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Vashon-Maury Community Council endorses Thunderbird Treatment Center after lengthy public hearing
Summary
After more than two hours of public comment, the Vashon‑Maury Community Council voted 97–26 to endorse the Seattle Indian Health Board’s Thunderbird Treatment Center proposal; the motion survived an attempted withdrawal by its mover and drew both professional and personal testimony for and against the project.
The Vashon‑Maury Community Council voted to endorse efforts to bring the Thunderbird Treatment Center to Vashon, approving the motion by members 97–26 after extended public comment and debate. Diane Emerson, the council president, announced the outcome, stating plainly, “We have 97 people voted for the motion, and 26 voted against the motion. The motion has passed.”
Supporters, including clinicians and people with lived experience, framed the proposal as a local response to a regional crisis. Eve Suskind of Friends of Thunderbird told the council that drug‑ and alcohol‑related deaths have “tripled in the past 10 years in King County to more than 1300 last year, and yet we have only a 148 inpatient beds countywide.” Professional endorsements and several island residents’ personal stories underscored a shortage of accessible, culturally relevant residential treatment in the region.
Opponents raised concerns about siting, community impacts and the provider’s business model. At one point the mover attempted to withdraw the motion; Dune said she wished to withdraw, but two objections prevented the withdrawal and the council continued to debate. Critics such as Robert Larson argued the facility did not belong on the island and cautioned about locating residential treatment away from concentrated services. Other commenters asked whether island residents would meaningfully be able to access beds or whether economic incentives might prioritize non‑local placements.
Council members and several speakers urged concrete follow‑up steps: clarifying availability for island residents, confirming transportation and emergency response plans, and negotiating community impact measures where appropriate. The council said the text of the endorsement will be posted to its website and Facebook page.
