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BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 Vol. 59, No. 35
Vashon paramedics will become part of larger system
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
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MOTORCYCLE MANIA ROARS ONTO VASHON
Officials say they will work to address concerns with the plan By NATALIE MARTIN Staff Writer
As soon as next January, Vashon’s paramedics will be replaced by a rotating crew from King County, as the island’s paramedic program is incorporated into the larger south King County emergency medical system. The board of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) voted on Tuesday, Aug. 19, to move ahead with a proposal to absorb Vashon’s eight paramedics into the South King County Medic One program. Many say they expect the change will improve island response to serious medical emergencies by providing former Vashon responders more experience in busy south King County and by allowing two paramedics to respond together at all times. “I applaud you. It’s a tough decision to make, but it’s an important one,” said John Herbert, chief of King County Medic One, at Tuesday’s meeting after the board voted. Several people from both VIFR and King County at the meeting said there is still some concern over how paramedics under the new system will respond to second calls on Vashon. However, they called the plan an improvement over the island’s current system and said they would spend the following months attempting to work out some of the details. “We have time to collectively work on those challenges,” said VIFR Chief Hank Lipe. SEE PARAMEDICS, 13
Susan Riemer/Staff Photo
On Sunday, more than 1,000 motorcyclists gathered in downtown Vashon for the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts’ 32nd annual Isle of Vashon TT. Islander and longtime member of the club, Jody Heintzman, said 750 people registered for the event, about 100 less than last year. It was a safe event, he said, with no problems reported. “Everybody seemed to have a good time,” he added. Those who register participate in a poker run, drawing playing cards at designated points along the island ride, and the person with the best poker hand wins. Following the ride, which takes motorcyclists from town to the west side, Tahlequah and Dockton, many participants gather at The Sportsmen’s Club for a barbecue and motorcycle-related games and races. The motorcycle club typically hosts the event the weekend before or after Labor Day, drawing many onlookers and some criticism on Vashon for not divulging the date to anyone but club members. Heintzman says they do this to keep the event from being overrun — something that has happened in the past — and to keep the focus on vintage bikes. Still, for motorcycle enthusiasts of all kinds, there are plenty of bikes to look at and wish for, with the latest gleaming bikes parked next to classics from the past, like the Indian above.
Fall brings an uptick in island preschools By SUSAN RIEMER Staff Writer
Courtesy Photo
Children at Heartstone Preschool bake with teacher Linda Moore.
Just a few years ago, several island preschools were serving fewer children than in years past, but preschools appear to be flourishing again, with three new schools set to open this fall and three others reporting significant changes. While there are no hard facts about whether Vashon’s demographics are changing, anecdotally, some say that the island is seeing an influx of families with young children, possibly the result of the strengthening economy. For years, the island has had a variety of preschools to fit individual needs of families, and now the options have expanded and include several more possibilities, ranging from one set on a farm to a free,
bilingual program funded by the state for children in need.
Honeybee Playschool In the Gold Beach neighborhood, Honeybee Playschool will open its morning preschool on Sept. 9 with teacher Anna Sander. Sander, who grew up on the island, attended The Barbie School as a child. Zoe Cheroke, the head of that school for 39 years, retired earlier this year and mentored Sander as she prepared to open her own school. The timing was not coincidental, Sander said, as she and Cheroke have talked about Sander opening a school for some time, and Cheroke encouraged her to begin now. SEE PRESCHOOLS, 16