By Steve Ulvi, Journal contributor

My daughter shared with me the following quote recorded in an obscure Congressional floor speech before Congress by the late John Lewis (origin unknown).

“I only have a minute, sixty seconds in it.

Forced upon me I did not choose it, but I know I must use it.

Suffer if I lose it, give account if I abuse it, only a little minute

But eternity is in it.”

With the increasing reverberations of protest all around us I offer this prosaic quote to local leaders, elected or not, who honestly serve to stand for critical community interests. Many engaged islanders and residents of Friday Harbor believe that rapidly increasing permanently affordable housing is the key to a more stable and resilient economy as a troubling future unfolds.

Time is at a premium for the mayor and Town Council to reverse course in order to collaborate and unify our community by finalizing the Holli Walk Project paperwork and wholeheartedly join with the Community Home Trust to develop the pivotal Argyle Project as expediently as possible, because eternity is in it.