Randy Gaylord, San Juan County Prosecutor and Coroner was our guest speaker. Randy ran as a democratic candidate for  prosecutor and was elected in November 1994 and has been re-elected in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014. Current election numbers are looking substantial enough for another re-election. 

 

The San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney's office is a small law office with elected prosecutor, four full-time deputy prosecutors, two people working in the victim services center and four to five staff positions. The work is accomplished by weaving the talents of many people so that the strength of the office is greater than the collection of individuals according to their website.

 

Randy is involved in child support cases and supervising those that are seeking child support payments. Fair amount of travel in his job from the San Juan's to Olympia. In county government, all share power including executive power. Cooperation is a big part of his daily routine. Prosecutors and coroners are always looking for ways to improve themselves. Help from the Washington State Prosecutors Office helps resolve where the leadership resources are involved. One of the most interesting and time consuming cases was the Barefoot Bandit case. The charges involved 16 cases against him along with restitution amount to around $1 million.

 

On most of the coroners cases, Randy contracts with Snohomish County which has built a state-of the art facility. Randy embraces the work and his passion for his work. Every case has a puzzle such as locating the next of kin. Drugs are becoming the biggest crisis.

 

Besides being the uncle of Club President Kevin O'Brien has has been involved in community and civic affairs. He is the founding member and a former executive board member of the Orcas Island Prevention Partnership, a proactive effort against drug and alcohol abuse. Other endeavors include coaching youth sports, assisting with soccer, Little League and high school football. Randy is the fourth oldest of ten children. He was born and raised in apple country along Lake Ontario in New York State. He and his family live on Orcas Island.

Its easy to say, if you want something done in Lake Stevens, Terry Myer Bockovich is your likely go to person. Terry was named the Rotary Club's "Citizen of the Year" in April and was awarded the Conservationist of the Year by the Snohomish Conservation District. These awards are for outstanding service to the community of Lake Stevens. Recently, Terry was accepted into the Leadership Snohomish County along with Club member Ilene Levering.

 

Terry spoke to our Club on Friday, August 3rd with an update on the Eagle Ridge Community Garden and Park. Recently Convergent Technologies of Renton accepted her presentation to the organization to build another 29 beds at Eagle Ridge, paint the exterior of the Senior Center as well as performing some landscaping duties around the building and grounds. Over 120 employees of Convergent Technologies were involved in this day long project.

 

She has taught 343 persons on "how" to grow vegetables. Plant a row program by the Snohomish County Conservation District is available at the Chamber. If you want to use one of the beds to grow vegetables, you have to pay the yearly fee of $40 which includes free dirt, water and seed. Eagle Ridge Community Garden uses only organic growing methods.  Terry works with the Lake Stevens Food Bank and many of the garden vegetables are given to the Food Bank. With a growing poverty  level , growing food helps the food banks in the area. Fresh produce drop off at the Food Banks are Monday to Wednesday from 9-11am and Thursday, all day.

 

Eagle Ridge is growing. The new community garden was just the beginning. A $100,000 donation will provide children with new playground equipment and the addition of a rain garden will provide run-off relief to the lake is underway.

 

Other news. Workforce has provided two interns for the summer. Paddle board rentals at Lundeen Park will include kayaks next year. Lundeen Park is experiencing 500-1000 visitors each day. Ribbon cutting ceremonies for Francisco's, and IHOP are in the planning stages. Bruno's has reopened under new ownership. Six local area chambers including Lake Stevens held a quarterly mega-mixer that brought together 121 people.