By NEAL PHILIP

A little over six years ago, the Vashon/Maury Island blessed me by causing me to be elected one of five fire commissioners for Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR).

I came into VIFR during a time of great and difficult change, and that change is ongoing. As my term comes to a close, I find myself in an additional transition, as I am leaving the island after living here, and raising a family here, for 18 years. So after 18 years of living and loving on the island, and 10 years of public service, first as a volunteer firefighter and then as a commissioner, I offer these reflections.

First, we islanders are what we do. Try to do something that makes you happy and that you’re passionate about. If something here is making you unhappy, get involved. Don’t simply be the person who writes letter after letter to The Beachcomber or who goes to a meeting just to complain. Step up and actually do something about it. Try to be part of the solution. Do what is needed consistently, respectfully and intelligently and you can accomplish the impossible. Just ask Preserve Our Islands.

Second, once you truly get involved, be prepared for an eye-opening experience, especially if you find yourself in an elected position. Things look a lot different from the other side. As one of your fire commissioners, I may not have always known what I was doing, but I always tried to do right by the people of the island. I hope those who trusted in me enough to vote for me were satisfied with what we’ve accomplished in the last six years. To those who worked to get me elected: Thanks a lot.

Third, there’s no place better than Tramp Harbor at sunrise.

Fourth, regardless of the circumstances, if you’ve chosen to serve the island, you need to keep your eyes on the big picture and try to do what’s best for the island, instead of what might be best for you or your group. This ain’t the mainland, and whatever excessive self-interest motivators drive things over there should stay over there.

Fifth, VIFR is heading in the right direction and continues to provide top-notch service to the island, thanks to the dedication of Chief Hank Lipe, Assistant Chief George Brown and all the volunteer and career staff who sacrifice so much to make sure that someone will be there when one of our neighbors needs them. To the women and men of VIFR, I’m deeply honored to have been part of this organization for the past 10 years. We’ve been going through a lot of change, and change can be slow and difficult. But by working together and putting trifles aside, VIFR will get through this transition period and be better for it. As Chief Lipe recently said, “Let’s move forward.”

Sixth, an island with a bridge to the mainland is not really an island.

Finally, appreciate and cherish what you all have here. The island is truly a magical place, filled with the most amazing individuals. Although I’m not the most social person, I managed to meet many people over the last 18 years who became the kind of friends everyone should be lucky enough to have. These are friends who dropped everything to help with child care, moving, petsitting, whatever. Friends who offered words of support during those tough times. Friends who, for whatever reason, liked to have me around occasionally and accepted me for who I am. Friends who I never thought I’d end up being friends with. To all of you, and you know who you are, I am so thankful for the chance to be part of your lives. And special thanks goes out to Joe and my other friends at The Hardware Store, who were also always there when needed. Not that they had a choice.

Anyway, I could go on and on about VIFR, all the fantastic people and families who are here, the incredible experience of watching my children and their friends grow up on the island, the caring and supremely helpful staff in the school district, the Metro bus drivers … but you get the idea. This is a special place. Don’t forget it.

—Neal Philip is a father of four and a former fire commissioner