Vote ‘yes’ for parks, fire | IN OUR OPINION

Published 12:58 pm Saturday, February 7, 2015

Elections are about the future.

At least, they should be.

Bainbridge voters will decide the fate of three ballot measures during the Feb. 10 Special Election next week.

Bainbridge parks supporters are urging their fellow islanders to support Proposition 1, a ballot measure that would OK a 20-year, $5.9 million bond sale that would fund the purchase of the 23-acre Sakai property.

Supporters say the land would provide a much-needed park in Winslow, and they correctly point out that the Sakai land is the largest remaining undeveloped property in the downtown area.

Critics of the idea, however, say Bainbridge Island is already blessed with plenty of parks. And they’re worried about the ever-increasing tax burden that will be placed on island families if the measure is approved.

It’s true that Bainbridge boasts hundreds upon hundreds of acres of parks and open space. But voters should remember that the island will not remain forever frozen in time; Bainbridge can expect many thousands and thousands of new residents to move here over the next few decades. The county’s population is expected to grow by 50 percent by the year 2030.

Islanders who have helped preserve the best of Bainbridge in earlier years — Gazzam, the Grand Forest, the list goes on — deserve our eternal gratitude for their work and wisdom. Current residents now have their own chance to add to that legacy by approving the purchase of the Sakai property. We urge voters to look forward, and not back, and approve Prop. 1.

Islanders will also decide a $16 million bond measure to fund new and improved fire stations, and a 9-cent property tax levy to pay for new firefighters and EMTs.

Both measures are modest in size, and though we would have supported a higher levy increase to pay for improved staffing at the Phelps Road station, the current proposal seems to be a prudent start and also earns our support.