Petition Update — June 15 City Council Meeting

Good news: Mayor Kennedy announced that the vote on the Coles Road Land Use Agreement will be delayed while the Council seeks legal advice, following an excellent letter from Marnie Jackson, Executive Director of the Whidbey Island Environmental Action Network. I'll look into whether I can share that letter with signers in a future update.

A Moment That Moved Me to Tears

Before I get into the details of the meeting, I have to share something that stopped me in my tracks. Mayor Kennedy gave the opening statement in honor of the 250th anniversary and the upcoming Juneteenth holiday — and I am not exaggerating when I say it moved me to tears. It was one of the most beautiful, grounding things I have heard in a long time.

As an immigrant myself, now a citizen of this country, and as someone who is part of a minority community whose rights are being threatened — that statement filled my heart with humility, courage, and optimism all at once. It reminded me why these conversations matter. Why showing up matters.

I genuinely hope the mayor will record or share that opening statement so everyone can hear it. I encouraged them to do exactly that at the end of the meeting. If you feel the same way, I'd encourage you to reach out and ask too.

A Conversation Worth Having

Just before the meeting, a letter to the editor called out myself and others near Coles Road as NIMBYs. Rather than let that sit, I reached out — and we ended up talking for an hour over coffee and a beer. We're meeting again. What struck me most was how much we had in common.

That spirit carried into the meeting. Community members spoke openly, real learning happened, and one council member encouraged us to be proactive — including requesting a tour of the City's wastewater treatment plant, which they described as state-of-the-art and nowhere near capacity. Some of the most passionate speakers were people who have spent years writing letters to the City and County, trying to get historical documentation reviewed that keeps being overlooked. Their dedication was humbling.

Community Voice Was Everywhere Last Night

The Coles Road discussion wasn't the only thing filling that room. Outside, 40 to 50 people gathered to protest a proposed gas station, charging station, and convenience store on Cascade Avenue — right on the cliff top that draws visitors from far and wide to experience what makes Langley so distinctly itself.

The business owner spoke about their vision, and it was clear they genuinely believe in it. But what I heard from the community was equally clear: Langley supports small business, entrepreneurship, charging stations, creativity, diversity, minority-owned businesses, and community connection. What the community is looking toward is walkability, sustainability, and a future that honors both this land's history and the town's 20- and 30-year vision. A gas station, for many, feels like looking in the rearview mirror. Langley is facing forward.

Forty or fifty people standing outside city hall on a Monday evening is a powerful thing. It's democracy in action.

Why I Started This Petition

At the end of the meeting I had a chance to say something I realize I haven't said clearly before: I started this petition because community members were telling me they were being ignored. Letters sent, ignored. Information requested, ignored. As an advocate, I couldn't stand by. I believe when more people speak up, those in power start to listen.

600 Signers — Goal Achieved

As I write this, we have reached 600 signatures. The original goal — raise awareness, ensure community voices are heard, and compel decision-makers toward transparency and open dialogue — is achieved.

I'm keeping the petition open to continue the conversation, and I'll keep sharing updates. But today I want to mark this: 600 people said this matters. And it worked.

What I'm Taking Away

One of the quieter goals of this petition was simply to get people talking — to each other, across differences, with curiosity instead of certainty. And honestly? That can be clumsy. Everyone has gaps in knowledge. Everyone makes assumptions. I've seen that over these weeks, and I include myself completely. We all think we have the answers until we sit down and actually listen.

What I've witnessed, though, is something that genuinely moves me. Almost everyone in this conversation — across every position — is trying to do the right thing. For a very few people it may be purely about profit. But for most, it really is about improving this town, improving conditions for people who don't have access, and caring about what kind of place Langley becomes.

One council member said something that stayed with me — about what it means to lack resources, and how that can quietly carry a sense of shame, especially in an economy this brutal. That kind of honesty deserves to be heard. Because it is clear how important affordable housing is in Langley. The vision — for all people here to enjoy the stability that comes from housing, access to food, transport, and community connection — is not a radical idea. These are simply the basics of a dignified and happy human life. And we know it can be done. The recently completed Generations Place affordable housing project on 2nd Street is proof of that.

Yes, this is America — a capitalist country. I remember that question from my own citizenship exam. But what our community has made clear through this petition is that capitalism does not have to come at the cost of the environment, human dignity, or trust. As one person stood up and said: too often, in the quest for profit, those with resources make promises that become simply echoes in the wind once the money is made. The community of Langley will hold investors accountable to their words. Trust is not a nicety — it is a vital part of the fabric of any community that wishes to truly prosper.

What I take away most from all of this is how extraordinary people are when we actually listen. When we sit across from someone and remember that they are a full human being with the same deep wishes we carry ourselves — connection, dignity, a community worth living in — the distance between us shrinks fast.

We are far more alike than we are different.

Stay Engaged

Attend a council meeting. Write a letter. Have coffee with someone who sees it differently. It is your absolute right — and it makes a difference.

Thank you for being part of this. 💙

Please share and sign.