Contributed photo / Steve Horn
INSIDE
Winter Solstice concert with Stanley Greenthal and friends is coming soon. Read more on page 8.
Letters to the editor
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
News briefs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
Upcoming events
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8
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The
Islands’ eekly W
VOLUME 36, NUMBER 50 • DECEMBER 10, 2013
State Ferries to launch reservation program By Scott Rasmussen
Journal editor
Those who travel by ferry in the San Juans will likely be able to do what they’ve always done at any hotel or restaurant: make a reservation. Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary David Moseley said last week that confidence in the reservation system is ebbing among members of a local group called “Community Partnership” that has been tasked with helping WSF establish
10th Annual
Port Stanley School Holiday Show Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013
10am - 3pm Featuring 11 Local Artists Jennifer Armstrong Hand Felted Gifts
Leslie Austin Ceramics
Debbie Collins
Beaded Flatware & Faux Deer Heads
Jules McLeland Jewelry & Mixed Media
Terri Roush Fused Glass
Tamara Shane
Copper Crafts & More
Stina Soderlind Handcrafted Beach Jewelry
S.W.A.P.
T-shirts, Junk-Bonds & Fashion Show DVD’s
Kristin Twigg
such a system for its San Juan sailing because the original concept has been discarded. Despite setbacks a more favorable concept has been accepted. “The effort as it stands today is bearing fruit,” Moseley said. “There’s a concept that’s been agreed upon that people think will work.” The latest concept no longer would require those making reservations to be tied to a WSF frequent-user program, such as its Premier Account, a popular program with riders in the Seattle area, and would
Lopez Center
Celtic / Balkan, Seasonal Songs
Saturday, Dec. 21st, 7:30pm
Winter Solstice Concert Stanley and Kip Greenthal, Christos Govetas and Kim Goldov
$15/adult $6/youth Tickets: PSR, Lopez Center, Lopez Book Shop, or lopezcenter.org
Steve Horn photo
COME CELEBRATE WITH
JILL BLAIR & MARIBELLE DOSS !!!
allot a percentage of automobile space for reservations made in advance, those made closer to the time of a particular sailing, and then a portion reserved for those traveling without a reservation. San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee Chairman Jim Corenman said the concerns with the original concept were the “frequent user” aspect and how to manage a reservation system for residents who are not making travel plans months in advance. “They took that off the table and what
By Steve Wehrly Journal reporter
The San Juan County Council has approved a 2014 budget, capital improvement plan and a staffing, pay and benefits plan. “I am very proud of the budget,” said Councilman Rick Hughes. “Milene
Henley and Mike Thomas worked really well together … this is the most important thing we do.” The bottom line: $54,469,654 for the “Grand Total County” budget; $6,124,203 for the capital improvements plan, included in the budget; and 219.7 full-time equiva-
Early Holiday Sales Deadlines
The Lopez community is invited to a Retirement Party celebrating their nearly 50 combined years of service to the Lopez Island Medical Clinic. Coffee, tea,light snacks and cake provided.
DECEMBER 24 WEEKLY
When: Saturday Dec. 14, 2-5PM Where: Lopez Island Golf Club
DECEMBER 31 WEEKLY
Bring: Well wishes and fond memories to share about your experiences with Jill and Maribelle at the Lopez Island Medical Clinic.
CALL 376-4500 TO PLACE YOUR AD
SALES DEADLINE: DEC 17 SALES DEADLINE: DEC 23
lents, which means roughly 220 employees. FTEs refer to the ratio of the total number of paid hours during a period (part time, full time, contracted) by the number of working hours in that period Monday through Friday. The $54.5 million budget is 2.6 percent less than the 2013 budget of about $55.6 million. The 2014 staffing level of 219.7 FTEs represents a reduction of about six FTEs. Because employees are hired, fired and retire during the year, the actual number of people working for the county may not be reduced. The largest budget reduction was about $1.5 million for county roads, from about $11.8 million in 2013 to roughly $10.3 million budgeted for 2014. “Roads” is a budgetary line item that varies from year-to-year based on the availability of federal and state contribuSEE BUDGET, PAGE 6
A FESTIVAL OF LESSONS & CAROLS
2014
Wellness Guide
Publishes Jan. 22, 2014
Linda Ann Vorobik
Botanical Art & Silks
Janet Yang
Light Refreshments & Music 2970 Port Stanley Rd. Lopez Island, WA
SEE FERRY, PAGE 6
Tight 2014 county budget
Screen Printed Linens & Stationary
Willow Studio Jewelry
we’re looking at now is more like rolling out reservation space in a couple of phases,” he said. Moseley cautioned that a final decision on what a reservation system would look like for San Juan routes has yet to be reached. Still, he said that momentum for what has in the past been a hotly debated and sometimes controversial topic appears to be headed in a constructive, positive direction. The status of San Juans’ reservation system is one of several WSF-related
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15TH • 4:00 PM
Donations will be gratefully accepted to the Lopez Food Bank and the Grace Church Organ Fund.
Wellness Guide is a Publication of the Weekly, Sounder and Journal
Sales Deadline December 23
Call 376-4500 and book today!