Transportation poll seeks input
From Sept. 4 to 21, the Vashon Maury Island Community Council’s transportation committee will undertake an Island-wide survey on a range of Island transportation needs, including ferries, buses both on and off the Island and passenger-only ferry service. Organizers say they’ve decided to undertake the survey because those conducted by the state ferry system “have been woefully inadequate in capturing the needs and economic impact of an expensive and unreliable ferry service” and have failed to address the range of Island transportation needs and issues.
The transportation committee’s volunteers urge Islanders to watch for the survey and fill it out. People are asked to use the online version, if possible, as it cuts down on expenses. The online version will soon be available at www.VMICC.org/transportation/2008survey. The survey will also be available at the Vashon Farmers Market and other places on the Island. A list of drop-off locations are provided on the survey.
VMICC votes for mail ballots
Members of the Vashon Maury Island Community Council voted to finance a new, all-Island vote-by-mail system in the upcoming November election. On a 18 to 14 vote, Islanders said they preferred that method rather than continuing with the current approach, requiring Islanders to vote in person at the Island’s few polling places.
Members were split, however, on whether to conduct the nine-seat race by way of plurality voting or ranked-choice voting, where voters rank their preferences rather than just checking everyone they’d like to see on the council. The issue will thus come before VMICC members at the Sept. 15 meeting, when the VMICC’s election committee plans to hold a second vote on plurality versus ranked-choice voting. That vote can only take place if 25 people are present, according to Hilary Emmer, who serves on the VMICC’s board.
Meanwhile, the VMICC’s nominating committee is looking for more people to run for a seat on the nine-member board. The committee is made up Kari Ulatoski, Lee Ockinga and Yvonne Kuperberg. Anyone interested in running is encourage to talk to one of the members of the nominating committee.
Bake sale to pay for vandalism
McMurray eighth-graders are holding a bake sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 28, between Thriftway and True Value Hardware.
They will donate the sale of all items to the Vashon Island School District to help defray the cost of the vandalism that took place at its schools two weeks ago.
Taylor Knowles, Chalise Bosworth, their friends and family will be baking the goodies.
