||| FROM LISA BYERS, et. al |||
We, the undersigned, represent organizations whose work directly and indirectly benefits from the establishment of the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank (Land Bank) and the renewal of a real estate excise tax (REET).
Under Washington state law, it is only because the citizens in San Juan County voted to establish and maintain the Conservation Land Bank, that housing providers have access to a housing-only REET. The housing-only REET benefits island employers and neighbors by funding the construction of stable and secure housing.
Please join us in Voting Yes for the Renewal of the Land Bank. It is vital for the overall health and well-being of these islands and citizens, and for preserving our Home Fund for housing in the process.
Lopez Community Land Trust – Sandy Bishop, Executive Director; OPAL Community Land Trust – Lisa Byers, Executive Director; San Juan Home Trust – Amanda Lynn, Executive Director; Shaw Island Community Land Trust – Carol Criss, Board member; Community Land Trust of Waldron Island– Rebecca Moore, Board President; Lopez Island Family Resource Center – Barbara Schultheiss, Executive Director; Orcas Community Resource Center – Erin O’Dell, Executive Director; Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center – Jennifer Armstrong, Executive Director; Housing Lopez – Wes Green, Executive Director
On behalf of the above listed organizations, thank you.
…and Thank You All for your support of the Land Bank and for the essential work you do in providing affordable housing for Islanders. It has always seemed to me that the pairing of natural land preservation and affordable housing opportunities envisioned in the Land Bank legislation strikes a perfect balance and equity for both our environment and our community. The result is well-planned, moderate density housing communities with nature nearby and the preservation of rural character in our islands. As the only county in the state to have embraced that vision, it is something we should all be proud to contribute to. Again, thank you. –Brian Wiese, Chair, Land Bank Commission