How have questions about K2/Jarden’s responsibility to this community in its exit devolved into character assassination and obstructionism? Why are we so divided about marijuana in this brave new post-prohibition world? Why is the middle ground so hard to hold with civility, actual listening and compromise?

I want to acknowledge that this effort to address the environmental questions at K2 has involved a steep learning curve for all of us. I personally have made errors both in the improper use of terms and deeply flawed efforts at advocacy that at times lowered the level of conversation.

I love this community, and as in any relationship, saying sorry is part of the process of going deeper. I apologize for my part.

King County has actually served this community with more responsibility and balance than we seem capable of exercising even in our conversations with each other.   Dow Constantine’s amendments to the town plan to both include marijuana growing and processing, along with the No Further Action requirement for a Conditional Use Permit, is commendable.

As a member of this community and as the director of the Backbone Campaign, I believe Bakkhos/EdiPure deserve a fair chance. Jarden/K2 deserve the opportunity to live out their acknowledged moral and legal obligations to our community. Any political pressure for delays in the permitting process needs to cease or be transcended by King County government. The process, however flawed as it may be, needs to move forward. Failure to do so will continue to tear at the fabric of this community.

The economic hardship of islanders is real. And the need for meaningful, living-wage jobs is not separate from environmental stewardship, but dependent upon it. Prior to this island crisis of opportunity, a few islanders had begun an investigation of the idea of a Public Development Authority. A PDA is a semi-governmental entity with capacity to leverage public resources for community benefit, but not the ability to tax. With all due respect to King County, we deserve island-based institutions with the capacity to facilitate an inclusive, respectful and productive process. But part of that is having access to the resources to incubate synergistic projects and programs. I invite you to join me in letting the process run its course and begin an exploration of the PDA and other tools for us to move forward together, in a way that celebrates our shared aspirations and wealth of talent.

Forward together!

— Bill Moyer