SOUNDER THE ISLANDS’
Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
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WEDNESDAY, November 14, 2012 VOL. 45, NO. 46 75¢
Election results – San Juans and beyond Charter propositions approved, Hughes elected to council, school bond & levy pass, San Juan County is GMO-free by SCOTT RASMUSSEN and COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Staff report
CRC amendments pass
Robert Dash photo First three. Then six. Now, back to three K-12 students of Orcas Island School District gathered on Friday, Nov. 9 to celebrate the bond and levy passage. again. With a mighty push from the smallest of The measure was approved by 64 percent the three largest islands, San Juan County were well represented with just one out of er decision still go directly to superior court, voters stripped away key components of the six (council members). They may not have and county elected positions will remain and rejected by 36 percent of Orcas voters. “I am so grateful to all the hardworkHome Rule Charter and reassembled the as many voters, but the power they have is non-partisan. In addition, with voter-approval of Prop.3 ing people who helped with the bond and legislative and executive branches of county when they vote as a bloc.” Meanwhile, voters also approved the (85 percent), the county council and its levy campaign,” said Janet Brownell, school government in a manner much like they CRC-endorsed Prop. 2, by 54 percent coun- sub-committees must adhere to the state board member and Orcas Island Education used to be. Foundation president. “Most of all I am Proposition 1, which reduces the county ty-wide, putting management of day-to-day Opening Public Meetings Act. thankful to the Orcas voters. I want to legislative body from a six-person council county operations back into the hands of the personally thank them for their votes. It down to three full-time elected officials, legislative branch and creating a position of was a vote for our island children. A vote, and which reestablishes county wide elec- county manager to carry out the council’s tions for those offices, drew 55 percent of directives. Lopez voters also backed Prop. 2 Rick Hughes has beat Scott Lancaster that given this economy, is personal – and hard to make. Thank you for looking to the ballots cast in the Nov. 6 election, a total by a margin of 84 percent. Prop. 2 ends a six-year experiment in in the race for county council seat Orcas future.” of 5,397 votes, all precincts combined, as West. Hughes had 69 percent of the vote The bond is for 20 years. The terms are of Friday. An estimated 150 ballots cast in separating the powers of while Lancaster came in with 26 cents per $1,000. The money will be used the Nov. 6 election have yet to be counted, the legislative and execu31 percent. tive branches of governfor building renovations. according to county elections. “I am very excited and The architectural firm Mahlum has The three-person council will take the ment, ushered in under the thrilled and honored to have helm of county government in mid-May, charter. The charter called that much support,” Hughes following a county-wide election April 23. It for the council to hire an SEE ELECTION, PAGE 6 said. “Scott is a good guy and will replace a six-person council with three administrator, a position we ran a good campaign.” newly elected office-holders – Bob Jarman, formerly held by Pete Rose, Jan. 9 is his first day. Marc Forlenza and Rick Hughes – all of with sole authority over Hughes says he plans to run whom will be sworn into office in Jan. 1. For day-to-day operations and Display advertising: more information about how the upcom- responsibility for crafting again during the county-wide Thursday at noon ing elections will work, see auditor Milene the county’s annual budget. election for the council. That responsibility will now Henley’s guest column on page 6. Hughes and his wife Classified advertising: Last week, the Citizen’s Salary Commission reside with the auditor. Marlace manage Ray’s Friday at noon The provisions of Prop. approved the new salary for the three memPharmacy. He also runs a Legal advertising: ber council. Each commissioner will be paid 2 go into effect following property management group; contributed photo Weds at noon $74,930 per year, plus a benefits similar to certification of the Nov. 6 serves as treasurer of the Rick Hughes election results, slated for the package for present council members. Press releases, Letters: Orcas Island Farmers’ Market Nowhere was Prop. 1 embraced more Nov. 27. Gaylord said the Thursday at noon Association, is a board mementhusiastically than on Lopez Island, duties of the manager and ber of Eastsound Planning where the amendment sailed by in greater that position’s relationship to the council and Review Committee; volunteers as little than landslide-like proportions: 84 percent. should be established by the existing six- league coach; and serves as the PTSA coVoters on San Juan, where Prop.1 narrowly person council sooner rather than later. Office: 376-4500 president. “The council has a real opportunity passed, and voters on Orcas, where it failed Prior to moving to Orcas, Hughes was an Fax: 376-4501 by a narrow margin, essentially canceled to show some leadership in defining the executive with ESPN. His family has been relationship between the council and the each other out. Advertising: advertising@islandThat Lopez would side heavily with Prop. county manager,” he said. “And I hope that on Orcas since 1944 and Marlace is a fourth ssounder.com generation Orcas Island resident. 1 was anticipated, CRC Chairman Gordy they do.” Classified: 1-800-388-2527, While Prop. 1 and Prop. 2 will eliminate Petersen said. classifieds@ “We were predicting around 80 percent,” several key elements of the charter, others Petersen said of pre-election calculations remain unaltered, including the process of soundpublishing.com Voters have passed the $11.9 million by Prop. 1 supporters. “Our sense was that initiative and referendum, the citizens salaEditor: editor@ people on Lopez didn’t think they felt they ry commission, appeals of hearing examin- Orcas Island School bond measure.
Hughes wins council race
Early deadline for Nov. 21
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