After reading Dylan Quarles’ recent interview in The Leader about his city council candidacy, I felt compelled to finally speak up. His commitment to being a voice for working families has inspired me to speak to some uncomfortable truths about what’s happening in our community.

I’m exhausted — physically, spiritually, and emotionally wiped out. I’m tired of fighting and losing — badly. I dread the day that I will have to answer to my children, now 3 and 5, about why the world around them is catastrophically worse than the one that I was born into just a generation ago.

I’m not talking about the rise in authoritarianism. I’m referring to terminal inaction that created the Petri dish where authoritarianism has flourished. I’m referring to our collective unwillingness to embrace change and address the great challenges of our time.  

Over and over again, from proposals to build a daycare center, affordable housing, or a new pool, there is always pushback from our older, more affluent, and yes left-leaning neighbors. How did the services and institutions that support children, working families and the vibrant growth of our community become controversial for people who consider themselves progressive?  

When did we start spending so much of our time, energy and political capital opposing abundance in our community? Why are we surprised when young families are maxed out, bitter, and increasingly hopeless about the future?  Could it be that that the way we show up is contributing to the resentment they feel, or the hardship they encounter in making ends meet?

Six years ago, I wrote a Perspective that told of a housing emergency for our community. That problem has not gone away despite tireless efforts of many community advocates, organizations, and local government. Despite all of the resources, talent, and energy that have been deployed to solve our housing crisis, we are now in a worse predicament than we were then: We now live in a community where firefighters, police officers, nurses, restaurant and retail employees, construction workers, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, even doctors are unable to find or afford housing, childcare, and infrastructure that they need to raise a family.

What happens to a community when the people who make it function aren’t able to live there? When there is no middle class? What happens to a community where it is not economically viable to have children? We are about to find out unless we start making some real changes.

As Quarles noted in his interview, we need to focus on making it easier for organizations doing affordable housing work to lead the charge, rather than getting bogged down in endless process. We need to stop fear-baiting about “box store” development (not a realistic fear in Amazon’s world) and support proposed changes to our comprehensive plan so that multi-family housing can be built in Port Townsend. We need to stop cynically trotting out 11-year-old survey data to prevent the very uilt somewhere other than our own backyards.

To those who live comfortable lives here and who value community — to those who are politically active and attend public meetings, write to The Leader, or post on social media —think about the power you have to create positive change. Ask yourself: Will this piece I am about to write, or this cause I’m about to naysay actually help create a community that is welcoming and affordable for working people and their families? Could it help create a community where my adult children could afford to raise their kids? If the answer is no, go back to the drawing board, or ask someone you know that is raising a family or trying to make ends meet.  

I’m encouraged to see someone like Quarles step up. Dylan grew up in Port Townsend. He understands what it takes to stay here with a family, and he isn’t afraid of being a voice of dissent when the loudest voices don’t speak for working people. His candidate website (electquarles.com) outlines a thoughtful and compelling set of priorities and values.

We all have the power to create the community that we want to see. I do not see a community that is using its power to welcome working people, families, and children.  Supporting Dylan Quarles for Port Townsend city council — with his commitment to increasing affordability, housing availability, and environmental stewardship — is my small attempt to use my power to endorse overdue change.

Nat Jacob is a parent and an attorney based in Port Townsend.