Opinion Stories - San Juan Islands

Taxpayers will bear the cost of airport access rights | Guest Column

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

Election 2010: stay on topic, keep it clean | Editorial

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

County should scrap Mt. Baker Road project | Editorial

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

BLM rocks and reefs: habitat and hazards

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

A common sense approach to health

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

Ruth Marcus

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

WASHINGTON -- There are times when I flirt with the notion that the country would be better off with divided government.

Ruth Marcus

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

WASHINGTON — Congress has acted, after a cruel delay, to renew the extension of unemployment benefits. Those who are unemployed through no fault of their own will be eligible to collect benefits for as long as 99 weeks. This is an awfully long time, and it raises the question: Is Congress subsidizing slackers? To put it in a slightly less provocative way, do the beefed-up benefits encourage people not to work?

County Council should revote on Brickworks | Editorial

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

The San Juan County Council should vote again on the acquisition of conservation and historical preservation easements at 150 Nichols St., the proposed Brickworks site. And the council should approve it. Opponents want to see the farmers market located at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. But 150 Nichols St. is more than a “farmers market” project. It’s proposed as an events center on a revitalized site in the downtown historic district. The farmers market is only one element. As proposed, it would provide a public green space, entertainment area, and venue for varied economic activities.

Would you pay a $3 fee to dispose of recycling if

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

Stay on topic, and keep it clean | Editorial

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

One of the best statements we’ve heard going into the general election season came from the most unlikely of places. Scott Bell, announcer at the annual Zucchini 500 at the San Juan County Fair, opened the event Saturday with this observation: Strip away the politics, and we’ve got a pretty cool community made up of pretty cool people. Take that thought with you as we go into the general election campaign.

Move rabbits, but do it humanely | Editorial

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

Each prairie is its own special system. When we have so little left, we have to conserve what remains. Let’s preserve the American Camp prairie. Let’s move the rabbits off the prairie — humanely. We hope the proponents of humane treatment of the rabbits can help.

For Congress, state House ... The Journal endorses | Editorial

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:18 PDT

America and Americans are struggling financially. We’re divided on whether the Stimulus Act was a bailout or an investment in the economy. The jobless rate in Washington state is at 8.9 percent. But the solutions are more complex than simply “cut taxes” and “lower government spending,” which is what many candidates are spouting. Lowering taxes is one thing. Bringing in enough revenue to cover the cost of providing public services is another. No, today’s candidate has to be creative and innovative, as well as knowledgeable. We need ideas, not slogans.