Letter to the Editor: Orcas' New Park & District Moving Forward

Updated Feb. 23 at 4 p.m.

Having completed our first two public meetings, we as your recently elected Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (‘OIPRD’) commissioners would like to clarify what seem to be some common misperceptions about the District.

First, this newly formed local body, despite its similar name, is not a replacement for the existing county program called Orcas Rec.; a longstanding and highly valued organization.  (Interestingly, the taxing district title of ‘Park and Rec’. is actually one created by the state).  While Orcas Rec. was mentioned frequently in the materials promoting the formation of this District by its supporters, along with the Funhouse, our schools and other equally worthy local organizations, and while it is among the top priorities that we are in the active process of addressing, they are wholly different organizations.

It should also be noted that this new District, while created by a wide 72% margin of ‘Yes’ votes, was not funded, and consequently cannot disperse even a dime to any organizations until it is; when and if the public may or may not deem it worthy of its support.  Orcas Rec. has been gradually losing its County support for years and currently receives only office space, which will run out by 2011 to the County’s daunting budget challenges — so, along with all of our highly valued Orcas non-profits, Orcas Rec. continues to need every bit as much help as it has historically had from its generous volunteers and donors in order to survive.

Second, some believe that we can and should get on a ballot immediately to ask the public for its financial support.

While we are and have been working diligently doing research for the purpose of creating a proposal that we hope will help guarantee that some of the more valued programs on Orcas (and locations, potentially) will be supported and maintained going forward, we would point out that: A) There are only a small handful of dates on which we are legally allowed to be on a public ballot and that any funding, even if passed, will not be made available to this body for many months;  B) It will cost anywhere from $3,000-$17,000 just to be on a public ballot (November’s election being the least expensive, but also the farthest away), for which, as mentioned, there is currently no funding; and C) It takes a great deal of time to evaluate and create a proposal that is well thought out, balanced and, most importantly, defensible to the general public and we feel this should not be done without adequate care and consideration. That is, we want to do it right the first time.

Finally, we would like to reassure those of you who wanted this District formed that we are moving this process forward as quickly and with as much consideration and effort as we can and will have something to present the public as soon as possible.  We also invite you to attend and contribute your voice to our published monthly meetings.  Thank you.

OIPRD Commissioners:

Jim Bredouw
Bob Eagan
Martha Farish
Ian Lister
Vicki Vandermay