Sounder The Islands’
SHARK REEF:
Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, March 7, 2012 n VOL. 45, NO. 10 n 75¢
www.islandssounder.com
Islanders continue to question the CAO
Tides of March
by CALI BAGBY Staff reporter
contributed photo
This delicate, “smooth-skinned” octopus, which is rarely seen even by divers, was discovered on Indian Island last summer. It is one of the many creatures that will highlighted at an upcoming event offered by Kwiaht and the Marine Science Lecture series. See the full story on page 3.
Scams target the elderly Local senior citizens are again the focus of telephone scams by CALI BAGBY Staff reporter
Judy Beemer receives numerous phone calls a day from telemarketers or automated surveys, but last week when she picked up the phone she was answered by a young man in his twenties, who said “Hi, Grandma.” Beemer has a grandson, but they communicate via letters — she hasn’t talked to him on the phone in years. So the call made her suspicious. She asked the caller what his grandmother’s name was and got no response, and the caller eventually hung up. Beemer dialed the police and reported the
“Overhead” by Mary Lingen.
Literary, art mag releases winter edition – PG 12
Under the stained glass window of the church, a lawyer presented a slide show with the words “the land speaks first.” It was one of the last slides in a series of presentations where local experts spoke about the update of the county’s critical areas ordinance. The forum was sponsored by Friends of the San Juans on Feb. 29 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. “I’m reviewing the code and drafting comments and I have some strong issues with some points,” said Scott Rozenbaum, a certified wetland and soil scientist. “If you have issues pro or con I urge you to draft them up too.” The county’s critical areas are environmentally sensitive natural resources that have been designated for protection and management in accordance with the requirements of the state Growth Management Act. While the county’s first CAO was adopted in 1991, newer laws require regulations to consider the habitats of peregrine falcons, marbled murrelets, southern resident orca, and chinook salmon, and updated mapping. The regulations
will apply to all activities considered “development,” not just those needing a permit. The update is more than six years overdue. As required by law, San Juan County is taking into consideration “Best Available Science,” using a synthesis of 1,900 scientific documents. The county has been criticized for being extreme, radical, not providing clear planning rules and basic permitting at affordable fees, and valuing the environment over individual property rights. At the recent meeting, presenters included Rozenbaum, Kyle Loring, attorney for the Friends of the San Juans, Agricultural Resources Committee Coordinator Peggy Bill and County Planner Janice Biletnikoff. More than 125 islanders filled seats and lined the walls of the church to ask questions and hear panelists discuss how and why the CAO is being updated. The presenters focused their talks on the wetland portion of the CAO. “The county has been regulating wetlands for the last 20 years,” said Rozenbaum, who discussed some of the changes coming up for review in the updated draft of
See CAO, Page 6 call, and then she phoned the Orcas Senior Zerby said he receives scam reports conCenter. stantly throughout the year. Another fraudu“I would feel so bad if I didn’t say something lent scheme occurring on the island is a caller and someone got caught in this,” Beemer said. pretending to be a jury coordinator needing to Beemer’s experience is reminiscent of a scam verify personal information. popping up across the country requesting Some incidents — involving scams more cash sent via Western Union. It’s often called than $100,000 — are sent to the Secret Service, the “Emergency Fund Fraud,” but reports are so rampant involving attempts to make the that not all are investigat“If the scam involves ed. victim believe a family member, usually a grandchild, is in advises islanders a grandchild, those to Zerby trouble and needs money for follow Beemer’s example bail, fines or medical bills. and if you suspect someemotions can Undersheriff Jon Zerby said thing is just not right, do override logic.” this is just one of many scams, not give out your name or and that islanders should be — Undersheriff Jon Zerby social security number. wary of anything involving a “If it sounds too good wire transfer. to be true, it probably is,” “Money sent by Western Union is untrace- Zerby said. “If someone wants to give you able because it’s cash,” Zerby said. “You never money for nothing, it’s probably a scam.” see it again.” If you do get involved in fraud, take any He’s not sure how the lists of targeted people receipts or documentation, and file a report to are generated, but the elderly are often singled the sheriff ’s office. out. You can also call the Washington Attorney “They [the elderly] are often kinder,” said General’s office at 360-753-6200 or visit the Zerby. “And if the scam involves a grandchild, FBI’s www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx to those emotions can override logic.” report a scam.
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 Office: 376-4500 Fax: 376-4501 Advertising: advertising@ islandssounder.com Classified: 1-800-388-2527, classifieds@ soundpublishing.com Editor: editor@ islandssounder.com