Park project is an endless money pit | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 9:42 am Friday, February 6, 2015

To the editor:

The county assessor is required by Washington state law to assess properties at 100 percent fair market value.

The Feb. 10 park bond proposition is asking us to pay nearly $4 million over the assessed value for the Sakai property.

The Sakai land is currently valued and taxed at $1.8 million. The bond asks us to fork over $5.7 million! In addition to that, the land will be removed from the tax rolls forever! That shifts a larger tax burden onto all of us.

Consider these facts before you vote.

Keep in mind that the $5.7 million is purchasing bare land.  Where will the improvement funding come from, for restrooms, fencing, trails, recreational center, parking, etc.? Out of our pockets in the form of future bonds.

We are looking at an endless money pit! Bainbridge Island is already revising its Waterfront Park improvement plans due to lack of funding.

The parks district has its own self-aggrandizing agenda for purchasing this land with taxpayer money. The Review has an obligation to publicize the details of how and when this important special election on spending over $6 million of taxpayer money will take place.

The park district is making a big mistake!

I vote NO on the Park Bond! I hope you will too.

TOM CAPPADONA

Bainbridge Island