HRB misleading
To the editor:
The Housing Resources Bainbridge fall newsletter—Ten Things About Housing—is part of a continuing flow of disinformation in the name of affordable housing and a culture war over the future of Bainbridge Island. Far from solving the problem of housing affordability, the path advocated by HRB would ruin Bainbridge Island while providing little in the way of housing affordability.
HRB is cheerleading a massive inclusionary zoning plan pushed by the city of Bainbridge Island: 2,000 additional housing units in Winslow, with developers providing no more than 10% as affordable housing. HRB wants the transformation that ruined the small town character of Ballard—accompanied by increased housing costs—to also be visited on BI: Essentially a culture war masquerading as a solution to affordability.
The HRB fall newsletter accurately cites the commodification of housing as the main problem while falsely claiming we can build our way to affordability. This is a dangerous myth disproven by the history of housing development on BI. It simply doesn’t work in high-demand housing markets.
HRB claims there is adequate water to support projected growth. This is wrong. Simulations by the city’s own consultant show aquifer drawdowns under even moderate growth. The fact is, HRB doesn’t care about the sustainable management of the island’s groundwater resources any more than it cares about biodiversity and sustainability.
If HRB really cared about building consensus around meaningful solutions to affordability, it would drop its culture war along with the propaganda, myths, and disinformation.
Ron Peltier
Bainbridge Island
Growth concerns
To the editor:
Thank you City Council for serving the community. I have been thinking about what my deceased husband, Charles Schmid, would say about Bainbridge Island today. Although I would not presume to speak for him, I can’t help but wonder why our elected leaders would be choosing growth beyond what is required by the Growth Management Act or what is desired by the citizens.
The growth above and beyond what is required is clearly at the expense of our sole source aquifer, our failing sewer system, our unfinished Comprehensive Plan, and our rural island character. While Charles supported affordable housing, it was never by putting these important priorities at risk. Charles hardly ever missed a meeting and an opportunity to voice his opinion. I encourage the people of Bainbridge Island to speak up now on behalf of our island community and its resources before it is too late.
Linda Schmid
Bainbridge Island
Candidate snarky
To the editor:
I attended the candidate forum at the Senior Center with interest and was pleased by the thoughtful questions and answers, for the most part. One crucial criterion for a councilmember is the ability to work together with the rest of the council, staff and constituents. That person needs to have and express respect for each person and the process. Snarky comments are counterproductive. Someone can have some good ideas, but if they can’t refrain from sarcastic remarks even in this public forum, then the prognosis for a functional council doesn’t look rosy.
You can watch the forum and make your own decisions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdgk7hfonZI.
Leigh Jones-Bamman
Bainbridge Island
