Journal
The
NEWS | County pays $22k in public records settlement [8] CULTURE | Island Lights Fest lights up the sky [9] OUTSIDE | Seventh new Southern resident orca baby [20]
WEDNESDAY, December 9, 2015 n VOL. 108, NO. 49 n 75¢
SMP draws criticism
BRIGHT ISLAND LIGHTS Power
rate to increase
By Anna V. Smith
By Leslie Kelly
Journal reporter
San Juan County Council has begun the public hearing process on updating the county’s Shoreline Master Program, which applies to the more than 400 miles of shoreline in the county and concerns landowners, public access points, private businesses and research property. The first SMP was adopted by San Juan County and approved by the Department of Ecology in 1976. According to Linda Kuller, planning manager and deputy director at the Department of Community Development, the last major update was in 1998, with several amendments made in 2002. Though the county was initially on a deadline of June 2013, Kuller said that a number of factors delayed the deadline including a Critical Area Ordinance review and approval process required prior to the SMP, limited state funding and county staffing, and a lengthy public involvement process. As of Dec. 3, the department has received approximately 115 comments and more than 50 people providing verbal testimony. The first day of the public hearing on the proposed SMP on Nov. 30 brought an overflow of commentators to the council chambers from all ferry-serviced islands. The majority of public commentary focused on the proposed changed designation of Snug Harbor Resort, currently a non-conforming structure, to a port, marina, marine transportation shoreline designation. While some residents supported the designation change in order for expansion at the resort, others including the Mitchell Bay Homeowners Association opposed the port, marina, marine transportation designation for fear of over-development, intrusion on wildlife and other issues. According to Erik Nelson, coowner of Snug Harbor Resort, the original plan to add 11 slips to the marina was denied, and at this See SMP, Page 5
Special to the Journal
Contributed photo/ Aaron Shepard
Santa spreads good cheer at the Island Lights Festival on Dec. 4. See more fun from that evening on page 10.
Mike Vouri: Reflections on 20 years working at the park By Heather Spaulding Journal reporter
More than 50 people packed into the San Juan Island Library on a stormy evening Dec. 2 to congratulate Mike Vouri on his retirement, and listen to him spin wild tales about the 20 years he has spent at the National Park. Excitement was in the air, but there was also a solemnness. This night was the beginning of the end of an era. Never fear, Mike isn’t leaving our island soon. Vouri opened the slide show with a photo of his grandfather, Paul Bentley, and dedicated the evening to him, the man who introduced him to the islands. Immediately, ten-year-old Mike fell in love with everything about the islands; the characters he met, lush vegetation, even riding ferries as well as the National Park that opened in 1966. His grandfather encouraged him frequently to get a job at “that beautiful park.”
Vouri didn’t disregard his grandfathers’ advice, but he loved writing, story-telling and history. He couldn’t imagine a way to incorporate those passions working as a ranger. He attended Western University and became engrossed with the Bellingham community. Working for the Whatcom Museum rekindled his connection with the park. As it happened, he was coordinating an exhibit about George Pickett and needed to borrow some artifacts from then National Park Ranger Bill Gleason, who hired him in 1995. Change doesn’t usually occur drastically, over-night, but in small incremental stages. It began innocently enough for Vouri in his new position, improving toilets. All the parks’ toilets were “handme-downs,” in such terrible condition English Camp’s was dubbed “Hole of Calcutta.” “I thought everyone would be
excited about the improvement,” Mike commented wryly, “A few days after American Camp’s was finished, someone shot holes in the door.” The slide show continued with photos of staff and volunteers who had come and gone. “The key with volunteers is that they need to be consistent, and Becky Knoll was. She knew how to handle visitors. She was kind, but tough,” he said showing a picture of her gentle face, eyes daring the camera. “One day we had an unhappy customer. He wanted to really come at me. Becky blocked the door, wouldn’t let him in. ‘You want to leave it,’ Becky said. I’ll never forget that.” There were shots of the old park office no longer on Spring Street, assorted renovations, archeological classes, Fourth of July parades, and General Pickett events, of which Vouri says “Without help See VOURI, Page 3
Get ready to pay more for electricity if you are a member of the Orcas Power and Light Cooperative. But the increase is projected to be minimal – about $6 a month for the average customer. The board of directors of OPALCO approved its 2016 budget Nov. 20, opting for an increase in electric rates of about 5 percent. “We want to keep measures in place that keep our co-op financially healthy, following two years of declining energy sales,” said General Manager Foster Hildreth. “Member’s bills will go up about 5 percent beginning in January.” Currently, the average monthly bill is $116. It’s expected to increase to $122 beginning in January. The decline in energy sales for the co-op is related to the weather, Hildreth said. But the 5 percent increase includes the co-ops costs of doing business, See OPALCO, Page 4
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