The
INSIDE News briefs
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County clean up
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Steve Hill donates art
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VOLUME 36, NUMBER 31 • July 30, 2013
Our Lopez Dump: excitement and challenges By Lorna Reese Special to the Weekly
Seven months into its existence, the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District can safely be called a success story. First, 84 percent of voters approved it last fall; second, because it’s operating in the black; third, because it has nearly 100 volunteers who, if you ask them, will admit to having a good time while doing their work. “We saw a substantial increase in activity at the Dump during the second quarter,” says Larry
Tues. & Fri. 9–3 Phone: 4748
C rowfoot farm
Eppenbach, LSWDD secretary, “with garbage jumping from 75 tons in the first quarter to 108 tons the second. Total self-separated recyclables increased from about 47 tons to more than 78 tons. Islanders are proving to be very conscientious about recycling and moving towards zero waste.” However, though activity has picked up, the volume of garbage is still less than originally budgeted. Since most dump money is made on moving garbage, less garbage also means less revenue, so LSWDD still feels the challenge. “Lopezians can be assured LSWDD is not wasting any of the financial resources the community invests in our local dump,” says Bruce Creps, LSWDD treasurer. “In taking over an essentially bankrupt municipal facility, we’ve had to walk a financial tightrope. On one hand, we strive to offer expanded garbage and recycling services at reduced rates and on the
Lopez Artist Guild Art Shows The Lopez Artists Guild presents Two Art Show Opening Receptions, both on Friday, August 2 from 5-7 p.m. in Lopez Village Lopez Center: Colin Goode, Roberts S. Harrison, Ginny Neece and Molly Preston. The Gathering Place: Randy Kelts
other, we need to build the capital and reserves to maintain day-to-day operations. The tax levy is essential in order to maintain financial health.” This year is a shakedown period, according to Dan Post, LSWDD board member. “We’re gathering accurate and real income/ expense data, and will use that to craft a more accurate budget for 2014,” he said. “We handle and transport many different recycle commodities and it’s a challenge to find viable mainland markets. We also have our TakeIt-Or-Leave-It, which we consider an essential part of the community. It’s a lot to manage, and we’re doing it with a small tight budget.” In addition to paid staff who worked 1,381 hours during the first six months, LSWDD has a team of devoted volunteers who generously donated 1,955 hours during the same period. “There are so many incredibly talented and gen-
Lopez Center
Contributed photos
Right: LSWDD chair (r) and another Dump volunteer help with recycling. Above: Half the money to buy the backhoe has been raised. erous people involved,” says Sandy Bishop, vice chair of LSWDD. “The board, our volunteers and two fabulous long-term employees, Neil Hanson and Bob Chonka – we’re like a mutual admira-
Concert by Donation
Sunday, August 4th, 3:00pm
MOSTLY BROADWAY an afternoon with Jo-Ann Lange, Soprano Patty Johnson, Piano Ginny Keith, Flute
All proceeds go toward Lopez Center ticket youth fund
7+$1. <28 /23(= 7+$1. <28 /23(= ,6/$1'(5 5(6257
…to all our friends & family for making our party such a huge success. We are truly blessed. - Ron and Robert
...for the use of your pool, which gave 85 Lopez kids the opportunity to learn to swim... and for the use of your dock for our summer sailing program. We could not run these programs without you! The Lopez Island Family Resource Center staff
tion society.” Members of SWAP are also doing yeoman work. The Solid Waste Alternatives Program, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial and volunteer support to the dump, is committed to raising nearly $37,500 to augment tax levy income and fees collected at the booth. Approximately $10,000 of that is targeted at the “Buy the Backhoe” campaign. Sarah Eppenbach, SWAP chair, and numerous others, including SWAP members Kate Scott and Glen Maxson, organized the backhoe drive, Junk Bonds and last year’s popular “trashion fashion” show. SWAP also dreamed up dump tee-shirts available this year at the Farmers’ Market.
Publishes August 13 Copy & Sales Deadline:
Tuesday 30, 2013
Now Carol Steckler, eminent local radio host, has launched a one-hour radio interview program about the Lopez Dump on KLOI. “Talkin’ Trash” airs at 11 a.m. on Thursdays and repeats on Saturdays at noon. Steckler also is taking on volunteer coordination, accepting the baton from Micki Ryan who gave it such a good start. She welcomes calls from anyone wanting to volunteer. “Like any endeavor, our Dump is a work in progress,” Read says. “There are still a few issues being worked out, but we are so grateful to everyone working with us on recycling. Together, we WILL reach our goal of zero waste.” All the details of the Dump’s financials are at www.lopezsolidwaste.org.
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