Bainbridge council should do homework first | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 9:09 am Saturday, August 6, 2016

To the editor:

It appears that I’m not the only one to have serious concerns about a proposal currently before the city that would set in motion a process for our city to buy out the Puget Sound Energy infrastructure on the island and transfer it to a city-owned and operated utility.

As taxpayers, it’s in our best interests to put the brakes on this proposal before another taxpayer dollar is spent to explore this idea. It ultimately comes down to what is in the best financial interests of the city taxpayers, the ones who are paying the bill to support our local government.

Having only recently moved to Bainbridge Island, what I can’t understand is how some members of our city council can justify spending $80,000, $100,000 or more of our tax dollars to study a proposal that is so flawed. Perhaps $100,000 isn’t a lot of money on Bainbridge, but it is where I come from it would fund a day-care facility for low-income working families.

I am deeply concerned that there appears to be a rush by some on city council to spend our taxpayer dollars on the study when there are far more pressing issues facing our community. I would expect the council, with the help of city staff, do some basic research before spending our tax dollars on a “study.”

How about asking city staff to review the basic analysis offered by Mr. Mackenzie and Ms. Adams? How about fully exploring the green claims of Island Power? And talk with Jefferson County officials about their excruciating experience.

Council, please don’t spend our tax dollars without having completed basic homework.

JIM REISTETER

Bainbridge Island