Results from the Nov. 7 general election are not yet certified, but the winners and losers on Vashon’s local boards are clear. Only two incumbents remain — Candy McCullough on the Vashon Island Fire & Rescue board and Doug Ostrom on the Vashon Island School District board — and come December, five new board members will take their places behind the tables at Vashon’s park, fire, school and Water District 19 meetings.
Also, in perhaps what is the biggest news of the election, Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s (VIFR) increased levy passed with more than 60 percent of voters approving the 54 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value property tax hike. The department is currently discussing its budget and is expected to adopt it at the Nov. 28 board meeting.
More than 56 percent of Vashon’s registered voters returned ballots, an encouraging sign as King County Elections also saw a turnout of just over 41 percent county-wide. But islanders’ civic duties are not over now that the ballots are off of their dining room tables.
The responsibility now falls on both islanders and those that they elected to ensure the promises made and the desires voiced by candidates during the election are kept. Vashon’s voter turnout is proof more than 4,000 islanders were interested and engaged enough to cast ballots, now that interest needs to be maintained and translated into following the candidates that have been elected to office and the measures that have been approved. How will the fire department spend your tax dollars? How will the school district enact their new policies and deal with an unknown financial future due to the state education budget? How will the Vashon Park District handle the agreement with the Seals Swim Team over the covered, year-round Vashon Pool? And what will Water District 19 do with the updated Community Plan?
These are all questions that deserve attention and deserve to be asked of board members and staff at the public taxing organizations. While going to meetings is the best way to keep updated on the big picture of what is going on with a specific organization, some public servants, like school board member Zabette Macomber, update the public via social media. New school board members Rheagan Sparks and Spring Hecht both also mentioned public involvement as a priority. It’s on islanders to decide and let them know if their strategies work — or not. At the fire district, board chair Camille Staczek, incumbent board member Candy McCullough and fire chief Charlie Krimmert also all stated community outreach is needed, especially with the levy passage. Make your voices heard in the coming months and don’t be afraid to demand accountability from your elected representatives.
