Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

Lunch and learn to vote yes

The Vashon Senior Center invites islanders to join members on Friday, July 14 for a Virtual “Lunch and Learn” with King County Executive Dow Constantine, at the Senior Center.

Lunch will be served at 12 p.m., followed at 1 p.m. by a live Zoom session with Constantine discussing the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy renewal, on the Aug. 1 Primary Election ballot. Come to the lunch or presentation only.

The prior VSHSL levy has supported Vashon Senior Center in multiple ways:

Our HUB Grant supports us in providing hot, nutritious meals three times a week, our Care-A-Van that picks up lunch guests, and multiple programs that engage bodies, minds and spirits.

Our Senior Center Village grant supports our growing Village services: Bluebird rides to medical appointments, chore help for seniors, and events that build community. It purchased air purifiers for individuals who need them and tablets to aid our growing tech coaching.

Our CSO grant supports our operations – the individuals who work here, a small and mighty force that goes above and beyond every day.

Quite simply, your Senior Center could be crippled by the loss of this levy’s funding.

A renewed levy will expand investments in the human services workforce, double current funding for senior centers, maintain access to counseling and mental health supports for veterans and seniors, and dedicate King County staff to strengthening resident and resource connections.

Please join us for this session with Executive Constantine. If you would like to watch elsewhere, RSVP to info@yeskcprop1.com for the Zoom link.

On behalf of the Vashon Senior Center and multiple social service organizations, please vote Yes. Please encourage all to support this vital funding, not only for Vashon but for all of King County. More information can be found at tinyurl.com/yc7eaex5.

Maria Glanz, executive director of Vashon Senior Center

Fire District levy

Vote yes

Oh, my gosh. I just found out what really happens if the Fire District levy fails.

Right now, there are typically three firefighters/emergency medical technicians on shift at any time.

If one 911 call comes in, that leaves only one person at the station to respond to a second emergency. If someone has to be transported to a hospital in Seattle, then those staff members are off the island for an average of four hours.

The only way to hire adequate staffing is to pass the levy. If the levy passes, we would have two full crews at Station 55 and one crew at Burton. This would give better coverage to Maury and south Vashon. Better yet it would keep our homeowner’s insurance costs down. Win-win!

I read with amazement the recent Beachcomber article on the Fire Department Levy. I talked with Chief Vinci and found him to be knowledgeable and invested in our community. The presentation at the Community Council meeting by two experts, the Medical Reserve Corps’ Dr. Bristow and retired Deputy Chief for Seattle City Fire, Mr. English, was eye-opening.

It seemed that Mr. Harvey and Mr. Nourse, who spoke out against the levy, knew very little about our fire district. I understand that neither has ever worked or volunteered for Vashon Fire & Rescue or any other fire department. So, what makes them more knowledgeable about our needs than our chief, our firefighters, EMTS, or national agency experts that developed the strategic plan?

Bravo to islanders like Brigitte Shran-Brown, who not only supports the levy but also volunteers and helps the fire department fill dangerous gaps. I am too old to volunteer, and I struggle to pay my taxes, but you bet I’ll stand with our firefighters and EMTs and vote yes on the levy because 9-1-1 is our most important service and we cannot cut corners when it comes to saving lives on Vashon and Maury Islands.

Marcia Crews