Halloween stories about parks levy

Halloween has infected the debate about the parks bond and levy propositions. At last Tuesday’s League of Women Voters Forum, scary stories were told by a small but vocal cadre of opponents — stories about untrustworthy hobgoblins on the City Council, of a slush fund witches’ brew, of ghostly interest that adds up to more than the face amount of the bond. (Duh — is it any surprise that when you pay back a debt with interest, you pay more than the original proceeds borrowed?) Let’s not get spooked. Mercer Island is one of the best-managed suburbs in the region, with a bond rating that no other city in the region exceeds. Further, the claim was made by one opponent that when he was on the Open Space Conservancy Trust Board, the park was maintained without a special fund. Oh? Then how come on his watch, the park degraded, reforestation fell behind and now we are having to play catch-up?

October 28, 2008 2:37 pm

Halloween has infected the debate about the parks bond and levy propositions. At last Tuesday’s League of Women Voters Forum, scary stories were told by a small but vocal cadre of opponents — stories about untrustworthy hobgoblins on the City Council, of a slush fund witches’ brew, of ghostly interest that adds up to more than the face amount of the bond. (Duh — is it any surprise that when you pay back a debt with interest, you pay more than the original proceeds borrowed?) Let’s not get spooked. Mercer Island is one of the best-managed suburbs in the region, with a bond rating that no other city in the region exceeds. Further, the claim was made by one opponent that when he was on the Open Space Conservancy Trust Board, the park was maintained without a special fund. Oh? Then how come on his watch, the park degraded, reforestation fell behind and now we are having to play catch-up?

The foundations of Mercer Island’s attractiveness as a place to live, and of our home values, are our easy access to Seattle and the Eastside, our fine schools, our good government and our lovely parks and playfields. A net cost of $95 in taxes on the average home is small insurance to pay for keeping our parks, playfields, trails and open spaces up to snuff. Vote yes, twice, on Mercer Island Propositions #1 and #2, the parks bond and levy issues.

Fletch Waller

Vice-chair of the Open Space Conservancy Trust