Flattered by coverage

I could not help but be flattered by the article about me in last week’s Beachcomber.  Now I really do have to leave town, otherwise I’d have to live up to this description.

There is one error I would like to correct. It centers on the impression left that I had founded the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council’s public safety committee. It was Perle Mack and J.P. Anderson who started the committee. They put in many years working hard to promote highway safety and safety in general. 

Then Mark and Carol Salkind took on the dangerous and unsightly parking lot that existed between Bank Road and the U.S. Bank and the row of shops west of the bank. Cars would back right out into traffic. It was neither simple nor quick to finally get the sidewalk built and the trees planted in the islands that separate the road from the parking lot. Now this part of the village is an asset to us instead of a dangerous eyesore. 

Next came Rick Frye, who was working on preparedness long before most Islanders realized we were uniquely vulnerable on Vashon. Fred Hanson and Allison Jones also had a turn running the committee before it went into a period of inactivity. 

On several occasions I complained to Jim English about various dangerous situations, and each time he pointed out that the safety committee was inactive and I was welcome to take it on — so, finally, I did.

I also want to point out that I didn’t teach bicycle safety. A committee of Chautauqua parents and the P.E. teacher worked on that. We did have a meeting to address bicycle concerns, and The Spokespersons have a committee on the community council to advocate for cyclers.

After I had to step down, Kyle Cruver took over, but he too had to give it up. And now once again the committee is in need of a chairman. I can tell you that I found it a very rewarding undertaking.

— Jennie Hodgson