Q&A with the candidates | Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District: Michael Pollock

Michael Pollock is challenging incumbent Kirk Robinson for the Position 5 seat on the board of commissioners for the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District.

Name: Michael Pollock

Campaign website: pollock4parks.com

Education/Professional experience:/Public service:

BI City Councilmember (1999-2003); President (2002), Committees include Land Use (Chair), Finance and Transportation. Fiscally responsible advocate for open space, playing fields, public trails and right-of-ways, public access to waterfront. A favorite maxim: “The best time to buy open space was 20 years ago, the second best time is today”, as exemplified by the successful 2001 Open Space Bond. Founding member: BI Barks and Recreation. 20+ years public service conserving and restoring forests, waterways and open spaces; Ph.D. University of Washington EcoSystems Analysis; B.S. Biochemistry, Humboldt State University. Scientist/Policy Analyst for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (1999-present).

Q&A with Michael Pollock

Commissioner Position 5

1. Regarding the Sakai property: Of the 10 items that were listed by the eight study groups, which do you feel are the highest priority features to bring to the park?

We need to better prioritize amenities by objectively assessing community needs versus so that we get the biggest bang for our buck. There are a number of simple, lost cost items that Park Dept. could build immediately, such as trails and picnic tables. These would benefit high numbers of people, and I don’t understand why two years after purchasing, the Park Dept. still hasn’t done anything to make the land usable.

2. There was some controversy surrounding the construction of a disc golf course at Battle Point Park. What should the board consider when debating the balance between new facility construction and open space preservation?

The Park Board should do a much better job reaching out to the community before spending money. The vast majority of taxpayers do not have personal connections to Commissioners or time to attend Board meetings at the end of a long work day. This does not mean their opinions are unimportant. There is amazing support for open space. We should ensure expensive facility construction projects (e.g. new Park HQ) have similar support before proceeding.

3. Concerns have been repeatedly raised about a perceived lack of tennis courts. Do you think that more courts in island parks is the right direction to go? Is it a feasible/realistic plan?

Anything that gets people outdoors and physically active is a good idea. Regarding tennis courts, or really any recreational proposal, there needs to be more upfront assessments of the number of taxpayers that will benefit from the proposal relative to its cost. I think we can afford tennis courts, but would like to get an objective estimate of the number of people that would use them before proceeding in terms of number and location.

4. What are your priorities if elected?

Assess our recreational programs and open space needs and plan for the future; cost-effectively increase services for underserved and less vocal park users such as seniors, the disabled, picnickers, walkers, boaters, bicyclists, and dog and horse owners, to name a few; expand land and water trails, open spaces, playing fields and active recreation, weighing cost v. number of users benefitting; cooperatively integrate recreational needs with the City and School District to minimize local taxes.

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