s bad enough that some residents can no longer afford to play at Lime Kiln Point State Park due to the $30 annual or $10 day pass for parking. Now Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, says it’s possible the park itself could be in jeopardy. Recent news from the state capital in Olympia announced state revenue will fall another $1.41 billion short of earlier projections, following a stern $4.6 billion reduction in the 2011-2013 budget that took effect July 1. Gov. Christine Gregoire has called a special session, requesting additional 5 and 10 percent cuts to state agencies. “Of the $35 billion [previous state] budget, all but $10 billion is restricted,” said Ranker. “Only $10 billion is available for cuts … the only areas we can cut are the areas that matter most to our communities … and that

The Discover Pass, $30 annual or $10 day pass for parking at state parks like Lime Kiln Point, shown above, has only raised $5.2 million in two months, which is prompting more budget cuts.

See PARKS, Page 5

Charter on course? Review panel will have few restraints on recommendations By Scott Rasmussen

Fine-tuned. Overhauled. Tossed out altogether. The choices will be almost limitless when the soon-to-be-created Charter Review Commission gets around to conducting its review of San Juan County’s Home Rule charter, and then offers up a list of recommendations as to what that guiding document ought to contain in the future.

“There’s no real limitation on their authority or on what they can do,” Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord said of constraints on the review commission. “That means they can even recommend a return to the commission form of government.” Ratified by voters in 2005, the county charter ushered in sweeping changes in the way local government is structured, how it operates and in the amount of access and influence islanders can have over decisions made by the county’s elected legislators, primarily through the process of initiative and referendum. The charter stripped the former county commission of its executive

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powers — management of county personnel and day-to-day business — in favor of an administrator hired by and that serves at the pleasure of the County Council. It divided the county’s previous three legislative districts into six, with a mostly equal number of residents in each, allowed for each district to elect a representative of its own to the county council, while at the same time doing away with countywide elections for the county’s legislative body — the council. But that’s not all. The charter also turned the three former commissioner positions into six non-

Wedding Rings Rings Anniversary

Cyril Pahinui Hawaiian master slack key artist, comes to the island Oct. 2, to teach a workshop at Isle Be Jammin at 4 p.m. and he will perform at the SJC Fairgrounds at 7:30 p.m. See more on pg. 9.

See CHARTER, Page 3

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