K2

It is a factory

Most of us are having trouble thinking outside of the box labeled K2. From the start it’s been, “what shall be done with it,” which ignores the larger question: What shall be done with an Island once largely self-sufficient and now a vulnerable collection of bedrooms?

Months were wasted on conventional manufacturing ideas when thought should have looked forward to preparing Vashon for the approaching perfect economic storm.

More months now are being wasted on a cobbled up mall anchored by an uprooted library.

It’s a factory, for heaven’s sake. The obvious use should be on making things we need from grist we have. Starting now, the Commons people could set up a public shares arrangement whereby Island labor would take over the maintenance and be paid with shares. Meanwhile, plan for making things from what’s now dumped, making electric trucks and trams, rebuilding batteries, blacksmithing and solar warehousing.

You see the idea. And add to that the overdue return of Vashon to its rightful agrarian base. Oh, I understand there’s a zoning problem. So?

— Tom Herring

Eernisse

Issue faced there is not uncommon

The residents of Eernisse and Vashon Household are lucky someone happened upon their moisture and mold issues before the problems worsened. This kind of situation is common in our climate in new and old houses alike. Mold, however, is not toxic, despite common belief that it is. Only when different molds compete for territory with each other will some molds produce mycotoxins. Otherwise molds are more commonly an allergy, asthma and respiratory irritation issue. Even then, the effects depend on the individual person’s tolerance, exposure time and intensity.

All too often landlords or property managers will provide superficial solutions that hide mold growth but don’t address its real cause: moisture. The best way to deal with mold is to control water sources. It sounds like Vashon HouseHold is taking this necessary step and I applaud them for it. After controlling the moisture and other pollutant sources, families should make sure they have a whole-house ventilation system. While filtration can handle the larger half of pollutants, ventilation is the widely accepted best practice for dealing with everything from ultra-fine particles and volatile organic compounds to mold spores and bacteria.

The issue at Eernisse is not an isolated case. Problems like these are widespread in our country’s housing stock and it is symptomatic of poorly constructed homes made out of cheap building materials. There needs to be a return to true building science so we can ensure healthier, safer and more durable homes for our families.

— Charlie Rogers,

Habitat Home Energy Audits

Library

I’m proud of our community

I want to say how proud I am of our Island. People say that we “can” be a good example to others — well, we already are!

When faced with the pushy decisions of a benevolent dictator (King County Library System Executive Bill Ptacek), we have said to ourselves, “How can we make our voices heard?” And, after exhausting all of the “offered” opportunities (and feeling still ignored or discounted), a group of dedicated individuals took time out of their lives to draft and mail an excellently balanced and open survey to everyone on this Island! 

Thanks to those folks who worked so hard! Thanks to The Beachcomber for covering this issue so diligently and giving the K2 developers a chance to speak their minds.

And, finally, a comment to those few who are saying our many voices are “worthless.” Please try to keep the greater goals of our Island community (activism, self-determinism, strength in the face of adversity, and outside-the-box thinking) in mind, even when your own projects are facing obstacles.

Ptacek and the K2 developers are only three.

I’m very surprised that they’re willing to tell 2,000-plus residents their opinions are worth nothing. If your argument is accurate, then the presidential election must be just as worthless — because people “self-select” whether or not to vote — just like they did on the survey.

Thank goodness we aren’t just lying down and giving up. This Island rocks!

— March Twisdale