Started by Brady Smith
Oct 31, 2025
Oct 31, 2025
2
Vote for Brady Smith for Lopez Rec Commissioner #2
Oct 31, 2025
My name is Brady Smith and I am running for the Lopez Rec Commissioner #2.
As the LISD Superintendent, I believe that the Lopez School should be the center of our island community in every way. I am responsible for balancing the school budget and I see Lopez Rec covering the cost of our amazing school athletics program like Island Rec does with Friday Harbor High School as the most impactful way our community can support the school. As a Lopez Rec commissioner, I will work to expand community access to safe and accessible school facilities like our fields, gym, culinary room, woodshop and classrooms so all in our community can benefit from school resources. I believe the school belongs to the community and Lopez Rec is a huge step toward becoming a true community school.
I also know the importance to working families with school-age children of after-school and summer programs for youth. With sustainable funding from Lopez Rec, families can rely on enriching out-of-school care that allows the parents to work, plan ahead and know their kids are safe and engaged. My mother held “grandma camp” for my daughters and nieces and nephews on Lopez every summer and my daughter, now 29, remembers the one year she attended a week-long cheerleading day camp. My mom heard about the camp from a chance encounter on the ferry (yes, she inevitably engaged in conversations with strangers on the ferry!). With Lopez Rec, everyone in our community will know about activities and events for all Lopezians and be able to register in advance and make plans for their kids.
And Lopez Rec will support and enhance the work of other amazing organizations on this island. That’s why the vision shared by the Rally for the Rec committee is endorsed and supported by so many non-profits and other organizations on Lopez. We have met with many organizational leaders, Boards and Board Members, business owners and individual instructors and they recognize the added value that Lopez Rec will provide and they are excited to support and partner with Lopez Rec.
And lastly, as a home-owner here who plans to age in place, I am excited about the ways that Lopez Rec will keep me connected to our dynamic, multi-generational community. I believe in seeking opportunities to engage with people of different perspectives, beliefs and generations. My experience tells me that when we self-organize into groups, we often gather with like-minded folks. I believe that Lopez Rec would provide all of us with opportunities to meet new people, engage with different perspectives and have fun together. Research shows that there is a loneliness epidemic among aging folks and Lopez Rec can be the antidote. Like all of us, I wish my property taxes were lower, but when my taxes stay on Lopez to save school sports, support working families and create ways for community connection for all of us, young and old, I am willing to contribute. Lopez Rec is an efficient local solution to multiple challenges our island faces and I would be proud to serve as a Lopez Rec Commissioner.
Please vote yes to form Lopez Rec, yes to approve the levy, and yes for me as Commissioner #2.
As the LISD Superintendent, I believe that the Lopez School should be the center of our island community in every way. I am responsible for balancing the school budget and I see Lopez Rec covering the cost of our amazing school athletics program like Island Rec does with Friday Harbor High School as the most impactful way our community can support the school. As a Lopez Rec commissioner, I will work to expand community access to safe and accessible school facilities like our fields, gym, culinary room, woodshop and classrooms so all in our community can benefit from school resources. I believe the school belongs to the community and Lopez Rec is a huge step toward becoming a true community school.
I also know the importance to working families with school-age children of after-school and summer programs for youth. With sustainable funding from Lopez Rec, families can rely on enriching out-of-school care that allows the parents to work, plan ahead and know their kids are safe and engaged. My mother held “grandma camp” for my daughters and nieces and nephews on Lopez every summer and my daughter, now 29, remembers the one year she attended a week-long cheerleading day camp. My mom heard about the camp from a chance encounter on the ferry (yes, she inevitably engaged in conversations with strangers on the ferry!). With Lopez Rec, everyone in our community will know about activities and events for all Lopezians and be able to register in advance and make plans for their kids.
And Lopez Rec will support and enhance the work of other amazing organizations on this island. That’s why the vision shared by the Rally for the Rec committee is endorsed and supported by so many non-profits and other organizations on Lopez. We have met with many organizational leaders, Boards and Board Members, business owners and individual instructors and they recognize the added value that Lopez Rec will provide and they are excited to support and partner with Lopez Rec.
And lastly, as a home-owner here who plans to age in place, I am excited about the ways that Lopez Rec will keep me connected to our dynamic, multi-generational community. I believe in seeking opportunities to engage with people of different perspectives, beliefs and generations. My experience tells me that when we self-organize into groups, we often gather with like-minded folks. I believe that Lopez Rec would provide all of us with opportunities to meet new people, engage with different perspectives and have fun together. Research shows that there is a loneliness epidemic among aging folks and Lopez Rec can be the antidote. Like all of us, I wish my property taxes were lower, but when my taxes stay on Lopez to save school sports, support working families and create ways for community connection for all of us, young and old, I am willing to contribute. Lopez Rec is an efficient local solution to multiple challenges our island faces and I would be proud to serve as a Lopez Rec Commissioner.
Please vote yes to form Lopez Rec, yes to approve the levy, and yes for me as Commissioner #2.
Comment by Marcia Barthelow
Oct 31, 2025
Oct 31, 2025
1
Well said Brady!