and Community Council does not come from its designation as an Unincorporated Area Council; it comes from the VMICC’s long history of accomplishments and from the public’s perception that it is a town hall forum where important local issues are to be aired and addressed. The VMICC does not have more authority than it used to as a result of its relationship with King County. Open meetings are a good idea, but requiring the community council to comply with the state’s Public Disclosure Act is counter-productive at best.

The $10,000 stipend from King County and the strings attached thereto have generally caused more trouble for the VMICC than they are worth. Now that opponents feel they have the legal tools for harassment, it seems to me that reorganization, back to the old format, is appropriate.

 — David Vogel, VMICC president 1986-93, board member 1986-2001