— from Crystal Mossman for OPAL —
The Bailey Family
Rita and Dr. Stephen Bailey generously donated one quarter of their Kidder Way parcel in a recent sale of property to OPAL Community Land Trust. Phil Carter, a teacher at Orcas Island School, his wife Janna, the high school office manager, and their two children, who had been renting the home for just over a year, were able to affordably purchase the home from OPAL.
The Baileys wanted to find a way to keep the Carters in the house they had come to call home. “[I had thought] wouldn’t it be beautiful if? And then a week later it happened,” said Stephen. “Our biggest struggle was to find somewhere affordable to live when we first came to the island. So, it’s beautiful and a little bittersweet for us too. To be able to do this for the Carters, but only after we’ve left the island,” confided Rita.
The Kidder Way property is located just east of the Medical Center on Mt. Baker Road. When the Baileys first purchased the property in 2007 they had many ideas for its use, including a new dental office or a long-term care facility. With the escalation of the housing crisis on the island they felt its best use would be as affordable housing.
“If you don’t have affordable housing, you don’t have people who can afford to live and work on the island. If you don’t have people who work on the island, your services can’t be met,” explained Rita.
The Bailey’s gift has not only provided a permanent home for the Carters, but will also allow OPAL to create further affordable housing on the three remaining lots, including long-term rental housing in a small cottage already situated on the remaining property.
“We are long-time supporters of OPAL,” said Rita Bailey. “We were so ecstatic; [it’s] an amazing legacy and amazing gift for all involved. I just love the fact that it will help the community.”
Incorporated in 1989, OPAL serves 105 ownership and 30 rental Orcas Island households. For more information, go to www.opalclt.org or call (360) 376-3191.
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Only a one word response needed:
Wow.
Continuing to give even after they’re gone. What great folks! Thank you Baileys.
Second to Justin Paulsen…wow.
Wow and THANK YOU!
Yes, Wow! Many radiant Orcas smiles to thank you!
Yet another reason to miss the Baileys and their wonderful understanding of community membership. Theirs will be a sustained presence for good, only their friendly faces will be missed!
There are too many reasons to count why we already miss the Baileys!!! The were, and will continue to be, an amazing part of this Island… They added much to Orcas and they take our hearts with them wherever they go!
Don’t forget the dental van and the countless kids they helped with the low cost dental insurance. We missed putting them in the Grand Marshalls car. This community needs to make a “Post Community Award”. They just kept giving and giving. It isn’t just the thought but the ideas that blossom.