Becki Day: Tree lighting different but still fun-filled
Our tree lighting was a touch different this year due to the sad demise of the big tree in Memorial Park. Despite the circumstances, the Town made the most of it and presented us with a unique tree with twinkling lights. When the tree was lit the crowd cheered!
- Written by Becki Day
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Updates: IRS Section 1031 - Tax Deferred Exchange
Another popular avenue for funding a real estate investment is utilizing a 1031 tax deferred exchange. During the recession when appreciation was non-existent there were no gains for buyers and sellers to defer but in the current market, the use of the 1031 has made a strong return.
- Published in Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Updates
Merri Ann Simonson's Real Estate Market Update comparing YTD 2022 vs same time period 2021:
Below is our November 2022 Market Snap Shot for San Juan Island. The median price for homes has yet to adjust to the lower volume. It may take a few more months to reflect our current market as the data in pricing lags. Days on market, number of closed and pending sales, and percentage off list price are already tracking to the market correction.
- Published in Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Updates
Steve Simpson: Join me in voting Yes for the library
Dear Editor
I don’t have a lot in common with Andrew Carnegie except for our common desire to support education and reading. Andrew Carnegie was the richest person in the world in 1901 and wanted to support good causes. One of his causes was to establish free public libraries in over 1,600 libraries in our country. I can’t do anything as ambitious as Andrew Carnegie but I can do my part in supporting education, reading and other needs in our island community which is why I’m voting to support our Library.
- Written by Steve Simpson
Mike Vouri: Reflections on Connections: The Heathrow Shuffle
(NOTE: This piece should have been posted a week ago, but it took a while to finish, thanks to the unwanted souvenir of Rhinovirus. I will have to admit that I was unprepared for the crowds we encountered throughout the trip. And so were many of the Italians who had time enough to share with us. I had always considered myself an experienced international traveler, but this time around I felt like a neophyte, as you will read in the whiny diatribe that follows. MV)
Coming in on final approach at London’s Heathrow airport, we were treated to this view of Windsor Castle. Photo by Rebecca Smith
- Published in Mike Vouri
- Written by Mike Vouri
Guest Column signed by 31 citizens: These are the reasons to elect Eric Peter as Sheriff
Because we care about our community, we are voting for Eric Peter for sheriff. These are some of the reasons we have decided to vote for Eric. While the other side is spreading false rumors about Eric, Eric rises above that and focuses instead on what he plans to do to improve the sheriff’s department.
While Eric’s political signs are being stolen with seemingly little investigation by the sheriff’s office, Eric stays focused on getting out there to meet folks and let them know who he is.
- Written by Signed by 31 people
Glenn Hendrick: Why I’m Voting Yes for the Library
Like many islanders (and especially property owners), I experienced some pretty intense sticker shock at the $20,000,000 estimated cost of the new Library on Spring Street. It was enough to stop me in my tracks, despite being someone who consistently votes progressive. Does a small rural community really need such an expensive new facility, especially when it will increase our property taxes during what is already a harsh economic time? After some serious consideration, and with help from the Library’s very informative Building Project page (https://www.sjlib.org/library-building-project/), I have decided to vote yes on the library.
- Written by Glenn Hendrick
Retired Sgt. Scott Brennan: Kreb's experience a negative; Vote for Eric Peter for Sheriff
The slogan 'Experience Matters' is showing up in our Sheriff’s race. Having been with our Sheriff's Department for over 30 years, first as a Deputy then as Sergeant, I would like to offer my opinion on what 'experience' really matters.
- Written by Sgt. Scott Brennan, Retired San Juan County
The volunteers of VoteYesForOurSJLibrary: Facts are on the Library's website
On your ballot right now is the years-long campaign to build a new Library. The issue is shrouded in rumors and misinformation.
Many wonder why the Library itself has not done more to respond and answer people’s questions? The answer is simple: public agencies are highly constrained in their ability to campaign, and the Library is acting within the law. The Library has documents and facts on its website but must leave it to outside volunteers to campaign and advocate.
A dedicated group of volunteers has been trying to get the facts in front of voters with an extensive FAQ page and letters to the editor, as well as personal letters to friends and neighbors. Our site clarifies and guides you through the documents you see on the Library’s website. Visit https://voteyesforoursjlibrary.com/faq.
We understand that the new Library represents expensive public construction. Our group believes that the right time for our community to improve civic infrastructure is now. By building it now, we’ll do it at a time where interest rates for public entities are at very reasonable levels – between 4 and 5 percent (a far cry from some of the misinformation floating around!).
We believe that we are doing the right thing for the community, for this generation and the next, in voting YES for the Library. And we ask you, our friends and neighbors, to do so as well.
- The volunteers of VoteYesForOurSJLibrary
- Written by The volunteers of VoteYesForOurSJLibrary
More...
- Written by Clayton Banry
- Written by Thor Hanson
- Written by Gerry & Nancy Miller
- Written by Russell Bolte
Clayton Banry: Thank you to the Community
To live in a community that makes miracles happen” is how I would describe living on San Juan Island.
Throughout my life, I have continued to try to make a difference. I have come up with ideas and ways to help our community, and the response has always been exceptional. As a person with mobility issues, I have always had to rely on friends to get around. Those friends have been great about fitting my wheelchair in tight spaces to get me to different places. The idea that our community needed a wheelchair-compatible transport van is something I experienced firsthand.
Thor Hanson: Vote Yes for the library
Every community deserves a first-rate public library, and I hope that we will all embrace this opportunity to build one. The existing structure is bursting at the seams, with no room to expand in its current location. Through years of work and study, our library board has created a vision for a facility that can serve the island for decades.
Gerry & Nancy Miller: Please vote for Eric Peter for Sheriff
To the citizens of San Juan County, please join us in voting for Eric Peter for Sheriff. Eric Peter is well-prepared to lead this county's law enforcement in today's rapidly evolving world. He respects this community by reaching out and listening to a wide range of community members. As Sergeant, he identifies deputies' strengths and areas for growth and seeks to provide them with the guidance and training they need to better serve this community.
Russell Bolte: COVID-19 vaccine may be added to school children's vaccine schedule
Dear Editor:
Last week the CDC’s advisory committee recommended adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the schoolchildren vaccine schedule. I believe this is a mistake. This controversy over childhood COVID-19 vaccination has become bigger than the concern of publishing vaccine misinformation.