New postmaster

Vashon’s new postmaster, Kiara Boyd, officially took the job on the island on Nov. 1, according to the Postal Service. She is the 18th postmaster to serve the island community.

Boyd began her career 11 years ago as a clerk in Cincinnati, Ohio, according to USPS. She has also served as a carrier and supervisor in Mason, Ohio, a supervisor and officer in charge at the Carson City, Nevada Post Office, acting manager at the Salt Lake City, Utah annex, and postmaster of the Duvall Washington Post Office.

On Vashon, Boyd oversees 15 employees, roughly 2,000 Post Office Boxes and nine delivery routes.

Before joining the Postal Service, Boyd attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry.

Outside of work, Boyd’s community service involves coaching and scouting, and she has donated her efforts to the March of Dimes and National Kidney Foundation since she was a teenager, according to the USPS. She also enjoys painting, reading, attending comedy and jazz shows, and is an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Dodgers.

According to the Postal Service, Boyd said the most rewarding position in her career so far has been her promotion to postmaster because it allows her to “be able to take in the community and understand their needs but in the same frame being able to share the difficulties of the employees in each craft.”

Library to close temporarily for repairs

The King County Library System (KCLS) will close the Vashon Library for construction from November 25 to December 3. Afterward, the library will operate on modified hours until December 20.

During the closure, patrons may pick up holds and return items across the street at Vashon Village, according to KCLS.

KCLS will be replacing the Library’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system during the closure.

Closure timeline:

• Saturday, Nov. 23: Last day to visit before construction begins. (The library already normally closes on Sundays.)

• Monday, Nov. 25: Closure begins.

• Wednesday, Dec. 4: Vashon Library building reopens. Hours for this day: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m..

• Thursday, Dec. 5 through Thursday, Dec. 20: Open with modified hours and services. (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 1 to 8 p.m. Sundays: Closed.

• Friday, Dec. 21: Construction project and service impacts end. Normal hours resume.

For updates and more information, visit kcls.org/news.

County executive won’t run again

King County Executive Dow Constantine has announced he won’t run for reelection in 2025.

Voters elected Constantine in 2009 and reelected him three more times, in 2013, 2017 and 2021 to four-year terms. Throughout his long tenure, and before that time, Constantine’s actions involving Vashon were significant.

Constantine has been a long-time champion of the water taxis that serve Vashon, West Seattle and, more recently, Bremerton.

In 2007, when Washington State Ferries announced it was suspending operation of its costly water taxi service, Constantine — then a member of the King County Council — stepped forward, leading the charge to create a new county-run ferry district that would take over WSF’s runs.

The district was created in 2008, but again became a political football in 2009, during Constantine’s first campaign to become the county executive. His opponent at the time, County Councilmember Larry Phillips, criticized the Vashon run, saying it benefitted “only one corner of the county.” But Constantine lashed back, calling Phillips’ attacks a “cheap political ploy” and noting that county services often favor distinct geographic areas.

Since then, the Constantine administration has worked to expand the system, signing an agreement in 2023 to provide service to Bremerton and this year adding mid-day service to the island.

And in 2010, Constantine, newly elected as county executive, played a key role in preserving what is now the Maury Marine Park, slated at the time to become an industrial-scale gravel mine despite fierce opposition by opponents. Constantine argued that both the gravel extraction and the 305-foot pier that would service it could harm madrone forests, fragile eelgrass beds and a range of imperiled species.

After months of closed-door negotiations, CalPortland, then the owner of the property, agreed to sell the 236-acre site to the county for $36 million, the bulk of those funds coming from state and county coffers. “This day has been a long time in coming,” Constantine said at the press conference heralding the land deal.

Constantine released the following statement this month:

“It was 15 years ago this month that I was sworn in as executive, and it remains an honor, every day, to serve the people of King County. I ran for executive because I care deeply about this region where I was raised and the people who live and work here. My priority was then — and still is today — that every person should be able to thrive, be economically secure, and contribute to the life of our community.

“… While my time as King County executive will conclude next year, my commitment to this place will be as strong as ever. King County must stay the course of progress – this year, next year, and beyond – always advancing toward a future worthy of every person who is here today, and all who will follow. I look forward to continuing to focus on our critical work of transit and transportation, climate action, behavioral health, affordable housing, arts and culture, and all we do to create a community where every person can thrive. Together, we will keep building on the progress we have made.”

Public meetings

The following taxing districts, government bodies, utility providers and citizen groups have civic meetings this month concerning islanders.

• Vashon-Maury Community Council: The council holds its annual meeting at the Vashon Presbyterian Church from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. This is a major meeting for the council, which will announce its new board members for the next two years, discuss and vote on changes to bylaws and standing rules, vote on its 2025 budget, and discuss and vote on a community forum on noxious weed control. Learn more and find the agenda and link to join the meeting via Zoom by visiting v-mcc.org.

• Water District 19: The district will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Land Trust building to hear from islanders about proposed changes to their process of distributing water shares.

• Vashon Island Fire & Rescue: There will be a special board meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 25 at 10019 SW Bank Rd, and also accessible on Zoom. The board will take action on VIFR’s proposed 2025 budget. Visit vifr.org/events for more details.

• Vashon Health Care District: The board’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25 at the Vashon Presbyterian Church (17708 Vashon Hwy SW) and on Zoom. The board will discuss their 2025 budget and may take action. Visit vashonhealthcare.org for more information.

• Vashon Park District: The Park District board’s next scheduled meeting is at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Ober Park Administration Building (17130 Vashon Hwy. SW) and via Zoom. The district will discuss its 2025 budget at that meeting.

• Metropolitan King County Council: The council held a public hearing at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, to take public testimony on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan. The council is expected to vote on the overall plan package at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at King County Council Chambers, located at the King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Avenue, Room 1001, Seattle. For more information, visit kingcounty.gov/CouncilCompPlan.

• Vashon Island School District: The school board will next meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 at Chautauqua Elementary School, Room 302, 9309 SW Cemetery Road. This is the last regularly scheduled meeting before the end of the year. Visit vashonsd.org for more information.