On Feb. 21, after an absence of about two-and-a-half decades, I attended the VMICC meeting.

Some of the reasons why I quit attending these meetings (pettiness, controlling nature, ignorance, turf battles) are still there.

The first half hour was spent discussing whether a present board member could force a resigned board member to reveal her records. Apparently, this urinating match has been going on for some time, and this matter was dealt with by a simple “no” vote of the people present, which was not legal.

A motion was read that is an attempt to control what a property owner can erect if next door is an aged building deemed by somebody (who?) to be “historic.”

A motion was read to control signage. This is a thinly disguised jab at Island Lumber’s garish sign, whose owner employs many Islanders. This is a permitted sign, and people who have absolutely no financial interest in the business should have no control over any sign’s existence because it “assaults their sensibilities.”

If a sign conforms to county codes, a business owner should have the freedom to promote their business as best they can.

The ultimate motion was presented by a supporter of the supposed aggrieved resigned board member to oust the present board member because of that board member’s actions. Apparently, no dissension is to be allowed, and if you do voice your opinion, the threat of removal looms large.

The only positive action to emanate from the meeting was the announcement of the opening on March 1 of the Vashon branch of the Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union, to be locally administered.

My time at this meeting, which attendees numbered at 40 (I wonder why so few out of a community population of approximately 11,000), would have been better spent viewing the cartoon channel.

I await the rebuttal to be submitted by the self-important control freaks.

— R.B. Foulkes