I’ve lived on Vashon for 44 years. I’ve seen a lot of changes — some of them not so pleasant. The traffic has become awful — the influx of people on the weekends is mind-blowing. Thank goodness the ferry dock is nearly finished.

I can’t help but think that it’s outrageous that people actually rent out their places for weddings, regardless of the neighbors’ objections. Which brings me to the topic at hand — the worship of the almighty dollar and the willingness to destroy one of the few open spaces in town for it.

In the 1990s, some of us islanders got together and worked and contributed to buy what is now called the Village Green. It is quite obvious that the powers that be have done no research on village greens. The tradition of the village green goes way back in English and New England history. Originally, the village green was also known as the commons, and nobody was allowed to build on the green. People were able to graze their animals (sheep, goats, etc.) there, and the Anglican Church was often built on the edge of the green and occasionally tried to encroach farther. There would be occasional markets or festivals on the green, but there were no permanent edifices allowed — because the village green belonged to everyone.

We islanders did not purchase the Village Green to make money; no, we liked the idea of an open space in town and often would have dances and concerts on the green.

I have gone to the Saturday farmers market ever since it began, I have sold there, I have danced there, I have sung there. But the Village Green is more than a market, it is a meeting place. I know that some people would like to get rid of the homeless people who meet there and sometimes make music there and the teenagers who love to congregate there. But it is no place for the structures that the Vashon Island Growers Association and local farmers are thinking of potentially putting there. The buildings look right out of suburbia — maybe Kirkland would like to have them. Artists already have plenty of places to exhibit on Vashon.

Maybe market vendors don’t do as well in the winter because it’s winter. We winter over some vegetables and fruits from our gardens, but not everything. Maybe the Vashon Island Growers Association could provide hothouses for farmers, unless they have them already. For at least the last 50 years, farming has not been a viable way of making a living. I grew up in Missouri, and even then usually one member of a farming household got a regular paying job.

It seems as if islanders are beginning to hate open spaces. Why is it that people are always searching for ways to replace spontaneity with control? Celina Yarkin called a new farmers market structure a “beautiful dream,” (“Reimagine the Village Green and help preserve farmers market, local economy,” Aug. 3), but I and others consider it more of a nightmare. The Village Green belongs to everyone, not only those who would profit from it.

— Nina Murano is a longtime islander who was part of the group that originally purchased the land that became the Village Green.