Community Council discusses variety of issues
Vashon Maury Island Community Council’s next general meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 15, on Zoom.
Agenda items include updates from VMICC’s very active Active Transportation committee and the newly-formed Off-Leash Dog Park committee. Featured speakers John Vezina and Hadley Rodero from the Ferry Advisory Committee will give an update and take community questions. Submit questions for them in advance by emailing david@vmicc.net.
The Council will also have an in-depth, facilitated discussion about how to proceed with the creation of the Affordable Housing Committee, and what creative ideas/thoughts Councilmembers have on the issue.
To find out more about VMICC and get the Zoom link to the meeting, visit vmicc.net.
Fire destroys residence
A fire destroyed a small residence on Vashon in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 3.
Vashon Island Fire District responded to a call about a cabin fire at 4:38 a.m. and arrived to find a fully involved fire in progress. More than a dozen firefighters battled the blaze and protected a nearby house to the west of the property, not leaving the scene until 8 a.m., said Fire Chief Charlie Krimmert.
A man who lived in the house sustained minor injuries on the scene and was transported to a hospital in Tacoma, Krimmert said, adding that he believed the man had been injured while breaking a window to the house in an attempt to rescue his dog. Sadly, the dog did not survive the fire.
A fire inspector’s report is pending, though the cause did not appear to be suspicious in nature, Krimmert said.
This was the third house fire on Vashon in the past month.
On Feb. 7, an unoccupied house burned, resulting in a total loss. Mid-month, another house caught fire, resulting in smoke damage.
— Elizabeth Shepherd
Pony club marks anniversary
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Vashon Olympus Pony Club, which has competed and trained in a variety of disciplines, including eventing, dressage and stadium jumping.
After a half-century of sharing a passion for horses and contributing to a larger equestrian community on Vashon, the volunteer-run island-based group is a member of the United States Pony Club organization and is actively looking for new members to join, recently adding an Adult Horsemasters Group for those who are interested in learning to ride or continuing to learn about riding and stable management.
Patricia Haley, who had been active in the club in the early years, has since returned to Vashon and is once again active in the adult Horse Master Group. She said she was inspired by the island’s fabulous riding trails and the dedicated member base that kept the club going all this time, especially since the club now has fewer members than it once did.
“I think a long time ago it provided a valuable education and a place for young horse people to get together and learn a lot,” she said.
Chiara Heimbeck, a pony club member who has been involved for nearly a decade, grew up with horses and now serves as club secretary while still taking lessons and mentoring younger members. She said she has remained with the club because it is rewarding to be a part of it, and she hopes that more younger members can participate in the future to keep it going.
“I think it’s just been a really good way to stay connected with the horse community. It’s a really supportive group,” she said.
For more information about the Vashon Olympus Pony Club, visit olympus.ponyclub.org.
— Paul Rowley
