Local candidates file
Candidates have filed for seats on local Vashon taxing district boards — positions that involve directing the operations of the island’s school district, health care and utility providers and more.
All races local to Vashon which have candidates have only seen one or two candidates file, meaning they will will advance to the general election by default. (The purpose of the August primary election is to whittle each race down to the top two candidates for the November general election.)
There’s also no drama in the state Legislature for the 34th district, which includes Vashon and West Seattle. Incumbent State Sen. Emily Alvarado and Rep. Brianna Thomas, appointed to her representative seat in January, are both running unopposed.
Vashon Health Care District board president Tom Langland is running unopposed to maintain his seat as commissioner #5 on the board.
At the Vashon Island School District, Jessica Adams is running unopposed for board director #2. River Branch runs unopposed for #4.
Marta Medcalf and Chris DeGarmo are both running unopposed for the #2 and #3 commissioner seats, respectively, at the Vashon Sewer District.
Sarah George and Abby Leigh Antonelis each are running unopposed to fill the #2 and #4 seats, respectively, at the Vashon Park District.
Kaye Pierson, Truman O’Brien and Lauren Chase are each running unopposed to fill the #1, 2 and 3 commissioner seats, respectively, at the King County Airport District on Vashon — aka the Vashon Airport.
Some races will see challenges in the general election.
Islander Daniel Luechtefeld will challenge incumbent commissioner Amy Drayer for the #2 seat on the Vashon Island Fire & Rescue board. As they are the only two candidates, they’ll both advance to the general election.
Collin Hennessey and Celia Cugudda have both filed for the #3 commissioner seat at the Vashon Health Care District, and Rebecca Chavez and Kelly Wright have both filed for the #4 commissioner seat.
VISD recognized
The Vashon Island School District has been honored by the Washington State School Recognition Program, a program of the state board of education, for the 2023-2024 school year.
Only 16% of schools in the state received recognition for that school year. VISD was honored specifically for growth for students in special education at Chautauqua Elementary (CES), meaning those students showed some of the largest gains across the state in education outcomes.
In a prepared statement, CES Principal Julie Kangas said the honor is reflective of the work CES staff contribute each school day.
“Our students receiving special education services are one of our equity priority groups,” Kangas said. “This recognition is a testament to the inclusive practices all of our staff have been putting in place and our staff’s dedication, collaboration, and belief in every student.”
New GM at Vashon Village
Vashon Village, a business collective across the highway from Ober Park, and The Lodges on Vashon, a boutique hotel at Vashon Village, have found a new general manager in Vashon resident and Ruby Brink co-owner Jake Heil, who is a hospitality professional with more than 25 years of experience.
Public meetings
• Vashon-Maury Community Council informal meeting and discussion: 7 p.m., Thursday, May 15 at the Land Trust building and over Zoom. The council will brainstorm ideas for its next community engagement event. Regular Community Council meetings remain on hiatus as the organization seeks to fill its board. Visit v-mcc.org.
• Vashon Health Care District regular board meeting: 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 21 at Vashon Presbyterian Church, 17708 Vashon Hwy SW, and on Zoom. The board meets the third Wednesday of the month. Visit vashonhealthcare.org.
• Vashon Island School District regular board meeting: 6 p.m., Thursday, May 22 at Chautauqua Elementary School, Room 302, 9309 SW Cemetery Road. The board meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Visit vashonsd.org.
• Vashon Park District regular board meeting: 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 27 at the Ober Park Administration Building, 17130 Vashon Hwy SW and via Zoom. The board meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Visit vashonparks.org.
• Vashon Ferry Advisory Committee meeting: 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 28 at the Vashon Land Trust building, 10014 S.W. Bank Road and on Zoom at tinyurl.com/VashonFACMay.
• Vashon Island Fire & Rescue regular board meeting: 6:30 p.m., May 28 at the Penny Farcy Training Facility, 10019 SW Bank Road. The board meets the last Wednesday of the month. Visit vifr.org/events.
