Where does Franco live?

County Commission candidate Gary Franco announced to a standing-room only crowd Aug. 20 that he is moving to San Juan Island this fall so his son may attend high school in Friday Harbor.

Franco made the statement at the candidates’ forum at Skagit Valley College San Juan Center. Franco’s statement came a week after County Auditor Si Stephens ruled Franco is a resident of Lopez Island and eligible to run from that district. Franco’s residency had been challenged by County Commissioner Rhea Miller.

islandsweekly.net questioned Franco more in-depth on the issue.

“As it stands now, my son plays in soccer practice twice a day over on San Juan Island,” Franco said. “For extra-curricular activity, as required by the school district, the parents of a child must (reside on) the island for at least one year to participate.”

According to San Juan Superintendent Michael Soltman, a student must reside in the district at least four nights per week to compete in school sports.

Franco leased a place on San Juan Island from March to June to accommodate his son’s desire to play soccer. “In my home, family comes first even before my politics.” According to Franco, after one year of residency the parents do not have to be present, and his son may continue to attend Friday Harbor High School.

This summer, Franco did not continue the lease on San Juan Island, commenting, “Why pay for a place if we’re not living there?” He intends to acquire a lease for a home again in the coming weeks.

When questioned regarding the definition of residency for one year, Franco said the requirement is important in big cities to prevent schools from stacking their sports teams, but that’s not as much an issue here.

Franco said he receives his mail on Lopez Island, his wife is on Lopez, and that Lopez is his “residence in law and in spirit.” Franco also agreed that this issue is “not complex but can be confusing.”

Franco said voters may in fact be residing in other counties altogether, yet registered to vote in San Juan County. When asked if he supported having those residents being elected county commissioner, his reply was a firm “no.”

This fall, Franco intends to have his wife and son living in Friday Harbor, while he will spend his time on Lopez, unlike the past year when his wife was on Lopez and he and his son lived on San Juan Island.

Franco offered a final philosophical comment: “I spend most of my physical time on Lopez and if this residency question is an issue, then so be it. Let the chips fall where they may. My family comes first, and this will not change that.”

Franco then went on to add, “since Rhea Miller raised the issue,” that San Juan Island has 51 percent of the voters, yet is represented by only one-third vote on the commission. Lopez Island has 17 percent of the voters and has one-third vote. If you combine San Juan and Orcas, nearly 83 percent of the voting population is represented by two of three commissioners. “How is that fair?”

Commissioners are elected by voters on all the islands, but must live within a specific geographic district.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.