I want to thank all the voters who recognized that the issues I raised during the campaign are important and all the people who supported and encouraged me at every stage of this effort. I wish to congratulate Mr. Clay on his reelection, his previous contributions to the community and to encourage his further efforts towards evolving Coupeville into a model of sustainability.

I hope that now we may resume working on an ordinance that recognizes the multiple, important functions that trees serve within an urban setting. Though common, trees are under-appreciated in their functional importance and are a valuable symbol of the paradigm shift needed to live successfully within the physiological limits of this grace-giving planet. I also want to congratulate Ms. Hughes and Mayor Conard on their reelections. These are people devoted to community service.

One of my goals in running for Town Council was to stimulate discussion of the challenges we urgently need to confront if we are to succeed in the 21st century. In that I feel gratified. The council, over the course of the campaign, has been motivated to move towards these same goals. I urge them to continue on this course. I am encouraged that with Dr. Dannhauer’s insight, perspective and guidance, the process will continue to evolve at a necessary rate.

We are at a turning point. There is no longer a place on the planet that has not been fundamentally influenced by human activity. The most dramatic example of this process is climate change. Never in the short history of human kind have we faced a problem of the dimensions that this challenge poses. There will be no quick fixes.

Climatologists tell us that the climate is changing a least 10 times the normal rate. Think of this in terms of your car. What is easily controlled at 30 mph isn’t at 300 mph. The bridge is out ahead but we continue on our carefree way ignoring the warnings because, for now, we can.

I relate the climate crisis to lifestyle diseases like heart disease, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. The effects of years of poor choices accumulate insidiously until a critical point is reached when a major irreversible event occurs, such as a heart attack or stroke. There are alternatives.

Suffice to say, I intend to continue to contribute to the creation of a livable, life friendly future.

Gary Piazzon

Coupeville