The
INSIDE Candidate Q&A
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Garfield Jazz Band
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Meet the dump wizards
George Willis photo
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Islands’ eekly W
VOLUME 38, NUMBER 40 • OCTOBER 6, 2015
Island schools are prepared for disaster by Cali Bagby
Weekly/ Journal editor
This October states across the nation will be participating in the Great Shake Out earthquake drill. “Being prepared is simple and straight forward,” said Brendan Cowan, director of San Juan County’s Department of Emergency Management. On Oct. 15, at 10:15 a.m,
you just practice drop, cover and hold. It is also a time to review quake preparedness efforts. By signing up, you will receive information and reminders. This year, Cowan is excited that all of the public school districts in the islands are signed up. Stillpoint School, a private elementary school on San Juan is also participating. “The schools are our
most responsive and willing partners,” said Cowan. On Orcas, several members of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue will be on campus following the drill right next to students. “Keeping students safe and preparing them for a safe and bright future is our mission as educators,” said Orcas School District Superintendent Eric Webb.
“Participating in this national shakedown drill is paramount to that mission.” For superintendent of San Juan Island School District Danna Diaz, earthquake drills are imperative to design, organize and practice what to do when an earthquake strikes. “Most importantly, it is critical that we have a strategy in place to com-
municate with families and the community during the emergency,” said Diaz. Her district has created an emergency preparedness committee. If you want to serve on the committee email at dannadaiz@sjisd. wednet.edu. “I look forward to creating a plan for our students and employees that will ensure everyone is safe
Fire Prevention Week Prevention Week FireFire Prevention Week Fire Prevention Week October 2015 October –10, 10, 2015 October 44 ––410, 2015 October 4 – 10, 2015 San County Fire District 4 4 4 SanJuan Juan County Fire District San Juan County Fire District San Juan County Fire District 4 Would like totothank the following Lopez Island Would like thank the following Lopez Island Would like to thank the following Lopez Island Firefighters for their Time, Effort, and Firefighters fortheir their Time, Effort, Firefighters for Time, Effort, and and Commitment to their Lopez Island Community!
Commitment totheir theirLopez Lopez Island Community! Commitment to Island Community!
Tom Felber Chad Ferrians
Sam Fowler Fowler Sam Fowler JimSam Ghiglione Jim Ghiglione Harrison Jim Goodrich Ghiglione Harrison Goodrich Rande Gruenwald Harrison Goodrich Rande Gruenwald Ralph Hayden Rande Gruenwald Ralph Hayden Emalie RalphHobi Hayden Emalie Hobi Mike Hobi Mike HobiHobi Emalie Thomas Hobi Thomas MikeHobi Hobi JKJKHoneywell Honeywell Thomas Hobi Michael Kaminskas Michael Kaminskas JK Honeywell Eddie Kramer Eddie Kramer Michael Kaminskas VinnyKramer Kramer Vinny Eddie Kramer Justin Merrifield Justin Merrifield
Vinny Kramer Justin Merrifield
SEE QUAKE, PAGE 8
Candidate Q&A
(Editor’s note: In last week’s edition of the Weekly, Steve Adams answers were accidentally omitted from the paper. We are including his answers from part II below. To read part III from the candidates go to page 3.) Questions: 1. Please name three specific goals you hope to achieve while on the Port. 2. Name three specific challenges you see facing the Port and what strategies you have in mind for navigating solutions. Steve Adams (Port of Lopez, commissioner, position 2) Make Lopez Airport safer. Trees on both ends of the runway have made landing dangerous, particularly at
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and united with their loved ones,” she said. Lopez School Superintendent Brian Auckland said practicing for any emergency helps students follow a planned emergency routine that will keep them safe, establish a pattern of good choices and create a sense of orderliness.
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night. On Sept. 19 2012, the FAA listed both ends of the runway unsafe. “Not solving this problem is a hazard and liability to our community.” (Jim Ghiglione, Lopez Fire Chief). As commissioner, I have made removing this hazard a priority. On the north end, after exploring multiple options, the owner chose to sell. The Port owning this property, removing the trees and maintaining pasture is the best solution. This purchase qualifies for FAA reimbursement. The commercial grade trees will pay for their removal. On the south end the port has an easement to trim trees. Unfortunately, the high topping costs repeated every decade, and past precedent of the Port paying these costs, makes trimming unfeasible. The owners of a key property offered to sell, which allowed the Port to remove the trees and gain valuable rental property. For long range financial security and safety the Port is ahead owning these important properties. Keep the port operating economically at the lowest tax rate listed in the Washington State Airports Public Ports Association survey. Continue making wise long range fiscal decisions, reaching NetZero energy use, adding new rental income, decreasing financial liabilities (tree trimming). Port tax rate is lower than the school, fire, library or solid waste.Complete a new FAA airport long range master plan with public input. For info, www.steveadamsforport.com/Campaign.htm.