LETTER

posted 07/02/2009 I am just back from a wonderful, first time visit to San Juan Island and my travelling companions and I totally agree that you have the most wonderful, helpful, outgoing, welcoming people we could have hoped to meet!!!! Be very proud!!!

From the moment we boarded the WSF (out of Sidney, BC), through our visit in Friday Harbour, overnight stay at Lakeland Resort, lunch and visit in Roche Harbour and trip home, we encountered only friendly, enchanting people and we just can't wait to return!!!

Whatever it is you do, bottle it and share it with the world. You are ALL amazing!!!

Thank you!!

Debbie Dykes
(6 motorcylists, one support vehicle and Aggy the dog!!)
Victoria, B.C.

Concerned about vandalism and lack of unity

To The Editor:

posted 07/01/2009
Last week, my Partner and I have been targets of a vicious act of vandalism by young boys in our neighborhood. They dumped salt on our garden and killed many plants, one half to two-thirds are dead or dying; they dumped salt onto two hanging baskets of flowers, killing those also.

This garden has been here for four years. It has given me great joy and I know that those who regularly walk the path to town as well as tourists walking the path from the airport have been lifted up by the beauty of the flowers too! This senseless destruction of a small part of Mother Earth grieves me to the depths of my Being. These plants were burned by the salt: many died, others are slowly dying, becoming dehydrated, painfully. I'm sure. Kirlian Photography would actually show their pain.

Two weeks before, a couple of boys put a bagful dog feces at our front door. The Sheriff was called and a Deputy brought one of the boys to our house to apologize. We can only conclude that the salt on our garden was retaliation for reporting this to the Sheriff.

-What causes a child to destroy other life forms? Is the next step animals and then people? What Pathology is at work in acts of violence against living things? Many people excuse it with the old adage, "Boys will be boys". I often wonder who killed, by hanging, a cat, found at the Christian School, in June 2006? Has that person gone on to take human life?

Orcas has all of the social problems as the Mainland does, albeit, in smaller numbers. We have single Mom's struggling to make ends meet AND care for their children. We have totally disengaged fathers who seem to think creating babies is their main function, not lovingly raising them!

We have Meth addicted and other-drug addicted fathers and mothers. And parents who don't know how to Parent children because they never had proper parenting themselves. We have Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse, and Child Abuse in ALL of its ugly forms: Neglect, Emotional, Mental, Physical and Sexual.

I urge anyone who is having communication and/or acting -out problems with their children to seek help right away. Sliding scale Family Counseling is available on Orcas. Help is also available for those with alcohol, and drug addictions..(AA and NA). There is also help at local churches.

Years ago, Social functions were attended by all. Millionaires and paupers appreciated each other as People, we played together, socialized together, helped each other and worked together. WE WERE ISLANDERS!

I believe that if there is more Inclusiveness and less exclusiveness between Islanders we can be a True Community. I know that there are women and men out there who can be wonderful role models for the troubled youth on Orcas. I know that the children will give them a sense of satisfaction that they are making the world a better place, one child, one family at a time. Please lets come TOGETHER and help the children who are the future!

Sincerely,
Spirit Eagle

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