Many of us on Bainbridge Island may not have noticed, but there are a large number of islanders who are already feeling the pain of the economy’s meltdown. While the haves dramatically outnumber the havenots here, this recession – if that’s what this is – is beginning to get a grip on many an islander.
I can’t think of a single person who goes more to the heart of Bainbridge Island than Junkoh Harui. No biography can capture all that this gentle man has meant to so many – to our gardens, to our souls.
This week, as in years past, we’ll turn on radios and television sets on Tuesday evening, Nov. 4., to listen as the election results come in.
Twenty-five years ago, Junkoh published stories of his childhood in his newsletter.
No need to preach the above to Bainbridge Islanders. Especially this year, when the island’s Democrat-dominated constituents figure to cast their ballots in unprecedented numbers. It’s a presidential general election year, of course, which usually means more people vote than usual. Plus, Sen. Barack Obama is a local favorite on an island where the number of registered voters for Tuesday’s election is bordering on unbelievable.
For much of this year, we have seen that reducing our energy consumption is our first line of defense against rising energy prices, while also recognizing it as critical for increasing our nation’s energy security, fostering economic prosperity and combating global warming.
There’s a good chance the Bainbridge City Council will decide in three weeks to place a measure before city voters sometime next year to ask them if they prefer a council-manager form of government over the current mayor-council system.
Last Tuesday I took care of two important civic duties. I voted and gave blood in the same afternoon.
When someone tells me they “gave blood,” I immediately view that person in a new light. I see them as someone engaged in a noble and honorable act, someone making a selfless sacrifice for the benefit of their fellow man.
The city recently inquired about American Marine Bank’s financial state of affairs since the municipality may have $1 million deposited in the Bainbridge-based bank at any given time in order to cover monthly expenditures. Members of the council’s Finance Committee basically wanted to know if AMB could guarantee that the city’s deposits are properly insured – a good question considering the economic nightmare that is occuring nationwide and globally.
For more than 350 years, Friends (Quakers) have been known as peace activists.
Community
Charity is needed during bad times
With the recent interesting economic news, many islanders are probably giving a hard look to their charitable giving plans this year. I hope that the red envelope from the good folks at One Call For All reminds everyone that charity is needed most when it is most difficult to give.
Despite a global economic crisis and declining city revenue, Mayor Darlene Kordonowy has proposed yet another unsustainable budget. Over the next two years she plans to add more than $30 million to city coffers by raising taxes, rates and fees, and by going even further into debt.
