Island voters had some excellent candidate choices in last week’s election, and the fire, park and school districts will soon seat several new members.
Reached last week, all those newly elected greeted their roles with seriousness, and many indicated they would be spending the next weeks learning about their respective agencies and the ins and outs of serving on a public board, entrusted with their neighbor’s votes and tax dollars.
“It is not like I am going on vacation right now,” Zabette Macomber said, a sentiment many of those newly elected echoed as they took in the scope of the candidate-to-commissioner transition.
Vashon, though small, faces some big challenges, and we are looking forward to seeing what the new members will bring to the tasks ahead.
In the election process, Vashon lost two commissioners who have long served the community. Bill Ameling was defeated after 30 years on the park board. He has been criticized in recent years for his role in the VES Fields and its effects on the agency, yet his passion for the district and his dedication to its mission has always been clear.
In the school board race, current chair Laura Wishik — whom we know to be a strong and steady voice on the board — appears to have lost a close election to Toby Holmes, who has also impressed us this election season.
Acknowledging her likely defeat, Wishik said she may continue to be involved in the school district in some way, but is going to take some time to reflect on just how she would like to serve the community next.
Indeed, the election season made clear just how much community work there is to be done and how much the active participation of many will be needed. Brigitte Schran Brown, newly elected to the fire board, has encouraged more people to get involved as the department contends with fiscal challenges, the need to increase its volunteers and the absorption of its paramedics into the larger South King County Medic One System, among other issues. At the park district, a strategic planning process is slated for next year, and it will require islanders to share their opinions to help set the course for the district. And at the school board, members are hard at work on the bond measure, making decisions about costs, needs and wants and how best to proceed. Board members still want to hear from islanders about what they would like the bond to include, though the commenting window is closing very soon.
In the coming weeks and months, we hope many islanders will keep the momentum of the election season going and participate in necessary changes and opportunities in these arenas and others throughout the community. And come February, when the next election comes, we hope islanders will be sure to vote.
