VIKINGS COVERAGE Weekly update on spring sports Page 12
STRANGE BREW Home cider and beer makers are asked to compete Page 18
SOUNDER THE ISLANDS’
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WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2013 VOL. 46, NO. 16 75¢
Exchange looks toward the future by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Publisher
Home and Garden Special section inside this edition
Colleen Smith Armstrong photo
After the fire that ravaged the Exchange recycling center at the transfer station in early February, there was a major cleanup ahead. “It was quite desolate,” said Mark DeTray, executive director of Orcas Recycling Services, which runs the Exchange. “It went from this vivacious, eclectic structure and operation to blackened earth and burned wood.” The fire was ruled accidental and likely started after someone put a burning object in a trash can. Forty-five Orcas Fire members and 10 units responded to the incident that lasted more than five hours. After receiving a permit in late March, the cleanup took place on April 1 and 2. Community members and businesses stepped forward to help clear out huge piles
Council withdraws five-person proposal by STEVE WEHRLY Journal reporter
It looks like voters in 2013 won’t have the chance to change the number of county council members from three to five. Declaring themselves surprised by negative voter reaction, Councilmen Rich Peterson and Marc Forlenza withdrew their proposal to increase the size of the council and a companion proposal to elect the council members by district rather than countywide. The 2005 vote approving the county charter provided for six part-time council members, replacing the three full-time county commissioners. In 2012, the Charter Review Commission mandated by the original charter proposed three charter amendments, the first of which changed the number of council members from six to three. In November, 2012, about 55 percent of the voters approved all three amendments, setting in motion the April 23 countywide election of three new council members from three “residency districts” roughly corresponding to San Juan, Orcas and Lopez/Shaw.
A council of five members is not a new idea “The feedback I’ve been getting has been for county politics, having been discussed rather vitriolic,” Forlenza said. “I have to widely in 2005 and in 2012 (and in between). emphasize from the bottom of my heart that Among other complaints, it was thought that the intent was to bring democracy in all its a six-person council would be dysfunctional forms back to the people.” because four votes would be needed to pass During earlier debate on the issue and at anything, including the the April 9 hearing, several county budget. council members expressed Before withdrawing his agreement with the idea of “The feedback I’ve proposals, Peterson repeatfive-person council, but been getting has been athought ed an earlier assertion that it should be accomthe council had authority to plished by a citizen initiative rather vitriolic.” propose a council of five. rather than a council-pro— Councilman Marc Forlenza “I thought when Mark posed referendum. and I started this, it was Because County Prosecutor something that would be beneficial to do for Randy Gaylord expressed uncertainty whether the public,” he said. the 2012 charter amendments would permit Before the current round of elections began, either the council or the people to change disPeterson said he would not run for the three- trict boundaries, the council passed a motion person council because he thought coun- by Councilwoman Patty Miller to consider ty voters were better represented and better another possible charter amendment on May 7 informed when each district voted only for clarifying how the charter could be amended. their council representative. At least for the foreseeable future, the three Forlenza said he was shocked and troubled council members elected later this month will by the local response to the idea. have the council chambers to themselves.
of mangled metal and debris. Ray Brogi gave his time and dump truck for just the cost of fuel. Island Excavating provided an excavator and an operator, Tim Holmes, at a significantly discounted rate. San Juan Sanitation gave containers and trucking for scrap metal at no cost and San Juan County provided disposal at a 65 percent discount, which DeTray says saved a “tremendous” amount of money. The total cost of the effort came to $6,753. “Getting that cleaned up was psychologically and literally a big step forward in getting the operation back up and running,” he said. “We trucked out 26 loads and 43 tons of material. It was far more than I anticipated.” DeTray says ORS’s primary focus right now is getting everything in order for taking over the transfer station by June 1. The nonprofit received a unanimous vote from the county council in November to be the sole operator
SEE EXCHANGE, PAGE 10
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