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Re: Letters | Dec. 9 edition - Islands' Sounder

Island_Mom — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:48:51 -0000

To noisy_minority: A person has the right to live wherever they chose. However, it's not fair to expect the government, community or any individual to ensure your housing. I don't necessarily agree with the ladies that you overheard talking, but I also don't think that just because you have the right to live where you chose, you should chose a place that you can't afford. Many people that can't afford it, but really want to be here, work 2 and 3 jobs and often live in crappy trailers or cabins, but that's what they chose to do. I grew up here, moved away for many years and then when my family and I could (barely) afford it, found a way to move back. BUT...before we did so, we had jobs lined up, housing lined up and some money saved up. I always have considered it a privilege to live here and as the saying goes..."If you're lucky enough to live on an island, your lucky enough."

Re: Lopez football team honored with All League Football selections - Islands' Sounder

Island_Mom — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:09:36 -0000

I understand your frustration, orcas4life25...it must be how the Lopez Volleyball team felt when they went to state this year and nothing was mentioned in the paper about it, but the Orcas girls soccer team was on the front page of the paper for 2 weeks in a row. Granted, Orcas won the state tournament, and bravo to them for doing so, but Lopez didn't even get a mention. You can't really compare the Lopez and Orcas football programs...Lopez is B8 and Orcas is B11. The Lopez Football Program just going again a few years ago (after a decades long hiatus). This year they often played with 9 or 10 boys per game, some of whom were 8th graders and had never played before. Most of them played 4 quarters of offense AND defense and played hard on every down.

All of the local players should be recognized for their accomplishments. I would like to see the Sounder have an actual sports page with box scores, schedules and highlight stories, etc. instead of running longer stories about only one or two teams.

Re: Try the case in court, not online | Editorial - Journal of the San Juans

Island_Mom — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:16:19 -0000

And another thing...why is your online editorial edited? The editorial that appears in the printed paper additionally states that you think this young man should be tried as an adult. Why not include that in the online editorial?

Re: Try the case in court, not online | Editorial - Journal of the San Juans

Island_Mom — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:25:51 -0000

I find it interesting that an editorial on "Trying The Case In Court, Not Online" makes the comment, "The court of online comment, where no name is required to post a comment, reminds us of the “Wild West” justice system" does not name the writer of the editorial any where in its content.

Re: Lopez teen driver arraigned on vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment charges; trial begins Nov. 2 - Journal of the San Juans

Island_Mom — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:06:08 -0000

Awfully quiet now, aren't we? Where are those "community members that support him" now?

Re: Lopez farmer sues San Juan County over ordinance requiring vendor permits - Journal of the San Juans

Island_Mom — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:04:35 -0000

Bravo, Gwen & Maltby4! He sets us his "business" on Lopez as well. Parks his truck in the parking lot/road next to Lopez Village Market and sells his products on the edge of the Village Park (where there also happens to be a stop sign.) Not sure that this location is legally or illegally used (and he's not the only one who sells there) but, often he's selling the same items that can be found cheaper in the store. Often he sells items that are grown elsewhere, so that would make them not "...manufactured by such person" would it not? It might be that wacky-tobacky that is the cause of his confusion on where things are from. A walk by his stand will, on occasion, provide you with memories of a Grateful Dead show in years gone by...let it grow, Gary...

Re: Lopez teen driver arraigned on vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment charges; trial begins Nov. 2 - Journal of the San Juans

Island_Mom — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:16:10 -0000

Local_Lopezian:

He's never been in trouble? Huh...what about when he was suspended last year for bullying? He punched a kid in the stomach for no apparent reason. Or the times he bullied and didn't get suspended or caught...plenty of those. He may not have been charged, but he also was involved in shooting up road signs last year. As far as facebook goes, YOU get your facts straight. Whether you saw it as his 'friend' or not, many other people did. "I'm alive. Ha." Does it make you feel better to consider yourself a "good, kind person" to support him? By saying which, you imply that any one who does not support him is a 'bad, unkind person'. That doesn't seem fair. Everyone is entitle to whatever opinion they chose to have, feel what they want to feel and just like this boy, grieve how they want to grieve. When diogenesethecynic stated that, "...his parents should be tried along with him..." it doesn't necessarily mean (and my apologies to diogenese if I am out of line) that he or she thinks the parents should go to jail and be taken away from the rest of the family. Maybe just that they (the parents) should shoulder more of the legal ramifications, and not just the financial ones. Unfortunately, there are no laws against 'lack of consequences' parenting. Everyone is throwing around this whole concept of 'judging' and no one seems to realize that we all do it, all of the time. Judging means to apply your own values, experiences and ideas to a certain situation or thing. While the bible says, "Judge not, lest ye be judged", few mortals are able to do that. And yes, people do have the "right" (freedom of speach) to do it. No one should judge him for "...going around, living what life he has left..."? Did you actually type that? Paul is DEAD. He has no life left. This boy has his ENTIRE life left. While he may spend a few months or even years in a juvenile facility, he will still be ALIVE. And when he gets out, he wil STILL be ALIVE. What he choses to do with that life and how he choses to live it is entirely up to him.

Re: Lopez teen driver arraigned on vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment charges; trial begins Nov. 2 - Journal of the San Juans

Island_Mom — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:00:33 -0000

Note to reporter of this story: The boy did NOT plead "Innocent". He pled "Not Guilty". It should be obvious that he is NOT Innocent. The plea of "Not Guilty" is merely a legal manoeuver.

To idontthinkso: Were the "local police" you refered to on Lopez? Didn't know we had decent cell coverage in the village. The deputies we have here seem to be out and about all of the time.

To all of the people who are basing their "compassion and concern" about the situation on statements like, "...we all did that kind of stuff growing up on the island..." and "...it could have happened to any of us or our kids..." You're probably right. We all did stupid stuff and theoretically it could have happened to any of us or our kids, but there's one difference. We never killed anyone.

To those of you saying it was just "an accident" and that "he didn't mean to do it"...It was a TRAGEDY not an accident. An "accident" is an unplanned, unintentional, undesirable happening. An accident would have been if he had been driving legally, doing the speed limit and a deer jumped out in front of him and when swerving, hit someone. He was completely reckless, with total disregard for the safety and well being of all others. And no, he probably didn't leave his house that day planning to kill someone. He did leave his house knowing that it was illegal for him to be driving. He knew that he was going to see what the engine could do even after promising his friend (the passenger) that he wouldn't go fast. He drove to the specific road that he did because he planned on going fast. He did all of these things knowingly and with forethought.

To those that are angered by the statements of the boys' attorney: They are being paid quite well to make the boy look like one of the victims, not the reason for the tragedy. They can say whatever they want to the press and if it's full of lies, so be it. In court, however...the truth will prevail. Have faith that our justice system (such as it is) will do as it's designed to do. It will never be able to bring Paul back, or take away the physical and emotional scars of the little girl, her family, the passenger and his family or the countless volunteer emt's, firemen and others involved, but hopefully it will bring a bit of justice to an otherwise unjust occurance. All we can hope for is that this boy is tried fairly, convicted quickly and that he is able to get some counseling while he's incarcerated. If not, statistically, this won't be the worst thing he ever does.

Re: 15-year-old driver kills jogger on Lopez - Islands' Sounder

Island_Mom — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:00:51 -0000

LeeAnn and Aunt Jo Jo…Please know that your grandchild and niece are in our thoughts and prayers and have been since the day of the accident. I cannot imagine how difficult all of this must be for your family.

To Paul’s family and friends…We continue to pray for you and we grieve for your loss.

To everyone else…regardless of which side of this tragedy that you find yourself on, write to or call the Prosecuting Attorney, Randy Gaylord and tell him how you feel. It’s your right to be heard.

Some information…immediately following the incident, the 15 year old driver stated he had been driving 130 mph when it happened. When his 17 year old passenger was screaming at him to slow down, that’s when he put his foot down on the accelerator because the passenger was acting like a f*%$ing girl (that’s what the driver later told friends). He was not and is not grounded. With the exception of the two days immediately following the incident, he has been out everyday. His family is trying to get back to “normal”. (Why should they get to when no one else does?) They say he’s a “good boy” and that there’s no reason he shouldn’t be out. They think that everyone is being very judgmental and saying horrible things and that people should have more compassion for them (the boy and his family). People have been very supportive of that family but are finding it increasingly difficult to do so when they appear to be so indifferent to the whole thing. The sheriff initially stated (in written and TV interviews) that the driver hasn’t been in any trouble before. He hasn’t been ‘convicted’ of any crime, but he was indeed suspected in the shooting of road signs last year. He has been seen driving the car in question, a 1974 Nova, on the island without an adult (someone who has had their drivers’ license at least 5 years, as required by law) many times. One time in particular was only a week before the accident when he picked his mom up from work and was seen by numerous people. He pulled in the parking lot, she ran out and got into the car and he peeled out of the parking lot. (Note to “friendofisland”: That kind of shoots down the idea that his parents didn’t allow him or know about him driving.) Unfortunately, no one reported it to the police at that time. Most didn’t realize that he was not a licensed driver. He is a hard worker and purchased the car with his own money, but he can’t legally have it in his name until he is 18. He is an avid gun collector and has been caught (by a friend) having a loaded weapon lying about. (Keep in mind that he has 4 younger siblings, 2 of which are just out of preschool.) While he gets good grades and is an excellent athlete, he has been in trouble at school for bullying and fighting and has been expelled for it. His own friends have said that he has shown absolutely no remorse or emotion since the incident. Is he blocking it out? Is he just pushing it all deep down inside? Or is he a sociopath?

If he is charged as a juvenile, according to The Washington State Juvenile Disposition Manual, the most serious charge would be “Vehicle Homicide”, a level B+ offense. The maximum sentence is 15-36 weeks of incarceration. If he had started a fire instead (Arson 1) or killed someone while driving a watercraft (Homicide By Watercraft, By Disregard For The Safety Of Others) it would be a level A offense and the maximum sentence would be 103-129 weeks of incarceration. (You can thank your legislature for that.)

If he is charged as an adult, the most serious charge would be “Vehicular Homicide, by the Operation of Any Vehicle in a Reckless Manner”, a level VIII offense. The minimum sentence is 21-27 months of incarceration. (He would still reside in a juvenile facility if charged and convicted as an adult, until age 18. If still incarcerated, he would then be transferred to an adult facility.)

Let the PA know what you think. As I stated, it’s your right to be heard. Writing it here is a good way to vent and share your opinion, but telling the PA your thoughts can make a real difference.

If he doesn’t somehow finally “get it” psychologically and is not punished for his actions, this will not be the worst thing he ever does. That, dear readers, is a statistical fact.

As for the 17 year old passenger? Other than using very poor judgment by getting into the car with the 15 year old driver, the only law he seems to have broken is not wearing his seatbelt. (According to someone that had seen the car up close prior to the accident, only the drivers’ seat had a seat belt installed, as the car was still a “work in progress”.) Unlike the driver, the passenger does “get it” and is totally devastated to know that he was part of such a horrible tragedy. Regardless of any punishment he may receive, his physical scars will forever be a reminder of his actions.

Re: One dead, two hurt in Lopez Island crash - Journal of the San Juans

Island_Mom — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:45:44 -0000

The Prosecuting Attorney will not make any charges until the investigation is complete. If they were to arrest the driver, they only have 30 days in which to charge him. They are working hard on a very extensive investigation and are still collecting statements, analyzing accident data and crime scene evidence. Everyone involved seems to have "lawyered up" so every interview, statement, etc. must be done through or with their respective attorneys present. Seems like pretty standard procedure these days. I would encourage anyone who feels strongly about this tragedy (regardless of which side you find yourself on) to write or call Randy Gaylord, San Juan County's Prosecuting Attorney. It's your right to be heard.