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The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
Wednesday, March 5, 2014 — 3
News briefs Chief appraiser makes bid for assessor post
John Kulseth, chief appraiser for the Assessor’s office, will run this year to succeed Charles Zalmanek as San Juan County Assessor. Zalmanek is not seeking a third term. Zalmanek has endorsed Kulseth, as has the prior assessor, Paul Dossett. Kulseth, an attorney by training, has worked in the assessor's office for 10 years. "I have participated in every function of the assessor's office," he said in a press release announcing his candidacy. The assessor's office fixes the value of property in the county for the calculation of property taxes and administers the property tax and the vari-
Almanac TEMPERATURES, RAINFALL ORCAS High Low Precip Feb. 24 37 33 .45 Feb. 25 45 36 .25 Feb. 26 49 36 — Feb. 27 48 38 — Feb. 28 48 41 — March 1 41 35 .07 March 2 42 35 .31 Precipitation in February: 3.83” Precipitation in 2014: 7.52” Reported by John Willis Olga SAN JUAN High Low Precip Feb. 24 36 32 .32 Feb. 25 43 36 .07 Feb. 26 45 39 — Feb. 27 48 37 — Feb. 28 50 40 — March 1 42 32 — March 2 42 34 .31 Precipitation in February: 3.83” Precipitation in 2014: 6.31” Reported by Weather Underground Roche Harbor Water Systems SUNRISE, SUNSET Sunrise Sunset March 5 6:57 a.m. 5:52 p.m. March 6 6:55 a.m. 5:53 p.m. March 7 6:53 a.m. 5:55 p.m. March 8 6:51 a.m. 5:56 p.m. March 9 7:35 a.m. 7:09 p.m. March 10 7:33 a.m. 7:10 p.m. March 11 7:31 a.m. 7:12 p.m.
Experience the San Juan Islands
BIRD & WILDLIFE FESTIVAL April 10 to 12 Orcas Island
Walks, talks, workshops and activities for all ages and experience levels For details, go to www.facebook.com/ OrcasBirdFest or orcasislandchamber.com
ous tax exemption programs for agricultural, timber and open space land. The assessor manages a ten-person office and administers a budget of about $917,000. The salary is just under John Kulseth $75,000 annually. “The property tax system is fundamental to government budgeting and taxpayer trust and I will dedicate my time and effort to resolving those challenges and providing the services we all want and expect as taxpayers, and I look forward to talking with the community about the issues affecting our property taxes and asking for your vote in November, Kulseth said.
CAO:
Continued from page 1 Management Hearings Board in early 2013 by property rights advocates and environmentalists. A September 2013 decision by the Hearings Board essentially upheld objections advanced by the Friends of the San Juans that the critical areas ordinances failed to comply with the GMA in nine respects. Councilman Hughes believes the proposed amendments will satisfy the hearings board, but
Slate of events in store for ‘Reagan Weekend’
San Juan County Republicans will host a Ronald Reagan Dinner at the Blue Water Grill, Friday, March 7, at 5 p.m. The fundraiser, $50 per ticket, includes dinner, history trivia contest, two auctions, and guest speaker Seattle Port Commissioner Bill Bryant. RSVP to 378-4738. The dinner is a featured event of the GOP “Reagan Weekend”, with events on San Juan, Lopez and Orcas islands. Bryant will also speak at a noon lunch on Lopez, March 8, followed by coffee at the Orcas ferry landing, at 4 p.m. Other state and county party officials, including state Vice Chair Luanne VanWerven, will also be attending. For information, 360-378-4738.
he’s prepared to revisit the ordinances if the board or the courts require further changes. Councilman Jamie Stephens said, “it was not an easy task to keep the focus” on complying with the hearings board, but he agrees with Hughes that “when it’s implemented, we’ll find out what works and doesn’t work, and make necessary changes.” Councilman Bob Jarman, just back from a hospital stay with a difficult staph infection, joined his colleagues in asking for future changes.
“I still feel the CAO is anti-development and needs further work,” Jarman said. “As Tom Starr said, what is the problem we’re trying to fix? We need to finish these amendments for the hearings review board now, but someday we need to come back to these ordinances and take one item at a time and correct it.” The board will convene another hearing, set for April 24, to determine whether the amendments comply with the September 2013 order. Further action by the county can be required.
March Madness Open an Islands Connection Checking and Savings Account between March 3rd and March 31st and you will be entered into our sweepstakes to receive $500.* *$100 initial deposit is required for both Islands Connection Checking and Savings Account. An excess transaction charge of $3 per item will be assessed for any transaction exceeding six transfers from your savings account each statement cycle. Minimum monthly transfer of $25 is required. Customers that currently have a connection checking/savings product will automatically receive one (1) sweepstakes entry. Employees of Islanders Bank, its affiliates, and subsidiaries are not eligible for this offer. No purchase necessary to enter. To enter manually, submit your name, address, and home telephone number to any Islanders Bank Branch listed below. All entries must be received by March 31, 2014. Winner will be determined by a random drawing conducted on April 4, 2014. For all details please contact us or visit a retail specialist at any one our three locations. Friday Harbor Branch 360-378-2265
Lopez Island Branch 360-468-2295
®
Islanders Bank
Orcas Island Branch 360-376-2265
Next to the ferry lanes in Friday Harbor 370-5496
ENT & ROCK CHIP REPAIRS REPLACEM Call for an appointment today
360-293-8647 • 800-77-NOVUS 2219 Commercial Ave • Anacortes, WA 98221
Final Shows! Thu.*- Sat., Mar. 6 - 8 ۰ 7:30 pm Sunday, March 9 ۰ 2:00 pm
Lilies on the Land SAN JUAN COMMUNITY A play by the Lions part THEATRE Directed by Julie Laidlaw A revealing, funny and moving portrait of 100 Second Street Friday Harbor, WAunsung heroes: Britain’s the Women’s Land Army of WWII. Final Shows! Business Partner: EARTHBOX INN & SPA Mar. 6 - 8Reserved ۰ 7:30$10; pm Thu.*Sat.,$19; Tickets: Adult Student Student RUSH 9 ۰ 2:00 pm Sunday,$5March *Thursday is Bargain Night!
Lilies on the Land
Adult $14; Student Reserved $7
A play by the Lions part Directed by Julie Laidlaw Tues.-Weds., Mar. 7:30 pm A revealing, funny and11-12 moving۰ portrait of On Book! Theatre Britain’sReaders unsung heroes: the Women’s Land Army of WWII. Vanya and Sonia and Business Partner: EARTHBOX Masha and SpikeINN & SPA
Tickets: Adult $19; Student $10; Christopher Durang’s Tony Reserved award-winning $5 Student comedy; directed byRUSH Joy Van Camp. is Bargain Night! FREE*Thursday Admission. Doors open at 7 pm Adult $14; Student Reserved $7
Saturday, March 15 ۰ 7:30 pm Tues.-Weds., Mar. 11-12 ۰ 7:30 pm Melodious Notes Over the Harbor
On Book! Clarinetist SueReaders Collado hasTheatre gathered a and andmainland diverseVanya ensemble of Sonia island and musicians for another Masha and unique Spike chamber concert.Durang’s Featuring: Pamaward-winning Stewart; Christopher Tony Pat Nelson; Sasha comedy; directed by von Joy Dassow; Van Camp. Dorothy Baker, Carol FREE Admission. DoorsHooper open atand 7 pm Sonja Zarek. Business Partners: ISLANDERS INSURANCE Saturday, March 15 ۰ 7:30 pm AND PEACEHEALTH PEACE ISLAND MEDICAL Melodious Notes Over the Harbor CENTER Tickets: Adult Student Reserved $8;a Clarinetist Sue$17; Collado has gathered diverse ensemble of island and mainland $5 Student RUSH musicians for another unique chamber For more event info or to purchase tickets: concert. Featuring: Pam Stewart; www.sjctheatre.org Pat Nelson; Sasha von Dassow; SJCT Box Office: 378-3210 Dorothy Baker, Carol Hooper and Sonja Zarek.