Islanders proved once again that they know how to hold a meeting, address tough issues and do so, for the most part, with civility. Indeed, those who attended the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meeting Monday night hoping for fireworks may have been disappointed. It was a rich and energetic meeting — but hardly the stuff of raucous political theater.
A neighbor recently said, “Hey Alan, the birds are back!” She described the songs she had been hearing, but she was surprised when I told her those are resident birds that never really left. What’s “back” is the sun; the birds are singing on cue to the lengthening of the day.
I’ll never forget our family’s first winter on Vashon. Remember 2006? It was warm and lovely, until December. The help of good landlords, who invested in a wood stove, and the help of neighbors who taught me how to cut and stack wood, enabled us to get through that winter and several more without bankrupting ourselves on fuel oil. My congregation, in its efforts to share wood with others, has continued to teach me lessons about heating with wood. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.
The catastrophic earthquakes that have devastated New Zealand and Japan provide a reason for every Islander to grieve, reflect and take immediate action.
It’s understandable that dirt bike-riders would like to be able to use their machines at the former Glacier Northwest mine site — an undulating expanse of acreage now under county ownership. On quiet, conservation-minded Vashon Island, they have few places to go.
But the bog could be lost without Islanders’ help.
New laws may make a new station possible.
If people had to use their real names on the net, maybe they’d behave better.
How often have you walked on one of Vashon’s many beaches and seen patches of long slender grass exposed below the high tide line? You might be amazed to learn how incredibly complex and important that seemingly simple patch of grass is.
In Snoqualmie Valley, a bond measure on the Feb. 8 ballot to rebuild a local middle school failed by one vote. On Vashon, ours passed by nine.
A group of concerned citizens met on Sunday, Feb. 20, to discuss what they want from a community council and a board. The meeting was advertised is both local newspapers and open to all Islanders.
You did it! You understood the importance of having school buildings that are warm in the winter, classrooms large enough for students to work in teams and space for teachers to prepare for classes. We are very grateful. We will continue to earn your trust by closely monitoring expenditures to be sure the work is done well, on time and on budget. The federal award of $17.5 million will save Island taxpayers approximately $8 million in interest payments over the life of the bond.
Vashon is not an Island known for homophobia. Indeed, it’s long been considered a place extremely friendly to gay and…
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