Hello Neighbors,

We close the runway once a year, and this year it will be Tuesday, December 3rd.  Please plan accordingly.  The charter outfits and other commercial operators have been informed.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Regards,

The Board

Hello fellow Stuart Islanders,

At our recent board meeting of the Stuart Island Airpark Association we were given a presentation by Norvin Collins, San Juan County Fire Chief, Karl Kuetzing, San Juan County EMS Chief and Nathan Butler from the Hospital District regarding the opportunity to be included into the San Juan  Fire District. 

This annexation proposal would provide both Fire and EMS services through the county. Presently we are receiving only EMS services. I have included a list of what this means and why I see this opportunity as good for all of us on the Island. 

• EMS service is provided through the county presently at approximately .50 per $1000 assessed value of our properties. There is no fire coverage but DNR will come for wildfires but do not come for structural fires unless the forest is on fire. 

• The proposal would put Fire and EMS under one command structure. The new system would cost an additional .50 per $1000 assessed value and comes with a commitment that the county would position equipment on the Island and provide maintenance and training for its use. We as residents would become a first line of defense with better equipment and training until either Fire or EMS arrived. With the proposal DNR would become secondary but would be called upon if the situation warranted as they have some assets especially for wildfires the county does not. 

• The county has resources and expertise in these very basic and important safety services that we as individuals don’t have. There is an enthusiasm and passion from all of the individuals I have been talking with to help us add more safety and security to our fire suppression and emergency medical services. 

• The current system of EMS only will be eliminated as an option. If we decide not to participate then services will still be available but individuals will be billed as individuals. There is a cost to these services and somebody has to pay it so it makes more sense to share the costs and be more efficient and effective. 

There are two petitions one for land owners and one for registered voters. Basically if there is a 60% signature rate of the outer island residents then this proposal can be enacted sooner and without a general vote. If you do want to sign either or both petitions print either one on a single sheet of paper (this is really important or the signature will be invalid), fill out completely with Stuart address and send to the address below. 

Norvin Collins, Fire Chief

1101 Mullis Street

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Individuals at the county are happy to answer questions and here is who to contact.  

Norvin Collins, Fire Chief

 (360) 378-5334

Karl Kuetzing, EMS Chief 

 (360) 298-1284

Nathan Butler, San Juan Co Hospital District

(360) 378-2857

This is a good thing for all of us. If anyone wants to talk, my mobile phone number is (206) 799-8386.

Rhys Spoor

President, Stuart Island Airway Park Board

_______________

Here are links to the 2 different forms mentioned by Rhys..

Annexation by Petition

Annexation by Voter

The minutes from the August 31, 2019 Board meeting, have been uploaded to the minutes page.  Click here..

San Juan Propane plans to deliver to Stuart Island on September 18 – Call San Juan Propane if you need a delivery from them.

Harbor Propane will be on the island on September 4th and 5th.  Give them a call if you want them to fill you up.  Bob Rautenberg 360 378 0379

I also received notice that San Juan Propane will be delivering soon.  If you use them, give them a call and get on the delivery list.  The number I have for them is 360 378 2217.  When I hear a delivery date I’ll update this post.

We got the following message from the board – A key takeaway is that all are invited to the board meeting on the 31st, at 10am, at the community building.  This vandalism will be a hot topic.

___

Stuart Island Owners,

Recently we have had vandalism on the Prevost Dock:

AUGUST 23-24 TWO BOATS WERE VANDALISED

*TWO HOLES WERE DRILLED IN THE BOTTOM OF AN ALUMINUM BOAT

*A BRASS LOCK & STAINLESS SECURITY CABLE WERE CUT AND STOLEN

*SEVERAL BOATS HAVE BEEN UNTIED FROM THE DOCK IN THE PAST SIX WEEKS

PLEASE BE OBSERVANT!  IF YOU SEE ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS, PLEASE REPORT IT TO A MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

The next board meeting is Saturday, August 31, 10am at the community hangar.  Please attend so we all can discuss this problem.

Thank you,

Danette Carroll for Rhys Spoor (President)

Another option for a water pump for fire fighting was discussed at a recent meeting.  It is posted on the Fire Information page, click here to access that page.

the Mayor

It has been a few years since my daughters participated in the parade – I kind of forgot how much fun it is.  Apparently even the adults took it pretty seriously haha. There was a great turn out – both floats, and spectators!  If anyone has more pictures they’d like me to put here let me know.

Click here for the picture page

George and Charlene invite all neighbors to their annual get together. Here is their poster with details.

Thanks G & C