IN THE SPOTLIGHT Island Lumber garners national recognition. Page 4
TRAPPED IN UMO’S WEB A new work will be featured at the troupe’s fundraiser. Page 10
SPORTS | Hoopsters vanquish
two of their rivals. Page 16 SCHOOLS | Tech levy comes before voters. Page 3 COMMUNITY | Outdoor program garners sizable grant. Page 5
BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012
Vol. 57, No.3
FROM SUN TO SNOW: IT’S BEEN QUITE A START TO 2012
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
75¢
The latest from the census: Vashon’s a wealthier place Some who are poor, meanwhile, appear to be moving away By NATALIE JOHNSON Staff Writer
Vashon has become a wealthier place in the last decade, according to data recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau. King County’s median household income has nearly kept pace with the 25 percent inflation rate, rising from $53,000 in 1999 to an estimated $65,000 in 2006 through 2010. Vashon’s median household income, however, rose 37 percent in the same time period, from about $58,000 in 1999 to an estimated $80,000 in 2006 through 2010. Vashon’s population grew about 5 percent during that time. “You can say Vashon is trending toward somewhat higher incomes,” said Chandler Felt, King County’s demographer. “Real income has not gone up much in the last 10 years in King County or nationwide for that matter. … Vashon incomes are rising faster than inflation.”
According to 2000 U.S. Census results, in 1999 about 12 percent of Vashon households made $100,000 to $150,000 a year. According to results of the American Community Survey, a lengthy questionnaire administered by the Census Bureau to a smaller number of households, nearly twice that many homes, 22 percent, brought in that amount between 2006 and 2010. In fact, all income brackets below $75,000 saw a decrease in number of households, while all those above $75,000 saw an increase. Felt said he wasn’t surprised at the numbers. “I would have expected that to a degree,” he said. “Vashon Island is not growing very fast, but the growth, as far as I can tell, tends to be relatively high-income commuters to jobs on the mainland.” Felt added that it was important to note that while 1999 income data is based on census responses, more recent income estimates are made by combining surveys of Islanders from 2006 though 2010, with averages converted to 2010 inflated values. More SEE CENSUS, 20
Fire board’s per diems prompt a few questions, comparisons By LESLIE BROWN Staff Writer
John Anderson Photo (top); Jenna Riggs Photo (bottom right); Leslie Brown/Staff Photo (bottom left)
Only last week, the sunrises and sunsets were dramatic, revealing chiseled mountains to the west and a Mount Rainier robed in pinks and oranges to the southeast. John Anderson, a renown photographer who once studied with Ansel Adams, paid a visit to Tramp Harbor on Friday, where he shot several scenes that captured the colorful but subtle interplay of sky and water on one of the highest tides of the season. Everything changed in a matter of days, and by Monday, snow-starved young people were making the best of the scant snowfall, while school officials, Metro officials and others prepared for what University of Washington meteorologist Cliff Mass dubbed a potential “snowmageddon.” Metro put the region on alert that only core bus service may be operating on Wednesday — which would mean no Vashon service — should a heavy snowfall blanket the region. Turn to page 21 to read more about this week’s weather. Above, left, siblings Thalia (front), Mia and Cash Cochrane get ready to go down the berm at Ober Park Monday. Above right, Wang Wei, an exchange student from China, and Anna Riggs, her host sister, delight in the first snowfall of the season on Sunday.
Vashon’s five fire commissioners made a total of $20,146 for performing their official duties in 2011, with Rex Stratton, last year’s board chair, earning the most at $6,704. David Hoffmann, meanwhile, received $4,840 last year, the second highest figure — a fee he garnered for attending board meetings as well as reviewing the district’s payment vouchers for goods and services. The bi-weekly review generally takes him 30 minutes and occasionally an hour, according to the compensation forms he signs and submits; he receives $90 from the department each time he does so.
Both men, as well as the other commissioners, defended the practice, noting that the pay is allowed under state law and that their compensation doesn’t begin to cover the many hours they spend as elected officials overseeing Vashon Island Fire & Rescue. What’s more, Hoffmann said, he donates much of the money he receives to Islanders who are in a bind or to Vashon charities. “I don’t keep it for myself,” he said. Stratton, a lawyer, noted that he often spends many hours off-Island at meetings for the fire department and that his compensation — now $104 per day — doesn’t begin to cover SEE COMMISSIONERS, 19