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Re: Letter to the Editor: Truth about abortion should be exposed - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:17:41 -0000

I don't think anyone anywhere would say "I want an abortion some day". But reality often forces tough decisions on us.

I personally am against abortion. But I also am against legislating my OPINION against another person. It's like forcing me to go to church because in your moral opinion, we all should. Records demonstrate that abortion has been in existence for a long, long time. Legal or not, humans have always found a way. Even if you succeed in illegalizing abortion, you will simply make people go underground, often with dangerous consequences.

I have a Mormon, extremely conservative friend. We get in heated debates all the time (and manage to stay civil 99% of the time). His main argument against abortion is that "other options" exist.
"Like what?" I asked.
He responded "well, adoption."
My response: "how many of your three kids are adopted."
He sheepishly responded (in a moment of generous truthfulness) "none, there's something special about having your own kids."

Of course, there are some people who are both pro life and have adopted children. I know none of them, but I'm sure their out there. My point is that if you want to save a life - a good place to start would be the unwanted children that are already born.

Re: County announces deal to purchase Glacier Northwest mine site for $36 million - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:45:26 -0000

BornOnVashon:

That's right, because a gravel mine would really help the property values on Maury and Vashon island. I mean, who wouldn't want to live next to a gravel mine? What a great view! And of course stirring up the soil, with all that arsenic and stuff, should really help out the soil and air quality. I'm sure that'll raise property values too!

Think a little beyond your own yard and you'll realize that reserves, forests and unique habitat will only enrich and increase the value of the land and homes on vashon, not deplete them. I do think it would be a good idea for Asarco funds to be made available for soil remediation on privately owned lands. But I'm glad we (the public) are getting something from the Asarco funds.

Re: Letter to the Editor: Crime and drug use go hand in hand - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:20:03 -0000

Communication and action go hand in hand. My comments to Ms. Blake was not "flowerly" or even "half baked." I speak from experience in my own neighborhood. I lived on the Island for a decade. I have since moved off, but visit frequently. My mother in law still has a house on Vashon, and has had multiple problems over the past few years. Her checks were stollen out of her mailbox. Her wallet, accidentally left at the register of thriftway for a mear 2 minutes, dissapeared and was found tossed to the side of bank road - emptied of cash. My pressure washer stollen from the carport there. So yes, I'm very interested in the happenings of Vashon Island.

In my own neighborhood I indeed have started an informal watch after a rash of burglaries and car thefts. As a owner of a multi-plex building, I took it upon myself to make friends with the tenants and owners of other buildings and have an agreement with many of them to monitor each other's homes. I also contacted the local police dept. and made arrangements for police car drive-byes in our cul-de-sac. Since then we have not had any breakins. It was this experience that lead me to post my suggestions.

Suggesting my comment is "part of what has allowed the influx on drugs on our island to flourish." Seems a bit rash and overly defensive. I'm not attacking Ms. Blake. I can understand her frusteration - I felt it when my car was broke into and after my own tenants and neighbors apartment was burglarized. But I still think the suggestion of "lock your doors and say your prayers" offers little solution.

Re: Letter to the Editor: Crime and drug use go hand in hand - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:40:25 -0000

Crime is frustrating, and obviously many of us here on Vashon are frustrated. But telling us to "lock your doors and say your prayers" only compounds the problem, not solve it. It gives the drug dealers and crime-doers power. It sends a message that they have us scared; have us behaving like shrinking-violets. We shouldn't be scared, we should be resolute.

We should be determined to thwart the current crime-spree plaguing the island. Monday's meeting at McMurray is a start. But what else can we do? Locking our doors is prudent, but let’s start thinking creatively and look at other communities for inspiration. For example, anybody that frequents the International District has witnessed the blue-vested neighborhood watch volunteers making their rounds. We could learn from that. Obviously island sprawl makes walking by every house and business difficult, but we could target frequent hit areas; farm stands, business and neighborhoods that have been repeatedly hit. How? Perhaps a group of volunteers could randomly stop at places that have requested neighborhood watching. Or, neighbors could form small networks that check on each other's home and businesses when they know the owner is away. Heck, post posters warning "I'm watching you." Maybe it’s not true, but who would know for sure?

All I know, is that saying our prayers and depending on some sort of “divine intervention” isn’t going to do much and doesn’t sound very Vashon-esque to me. Drug dealers and crime doers are only as untouchable as you think them to be.

Re: Letter to the Editor: Only a fraction showed to voice concerns at Glacier meeting - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:10:33 -0000

Absence doesn't indicate dissension. Some of us (like myself) were prevented by work. Then there are those that don’t feel comfortable speaking in public – or simply don’t like crowds. Then there’s that ever evil-doer peer pressure; unlike an e-forum such as this, public speaking puts a face on you and opens you up to more personalized critique. Wouldn’t want your good ole’ boy buddies calling you a hippie now would ya? The list of reasons why some people couldn’t fit the meeting into their schedule goes on an on.

But to assume that because I did not show up for a community meeting means that I am “in favor” or “don’t give a hoot” about the project. That is a far, far stretch.

And by they way, as one commenter already noted, your math is a little faulty.

Re: Letter to the editor: Fourth of July fireworks show contradicts the Island’s values - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:18:50 -0000

As disruptive as they may be, the firework show does serve a purpose. It brings people - family and friends alike - together to share in a experience. It provides an opportunity for folks like myself to meet once again with old friends - many not seen for years past - and hold those discussions (sometimes even heated political ones) around the smokey campfires and barbecue pits you speak of.

The show serves as a subtle reminder the bombs and bullets required to earn our independence - and even hints at the violence in the East as we continue the long tradition of war. For some the show is simply a pretty display, but many others such as myself use the fleeting moments of the show to reflect on what was and what is. For a moment "the bombs bursting in air" feel a little more tangible.

Does this justify the disruption of wildlife, domestic pets and some people? Perhaps not. But there are a lot of other human activities that provide much more disruption to nature and I wonder if our energy should be focused there.

Re: State lawmakers approve funds to buy out Glacier Northwest - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:33:16 -0000

Shannon,
I understand that the economy is weak and people are losing their jobs and homes at astronomical rate - a lot of people have been laid off where I work and it is hard to watch friends and co-workers struggle while I wonder if I will be next.

I agree that we should be looking at BOTH now and the future. But the problem with focusing on just now, is that often quick fixes that address today's problems only dig ourselves deeper in a hole for the future. 15 million dollars now to buy the property may seem high, but look at the billions of dollars our state and federal governments are pouring into the Harbor Island superfund site - or any of the other smaller sites that require restoration. It is common practice for the environment to be sacraficed for little economical gain. Corporations don't often consider the total cost of their actions - the degradation of natural capital - when they make decisions. If a thorough environmental report had been completed earlier in the process, Glacier may or may not have been able to prove that their dock would have minimal impact on the environment and saved themselves from this mess.

If you are really concerned about local jobs - look into the local fishing industry. They are in bad shape because of depleted fish stocks. Protecting our waters and marine life would not only help the environment but revive an important local institution. Last year we experienced a bit of a salmon boon - but will it happen again this year? Finding ways to BOTH help the environment and the economy should be a priority.

Re: State lawmakers approve funds to buy out Glacier Northwest - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:01:52 -0000

In no means am I saying this project is the best use of funds - and for now it's a presumptious to think this thing is actually going to to through. However, citing a few loss jobs as a reason we should go forward with a expanded gravel pit that could damage the local ecology and eventually cost us more tax money in clean-up and restoration doesn't make sense in my book. The whale watches don't really interest me - never been on one. But I was trying to diversify - I figured it was better than just ranting about how our fisheries are crashing and fisherman here in Washington are suffering. Those jobs should be considered in the mix too - and those jobs are a big part of our local economy. How many islanders work on fishing boats?

When it comes to the political arena, I actually couldn't agree with you more. A few politicians made this a pet project and I wonder if it did more harm than good. But this thing started before Gregoire, Dow or even Sharon. As Rick has already pointed out, it does a disservice to everyone that volunteered and donated for the cause.

Sorry to hear about your friend - being laid off is no fun, I know.

Re: State lawmakers approve funds to buy out Glacier Northwest - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:29:04 -0000

Directly related jobs may be lost, yes. But what about the indirect jobs that would have been lost if the mine went forward? Damaging eel beds means taking a chunk out of fish stocks - ok there's some fishermen jobs gone. Less fish means less orcas. Ok, there's a boat tour job lost. Handing it over to the public means we need maintenance workers, park officials, etc. etc. In addition naturalist and teachers can use the area for educational purposes. Try to look at the net effect, not just the count of jobs that would have resulted from just the mine.

Re: Letters to the Editor: March 24 - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:13:10 -0000

Like YourNeighbor, I think Jan Stephen's letter deserves discussion. I have experienced both speeders and dawdlers. We need to remember that BOTH can cause frusteration and accidents. Coming off the north end ferry I regularly encounter one person going 35 in the 50 zone with a long line of cars trailing behind. "Sunday drivers" my 87 year old mother in law calls them. How many of you have been trying to catch a boat when you run into one of these sunday drivers? What do you do? Either sit tight or pass. But slow drivers do not appreciate bieing passed and often speed up in response. I recently reached peak frusteration after being stuck behind a sports car driving well below the speed limit from the south end to Judd Creek. Moving to pass the car on the two-laned morgan hill, the driver decided to make a show and gun it. My little commuter car could not keep up. After the hill the driver resumed to his well below speed-limit dawdling ways. That kind of behavior is dangerous and is just as likely to cause a wreck as a speeder. We need to be respectfull of each other and the speed limits.

Re: A decade of legal reviews tells a different story about Glacier - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:34:35 -0000

You make some very interesting points, and for the most part I actually agree. However, Glacier is not mining for just local consumption. They are mining for profits which typically means product will be shipped out at the highest attainable price. In addition we must consider the exchange of environment (place) in exchange of raw materials. We need wood to build houses, yes, but does that justify the clear-cutting the rainforest? Does a mine make sense located next to what has been deemed a environmentally unique area, is the exchange beneficial to the community? Balance is needed - and neither side of this debate has really communicated that balance.

One question I have to anyone in the know...
It is my understanding that the material being mined from the Maurty island site is only filler - that the sand and gravel do not meet the quality specifications for use in roads, builidings, etc. Can anyone point me to a source for that? Or disprove it? What are the uses for filler material? Thanks!

Re: A decade of legal reviews tells a different story about Glacier - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:18:49 -0000

Asking "how long have you lived on Vashon" diverts from the issue. I've lived on Vashon long enough - I've seen the gravel pits - I used play near there when I was a child. Glacier's proposal would increase the mining activity substantially - it would not just bee small-scale mining of the past you talk about, nor would it just be material destined for local consumption. Perhaps if that was the case we would not have the debate we are having now.

Yesterday I was looking at my Husband's family photos - pictures that showed what the Burton area looked from the 1960's. I can tell you many of the current houses were not there, instead you see gardens, gangly sunflowers and lines of raspberries. Yes, agriculture has rather died out on Vashon - more so in Seattle. That however is another topic. I expected my comment would stir the fire - and I'm glad. We need a real debate instead of bickering over legal tidbits and false arguements. Until both sides outline the real reasons for their stance, were simply manuevering through quick sand (pun intended).

Re: A decade of legal reviews tells a different story about Glacier - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:02:37 -0000

11 years of passively following this story, debating, reading, and otherwise contemplating the implications of a mine on Maury Island has made me realize why environmentalists are accused of being frivolous and ignorant. It’s because we aren’t providing the real reason behind our opposition. It’s because we hide behind the confangled law system that has now been at times both excruciatingly irritating and extremely exhilarating. We stab at the lame-duck science, jab at the legality, poke at the corporate reasoning, and otherwise ignore the heart that pumps the life-blood of our opposition.

My opposition to the Maury Island mine has little to do with economics or even really the environment. It has everything to do with community and sense of place.

The reason why I and so many other self-labeled environmentalists are attracted to Vashon is because its sheltered community provides an opportunity for eco-alternative lifestyles to thrive. The ancient practice of bartering flourishes; organic produce is readily available, free-thinking is generally encouraged and we otherwise pride ourselves as being a more tighter-knit community than our neighboring metropolis Seattle. Just look at all the crazy electric cars that hum along the small winding roads of the island for proof.

Simply put, a Gravel pit does not fit into my vision of a small-town, eco-conscious community. It would be similar to building a hazardous chemical company on the island – economically friendly, yes (think of the jobs!) But in-line with our community values?

For too long we environmentalists have watched rainforests devastated for the sake of development, polluted waterways because we are told it costs too much for corporations to properly dispose of production waste, overflowing landfills because the economy won’t allow us to build the proper recycling facilities, wetlands drained, wildlife displaced and parks turned into parking lots because of the almighty dollar.

I don’t want anything to do with it. I don’t want it in my community. Yes, I know we need gravel to build things and otherwise facilitate “growth”. And in this weak and unstable economy it’s difficult to stand against anything that has the potential to hurt our local economy. But if we don’t say “enough! There’s more to life than money”, how can we expect the government to develop policies that reflect communities rather than corporations? We may simply be displacing the need for sand and gravel to another community. But if that community also stands up to a mine in an environmentally-sensitive area, and the next, and the next, soon we will have to reconsider our values at a city, state, even at a federal level.

Lofty idealism? Perhaps. But for now I’ll celebrate in what I believe to be a community victory.

Re: Backbone camp readies protesters for future campaigns - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:57:25 -0000

The Maury Island Reserve is not owned by Glacier, it's owned by the Government. The Government is in place to serve the people, not foreign corporations. If people want to protest on Government owned land (land funded by our tax dollars) than yes, they have a right to protest.

The right of free speech was fought hard for, even if you don't agree with what is being said, you do the community a disservice when you try to label it as irrevelant.

Re: Goldmark orders Glacier to "cease" operations at Maury reserve - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:31:56 -0000

It sounds like your mind is set, and so there is little either I or anyone else can say to sway you. All I can say is take a real look at the science - get the facts and then make up your mind. As for glacier providing jobs - that starts another discussion. Glacier, as am sure you well know, is owned by a Japanese conglamorate. While yes paychecks go to local workers, profits go overseas. But that is an issue of global economics, not just environmental concerns.

Re: Goldmark orders Glacier to "cease" operations at Maury reserve - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:33:19 -0000

"What do you think lines the bottom of the sound, sand and mud!"

You're forgetting everything else that lives on the sound floor. Specifically the eel grass which serves as a breeding ground for herring - herring that goes on to feed larger fish, like salmon. If you dump a pile of sand and mud on your backyard, what happens? The grass dies. Same principle. Allowing glacier to spill sand and gravel and kick up the silt at the bottom of the sound will make the environment difficult for sea life to grow. In addition Chinook use the Maury Island Nearshore as a nursery - and who eats salmon? Killer whales (not to mention humans). So by allowing Glacier to go about their business, you are not just peeving off a bunch of environmentalist, you are negatively impacting to the local fishing and tourist economy - money that could create jobs.

The idea that the issue is just a bunch of environmentalists throwing a hissy is simply a falacy.

Re: State issues Glacier 30-year lease for pier off of Maury Island - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

cj409 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:30:11 -0000

Seriously? You both must work for Glacier. "Civil" is not undermining the decision process by throwing funds to corrupt politicians to get the decision you want. The company isn't even local. This doesn't benefit Washington. This doesn't benefit America. This doesn't benefit the reserve. This doesn't benefit the visting orcas, the fish population, the madrona forest, and definitely does not fit into the culture or values of Vashon. This benefits a large Japan conglomorate that doesn't care about the island, the people of Vashon-Maury, or the environment. You think they'll be "considerate of the Island"? remember those words when the fish collapse and the orcas no longer visit. Remember that when the property values go down becuase of the ugly view. Remember that when the aquifer is contaminated because arsenic is seeping in from the mining site. I'm getting sick of reminding people of what has happened in other examples, and it seems once again we have forgotten our lessons. Here is a prime example of America selling itself to foriegn countries.