By Scott D. Johnston
A new local group that aims to “share information and ideas with the intent of “working together to find solutions” and occasionally taking action had its first meeting Dec. 15 at the Pirates Cove Pub on Ocean Shores Blvd.
What started out as about a dozen people grew by a few more by the end of the inaugural meeting of “Community Voices of Ocean Shores.” The group was started by Susan Conniry, who last week announced her intention to run for Ocean Shores City Council in 2017. Conniry previously lost to Crystal Dingler in the 2015 mayoral election.
Conniry told those present that the community “doesn’t have a central location to go to find out what’s happening,” and that she hopes the group will take up “whatever it happens to be that you’re interested in.”
She noted that she and a few of those at the meeting also often attend “Answers For All,” a discussion group that meets each Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Ocean Shores Elks Lodge, at 199 Ocean Lake Way. She and others said they want to go beyond talk to seeking solutions and doing things of value to the community.
Some said they were present out of a sense of civic duty and the desirability of getting involved in their community. Others bemoaned what they see as substantial apathy among area residents.
Several said they were relatively new to Ocean Shores and had trouble finding consistent sources for information about ongoing and upcoming events and activities in the area. After some discussion, Dennis Schulte volunteered to coordinate an ongoing effort to assemble and maintain a comprehensive community calendar. He noted that people in the group are a key to making it successful, and asked that people email information to him at oceanshores.wa@gmail.com.
Conniry stressed her belief that discussion followed by action can make things happen: “We can get city officials’ attention if we are seen as something actually working toward solutions.”
Initially, Community Voices plans to meet at 10 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month, at Pirates Cove, 798 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW, meaning the next meeting will be January 19. The restaurant is supplying free coffee and offers some $4.99 breakfast specials for attendees.
In the meantime, and since the group is dedicated to sharing information, Conniry passed along a few details on some upcoming events:
On Tuesday, January 10 at 6 p.m. in the Ocean Shores Convention Center, the City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on local marijuana regulations.
The Planning Commission will present its new Shoreline Master Plan at the January 23 City Council meeting, 6 p.m. in the Convention Center.
There will be a Town Hall event on housing and home repair problems and help for low income and elderly homeowners January 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ocean Shores Elementary School, 300 Mt. Olympus Ave. SE. Various experts and guest speakers will be on hand at the free event that will be moderated by former King County Housing Authority Commissioner Doreen Cato.
