Islands' Sounder, January 29, 2014

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS GUIDE Inside this edition

SOUNDER THE ISLANDS’

Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County

WEDNESDAY, January 29, 2014  VOL. 47, NO. 5  75¢  islandssounder.com

Nunez faces uncertainty After receiving another year-long stay in the US, islander faces deportation by CALI BAGBY Staff reporter

Cali Bagby/Staff Photo

Nunez standing outside the West Sound Lumber Company surrounded by lumber he has cut himself.

Last winter, Benjamin Nunez Marquez was preparing for his deportation out of the U.S. to his native country of Mexico. He was resigned to this fact – he had been preparing for this day ever since he was taken into custody by immigration enforcement in 2008. “I have spent five years not knowing,” said Nunez with a shrug while he describes what he thought would be his final days on U.S. soil. But just a few weeks before his deportation date, his employers Pete and Jack Helsell put on their best clothes and with Marquez and their lawyer headed for the U.S. Immigration and Customs

Orcas Fire to ask voters for levy lid lift by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Publisher

Orcas Fire and Rescue is very clear on the reason for its levy on the ballot: maintain the current levels of service. “It isn’t to buy new fire trucks, it’s to take care of what we have,” said Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien. On the April 22 ballot, voters will have the chance to approve or reject Proposition One, a levy lid lift of $1.05 per thousand of assessed property value otherwise known as the millage rate. If approved, it would be in effect for 10 years starting on Jan. 1, 2015. According to fire commissioners, they are requesting the measure to maintain what was funded by voters with the 1998 levy. The millage rate then was $1.35. The levy funds 99 percent of the depart-

ment’s budget: operations and maintenance of equipment and facilities. Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien has spent the last few months undergoing an analysis of the department’s current operations. A 10-year financial plan is available on www.orcasfire.org with a breakdown of all expenses. “We did this financial projection to be fully accountable to taxpayers and their money,” O’Brien said. “We’re trying to be smart and strategic with our budgeting ... the way we are funded today makes sense for the future. We will not be building new fire stations or buying new fire trucks. Through the 10-year plan, we will be replacing some aging equipment like aid equipment hoses, aid units, bunker gear and other tools.” O’Brien said the budget for the last three years has been flat and when compared to the

Lopez and San Juan departments, its combined fire and EMS budget is one of the lowest on the block. “If we don’t fund it the way it is today, we will have to look at changing our service. That’s just the way it is,” he said. When the original levy was approved by voters, a portion of the money went towards building a new Eastsound fire station and purchasing apparatus. O’Brien says some islanders have asked why the department is asking for another levy just to maintain operations. He says the answer is simple: increased costs and call volume. Since 1999, the cost of living has gone up 37 percent and the call volume for both fire and EMS calls has increased 119 percent due to population growth and an increasing 65 and

SEE LEVY, PAGE 3

Enforcement office in Tukwila, Wash. “We love this guy. He is so valuable to our business and our family,” said Pete. “We’ll do whatever we have to do to keep him here.” At the ICE office they turned in their application for a two year extension for Nunez. Months later they learned that they were able to extend Nunez’s stay of deportation for one more year – until April 29, 2014. The Helsells said as far as they know there is nothing more they can do, but Pete said that won’t stop them from looking. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Congress will enact immigration reform that will give

SEE NUNEZ, PAGE 6

Sounder deadlines Display advertising: Friday at noon Classified advertising: Monday at noon Legal advertising: Thursday at noon Press releases, Letters: Friday at 3 p.m.

How to reach us Office: 376-4500 Fax: 1-888-562-8818 Advertising: advertising@ islandssounder.com Classified: 1-800-388-2527, classifieds@ soundpublishing.com Editor: editor@ islandssounder.com


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Islands' Sounder, January 29, 2014 by Sound Publishing - Issuu