Opinion Piece

Guest Column by Sharon Grace: We Must Change OPALCO to Help the Southern Resident Orcas

The waters around the San Juan Islands are a summer home of the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. OPALCO, the islands’ utility co-op, is owned by islanders. Islanders overwhelmingly support recovering the endangered orcas. Recovering…

Written by Sharon Grace

Guest Column: San Juan County Sheriff Ron Krebs has concerns about "police reform" laws

As of 12:01 am on July 26, 2021, the State of Washington enacted a group of laws aimed at “police reform”. These laws are aimed at enhancing accountability, training, and transparency among law enforcement, however, what…

Written by Sheriff Ron Krebs

NRIC: Snake River Salmon Extinction Advisory

Snake River salmon advocate Northwest Resource Information Center on September 1, 2021 called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of the House of Representatives to block Washington Senator Maria Cantwell’s effort to allow Bonneville Power…

Written by NRIC

Guest Column: 13K sq ft hangar big enough for 12 aircraft proposed on San Juan Island

Dear Editor, Home Depot is coming! And not just to town, but to your residential neighborhood be it Portland Fair, the Cape, or off of Bailer Hill or Roche Harbor Rd. Did I get your attention?…

Written by Caitlin Ness Hardy

GUEST COLUMN: Mullis Center finances explained

This guest column by Stephen Shubert, Chair of Mullis Community Senior Center District Committee explains recent amendments to Mullis Senior Center tax forms. TO: The San Juan Island Community FROM: Stephen Shubert, Chair of Mullis Community…

Written by Stephen Shubert

Guest Column by Minni Kynch critcizing the Mullis Center Board

As editor of San Juan Islander I debated whether to post this column. The part accusing the current Mullis Center Board of financial mismanagement skirts right on the edge of libel. I decided to post it…

Written by Minnie Kynch

A Mayor's Farewell by Farhad Ghatan

As I reflect on my past eight years working for this council and the Town I so dearly love, I am filled with gratitude for those who have seen fit to allow me to represent their…

Written by Farhad Ghatan

Suggestions for planet-friendly holiday traditions

What keeps on giving each year? Creating traditions that help nature. A potted fir tree brought inside to decorate, used yearly; growing side by side with us all. A candle lit every Xmas eve. A cactus…

Written by Transitions San Juan Island Waste Management

Guest Column: Chief Collins' take on the failed attempt to integrate Fire and EMS

Message from San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Chief Norvin Collins: As the year comes to a close, your San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) responders and I wished to take a moment to reflect…

Written by SJIF&R Chief Norvin Collins:

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Fire/EMS integration

Guest Column: Appalled at totally inaccurate article published 2 times in the Journal

The January 5 edition of the San Juan Journal contained one of the most appalling pieces of sloppy, irresponsible journalism I’ve ever seen. What’s worse, it was in the “Top Stories of 2021” so it was…

Written by Dick Grout

Dr. Fishaut: Vote enthusiastically for school and EMS levy

The COVID pandemic has forced many aspects of daily life in rural communities such as ours into crisis mode. Exacerbating this state of affairs have been various local issues that make things even more challenging. The…

Written by Mark Fishaut MD FAAP

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guest column 2022

Guest Column by Joseph Bettis: The Day King Died

Dr. King was murdered on April 4, 1968, on the balcony of room 306 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. During those years of tragedy and struggle I lived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and taught there…

Written by Joseph Bettis

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guest column 2022