Letters to the editor | Oct. 30 edition

Published 9:50 am Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Firefighters endorsement

The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4189, representing the firefighters who serve Vashon and Maury Islands, proudly endorses Amy Drayer for re-election to Commissioner Position No. 2 with Vashon Island Fire & Rescue.

During her time on the board, Commissioner Drayer has shown strong leadership and a genuine commitment to both the safety and well-being of our firefighters and the long-term financial health of the fire district. She listens to all stakeholders, seeks balanced solutions, and consistently works to ensure the fire district can meet the needs of our community today and in the future.

We believe Commissioner Drayer’s thoughtful, steady leadership is what Vashon Island Fire & Rescue needs, and we are confident she will continue to serve our community with integrity and dedication.

Matt Hergott, President, IAFF Local 4189

Claudia Balducci for King County Executive

I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Claudia Balducci for King County Executive. I am on the Board of the National Women’s Political Caucus in Washington State and we were proud to give Claudia our sole endorsement and support, as have many other elected officials and organizations around the county.

I have known Claudia for years. Are you a supporter of the arts? Claudia has been central to the effort to support funding and assistance for arts and culture in King County. She has advocated tirelessly, with a profound connection to arts and culture, as the mom of a kid who has benefited greatly.

Claudia has extensive experience with everything from transit to housing affordability, the environment to women’s issues, public safety to homelessness.

Some of my friends have asked me about the other candidate in the race, and I tell them this: I would support him if Claudia were not running. She is the candidate with the deepest experience, which we critically need right now in these challenging times for governmental funding. Plus, she has been to Vashon multiple times during this campaign and has close connections here.

Vashon needs someone who will listen to us. And King County, which has been wonderfully represented since Shannon Braddock was appointed to replace Dow Constantine needs to finally elect our first ever female King County Executive.

Lauri Hennessey

Serving Cemetery District

Some of my favorite qualities about our community is how engaged, educated, and passionate we are about a wide variety of topics and interests. I see this reflected in our involvement in nonprofit, political, grassroot, volunteer, and co-op organizations. It’s also found in our government institutions.

It was only when I became a commissioner for the cemetery district did I fully appreciate the number of commissioners who serve on Boards for the island’s taxing districts. And that many of these boards have five to seven commissioner positions to fill with a four- to six-year term. King County Cemetery District #1 is unique in that we are the only one in King County, we only have three commissioner positions and we collect the lowest percentage of tax funds.

There will be an open cemetery district commissioner position in January 2026 and we would like to invite you to be a part of this unique, innovative, and important part of our community. I never had political aspirations so when I’m asked why I chose to be part of the cemetery district my simple answer is that I am interested in the work and I believe in being an active member of my community.

The work is important and meaningful and my life has been enriched since I got involved. It is an innovative time in the funeral industry and with your help, we can continue to lead the way while at the same time making a lasting difference in our community.

To find out more about the open position, attend our monthly meeting held at 1 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month, at the cemetery office, drop us a letter of interest at P.O. Box 1526, Vashon or visit our website at vashoncemetery.org.

Catherine Sullivan

Mobile Integrated Health

Last Friday I was feeling ill; the vitals that I took at home also seemed worrisome. No stranger to recent health issues, I contemplated several options. My spouse Susan suggested I try Mobile Integrated Health of Vashon Fire & Rescue. Although somewhat skeptical about the level of service to expect, particularly since we had no appointment, I agreed.

Upon our arrival I was immediately greeted by a receptionist who promptly summoned two paramedics who began carefully examining me. Shortly thereafter physician assistant Paul McGown arrived and led me to an examining room in which he conducted a thorough exam and offered some practical suggestions. I was favorably impressed with his knowledge and extensive medical background. Most significant, I received compassionate care and assurance that I needed no treatment. My takeaway? Bravo to Paul and crew!

We on Vashon are very fortunate to have this new service. Unfortunately, it is currently available only Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fingers crossed that MIH will receive enough support to expand the hours and days it is available.

Rich Ahearn

The pain of the internet

About six years ago, we stopped paying for TV. Since the networks were allowed to run unlimited commercials, that was the last straw. We’d progressed to only watching JudyWoodruff do the news. One day we decided that she was sugar-coating the news, and trying to make us feel good. I really prefer the straight-up nasty news. So goodbye TV.

Now we have the internet which in its own way is just as obnoxious as TV. Somehow I don’t appreciate being shown commercials about dealing with poop. These companies are really experts at trash. Whenever there’s something I want to see, like Woody Allen’s piece about Diane Keaton, I can’t find it. What I get is a talking head paraphrasing some of what he said. Then it says to see what I want to see, I have to sign in to their website. This time I thought okay, I’ll sign-in. Ten minutes later I’m still buried in their damn website and no Woody Allen piece. There are constant pop-downs of things I have no interest in. You know, I’m not masochistic enough to put up with this shit. Goodbye to the pain in the internet. Think I’ll take up bird watching. Seems like a good way to bring down the internet’s barons of drivel.

Shelley Simon