How We Communicate: Our Principles, Our Process, and Our Promise

At Friends of Ken Lake, we believe that strong communities are built on clarity, honesty, and a shared commitment to the truth. Whether we’re reporting on neighborhood issues, explaining policies, or correcting the record, our goal is always the same: to help residents understand what’s happening and why it matters — without adding to the noise.

This post explains how we communicate, how we correct misinformation, and what residents can expect from us going forward.

Our Purpose

Ken Lake is a place where people care deeply about the community we share. That passion is a strength — but it can also lead to confusion, contradictory information, and the occasional flare-up.

For those asking about how a neighborhood board has so much drama and toxicity, we hope we can share facts and analyses that are reflective of the year we have just had, as well as issues that arise as we publish here.

Our job is not to escalate, dramatize, or personalize conflict. Our job is to explain, clarify, and inform, using evidence, transparent methods, and plain language.

We may not get everything perfect every time, but we will always work to get it right.

Our Communication Principles

These principles guide every post, every response, and every piece of neighborhood journalism we publish:

Neighbors, Not Enemies

We assume good faith and remember that we all want what’s best for Ken Lake.

Speak From Experience

We communicate based on documents, direct involvement, and verifiable information — not rumor, assumption, or hearsay.

Focus on Ideas, Not Individuals

We analyze choices, policies, and processes, not personalities.

Keep Campaigning Separate From Governance

Community service is about responsibility, not political positioning.

Speak With Everyone

Representation means every voice matters, even — and especially — when we disagree.

Practice Transparency With Purpose

We share what we know and why it matters, using clear, accessible language.

Respond With Responsibility

If something is wrong, unclear, or confusing, we fix it and move forward.

Invite Dialogue, Not Drama

We make space for questions, feedback, and civil discussion.

Don’t Oversimplify

Real issues deserve real context. We explain the hard parts.

Make It Fun

When we can - community work should feel like community. We treat it that way.

How We Correct Misinformation

When a public claim is made about us or about a community issue, we respond using a consistent, transparent structure. This allows residents to check our work, compare sources, and form their own conclusions.

Our Correction Framework

1. What Was Claimed Quoted accurately, without interpretation or embellishment.

2. What the Documents or Meeting Records Show Referencing minutes, RCWs, governing documents, emails, or other verifiable materials.

3. What the Actual Policy or Rule Says Citing text directly.

4. What the Reasonable Interpretation Is Explaining how the rule is typically applied, what precedent or practice suggests, and what a neutral reader would conclude.

5. What Residents Should Know Going Forward Clear takeaways that help people understand what to expect next.

No adjectives. No speculation. No drama. Just facts, context, and clarity.

What We’re Choosing to Focus On

Every election season — and every major neighborhood issue — brings a mix of passion, humor, frustration, and noise. That’s normal in a close community. But it can also distract from the work that actually strengthens Ken Lake.

Here’s what we’re choosing:

• To stay focused on what helps the neighborhood grow stronger

• To communicate in ways that reduce confusion, not increase it

• To show our work, explain our sources, and stay grounded in evidence

• To recognize that disagreement doesn’t have to be divisive

• To build trust one accurate, transparent post at a time

• To share stories of neighbors who feel unheard or unseen

• To take meaningful actions that support our neighbors

We may not have all the answers. We may not get every call right. But we will always act with integrity, clarity, and respect for every neighbor.

What Residents Can Expect From Us

Going forward, we commit to:

• Explaining complex issues in a straightforward, accessible way

• Publishing corrections quickly, clearly, and without blame

• Separating personal opinions from factual reporting

• Maintaining neutrality on disputes unless evidence requires clarification

• Providing links, citations, and source documents whenever possible

• Protecting privacy while practicing transparency

• Keeping the tone calm, steady, and neighbor-centered

Our goal is to keep the community informed, connected, and confident in the information they receive.

A Final Word

Ken Lake deserves communication that’s clear, fair, and focused on the common good — not drama, division, or rumor cycles. We’ll keep doing our small part to raise the standard.

If you ever have questions, want clarification, or see something that needs correction, we invite you to reach out. You may log in and comment in this public forum, and in exchange we ask that you identify yourself and stay accountable for your words. Dialogue makes us better, and we’re always listening. Let's keep talking.