Having spent three and a half decades in law enforcement, I have some thoughts about what makes for a safe, prosperous and healthy community. It starts, not surprisingly, with family. Every child needs a secure, nurturing start in life. Just as every child needs and deserves a sound, life-shaping formal education.

Which brings me to the school bond issue.

As a supporter of the original $36 million bond measure, I sat on my tail, figuring the case had been made. All I needed to do was to mail in my ballot, await the inevitable wisdom of Orcas voters, then join my neighbors in celebrating its passage. I don’t know which disappoints more: The 45 percent who voted no, or the silent supporters who, like me, didn’t bother to share publicly the rationale behind their position.

The facilities, worn out and dysfunctional, simply must be replaced. To delay construction means hugely inflated costs in the future. You can label this school board insensitive for putting the measure before us in these tough times, or you can call them, as I do, visionary and courageous.

I am voting “yes” on the school bond issue next month because it’s the right thing to do. But it’s also, for me, an act of atonement for not speaking out when the original proposal hit the ballot last February.

Norm Stamper

Eastsound