Letter to the Editor: Approve voter initiative to create recreation district

Dear Community Members,

In these tough economic times the Orcas Island Recreation Program has been able to survive with county support, user fees, grants and donations. The county has now officially cut off our funding although they will continue to provide office space, insurance, computers and administrative support. As members of the Orcas Rec Advisory Committee we have been determined to create a meaningful and economically sound program. However, without county funding , this 16 year old program is now at risk.

We have concluded that asking the voters to approve an Orcas Parks and Rec district in November is our best course to sustain the existence of this vital program. Over the past few weeks more than 700 of your signatures have been collected in support of this concept and as of July 23, enough signatures have been approved to get the “Orcas Parks & Recreation” district on the ballot! We look forward to your support in November.

In the meantime, to keep the program viable, Orcas Rec will be sending out our annual fundraising letter very soon, hosting a fundraising dinner at Lulu’s in the Fall, as well as having an all island, all-star musical extravaganza at the Orcas Center September 11 and 12. Please feel free to contact the Orcas Rec office (376-5339) with donation questions or any member of the Advisory Committee with questions about the November ballot initiative.

We look forward to your continued support in this time of transition.

Bob Phalan
Bob Eagan
Vicki Vander May
Joe Gaydos
Emilie Gincig
Valerie Harris
Kevin O’Brien