Journal of the San Juans, December 14, 2011

Page 1

Sports

Scene

Wrestlers make a mark at regional match; Dunn, Brumsickle finish first

A singer’s dedication to tsunami victims in Japan PAGE 13

PAGE 20

Editorial Washington State Discover Pass : Not new, but improved — here’s why PAGE 6

Journal

The 75¢ Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Vol. 104 Issue 50

of the San Juan Islands

www.sanjuanjournal.com

Spike ‘Tis the season for Trumpeter Swans in fraud reports on SJ

Journal photo / Scott Rasmussen

Trumpeter Swans that winter in western Washington spend the summer in Alaska, and Canada. They migrate south in mid to late October. The best time for viewing the swans is from midDecember to the end of February, according to the Trumpeter Swan Society. This photo was taken Dec. 10 at Lakedale Resort.

Police say beware of anything involving cash transfers By Cali Bagby

When Herb Cunniff picked up the phone, he was surprised to hear the tearful voice of his granddaughter explaining that she had been in a traffic accident in Mexico and police were holding her for driving under the influence of alcohol. Then she supposedly transferred the call to the American Embassy in Mexico City — where an employee said if he wanted his granddaughter to get out of the country he would need to wire $23,083. Cunniff began to suspect something was not right when the embassy asked for cash not a credit card. It was also out of character for his granddaughter — a straight A honor student — to get in trouble, and she had just been on vacation in Las Vegas, so how did she end up in Mexico? But it was uncanny, even eerie how the voice sounded just like his granddaughter. So when he got off the phone he immediately called the American Embassy in Mexico City, then the FBI and the police. They all told him the same thing — it was a scam. This is not a new scheme, just See FRAUD, Page 4

Two cars, one pass; no problem Ranker proposes new legislation for Washington Park Discover Pass By Colleen Smith Armstrong Editor, Islands’ Sounder

It was citizens’ number one complaint: the Discover Pass was only good for one car. A clause in the program that limited transferability between vehicles will become a thing of the past under legislation proposed by state Senator Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island. “We’ve known since before we wrote the legislation that it would be a work in progress,” he said. “Often you don’t get it right the first time – you get it out there and then make changes.” Ranker, the prime sponsor of the bill creating the pass last spring, said in a press release that the intent is to add a level of convenience for prospective purchasers and families across the state.

It would amend existing law than 15 minutes. to allow transferability between Because of this new fee, all of two vehicles and would Washington’s 119 state parks take effect immediately. and its 7 million acres of Current pass holders recreation lands were slated would be allowed a secto remain open despite a ond vehicle as well. $4.6 billion projected drop “Different activities in state revenue over the require different vehicles next two years and the and modes of transpormany cutbacks in spending tation,” he said. “After that lawmakers have implehearing from citizens mented. statewide, it’s clear that The pass was projected a non-transferable pass Sen. Kevin Ranker to bring in $17 million by places too large a burthe end of the year; so far, den upon already strained family it has raised around $10 million. budgets.” It needs to bring in $72 million in The $30 pass (or $35 if you buy a full year to maintain the current it online or at a retail store) is now levels of parks. required of anyone who intends Ranker said that the state parks to park a vehicle, motorcycle or department recently laid off 160 moped at any state park for longer See PASS, Page 4

2011 Special Award; Second Place: General Excellence from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

ER DECEMB 2011

TE ESlaTnA s d RESaAn L Juan Is in the

PROPER

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...... & SOLD

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... page 4

December Issue is now on the newsstands! Look inside this week’s Journal for the rest of the Real Estate listings


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