EDITORIAL: Current polarizing issues cannot tear island apart

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, February 7, 2017

This week’s paper brings updates on two issues that have both passionate supporters and opponents on each side: the ongoing affordable housing debate and the lawsuit filed against Vashon Island School District by Kelly Wright. Both have a divisiveness that can tear the island apart, but that is the opposite of what is needed and helpful.

Members of the community serving on a county committee have been discussing affordable housing and zoning in town since last March, and in recent months discussions in and outside of that committee have often been contentious. Current proposals would allow affordable housing developers to build between 12 and 18 units on an acre in some areas near town if the entire development would be made for those making 80 percent of less of the median income. Discussions are still underway with a forum about the topic of affordable housing scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at McMurray Middle School. It is important that all interested islanders attend, listen and speak up.

Meanwhile, a development in the lawsuit filed by Kelly Wright against the Vashon school district last April also has the ability to make a divided community of Vashon. On Monday, the attorney representing Vashon High School principal Danny Rock filed a counterclaim alleging that Wright filed the suit as a retaliatory action when Rock and school officials asked her about procedures surrounding the prescription of psychotropic drugs to high school students.

It is important to remember that lawsuits are inherently passionate and inflammatory and need to be considered with a level head. Rock’s attorney is acting in Rock’s best interest just as Wright’s attorney is acting in her best interest. The fact is that at the center of this suit are island teenagers who are being caught up in depositions, testimonies and action they did not ask for. This suit is bringing their personal lives to the courts, a difficult place to be.

At this time, islanders need to be careful and show restraint, especially on social media. The Beachcomber will continue reporting the facts of the case as they come to light and will attempt to do so in a neutral way, but as attorneys frequently refuse to comment, a fully balanced story may not always be possible, despite our best attempts.

This case needs to run its course, and no amount of social media commenting or personal attacks will change that.