Thanks to the Reporter for the opportunity to give some thoughts on where we should aspire to go as a community as I transition roles from the Kirkland Chamber and Downtown Association to oversee the Kirkland Concours and other ventures.
It has been a momentous 10 years in Kirkland and it was fun to personally play a part because of the kind of community we have. Residents and businesses have a heritage, resilience and commitment that many communities only dream of having.
As I look to the future, I think we all can agree with Robert Frost who said, “We have many miles to go and promises to keep.”
What is next? I would venture we need to continue to be vigilant about the strengths of our community and take it a significant step further. In other words, and in deference to a group formed by U2’s Bono, let’s call it “One Kirkland.”
First, the magic of downtown needs to be spread to the other neighborhoods and business districts of Kirkland. The volunteerism embodied in the KDA, 4th of July, the new Kudos Kirkland and other groups is special.
This esprit du corps inspires residents and businesses to volunteer their “time and treasure” to clean, decorate, plant flower pots and organize to accomplish community needs, some that were funded by the city in better times. This can and should happen all over Kirkland – it is time to do the same for North and South Juanita, Kingsgate, Houghton, Bridle Trails and our other areas. Not only are there current and potential volunteers and donors in the wings, many of the businesses that step up now with time and/or treasure (that would take a full page of this paper to name) have other potential partners that are ready to step up.
Second, we need to continue to build on our past successes to help our non-profits. These are in the areas of community need (those needing housing, medical care, employment and sustenance), the arts and, of course, the needs of our youth and education system. Citizens, businesses and most notably service organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, KITH, etc.) are generous and step up to meet these needs. The challenge is that there is so much need and so many events to help support these causes that perhaps the volunteer commitment and energy expended can be used more effectively and more efficiently. Thus, it is time for us to seriously look at an idea espoused by many, most notably former mayor and “first citizen” Bill Woods: the forming of a Kirkland Foundation. These needs would be under one banner, encompassing an annual “one ask” linked with focused fund-raising events under the diverse umbrella areas of the arts, the underserved and education/youth.
A foundation would be nimble and would also be able to respond to emerging needs, such as the reality that today volunteer donations augment the school’s free breakfast and lunch programs by providing backpacks of food so the same students can bring food home for the weekend. And this is in Kirkland, 98033.
The key is getting there together as “one.” There is an adage that much can be done when there is selflessness, sharing and no issue of whom gets credit. I think we are up to the task, especially now with another 40,000 citizens who share our values.
These are movements and strategies I hope would be considered and I would support if I were to stay in my current role — and, in fact, in my new ventures I would volunteer to assist. So, with respect, those are my thoughts as I write this on Christmas Eve. Let the dialogue begin.
Bill Vadino is the executive director emeritus of the Greater Kirkland Chamber and KDA.
