Letters to the Editor
Support Swanson for county Council
Editor: Some of us have had the pleasure and opportunity to learn about Jennifer Swanson just recently, through the course of her campaign, while others of us have watched her serve our community for years. Our conclusions are the same: time and again, we’ve seen her…
Jamie Stephens: Supports Katherine for county Council
Katherine is a leader. As a former District 3 County Council Member, I’ve watched her work in this community over the years, and I know a leader when I see one. When the University of Washington chose not to continue operating the Lopez Island Medical Clinic…
Cowan: Supports Katherine Bryant Ingman for county Council
I strongly support Katherine Bryant Ingman for District 3 County Council representative. She is well known on Lopez Island as a hard-working advocate for improving our community. Over the past decade, she has taken on some of Lopez Island’s hardest issues,…
The Room Knew It Last Night. Katherine for Council.
Last night, the League of Women Voters held their Voter Forum on Lopez Island, and it was standing room only with over 80 folks there. After Katherine’s closing statement, the room erupted in applause and cheers before all of the other candidates had finished…
Victoria Compton’s message to the community as she leaves EDC
Dear Islanders, As this marks my final newsletter with the EDC, I want to take a moment to simply say thank you. It has been an incredible privilege to serve this community through my work at the EDC over the past 17 years. I’ve had the chance to work alongside…
Chamber send thanks for parade support
Dear Editor, On behalf of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, I extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this 4th of July celebration so memorable! Our 2026 Parade theme, Cheers to 250 years!, featured 62 outstanding entries, many beautifully…
Rhea Miller: Supports Jennifer Swanson for county council
Dear Editor—Over the years Jennifer Swanson has made relationship with a wide spectrum of citizens, community leaders, County department heads, legislators, and Council members. She is indeed a seasoned leader who can hit the road running on behalf of her…
Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association commended for maintaining Firewise USA status
Letter to Editor: San Juan Island Fire & Rescue wants to commend a Firewise Community partner – the Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association – and many volunteers for all their hard work in May to maintain Firewise USA status. Thank you for being such…
OPALCO’s response to ‘Elephant in the room’ letter
[Response to letter.] OPALCO welcomes member questions and concerns — that’s what we’re here for. If you’d like to talk with the team that works on these issues day in and day out, please reach out. We’re glad to walk through the analysis, the trade-offs, and the…
OPALCO / The ELEPHANT in the Room
OPALCO / The ELEPHANT in the Room OPALCO (YOU) purchased 2 million dollars worth of solar panels for the Bailer Hill microgrid. Those panels? Still sitting outside the Friday Harbor office under tarps, gathering moss and questions. Over 5,200–5,700 panels, depending…
Clinton and Kathryn Gauthier: Vote yes on county levy and support 4-H
To the Editor, As a lifelong Friday Harbor resident and third-generation islander, I have seen many levy asks. I feel compelled to speak on the current proposal because my wife, Kathryn, and I share a combined 45 years of experience with 4-H. We are not just…
Katie Fleming: Levy lid lift roughly $22 a month for average propery
Dear Editor, Please understand that I am writing this letter as a private citizen, not in my capacity as a county employee or in any way affiliated with my employer. I’ve lived on San Juan Island for 15 years, and I feel lucky every day that this is home – the…
Bill Cumming: Vote yes on the April 29 county levy lid lift
In Support of Public Safety I am writing to express my strong support for voting YES on the levy lid lift that will be on the April 28th special election ballot. As the former Sheriff of San Juan County for 24 years, I have witnessed firsthand the vital role our law…
Gay Wilmerding – Plea for Peace
Perhaps, the No Kings rallying cry Saturday could be, “No War!” As three thousand commercial ships with crews aboard await passage in the Persian Gulf and US Marines and troops steam toward Iran, potential for ecological and human catastrophe is imminent….
Former sheriff Krebs announces his candidacy for sheriff
To the Citizens of San Juan County, After thoughtful consideration and many conversations with members of our community and the Sheriff’s Office, I am announcing my candidacy for Sheriff of San Juan County. Serving as your elected Sheriff from 2015 to 2022 was one of…
San Juan Island School Board thanks the community
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! The San Juan Island School District Board of Directors are grateful for the community support of our recent Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy, which voters overwhelmingly passed on February 10th. This levy supports…
Mike Cohen Asks Who Won The Super Bowl.
My words here are trustworthy. They continue the undeniable fact that you are reading them. Real-time: who won the Super Bowl? The Patriots? Or the ecocide and chaos of our uncivilized society? Since 1970, “the Patriot” has been winning — not in football,…
Renewable Energy Done Right: Powering Our Future Without Sacrificing Our Lands
The Town of Friday Harbor approved an important proposal from the Port of Friday Harbor last week for a Marina Solar Parking Canopy project, which has the dual benefit of soaking up sun in the summer and sheltering us from rain in the winter. We need smart, effective…
Singers seeking director
The San Juan Singers are most grateful to Angel Michaels for her guest directorship of two “Here We Come A-Caroling” concerts in December at the San Juan Community Theatre, combining the Singers, Island Chordsmen Plus, and Sound Vibrations. Our thanks also to…
Grouts: Renewing levy enables SJISD to continue excellent job of educating students
Editor: The most important thing to know about the San Juan Island School District levy that’s on your ballot is that it’s a renewal of the existing levy. A yes vote will NOT increase your taxes. The second most important thing to know is that without the renewed levy…
Guest column by Caitlin Ness Hardy: Objects to size of proposed hangar in residential neighborhood
Dear Neighbors, San Juan County residents are rightly proud of the natural beauty, rural character, and ecological integrity that define our islands. Those values did not happen by accident — they exist because generations before us demanded thoughtful land-use…
Merriss Waters & Andrew Fleming: Urge community to vote yes for renewal of school levy
As parents of children in the San Juan Island School District, we are writing in heartfelt support of renewing the Educational Programs and Operations Levy. Our family sees the impact of this levy every single day. Our children are thriving because they are taught and…
San Juan Public Schools Foundation supports SJISD levy renewal on Feb. 10 ballot
Dear Editor, On February 10, 2026, voters in the San Juan Island School District will be asked to renew the four-year Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy. The San Juan Public Schools Foundation strongly encourages our community to vote YES. This…
Robyn & Josh Bjornstad: FHHS Grad and parent of 3 boys supports Levy renewal
As parents of three boys in the San Juan Island School District, local business owners, and long-time community members, we are fully in support of renewing the San Juan Island School District (EP&O levy. This one is personal for me. I grew up here, went through…
Daniel and Valeria Obregon: School levy is not a new tax, it’s a renewal of expiring levy
Dear Friends and Neighbors, As parents of students in the SJI School District and local business owners, we are writing to strongly encourage you to vote YES on the renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy on February 10, 2026. Our schools…
Helstien: Invite to Women’s March Walking Out for America on January 20
Editor Please join me in the Women’s March Walking Out for America on Tuesday, January 20 at 2 PM at the San Juan County Courthouse. Join a short “walkout” (as in “strike”) from work, school or other commitments to say you oppose fascism…
TJ Heller: San Juan Island School District asking voters to RENEW levy
In mid-January 2026, mail-in ballots are scheduled to be sent to all voting residents of San Juan Island, requesting a renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy. I would like to emphasize that this is NOT a new levy; it is a renewal of an…
Rikki Swin: Concerned the total cost of Bailer Hill Microgrid is not public
I have concerns over the ongoing OPALCO solar panel array project on San Juan Island by Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO). It is called the Bailer Hill Microgrid (also called the San Juan Island Community Solar or Hybrid Energy Storage System). This…
Condolences to Casey’s family
As someone who works in this industry, I was deeply shaken to hear about Casey’s passing. Tree work is demanding, skilled, and often dangerous, and it takes a special kind of person to do it with heart and dedication. From everything I’ve heard, Casey was that kind of…
Rikki Swin: Police state? They hid Sasha off-island before the trial—why?
Editor, Are we in a police state where the Sheriff can vanish your dog before you even see a jury—and keep her gone after “not guilty”? Oct. 24: San Juan County jury took 20 minutes to clear Friday Harbor Mayor Ray Jackson of animal cruelty. Jurors asked: When does…