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WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2013 VOL. 46, NO. YY 75¢
Dahl survives Boston bombs
County codes get makeover
April showers lose power
by STEVE WEHRLY Journal reporter
by CALI BAGBY Staff reporter
Dennis Dahl was just half a mile away from the finish line when he was stopped. He and other runners stood still as they heard there had been an explosion. “We thought maybe it was an accidental gas explosion,” he recalled. “Not a bombing.” Dahl was one of many who witnessed a day of human triumph turn to a day of fear and chaos. Three people were killed and more than 100 were injured in the Boston Marathon on April 15. “I don’t even know who won the Boston Marathon,” said Dahl. “It was supposed to be a big celebration. People had to work really hard to qualify. Especially for those of us doing it the first time … it’s exciting to cross the finish line and that was taken away from 27,000 people.” But he said not finishing the race pales in comparison to the violence of that day. “I’m pissed,” he said. “It was absolutely senseless.” Dahl had qualified for the race in the fall by completing the Coeur d’Alene marathon in just about four hours. He told the Sounder in November that, “Really, it’s a big deal. I’ve always been excited to have a chance to do it.” Luckily he and his wife Bonnie, who went to cheer him on, were not injured by the explosions. But he was separated from Bonnie for nearly an hour. He described that time as “being in panic” until they were reunited.
SEE COACH DAHL, PAGE 3
Cali Bagby/Staff photo
It’s been a rainy past few weeks in the San Juans. Weather experts are calling for sunshine and warmer temps this week with a high of 56 degrees on Thursday. But beware: showers are expected on Saturday.
Orcas Fire opts out of ‘shared’ marine emergency vessel by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Publisher
Orcas Fire is battening down its hatches – at least when it comes to extra expenditures. After seeking community input at town hall meetings, fire commission sessions and 16 strategic planning conferences, the commissioners voted to not be partners with the Sheriff ’s Office for a new emergency vessel. “Fiscal accountability” was the primary reason for opting out of the Marine Operations User’s Group. “We diligently compared the potential financial impacts to our taxpayers with the prospective benefits of the new program,” said Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien. “Community input was also a significant driver, as well as the recent improved availability of federal marine resources.” In November, the Sheriff ’s Office was awarded a Federal Port Security Grant of up to $785,000 to acquire an emergency response boat for fire agencies and emergency medical services as well as law enforcement. The grant requires a local match that can be satisfied by staff time and other planned expenditures that should not increase costs to local taxpayers. MOUG includes all the public safety organizations in San Juan County and is tasked with overseeing the marine operations program. As a financial participant, OIFR would have been responsible for
approximately $25,000 per year in maintenance and operational costs for the program. Sheriff Rob Nou was hopeful that the vessel would serve as a marine ambulance for medical response in weather conditions that make evacuation by air impossible. It would also be outfitted for marine rescue and dive response, equipped to fight marine, marina and waterfront fires, and be an all-weather patrol boat for law enforcement and emergency response tasks necessary in San Juan County. The grant requires that the vessel is built by August 2014, so Nou says time is of the essence to hear back from the other departments. “Obviously, I am disappointed in Orcas Fire’s decision,” Nou said. “I am not sure what impact it will have. With a smaller pool of contributions, we may have to scale the project back. But at this point, that is unknown. It’s very much still a work in progress. We’re not dead in the water yet ... This is an incredible opportunity for all of us – to have this asset available in-county. It’s not going to do anyone any good to have this vessel that no one can afford to use.” Lopez Fire Chief Jim Ghiglione says the department is unsure at what level it will participate in MOUG. “It’s really a financial issue,” Ghiglione said. “We know that for Lopez we can’t rely on the
SEE VESSEL, PAGE 7
Seven years after the county council decided San Juan County's Code Enforcement Ordinance needed streamlining, the planning commission presented a new draft enforcement ordinance applicable to the Unified Development Code on April 8. The council decided to move forward with the draft, scheduling a “Second Touch” hearing on April 23, and a Public Hearing and possible final passage for May 7, the final scheduled meeting of the six-person council. The regulations carry out enforcement and appeals procedures, and penalties, for laws contained in the county’s Unified Development Code, which includes county laws on land development, remodeling, shore-
SEE CODE, PAGE 6
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