Islanders should vote yes on Proposition 1. Prop. 1 on the ballot would preserve existing bus service on the island and raise funds for needed road maintenance on county roads. If the measure fails, routes 118 and 119 along with more than 100 routes will have their service reduced, while 74 routes will be eliminated entirely, gutting our regional mass-transit system.
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to a letter to the editor regarding the U.S. Postal Service and published on April 9 about an unfortunate incident in March involving missing mail on Vashon Island.
As a 70-year-long proud property owner who appreciates the lifestyle and ethics of Vashon, I heartily agree with the fellow islander advertisement in last week’s Beachcomber.
Last week’s Beachcomber contained an open letter expressing objections to the proposed use of the former K2 facility to grow and produce marijuana products. I understand that some of the discussions about this topic have not been particularly polite, and I appreciate the civil tone of the letter. However, there is something I don’t understand.
Regarding Charles Hooper’s letter in The Beachcomber (“Islanders should consider forming a city,” April 2), I am not sure if the letter is a good example of a Yogi Berra-ism regarding deja vu, or if it is a subtle April Fool’s Day prank. Or both
March 1 to 3 Vashon mail was lost. For five weeks, I made repeated inquires to the local post office staff and the behemoth bureaucracy of the USPS, which were either unable or unwilling to provide an update on their search or promise anything. It’s still missing
We ask those who sponsored The Beachcomber ad if you would also try to prevent a group from buying the K2 property for use by Vashon wineries and breweries. Our plan would include signs promoting Vashon-made products, tasting rooms and retail sales. Unless those behind the ad are also opposed to alcohol being sold “in plain view” here on Vashon, we find their ad hypocritical.
The new Vashon Library is incredible. It’s light and roomy and welcoming to all.
Scott Harvey was upset by my Feb. 26 commentary about the Vashon Park District (“Park board charts course for the future”).
The recent strong arm imposed on our island by King County to support a rezone of the K2 site is just the tip of the iceberg.
How have questions about K2/Jarden’s responsibility to this community in its exit devolved into character assassination and obstructionism? Why are we so divided about marijuana in this brave new post-prohibition world? Why is the middle ground so hard to hold with civility, actual listening and compromise?
Many of our neighbors are perhaps allowing their idealism to devolve into elitism. The K2 complex has been vacant for far too long, and the desires of turning it into something for the common use of the community are not going to become a reality in this post-Great Recession world. While not meeting the hopes of some of us, the current Bakkhos proposal is the best practical deal for what has been a “white elephant” for quite some time.
I support changing the K2 zoning for Edipure to proceed with their business plan.