Island board to appeal judge’s decision in Mukai farmhouse case

By LESLIE BROWN
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Editor
November 28, 2012 · 4:09 PM

A group of Islanders challenging the leadership of Island Landmarks, owners of the famed Mukai farmhouse, has decided to appeal a recent decision by a King County Superior Court judge.

The group, headed by Islander Glenda Pearson and comprised of several well-known Islanders, lost in its bid to take over the organization when Judge Monica Benton ruled against it, saying the way leaders in the effort called a meeting to replace the existing board with new board members last June did not comply with Island Landmarks’ bylaws.

But Lynn Greiner, a lawyer and a member of the Vashon-based board, said she and her colleagues believe the judge erred in her reading of the bylaws.

“We’re definitely filing an appeal. We’re thinking about other options as well,” she said.

Meanwhile, she added, her group — which has garnered many new members over the last four months — hopes to meet with Mary Matthews and Nelson Happy, who head the existing board, to see if “there’s any way to move the organization forward.”

“We want to see what we can do to get the property revitalized,” Pearson said.

Matthews and Happy, who have a home in Texas and recently began living next door to the Mukai farmhouse, have painted the house in the last several weeks and are in the process of putting on a new roof.

The couple could not be reached for comment.

 

Contact Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Editor Leslie Brown at editor@vashonbeachcomber.com or 1-206-463-9195.

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