I’m saddened to read of the resignation of the hard-working, conscientious volunteers with the community council. The council has been a beacon of light for this community for decades, giving us a forum to discuss thousands of issues.

I understand why the board is resigning. As a former water district commissioner serving during the Vashon Village v. Water District 19 lawsuit, I know it requires hundreds of hours and lots of emotional energy to stand up for what is right in the face of a lawsuit. Some people love to make conscientious, elected volunteers fearful of their liability exposure, relish making them produce thousands of e-mails and documents and enjoy knowing they can’t speak out due to legal reasons. I feel it’s just another shady method of dogged self-interest.

We need to stop this if our volunteer institutions are to survive. While there are potential governmental solutions that might be developed, I’m going to take more immediate action.

Those who are strongly motivated by personal profit don’t mind undermining community institutions to achieve their personal goals. Volunteering effort “for the community good” is foreign to them. But sometimes there are ways to get their attention.

For my small part, I’m going to curtail any sort of business dealing, as a customer, renter or business partner, with any person or entity that I feel is undermining our community’s interests. I’ll find someone who cares about this community and do business with them. I’ll avoid doing business with anyone who rents from these people. I don’t want my money to flow, even indirectly, to the source of the problem. That’s a language they may understand.

Without any action, we all stand by and sadly watch the decline of our community. This is our community, and I like it. I can’t just stand by.

Frank Jackson