(photo by William Wertz)

The the 45-foot live-a-board boat that virtually sunk in the Port of Friday Harbor late yesterday afternoon is -as shown above- back where it belongs, floating in the water.

Terry Whalen's A1Marine Service was called by the owner to re-float the wood boat, which was successful accomplished, and it appears that any gas or oil spill was slight and controlled by containment floats.

Trained spill responders with Islands' Oil Spill Association worked on recovering much of the 100 gals. of diesel that was on the vessel when it sank.

Having first been led to believed a new tax on developed property could be imposed to subsidize the operations of the three transfer stations, the County Council was informed by the Prosecutor’s office on Tuesday that in fact, the law “does not Authorize” a parcel tax.

The County official statement was "In a briefing during the regular Council session, Gaylord said -in light of court cases -the option of assessing a flat solid waste utility fee on each parcel of land in the County should be “taken off the table.”

Prior to what one councilmember referred to as “this bombshell”, the council had been informed that in the same way they attach a bill to the property tax statements for stormwater, they could do a similar thing with solid waste to raise the money needed for “capital improvement” to the three transfer stations.

(Council Members work on listing priorities )

The County Council held their yearly retreat Monday (public was invited to attend) and came away with a list of personal priorities. The retreat was held at the U of W labs in Friday Harbor, and In the best school room tradition, each councilmember’s priorities were listed on a blackboard.

Pete Rose, San Juan County Administrator had submitted staff reports and material for the retreat, that included a “listing of the top three goals submitted by each department,” that gave a “view of what will draw the focus of individual departments during the year” to council actions and policy making