LAME DUCKS SHOULD NOT CHOOSE THE COUNTY MANAGER

San Juan County Manager, Mike Thomas retired in February. The three member SJ County Council immediately appointed Mark Thompkins as the interim manager during the search for qualified candidates is made. Mark is qualified and up to the task of the duties of the manager, but he has clearly stated that he does not want the job permanently. He has also agreed that he will fill in until the right candidate is found.

The County Manager is a key position in providing an accountable and responsive government through effective, efficient and economical administration in accordance with the County Charter, the Washington State Constitution and other applicable federal, state, and local laws as well as County policy. Protocol is that council members are to establish policy and expectations with the manager who will communicate and oversee the staff to implement that policy. In order to do that he must work closely and be compatible with the elected council members.

Two incumbents on our three-member county council have stated they will not run for re-election. Cindy Wolf announced publicly that she will not run and Christine Minney has reportedly told several people that she does not intend to run. And yet, a three-member council with two “Lame Ducks” plans to hire a county manager.

County Manager is the most important decision the county council makes. It is vital to make sure the new manager will be a good fit for San Juan County and can work well with ALL of the council members. In order to hire the right person for the job, the three council members must be in sync about their expectations for the manager. The final decision for hiring should be made after the election when the two new board members can join the remaining incumbent to interview finalists and make a consensus decision about a county manager who will be best for San Juan County.

Cindy and Chritine, I urge you to do the right thing and defer the decision on County Manager to the newly elected council members who will take office in January 2025.

That’s my two cents worth. What's yours?
Minnie Knych

May is Wildfire Awareness Month

A timely reminder for Washingtonians to prepare their homes and property for summer fires and smoke.

Leaders from San Juan Island Fire and Rescue, Lopez Island Fire District No. 4 and EMS, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue, San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources are here to show residents how to prepare for wildfires this summer and beyond.

Part of the readiness effort is connecting San Juan County residents to free resources and support through Wildfire Ready Neighbors, which is launching in San Juan County for the first time this May. To date, more than 5,000 Washingtonians statewide have received a free action plan through this effort.

I wanted to invite you to learn more at an upcoming wildfire readiness event on Wednesday, May 8 at 1:00pm PST at the San Juan Island Fire Department (full advisory with details below my signature).

Pet of the Week

ABOUT

Age: ~ 3.5 months old
Sex: Females
Breed: Cattle Dog Mixes
Origin: San Juan Island
Weight: ~25 lbs
Personality: Curious, Engaging, Sprightly
Energy Level: Relatively chill (on the puppy scale), but quick to get up and go!
Likes: Positive Attention, Rainbows, Tug-A-War
Dislikes: Hot Pavements, Unanswered Calls, Worms

Application:

San Juan County’s Annual Hazardous Waste Round-ups this Spring

San Juan County is gearing up for its annual hazardous waste round-up collection events, providing our community with a crucial opportunity to safely and legally dispose of poisonous, flammable, corrosive, or other hazardous chemicals. HazMat Roundup

"Over the last six months, the Lopez and Orcas solid waste facilities have both experienced alarming incidents where hazardous chemicals interacted, leading to dangerous reactions and the temporary closure of the facilities. It is paramount that both residents and businesses prioritize responsible disposal of hazardous waste to prevent such unsafe situations," said Katie Fleming, Solid Waste Coordinator within the County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship.

Household collection events will be held from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the solid waste facilities on San Juan (May 4), Lopez (May 11), and Orcas Islands (June 1). An event will also be hosted on Decatur Island on June 15, with the location and time to be announced at a later date.

Washington - The Second Best State for Life Expectancy

Factor in no income tax and the fact that the Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful regions in the US, and it is easy to see why those who live in Washington live so long.

Cost Of Living For One Adult, No Children: $40,722
Median House Price: $562,290
Median Rental Price: $1,995/month
Crime Rate: 5,759 per 100,000 people
Safety Index Rating: 19th safest state in the US
Great Cities To Live In: Westlake, Education Hill, Southeast Redmond