Synagogue vandalism

As a Jew and a member of the Vashon Havurah, I want to thank The Beachcomber for its kind, graceful and inspired coverage of the recent break-in and desecration of our holy space. I want to thank Father Tryphon and other religious leaders on the Island who immediately saw the universal degradation that comes from allowing such intolerance to go unnoticed.

It is a wonderful thing for community leaders to understand so quickly the importance of taking action and to do so with such integrity. At a public event last Thursday night I was quite moved by the many people who had chosen to show their solidarity by wearing Jewish Stars on their clothing. The editorial in The Beachcomber was courageous, powerful and much appreciated by many Islanders. It goes a long way toward turning this ugly act into something positive for the whole community. It serves to bring people together, embracing our differences and affirming our desire to live in mutual respect.

What a contrast to see how someone else can try to manipulate things to serve his own personal agenda. Mark Goldman’s letter in last week’s paper is bizarre and hurtful. It shows a lack of understanding of world politics and completely misconstrues the simple goodness of his neighbors.

— Andrew Schwarz

Loose dogs

This is just to alert the community at large that there are two dogs running loose on the Island that attacked our goats and seriously injured one goat. She has teeth puncture wounds on both sides of her neck, and she cannot get up on her legs. The incidents occurred in the woods on our property near the water on Ridge Road and 190th S.W.

One of the dogs is a large black lab, an intact male, very skinny, hyper, no collar and responds to humans. The other dog was only heard from the bark in the woods. Please call Vashon Island Pet Protectors or my phone number, 463-9026, if you have any information about these animals. Livestock owners beware.

— Laura Weston

Elections

Vote for Islander Mark Goldman

Our wonderful, special community is fortunate to have such a fellow Islander as Mark A. Goldman. Time is right for the Representative of U.S. Congres-sional District 7 to be one of our longtime friendly, intelligent neighbors.

Please vote for one of Vashon Island’s finest to take on a leadership role. Vote for Mark A. Goldman, who will work for a better world.

— Hans F.W. Stierle