SOUNDER THE ISLANDS’
Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, November 4, 2015 VOL. 48, NO. 44 75¢ islandssounder.com
Inside this edition
Saying goodbye Orcas High School teacher charged with sexual misconduct to a legend by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Publisher
Contributed photo
Howard and Helen Schonberger at their wedding in 2002. by CALI BAGBY Journal editor
Howard Schonberger was a member of the greatest generation, a World War II veteran who would become a newspaper man in every sense of the word. He liked to called himself a “newsie” even into his 90s. Howard was a man who could recall the golden moments of the past, but he was also a forward thinker - a man ahead of his time. He fought for equal rights, inspired to make changes after seeing discrimination to black students as a kid in Omaha. Even though he never stopped loving his typewriter, he advocated for technology in the pursuit of knowledge, was a huge supporter of community events and served on many service groups - all done with a smile on his face and a skip in his step. No one who knew Howard could recall a time when he was in poor spirits. Once after his grandchild commented, “Howard always in a good mood one,” Howard replied, “I’m not always in a good mood, and if I’m not, I’m quiet about it.” Howard passed away on Friday, Oct. 23 at the age of 94. He was born March 9, 1921. A career in news was in the making early in Howard’s life as he started a paper route as
After an investigation by the San Juan County Sheriff ’s Office and an outside investigator retained by the Orcas Island School District, science teacher Dr. Gerald Grellet-Tinner, 59, has been charged with two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor in the first degree, which is a felony. The alleged sexual encounters occurred in early October with one of his students who attends Orcas Island High School. Grellet-Tinner’s bail was posted at $100,000. He posted the money himself and was released. Sheriff Ron Krebs explained that although the student was 18 years old, the two had a teacherstudent relationship.
“If the student was under 18, the charge would have been rape of a child,” he said. According to San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord, the state legislature changed the age of a minor if that person is a student of a teacher to age 21 – not age 18. “When there is a student-teacher relationship, there is a special obligation that falls upon a teacher of trust and confidence,” said Gaylord. “This is not the first time this has happened in San Juan County.” Arraignment will occur on Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. at which time GrelletTinner will enter a plea. He is being represented by Lawrence Delay of Friday Harbor. If he doesn’t plead guilty and takes a plea offer, a trial will take place
Restructuring at the Orcas Senior Center Senior Talent Show is also on the way by MEREDITH M. GRIFFITH Sounder contributor Contributed photo
Howard at Central High School in Chicago in 1938.
a boy. After high school he attended the journalism school at Northwestern University. Halfway through obtaining his degree he was drafted into the Army and soon applied to become an officer. Howard spent four years in service during WWII dubbing himself an infantry shavetail, meaning an officer who is not very experienced. After being promised to get out of the regular Army a day early, Howard joined the reserves, which would eventually lead him to two years
SEE HOWARD, PAGE 5
Change is afoot at the Orcas Senior Center this fall, with restructuring and increased staffing for senior services countywide. “It’s a real increase in resources right here on Orcas, so I think that’s a huge step up,” said Jami Mitchell, who has been promoted from Senior Center Manager to Senior Services Specialist for Orcas. Mitchell, who will work 40 hours per week, said her county-supported position is in addition to another new Orcas-based, countysupported position of Aging and Family Case-Coordinator, at 32 hours per week. These two new jobs will replace what was just 35 hours per week supplied by the Senior Services Coordinator position supported by San Juan County. Orcas islander Larry Hughes will serve as the coordinator, with a focus on helping seniors and families cope with life changes and challenges. Hughes and his wife moved here from Brooklyn, New York two years ago. He has a Master’s degree in Social Work and more than 15 years experience in social services. Hughes will share responsibilities with Wendy Stephens, who was promoted in July from Senior Services Coordinator on San Juan Island to Senior Services Manager, countywide. “On becoming Manager, I saw this as a chance to move forward with a more progressive model that better serves San Juan County,” explained Stephens in the October issue of the Orcas Senior Signal. “This new
SEE SENIORS, PAGE 6
within 90 days. According to the victim’s statement in the certification for probable cause, Grellet-Tinner requested assistance from her to grade class papers. He allegedly told her, “meeting at a public place such as a coffee shop … might draw suspicion” and that it also might “potentially hurt his court case (currently in a custody battle with his wife) because he wasn’t supposed to be seen with a woman in public.” She also said he told her what was happening between them was “chemistry.” The student said she agreed to meet Grellet-Tinner at his home. The student told police that during her first visit to his house, she was not comfortable with Grellet-Tinner’s request that she join him in his hot tub. The following day, on Oct. 4, after spending time at a family barbecue and then kayaking together, the two allegedly returned to Grellet-Tinner’s home. The student said in her statement that she liked the way he spoke and looked at her.
SEE TEACHER, PAGE 2
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