Call to action on BI’s future
To the editor:
Bainbridge Island is at a critical crossroads. As the city rushes toward the June 2026 Comprehensive Plan deadline, we are witnessing a “cart before the horse” approach to upzoning that threatens our history and rural character.
State law (the Growth Management Act) requires “Concurrency,” meaning infrastructure like water, sewer, and roads must be proven adequate before density is approved. Yet, the city is pushing for upzoning without an honest, transparent capacity analysis. We are being asked to accept multistory buildings that the majority of residents find out of character with our island, without any proof that our natural resources and tax dollars can sustain them.
We need an island-wide plan built on community buy-in, not developer-led mandates. I am calling on the City Council to shift leadership to a Citizen Steering Committee that will prioritize our rural soul and fiscal responsibility.
Your voice is needed now. The Planning Commission and the Winslow Subarea Steering Committee met this week to discuss these very issues. I urge every resident to listen and speak up.
Now is the time to demand that the new council welcomes citizen participation on both the steering committee and the selection committee for our new City Manager. Let’s ensure our voices are finally heard.
Beth Crittenden
Bainbridge Island
Roundabout not needed
To the editor:
In this season of “abundance,” I am deeply aware of all the people who can’t really celebrate. They need money for basics and wonder where and how they will get that help.
In contrast, there is renewed focus by WSDOT and our City Council on building a roundabout on Highway 305 at High School Road. In December, the City Council discussed ways to have input on the design of the project, and voted (3-2) to spend $25,000 of city contingency funds to bring experts from Holland to join a design charette with WSDOT.
Why are state taxpayers spending up to $40 million on a project that no islander I know sees a need for or wants? We have major state budget issues to address, and critical needs of Washingtonians for flood recovery, health care, mental health, food and housing. One councilmember said that WSDOT told her that the project will be built. Why? I haven’t heard any convincing justifications for it – just that it was a high priority for safety. The safety data I’ve seen doesn’t indicate that.
Money has already been spent, but let’s not throw more money in. There is a Gary Larson cartoon showing sheep standing in a field grazing. One of them stands on its hind legs and says, “Wait, we don’t have to be sheep!!”
Please let our electeds: Reps. Simmons and Nance, Sen. Drew Hansen, and our City Council know what you think.
We can do this!
Gloria Sayler
Bainbridge Island
No chance to dispute
To the editor:
“Rabbi Emily” demanded that this 73-year-old disabled woman be discharged from both her employment and her apartment without notice, with no explanation, and with no opportunity to dispute the spurious charges finally brought against me. I had worked for Ad-West Realty Services for more than 20 years, and yet they did not ask me a single question, despite the fact that anyone who has known me for five minutes would know they were not true.
Is this the kind of integrity you would want to see in your employee, employer, or fiduciary representative?
Barbara Duncan
Bainbridge Island
