What They Do And Say
“Shorelines: Where We Live, Work, & Play.” That’s a charming little title for the recent “Friends” countywide mailer but I think there’s something fishy about it. The evidence is clear that the “Friends” don’t want people living, working, or playing, near the shoreline. They seek to control all human activity near the water while at the same time telling us how much they support it. What they say and what they do are very different.What do they say about local tourism?“Protecting our shorelines is good for our economy and our environment. Our visitors contributed over $158.5 million to our local economy last year,” said Stephanie Buffum, Executive Director of “FRIENDS” of the San Juans.It sounds like they support tourism, right?
Not really. The “Friends” have recently taken up a fight to cripple island tourism by challenging permits at a Lopez Island resort for a modest expansion (see below). Like Rosario or Roche Harbor, small-scale island resorts benefit the local economy in many ways not the least of which is bringing customers that spend money and increase the tax base.
For a business investor, spending capital to hire attorneys and other professionals to face endless challenges by the “Friends” for a simple permit reduces potential profitability and discourages investment. How is fighting this project consistent with support for tourism or local “economic development?”
Do they really care about contributions to the local economy from tourism? Not according to what they do. They have undermined the whale watch industry by supporting the closure of the west side of San Juan to all boats (including kayaks). Does this sound like they support working and playing near the shore? Continued
She sure isn’t backing down on her hard line stance and one has to appreciate her belief in the rights of her native countrymen. 
BELLEVUE, WA – State Republican Party Chairman Kirby Wilbur blasted Governor Inslee today over remarks he made Tuesday concerning the budget stalemate in Olympia.