As a strong supporter of the Vashon Center for the Arts, I was dismayed by the Elizabeth Shepherd article as to content and questionable motivation.

For the VCA and the arts community, to have received a $12 million gift from Katherine L. White and her estate is beyond remarkable. Now and in future years Vashon Island will have a unique visual and performing arts center adding to the culture of the island and introducing the arts to the school children. It’s inconceivable that this would have happened otherwise.

Unfortunately, mistakes were made, construction costs increased dramatically, and weather conditions added to the cost increases. Even the general contractor participated in absorbing some of the cost overruns. Experts in all related fields, both compensated and volunteers, were involved in the building process and funding along with the management team. All were trying their best to bring the facility successfully to fruition.

As a nonprofit, the VCA is governed by a volunteer board, supported by numerous volunteer committee members, many donors/members and a dedicated staff. No one financially benefitted, so it appears the article is meant to be an implication of malfeasance and mismanagement. To the contrary, the community should be thanking Katherine White and all involved for their efforts in creating the VCA facility. The VCA and the community are fortunate to have someone with energies and abilities of Kevin Hoffberg to assume the executive director role. Admittedly there are operating budget challenges, but with Kevin and his staff along with continued community and donor support, these challenges will be overcome.

The Beachcomber might better monitor its reporting to distinguish between being insightful or inciteful.

— Jerry Mathews