Vera Ing withdraws from Seattle parks board consideration

Vera Ing, a longtime civic figure in Seattle whose recent potential nomination to the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners drew wide support, has decided to withdraw from consideration. Ing and her husband Joey, a Seattle architect, plan to spend more time in his native Hawaii "and I felt I could not meet the time commitment to be a good board member," Ing said. In a meeting yesterday with City Council member David Della, who chairs the council's parks committee, the two discussed a number of other candidates. "I think (people) will be pleased with" whomever Della nominates in her stead, Ing said, declining to name names. "I'll leave it up to David to identify potential candidates." Ing's withdrawal highlights the often unanticipated demands of public service, particularly on low-profile boards, where controversial grassroots issues get their first big test. Ing said when she "did the math" on board responsibilities, including twice-monthly meetings, "it was obvious that my schedule couldn't accommodate the responsibility." Ing and John Barber, a leading parks activist who heads the popular Parks and Open Space Advocates forum on Yahoo, were tabbed by Della for vacant seats remaining after four commissioners resigned in a board shakeup.