The top five stories of 2011, based on local impact and interest.
We begin with…
No. 5: “Judge treads lightly on Barefoot Bandit”
After a two-year crime spree including the San Juan Islands, Colton Harris-Moore was dubbed the “Barefoot Bandit” for allegedly going shoeless during some crimes and once allegedly leaving behind chalk footprints as a calling card. On Friday, Dec. 16 the Camano Island resident was sentenced seven years and three months.
No. 4: When Worlds Collide
In the summer of 2009, Susan Bill of Lopez Island, rented a van and drove across Ethiopia’s landscape of desert and rocky terrain. After four hours, Bill’s adopted children, Marta, Solomon and Emebet were reunited with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who they hadn’t seen in years.
The trip inspired the kids to plan a fundraiser on Lopez bringing clean water to their “birth village” in Anasi, Ethiopia.
“We want to connect our village with this community,” Marta said. “I considered Ethiopia my home and when we left I felt displaced, but now I am going back and doing good things. I feel like my life has purpose.”
No. 3: “Lopez Family Farm’s stand closes after county action”
After two and a half years of operation, Jones Family Farms closed their farm stand, a 200 square-foot building, which sells live shellfish frozen seafood, meat and produce, on Nov. 30.
They said they are closing because a San Juan County enforcement officer and building official gave notice that the farm stand requires all the commercial building code requirements of a full sized grocery store, restaurant, or any other commercial enterprise, and that the Jones’ could face prosecution.
The county says no enforcement action has been filed against Jones Family Farms, according to a press release also sent on Nov. 18, prepared by Stan Matthews, county communications manager.
The county maintains the stand does require a permit due to the nature of the structure, the electrical hookup and equipment and because customers transact business inside the building.
After reviewing the county’s press release, the Jones said they “disagree with their summary of events and characterization of the issues,” adding that the cost of the permit is irrelevant, it’s the cost of the retrofits required that is the issue. They estimate that full compliance with commercial codes would cost at least $15,000.
No. 2: “How solid waste changes affect Lopez”
Public Works Director Frank Mulcahy predicts county residents should see changes in the solid waste system around the end of August.
The changes follow the Nov. 8 election when voters rejected a proposal for a parcel fee to help fund the financially troubled county solid waste utility.
The rejection was construed as a vote for “Plan B” — which ends the county’s operation of solid waste facilities and moves to roadside pickups for almost all residential trash and recycling.
Two years prior, a group called Take Back The Dump formed and studied the Lopez Transfer Station operations and financial feasibility of local control.
Then the Port of Lopez formed the Citizens Advisory Committee to create a plan and financial model. The CAC put out a poll with 750 responses with what Post calls “an overwhelming desire by the people of Lopez for local control of the solid waste transfer station.”
The Port of Lopez is scheduled to have an agreement with the San Juan County Council approving the lease terms by the first week of February, probably taking over operations by the end of summer, according to Port Commissioner Dan Post.
No. 1: “End of the road for Watmough”
Despite the cold wind whipping hair across their faces, the protesters’ tears were visible. In dismay, one man turned his back, refusing to look. With a furrowed brow, one woman watched as she gripped a sign reading “Pavement is forever.”
“Where is the democracy in this?” asked protester Tex Gieling, who has lived near the Lopez Island rural road since 1955. Over those years she watched the road change from one lane to two lanes and from dirt to gravel.
Nearly 30 Lopezians gathered near Watmough on Aug. 8 and 9 to peacefully protest the chip-sealing of Watmough Head Road, a stretch of road just under a mile on the south end of Lopez Island.
To many residents the failure to stop the chip-sealing, a pavement surface treatment combing asphalt and aggregate, represented something larger than the state of the road: it indicated a failed system of a government meant to act on behalf of the people.
“We are fighting to keep things the way they are,” said Callie North, one of the most vocal protesters, waving a giant flag imprinted with an image of the earth as the trucks rolled down Watmough Head Road.
Honorable mention
“Jack Sovelove earns honorable mention for his artwork in the 2010 statewide Voters’ Pamphlet”
Secretary of State, Sam Reed presented fifth grader Jack Sovelove with a certificate of award and honorable mention for his art featured in the 3.5 million copies of the 2010 statewide Voters’ Pamphlet.
“Lynn and Marlys Waller win 2011 Spirit Award”
The Lopez Community Center Association awarded Lynn and Marlys Waller the 2011 Dolly and Andy Holland Lopez Spirit Award. Established in 2000, the Spirit Award is given in honor of Dolly and Andy Holland, long time Lopez residents who gave unselfishly of their time, talents and money to better the Lopez community.
“How a dream and a boat equal bliss”
Phyllis and Ralph Nansens’ adventures at sea inspired the book “Stone Boat Odyssey,” which chronicles the Nansens on a 14 year journey of not only having, but fulfilling a dream to take to the seas in a sailboat.
