POST OFFICE

Happy to serve

As the officer-in-charge of the Vashon Post Office I am writing to express the unwavering commitment of our postal staff to serving our wonderful community. Summer is in full swing on the island and the various events, celebrations, and festivals enable us to come together and strengthen our bonds as neighbors, family, and friends.

The Postal Service has been an integral part of Vashon for more than 70 years, and part of the fabric of America for centuries, connecting people across vast distances, and facilitating communication and commerce. Here on Vashon, my team and I take immense pride in continuing this tradition. Our dedication goes beyond simply delivering mail and packages; it extends to being a reliable and supportive presence in our community.

Every day, our staff works diligently to ensure that your letters, packages, and essential communications reach their destinations promptly and securely. We understand that the trust you place in us is vital, and we strive to uphold that trust through our hard work and dedication.

This summer, let us celebrate the spirit of community and the importance of staying connected. My team and I are proud to help you keep in touch with the essential people in your life — whether that means sending a package, card or letter for destinations off-island, across town, or getting help with your mailing and shipping needs.

We are honored to be a part of this community and to contribute to its well-being. On behalf of the entire postal staff, I wish you safe and happy summer. Let us come together to celebrate the unity and dedication that make Vashon a special place to live today and every day.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Sincerely,

Ashley Lee

YOUTH HEALTH

Thank you for your support

On behalf of Vashon Youth and Family Services, I want to extend our deep appreciation to the Vashon Health Care District for supporting youth behavioral health services on Vashon.

VHCD funding will enable a collaborative expansion of youth counseling services by Vashon Youth and Family Services, Vashon DOVE Project and Neighborcare Health. It will also enable us to build out care coordination support for families with complex needs.

This investment in youth mental health and family wellbeing will bring relief to VISD counseling staff and help our young people build the emotional resources and resilience needed to navigate life’s many challenges. The return on investments in youth mental health is incalculable, both for the individuals and families served and at the community level.

As we say here at VYFS, healthy and thriving communities are comprised of healthy and thriving people.

Thank you, Vashon!

Jeni Johnson, executive director of Vashon Youth and Family Services

ABBOT TRYPHON

Try inclusion

Vashon is a community where every voice counts. I love that. We each have a voice that deserves to be heard. Whether we are woke or wealthy or sleepy or poor, our voice counts. Whether we engage in social media or not, our voice counts. Whether we feel safe or not, our voice counts. And whether or not we are Christian or old, our voice counts. Old folks are the survivors. Not everyone gets to grow old.

Which brings me to Father Tryphon, an elder like myself.

Father Tryphon, standing behind your bible and throwing rocks at those of whom you don’t approve is just plain mean. You seem to believe that your behavior is somehow sanctified because it connects you to a higher power. That belief is often the flashpoint of war. Then you skirt your culpability by claiming you love them. No wonder church attendance is down.

I do appreciate your apology. Unfortunately there is an inherent weakness bound to apology: Whereas it is indeed appreciated, it does not eradicate memory.

Since you enjoy living in an inclusive community, perhaps you could be inclusive as well.

I miss the lion of the people who stood against the tyranny of Glacier. I would like to see him again.

Elizabeth Nye

OUR SOCIETY

What freedom takes

I am sorry to have to say this, but I believe we have lost so much of our rights and freedoms that we were once promised, that to restore them seems to me almost impossible.

I think I know what it would take, but I don’t know if your freedom is important enough to you to do what is necessary. It’s not hard to understand, but I’ll leave it up to you to decide if it’s possible:

If you work for a company, organization, or government agency that you know lies or cheats people, you and a critical number of other people will have to refuse to work for them any further. That means you will have to be interested enough and willing enough to tell the truth about how honorable your employer is, and how honorable and trustworthy you are.

For many people, it will be the most difficult decision you will ever make. You will never know if enough other people will do this to make your efforts successful.

I thought about this for many years. This is the conclusion I’ve come to. If you think you have a better idea, I’d be interested to hear about it. If you think voting for any one in particular will help, I’ve already heard that one. It might help, but it won’t be enough.

Mark Goldman