Kudos to seniors

Proud to know the class of 2009

Now that my son has graduated, I can share my thoughts about Vashon High School; he was worried I would be controversial so I waited until he was out. But instead, I write a letter of gratitude; there is no better high school!

Demographically, the quality of a school is often measured by the socio-economics of one’s peer group; this is the strongest variable impacting learning. For these graduates, it’s not only a matter of what you know, but who you know.

I am in a state of awe when I reflect upon the depth of the 2009 seniors. Never have I seen such well-rounded, accomplished graduates before; their legacy features compassion way beyond their years. And in this light, so bright and filled with a spirit of purpose and humanity, I want to thank both parents and students for being a part of my son’s life. He would be the first to tell you that his favorite part of school was the people he hung out with. And to you all, I am deeply grateful.

“Who you know” also applies to the quality of instruction. Consistently, research highlights the importance of effective instruction provided by engaging teachers, people driven by a calling. I want to express appreciation to the staff at VHS for their exemplary work. Their enthusiasm for “what they know” is only a small part of the program’s success; their ability to think outside the box lit fires within the class and this light shines within these students like no other.

As I look back upon the graduation, one statement resonates: It was an honor being in the presence of such a fine group of graduates. “Just let it happen” makes complete sense; the light of infinite wisdom shines brightly upon you; it was evident throughout the ceremony!

— Larry Davis

County elections

More questions are in order for Dow

I told friends that I would attend a fundraiser for County Councilmember Dow Constantine. I did so without hesitation; I have also given Constantine small amounts of money in the past. But I’ve changed my mind, for now at least, until I hear more, because I’ve heard some things I don’t like.

I need to know more about Constantine’s ties to the labor unions, which in my view are far too strong at the county, and to what lengths he will go to curry the favor of these unions. Much needs to be fixed at the county.

Former Metro people who I worked with there before its merger rue the day the county took hold of the bus system and water quality management. This is another area of concern for me.

Lastly, have you had the experience of getting a building permit at the county compared to the city of Seattle? The difference is night and day. The common denominator is how an insider like Dow can fix these problems. Will he, if he has sold himself to the county workers’ unions?

I will become a Constantine backer if he actively foregoes union endorsements, handing them to Larry Phillips and not just calling himself “born again” after Phillips receives the much-sought union endorsements, as I expect he will anyway.

I will be attending a fundraiser for Fred Jarrett, the intelligent outsider, to hear his take on these problems.

— Don Munro

A beloved tree

Eucalyptus in town to be removed

This week, we bid farewell to an old friend. The eucalyptus tree planted just south of the Vashon Pharmacy — 30-plus years old — will be removed this week.

It’s a grand tree but one that should never have been planted right next to a commercial building. The roots have already cracked and raised the sidewalk to the extent that two aging Islanders have had recent injurious falls in front of the “mini-park” next to the pharmacy.

The roots are so huge that they now threaten the building’s foundations, less than two feet from this massive tree trunk.

We have consulted an engineer, a certified arborist, the local Forest Stewards and experts from King County in an effort to save both our tree and our building. Regrettably, with their consensus, it appears the only practical solution is to replace the tree with a less invasive species.

We are planning to leave the second large eucalyptus tree on the site for now, but we will monitor its invasive properties, with public safety as our foremost priority.

In the meantime, we will preserve the large pieces of fallen eucalyptus wood from this tree and offer it to any local craftsman who might be interested in creating something lasting to commemorate the passing of this old friend. See us in the pharmacy if you have an interest in this wood.

— Tom and Mary Langland and Dave and Myra Willingham

Paper format

Tabloid size offers easier reading

As a (recovering?) journalist, I was chagrined to hear that The Beachcomber was going to a tabloid format. But then I remembered when my former employer, The Christian Science Monitor, went tabloid in the 1980s. Ouch! But it hurt so good.

Now The Monitor has gone digital, with a once-a-week print edition, like The Beachcomber. And The Beachcomber has gone tabloid with much more readable type and a better sense of design. I only hope we don’t sacrifice space for news and information.

Congratulations!

— Stephen Silha

Fall from swing

There’s much to learn from incident

Many thanks to Eva Anderson’s family and The Maravilla School for sharing their tough learning experience. After reading the article, I was left with the question, “What else can we learn?” 

I agree children need to do an internal assessment of their abilities. I also think a risk assessment of the environment is important. Wasn’t the Monday in question a super low-tide day? Is the swing safe during high tide?

Further, when do we ask permission to use something that doesn’t belong to us? And could the children have gone back to check with an adult before using the swing? 

The response to blame the swing and ask that it be taken down makes some sense, but if we carry this logic forward, then shouldn’t the tall slide at Ober Park go as well? Imagine a 3-year-old falling 10 feet! And where will it end? Our world is full of risks and dangers, natural and man-made. We can’t remove them all.

The swing really didn’t do anything; it just hung there. Children made an error in judgment, adults let children wander alone, and the accident happened.

What’s the point of learning a lesson if we attempt to remove the opportunity to handle the same situation differently the next time? I wonder if, by leaving the swing where it is, we actually send a great message of trust: “Yes, you CAN learn.”

— March Twisdale

North-end ferry

It’s tough to pick up and drop off

This is to draw attention to the difficulty encountered when trying to pick up a friend or relative from the ferry.

There are now some formidable new white lines and “no parking” instructions nearest the dock. During the hours of no parking at the dock, it has been usual to wait at the bottom of the hill. There, high up on a post is a “no parking at any time” notice.

Therefore, there is no parking permitted anywhere that is reasonably close to the ferry.

The alternative, we are told, is to try to find a space in the parking lot at the top of the steps — not always easy. Then one has to walk all the way to the dock to tell the arriving person where you are parked. Then you have to take a pretty stiff climb with a tired passenger and his or her luggage to get back to the car.

This is not a very friendly way to approach Vashon Island, otherwise a welcoming place.

It should perhaps also be mentioned that it is not everyone who has a cell phone, and there is not always a bus. Old age comes into it somewhere, too.

— Phoebe Johannessen