A group of concerned citizens met on Sunday, Feb. 20, to discuss what they want from a community council and a board. The meeting was advertised is both local newspapers and open to all Islanders.

Last September, two similar meetings were held at the Open Space for Arts & Community, with the intention of giving citizens a chance to speak in a town hall setting. A few weeks earlier, all nine board members of the community council had resigned in crisis. Citizens needed to explore what Islanders wanted from its  representative body. Islanders then had a chance to give opinions and ideas and some progress was made.

However, since the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council election was coming up, additional meetings were postponed until the new council board was established.

The VMICC held its board election in November, and new board members took office in December. A few weeks later, three of the newly elected board members resigned, including the elected president, and three new board members were appointed, including a newly-appointed president.

Once again, concerned citizens felt the need to act and organized a town hall-type meeting on Feb. 20. The focus was on what Islanders want from a representative council and board — what responsibilities and what purposes and outcomes. After each attendee had a chance to join the brainstorming discussion, the results were clustered in specific themes, for later work. 

Among the priorities was the need to inspire the 7,000 eligible voting Islanders to be more informed and more willing to give feedback to whatever representative group we have. Another priority for a new council and board is to operate in a transparent, accountable and open system, as well as be inclusive, equitable and comprehensive (Tom Bangasser’s idea).

During the second half of the meeting, we discussed what structures are possible and what attributes the structures required. Ideas ranged from town hall-only structures to a hybrid that encompassed the business of the Island with King County, plus the state of Washington and any other governmental agencies, and created enough time and space for Islanders to participate in discussions and elevate concerns.

John Runyan will moderate the next governance meeting, to be held  Sunday, March 6. Using information gathered at the last meeting, the group will explore in greater detail what structure would best serve the Island and how to implement any proposals coming from this group. This is a remarkable opportunity to give input about your Island and possibly help us chart a future course.

— Norine Grace, known to many as one of the Food Bank elves, is interested in governance on Vashon.

The next meeting to discuss Island governance will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Land Trust Building.
If you wish to be included on the group’s e-mail list, e-mail Norine Grace at norinebernie715@gmail.com. Notes from the first meeting are available.