HomeMy WebLinkAbout120523 email New Pool (0002)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Dear County Commissioners,
I am writing to implore you to let the democratic process move forward and allow the pool tax to be put forward to a vote of the public. Please support the stakeholders recommendations.
Many people and agencies came together and worked hard on this process and garnered input from the public, including having meetings w/in the county.
For the first time, I am starting to really question if this community is the one I want to live in, if we do not have the support of our elected officials to at least engage in a democratic
process. This tax would really be a very small burden- estimated $10-$40 a year for most folks. A small contribution is being asked from the public and the other 50% of the funds
will be raised through grants, fundraising, etc. But the community asset would be huge. Having a pool is essential to be able to teach our children to swim, to create assesses to
safe activity for our aging population with mobility difficulties, and to provide general recreation and exercise opportunities for the general public. In my view, a pool is an essential
amenity, not a "nice to have." If we want to continue to attract and keep a qualified work force to this community, it would be an absolute mistake to shut this process down now.
For example, what doctor or teacher with a young family is going to consider moving to this area if there is no place to teach their children to swim, especially when we are surrounded
by water?
I understand that this could still get defeated on the ballot if it is allowed to move forward. But that I could more easily accept than the commissioners basically shutting down this
community process just because there are a few very loud voices who are anti-pool and are helping to spread mis-information. There are so so many quiet voices who would be very sad
if we had no pool in this community, both in town and in the county. Also, I understand that there has been discussion of moving the project to the county. I do not think that is
appropriate at this point in the discussion. This question was considered carefully by the stakeholders. The population density is in Port Townsend. That is just where amenities
are located. You would never put the hospital in the county- you put it where the vast majority of people are already located. Additionally, the land it is being proposed to be built
on is free. Finally, it is very hard to run pools economically efficiently and the City of Port Townsend contributes financially when needed to make it run effectively. I don't even
know if they'd be allowed to contribute, and I'm guessing would choose not to even if they were, if it were located in the county.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE NEW POOL PROPOSAL!
Thanks,
Emily Gustafson
Port Townsend