Really appreciate this focus on local governmental issues, here, John. It's also my experience working for decades in wildlife and forestry issues that all meaningful action takes place in the state and county boards of various sorts, this or that commission, and the local office of one or another federal land manager. The rising and falling of various tides in DC has very little impact on much of the actual stuff that happens in our hometowns and beloved public spaces.
I have to keep talking myself out of joining the board of my county's Conservation District. They do *so much* interesting work and most people don't realize how much power they have. (I only don't because their meetings are about 4 hours long and they do site visits -- which I'd love but have no time!)
That's interesting, John. Do you mean that people are seeking out your opinion and expertise more as an ex-board member than when you were on the various boards?
Yes, exactly. Over the ten years I was on those boards and committees, I made a lot of friends and contacts, and I'm still very active on the issues. This newsletter helps keep me in touch.
Antonia - this gets at exactly the problem with participation in these local or state-level bodies! In my experience, they are typically only attended by paid lobbyists for the various special interest groups, with occasional representation in the form of some overworked, underpaid nonprofit staffer who probably used their own gas money to drive to the state capital or wherever … plus retirees — because who else can prioritize something like that? And that’s just to attend the meetings as a constituent! The amount of time that an interested person would have to contribute as a board member or commissioner or whatever is, as you say, not doable for most of us. It’s both an interesting form of townhall-like democracy and really exclusive, all at the same time. :(
My Parks Board position eats up a fair amount of time, but the bike/pedestrian committee takes up a LOT more. I learn a lot, but it's a tradeoff of contributing and making a living.
It is nuts. I'm not even sure most people have any idea how much time these things take -- I'm glad you do! And it runs into such forms of privilege. When do you run meetings? In the evenings when families are trying to feed kids and get them to bed and people are starting swing shifts? Or during the day when most people are working?
I heard a podcast ages ago that talked about this a bit in the context of representing neighborhoods at city council meetings. I think there's something in the idea of building relationships within neighborhoods, and taking turns paying attention to what's going on locally. I used to do some form of this with some friends keenly interested in school board meetings. None of us could make it to all the meetings but we could take turns and report back and collaborate.
I always wonder if the local authorities understand the carrying capacity of the island, and if they and the planning department factor in the resources needed to grow food?
I lived through the very intense growth wars in Austin, Texas from the late seventies to 2000, when we moved here. Given that experience, I would say that Island County reminds me of the seventies. The economic pressure behind growth is rather mighty. I think the inevitable end result of the process on Camano will be multi million dollar houses due to the physical limitations. There can only be so many developable lots with septic capacity. There can only be so much that can be done to increase road capacity. There are limits to growth. With a limit to supply, the demand for homes increases and this drives the price up. The political will to exert growth controls over increased development is not giving rise to organized neighborhood groups. Without coherent and focused citizen groups, commissioners by default, must negotiate from compromise. That means that the status quo has the most support.
Thank you for this, John. I've been harping on about local political for over 20 years now. It does finally feel like a bit of a shift is happening in that respect, and people are starting to realize that decisions made in their own communities matter.
Yes, I truly believe we're seeing a shift. With federal agencies' power weakened, it will be increasingly up to the states to protect our environment. And land use decisions are mostly made at the city or county level.
Thanks as always, John, for your well reasoned commentary. Living in Florida, Tallahassee to be exact, presents us with draconian top down, one size fits all governance. Gov. DeSantis and super majorities in the state house & senate, are doing all they can to strip local government of consequential decision making. No county or local government can require cooling stations or water breaks for those working in the agricultural part of our economy. Local school boards choosing to fight the book banning folks are censured and fined for non compliance. A bit off track, yes. I offer my own living environment to illustrate enforced barriers to prevent action on the local level. Growth management used to be an expected function of our city and county building permitting offices. Now, large area get cleared before any permitting takes place. The chamber of commerce is the arch enemy of environmentalists. A stacked deck it seems. Good luck in your endeavors and November elections at all levels.
Thanks, Gary, for the reminder that, for all its faults, the "People's Republic of Washington" gives us more accountability in government than many other places.
Love this piece, John, it's really cool hearing about the local politics on Whidbey. I have family that lives on Vashon island, and they talk about the same sorts of issues with housing, airbnbs, and the general area being increasingly *less* for the people that live there and *more* for the people who visit or buy a summer house on the island. Focusing on local politics and organizing neighbors seems like one of the best ways forward!
Really appreciate this focus on local governmental issues, here, John. It's also my experience working for decades in wildlife and forestry issues that all meaningful action takes place in the state and county boards of various sorts, this or that commission, and the local office of one or another federal land manager. The rising and falling of various tides in DC has very little impact on much of the actual stuff that happens in our hometowns and beloved public spaces.
Yes, totally. I spent years on those boards and committees, and many of my former colleagues are now subscribers!
I have to keep talking myself out of joining the board of my county's Conservation District. They do *so much* interesting work and most people don't realize how much power they have. (I only don't because their meetings are about 4 hours long and they do site visits -- which I'd love but have no time!)
When I quit those boards and committees I feared I'd become irrelevant. Far from it. As a free agent I'm more in demand then ever.
That's interesting, John. Do you mean that people are seeking out your opinion and expertise more as an ex-board member than when you were on the various boards?
Yes, exactly. Over the ten years I was on those boards and committees, I made a lot of friends and contacts, and I'm still very active on the issues. This newsletter helps keep me in touch.
!!!
Antonia - this gets at exactly the problem with participation in these local or state-level bodies! In my experience, they are typically only attended by paid lobbyists for the various special interest groups, with occasional representation in the form of some overworked, underpaid nonprofit staffer who probably used their own gas money to drive to the state capital or wherever … plus retirees — because who else can prioritize something like that? And that’s just to attend the meetings as a constituent! The amount of time that an interested person would have to contribute as a board member or commissioner or whatever is, as you say, not doable for most of us. It’s both an interesting form of townhall-like democracy and really exclusive, all at the same time. :(
Good point. On many of those boards I was the only one not being paid to be there, the token citizen. That got old.
My Parks Board position eats up a fair amount of time, but the bike/pedestrian committee takes up a LOT more. I learn a lot, but it's a tradeoff of contributing and making a living.
We have a bike group. There's no board, fortunately. i'm happy go to meetings as they're mostly in the local pub.
It is nuts. I'm not even sure most people have any idea how much time these things take -- I'm glad you do! And it runs into such forms of privilege. When do you run meetings? In the evenings when families are trying to feed kids and get them to bed and people are starting swing shifts? Or during the day when most people are working?
I heard a podcast ages ago that talked about this a bit in the context of representing neighborhoods at city council meetings. I think there's something in the idea of building relationships within neighborhoods, and taking turns paying attention to what's going on locally. I used to do some form of this with some friends keenly interested in school board meetings. None of us could make it to all the meetings but we could take turns and report back and collaborate.
I always wonder if the local authorities understand the carrying capacity of the island, and if they and the planning department factor in the resources needed to grow food?
Thanks for reading, Judy. I share your concerns.
I lived through the very intense growth wars in Austin, Texas from the late seventies to 2000, when we moved here. Given that experience, I would say that Island County reminds me of the seventies. The economic pressure behind growth is rather mighty. I think the inevitable end result of the process on Camano will be multi million dollar houses due to the physical limitations. There can only be so many developable lots with septic capacity. There can only be so much that can be done to increase road capacity. There are limits to growth. With a limit to supply, the demand for homes increases and this drives the price up. The political will to exert growth controls over increased development is not giving rise to organized neighborhood groups. Without coherent and focused citizen groups, commissioners by default, must negotiate from compromise. That means that the status quo has the most support.
Thank you for this, John. I've been harping on about local political for over 20 years now. It does finally feel like a bit of a shift is happening in that respect, and people are starting to realize that decisions made in their own communities matter.
Yes, I truly believe we're seeing a shift. With federal agencies' power weakened, it will be increasingly up to the states to protect our environment. And land use decisions are mostly made at the city or county level.
Thanks as always, John, for your well reasoned commentary. Living in Florida, Tallahassee to be exact, presents us with draconian top down, one size fits all governance. Gov. DeSantis and super majorities in the state house & senate, are doing all they can to strip local government of consequential decision making. No county or local government can require cooling stations or water breaks for those working in the agricultural part of our economy. Local school boards choosing to fight the book banning folks are censured and fined for non compliance. A bit off track, yes. I offer my own living environment to illustrate enforced barriers to prevent action on the local level. Growth management used to be an expected function of our city and county building permitting offices. Now, large area get cleared before any permitting takes place. The chamber of commerce is the arch enemy of environmentalists. A stacked deck it seems. Good luck in your endeavors and November elections at all levels.
Thanks, Gary, for the reminder that, for all its faults, the "People's Republic of Washington" gives us more accountability in government than many other places.
Love this piece, John, it's really cool hearing about the local politics on Whidbey. I have family that lives on Vashon island, and they talk about the same sorts of issues with housing, airbnbs, and the general area being increasingly *less* for the people that live there and *more* for the people who visit or buy a summer house on the island. Focusing on local politics and organizing neighbors seems like one of the best ways forward!
Michael, thank you so much for your kind words.
I agree. Lack of political will made possible by a lack of any kind of consensus.