The olive branch is being extended this weekend in Suquamish but after so many bitter disputes, ranging from tribal sovereignty to park ownership, it’ll be interesting to see if anyone in that community takes note. For a long time now, this paper has hoped that somehow residents there would see beyond the bickering and bad attitudes and try to work together to rebuild the friendship and trust that being neighbors is all about.

Suquamish Community Clean-Up Day this Saturday is just one of many steps that should be taken to mend the growing rifts. Julia Smith, who has been in the heat of several major arguments with the tribe, is showing that her commitment to Suquamish has deeper roots than many may think. Smith, just by organizing the event with help from Kitsap County, is making a point. Actually, it’s two for the price of one.

If no one attends, she’s proven that at the very least, she’s concerned enough about her community to attempt to clean it up single-handedly. If there is a good showing of both tribal and non-tribal community members, she drives home the point that, despite differences in views and ideas, neighbors can still work together toward a common good. We’re hoping for the latter and think the concept is fantastic.

Maybe next time, instead of Division Avenue, folks in the community should target the Highway 305 fireworks stands, which stand vacant for about 300 days a year and have the appearance of forgotten treehouses. Just a thought.