Olympia ballot measure guarantees funds for parks

Unfortunately, Joe Lambrix absolutely misunderstood Olympia Councilman Jim Cooper’s message in his letter regarding the proposed park district. Mr. Lambrix’s letter is completely out of context with reality.

The Olympia park district measure, originally drafted by citizens, actually contains the maximum degree of guarantees and specificity possible. I watched my mother and many other community members devote hours of volunteer time this spring doing the work of creating the ordinance and related documents. It was detailed and arduous work precisely to embed accountability as its foundation, and to provide explicit guarantees for park baseline funding not incorporated into the 2004 measure.

Every cent of the funding from the 2004 measure has been used for parks; however, during the recession, the city invested in operation and maintenance of our current parks rather than acquisition of new ones as originally envisioned. Furthermore, the 20 years to meet the stated vision of 500 acres are not up yet. With the two purchase options that city has entered into, a total of 213 acres purchased will be purchased. That’s a great step forward.

Everyone involved in creating the final ordinance documents for Proposition 1 (including attorneys) agreed that it is the tightest legal and practical framework possible while meeting the requirements for bonding.

To get the facts, please read the ordinance in its entirety at yesolympiaparks.org. See the many trustworthy organizations, leaders and citizens who are endorsing Proposition 1. Ask questions via the contact e-mail provided on the web site. Please vote Yes on Proposition 1.

This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 9:23 AM with the headline "Olympia ballot measure guarantees funds for parks."