BEACHCOMBER

Thanks to editor

In the past few months, Vashon has faced difficult conversations: about critical challenges to health care, the establishment of an addiction-recovery facility in the space of our cherished elder care home, alleged sexual misconduct by two high school teachers—sensitive issues that require nuanced conversation.

Thank you, Beachcomber reporters, for offering an intelligent alternative to trial-by-social media. Elizabeth Shepherd’s byline stands out. What skill and diligence. It’s hard to do conscientious research and write it up so well. I value my subscription to this outstanding local paper as much as I value my subscription to the New York Times.

Mary O’Reilley

INVESTIGATION

Handling of resignation was concerning

I have concerns about the suspension of the investigation pertaining to the misconduct of John Rees and his subsequent resignation. Two former VISD students have come forward stating that they were groomed and manipulated into romantic relationships with this married educator. Both women live with traumatizing memories of this. Both women have worked long and hard, written personal statements, and used personal funds to bring this truth to light. All these two young women are asking for is accountability, transparency, and safety for all students.

It took many years for these two women to work through their trauma enough to bring this out to the public. Both women have now stepped forward for our community to know and be held accountable. By suspending the investigation into these serious allegations against John Rees, our schools and the community are letting down all students by silencing them about their traumatizing experiences in our school. I feel strongly this situation is part of a larger problem than we are aware of.

Students are our children who are taught to respect adults, and this trust has been used to protect offending adults for too long.

This problem is not new to our district or any school district. We are a community insulated by water and we hold a responsibility to ensure our students’ safeguarding, and that they are heard and respected. I demand that the school district takes proper disciplinary actions. I ask that the school district show respect to their past students who have come forward, risking anonymity and possible retribution. We need to unite and ensure that this case is handled with full accountability moving forward.

Sincerely,

Tressa Azpiri

LEVY

Say no to Fire District

VIFR is trying to manage the fire department based on what is “normal” for other comparable fire districts. That is a mistake, since Vashon may be called many things, but never “normal”. With so many creative people on the island, it should be easy for VIFR to continue to deliver superior service, without raising taxes. For example:

Volunteers — even though we are supposedly “dangerously understaffed,” VIFR should be advertising for volunteer firefighters year-round. We have added three volunteers since the first of the year. Image how many we might have if we advertised.

Chief Vinci wants to add two EMTs to man the Burton Fire Station and prevent homeowners’ insurance from increasing when the island is re-rated this summer. How many Burton residents might volunteer if they knew they could reduce their insurance cost by more than $1,000-2,000?

Partnerships – The EMTs spend too much time off-island. Why not add an ambulance service to reduce VIFR transports? With the SeaMar subsidy gone, the Hospital District has over $1 million in unallocated funds which could subsidize the venture.

VIFR does not call TRI-Med Ambulance service every time there is an off-island transport to see if it is available for a transfer. Since EMTs are responsible for non-life-threatening transports, why not call TRI-Med?

Grants – The VIFR Strategic Plan calls for four firefighters to be hired next year using a grant that pays for their costs for three years. Instead of hiring seven firefighters this year, VIFR could have hired three firefighters in 2023 and used that same grant to hire four in 2024. If VIFR had waited and used the grant, it would have saved more than $1.5 million over the next three years.

Financing – If the VIFR vehicles need to be replaced, financing makes that possible, while eliminating the annual vehicle reserve expense. Given inflation and supply chain issues, the financing costs would be offset by the less expensive purchases today. Financing is so common, there even is a local program for Washington fire departments.

Vote “no” on the VIFR’s levy lift.

Scott Harvey

BURTON WATER

Responding to recent commentary

As the Burton Water Cooperative considers additional options for major upgrades to the Burton water system — whether they are aligned with William Shadbolt and Lisa Fitzhugh’s preferences, as stated in their recent commentary (“Cooperative is seeking balanced and affordable finance plan,” April 27), or the no-loan alternative I outlined in an earlier commentary (“A water co-op with a small share price and a large loan — why?” April 20) — the possible funding options are clear. However, more debate is required.

At its most basic level, the problem is numerical, involving expected revenue, operational expenses, income, members’ initial equity (i.e., share price), and the objectives for upgrading the system with capital improvements during a 20-year planning period. All of this must be considered in the pursuit of a balanced and affordable financial strategy. On this, we agree.

However, if alternatives exist, the distinctions will be primarily numerical, and one’s preference may be influenced by those figures.

The co-op’s board and finance committee are seeking a plan. It was last heard to be based on assumed income, a 3.1% inflation rate, a $2,000 initial share price, $3.8 million in capital improvements, and a $3.3 million 40-year low-interest loan.

I offered a less risky, no-loan option.

This approach used the same income, inflation rate, capital improvement expenditure, and initial share price of $4,000, but there was no loan. According to my analysis, it is balanced, affordable, and feasible. And, despite some delays, I found that the same capital improvements can be completed within the 20-year planning period.

So, how does a potential co-op member choose between the two options? To be sure, the board’s verbal assurances are good, but wouldn’t a numerical comparison be more useful?

Please visit the Burton Water Co-op’s website at burtonwater.org and our forum at forum.burtonwater.org. Loan vs. no loan comparisons should be available soon, and all potential members will be better prepared for the final vote.

Ward Carson