Finch Place

A gem of a place in which to live

Let me tell you my personal experience of Finch Place life. In an article by Sean Roach (“Finch Place residents fear reprisals,” Nov. 5), many upsetting things were reported about Finch Place senior apartments. However, the article reflected the views of about one in five tenants. Here’s the rest of the story, as they say.

This is a lovely and secure-entry building with a killer view of Eagle Harbor from the third floor, and some second-floor units. There are common areas on each floor, with a large community room and complete kitchen on the first floor. This room also functions as the emergency meeting spot.

There is a large deck, with flowers in the planters, and plenty of seating. We have weekly coffees, monthly birthday coffees, and a monthly Saturday brunch. Management usually provides the coffee, birthday cake, and cards for all to sign.

It is beautifully landscaped here, and there is even a small goldfish pond. The pond pump was malfunctioning for several months. After many attempts, it was finally remedied this summer.

The raccoons have finished off some of the fish over time, but one remains, eating its fish food, algae and any mosquito wrigglers that emerge. But basically, this area here is remarkably free of biting insects. Is Bainbridge great, or what?

Last summer, the building was power washed and then painted. This spring the windows were back to their original sparkle, after those guys on those high ladders did the job in about two days. I guess the only necessary annoyance is the grass mowing and the hedge trimming.

Along with other routine maintenance and repairs, this is one of the best places I have ever lived in. Including my own homes, which often had to wait a bit when large repairs were needed. Who can’t relate to that, I ask?

We also have the greatest resident manager I’ve ever experienced. She has seen that the weekly coffees and such have the supplies needed, has personally bought the cakes, and so on. When the power was out for three days in that December storm in 2007, she drove to Central Market and brought hot soup back to everyone.

More importantly, she has given permission to individuals for her phone number to be entered in personal alarm devices. This woman has even gone along behind an ambulance taking a tenant to the hospital, to be of whatever assistance there she could, if needed. So, stop by sometime. Our Finch Place is a gem.

Pat Hux

Finch Place

Community

Caring Bainbridge has aged very well

Yes, there is a Bainbridge Island.

Winslow has changed an extraordinarily amount since I acquired my first “digs” here 35 years ago. It was very reminiscent at the time of my university village in Lexington, Virginia, in the pace and friendliness and general demeanor.

It is my recollection that we had a few policemen and a few stop signs. Perhaps three restaurants and, of course, Town and Country Market and a hardware store.

Winslow, in spite of growth and progress, amazes the casual visitor who believes we are still a village. How many places do you see residents greeting strangers in the street with a warm “hello,” or if one sees a map, “May I help you?”

I recently had major surgery and was allowed to return home if I promised to stay in bed. Those who know me must indeed find it hard to believe I was so compliant.

Home for a day, the phone rang and Eagle Harbor Books called to say a book I had eagerly awaited for six months had arrived.

Forty-five minutes later, Peggy, a member of the staff at the bookstore, arrived with the book.

She knew how much I wanted the book. What a delight. The kindness certainly lessened the pain – more than any medication.

It was just one example of what a caring community Bainbridge is and causes one to be proud to be a resident.

Thanks Eagle Harbor Books and thank you Bainbridge Islanders who are always so helpful and patient, whether it be at the grocery store, post office or what we perceive as terrible traffic.

Richard Harlan Blond

Bainbridge Island

Gun-toting fishing boats are an affront

Listening to shotgun fire just outside my window from a fishing boat not more than a few hundred yards away is not a reasonable idea on an otherwise quiet Sunday morning and afternoon. Nor is it acceptable from the same fishing boats in the dark of night.

It should be stopped and soon.

It seems only a few weeks ago when the controversy before the City Council related to how the waterfront should be protected. Complex proposals were brought before the council, but none related to the incursions of the waters by gun toting fishing boats using those weapons when and where they pleased.

If this situation does not represent an affront to the environment, I am puzzled as to what the explanation might be, no matter what negotiations might have made it both possible and questionably legal.

Joseph J. Honick

Olympus Beach Road

Politics

Time to impeach Bush, Cheney

If the president of the United States can pardon himself and all those responsible for the last eight years, it is time to stop this criminal behavior before it’s too late.

Impeach Bush and Cheney now.

To do otherwise would only illustrate to the world our failure to up hold the law, and show in fact that we do have a two separate legal systems in the U.S.

Barry K. Cross

Lynwood Center Road