A group of Orcas Islanders concerned with the health and safety of our island kids and maintaining our vibrant community have begun an initiative to create “Orcas Rec”, a Parks and Recreation District on Orcas Island. We hope you will sign our Petition at the Farmers Market and other places around the island this month so we can all vote on establishing the district in November.
Why should we establish Orcas Rec?
- We need a stable recreation program. The current Recreation Program will collapse without support from the County. That program offers an assortment of programs and activities; including youth soccer, sailing camp, and vital after-school programs.
- We need local control of our recreation programs. The County leaders have said they want to cut Orcas Rec from the County budget. Donations are unreliable. We need to find another way to continue what we are doing now.
- Youth sports and activities lower juvenile crime rates.
- Strong park and recreation activities foster a vibrant community and bring people together.
What does the petition mean?
- The petition is the way to get this on the ballot for voter approval in the November election.
- The initiative will ask voters to approve the establishment of a new parks and recreation district for Orcas Island only.
- Five commissioners will be elected to fix a budget and govern Orcas Rec.
- The initiative does not include any tax levy. We think it’s best for elected commissioners to fix a budget and then go back to the voters to decide the best way to pay for the programs, activities and facilities.
What happens if Orcas Rec is approved?
- With a successful vote to establish Orcas Rec, five elected commissioners – all who live on Orcas – will work with you to establish a plan for Orcas Rec that supports our youth and community.
- A strategic plan and supporting budget will be created by the commissioners.
- Eventually, the initial commissioners will propose a fiscally responsible tax levy that Orcas Island voters will have to approve at a separate election.
Thank you for your support!
Kevin O’Brien for Orcas Islanders for Orcas Rec
The Parks & Rec programs in any community are important and beneficial for the kids. But you have crossed a line when you are deciding to force residents to fund it through more taxes. There are many many many causes that generous islanders support: through choice. Donations are a barometer..if you don’t get enough donations already, if people do not choose to put that at the top of their already strained donation list, then to force them does not seem right, does it? Our country is about freedom, not about forcing tax levies to pay for each person’s favorite charity, even a very beneficial one.
The Parks & Rec programs in any community are important and beneficial for the kids. But you have crossed a line when you are deciding to force residents to fund it through more taxes. There are many many many causes that generous islanders support: through choice. Donations are a barometer..if you don’t get enough donations already, if people do not choose to put that at the top of their already strained donation list, then to force them does not seem right, does it? Our country is about freedom, not about forcing tax levies to pay for each person’s favorite charity, even a very beneficial one.
Our vision of the “Orcas Rec” Initiative will give the people of Orcas Island the choice to build and shape a parks and recreation program that responds to the needs of the entire community.
? Orcas Islanders will have the opportunity to vote for it?s creation and commissioners this November.
? The commissioners will hold public meetings to listen to the citizens and create a Parks and Recreation mission that the citizens want.
? Voters will have the opportunity to approve a tax levy at a separate election down the road.
Parks and Recreation programs benefit the entire community whether one is a participant or not.
? Kids have things to do and stay out of trouble.
? Recreation programs bring young and old together and create partnerships that develop a kinder, safer community.
? Events like the Steve Braun Triathlon stimulate our economy by participation of off island guests.
Parks and Recreation programs are thriving throughout this great country because of the support of citizen based levies. You can look across San Juan Channel to see this ~ San Juan Island Recreation is celebrating it?s 25th anniversary.
?Orcas Rec? is for everyone!
Kevin O?Brien
Our vision of the “Orcas Rec” Initiative will give the people of Orcas Island the choice to build and shape a parks and recreation program that responds to the needs of the entire community.
• Orcas Islanders will have the opportunity to vote for it’s creation and commissioners this November.
• The commissioners will hold public meetings to listen to the citizens and create a Parks and Recreation mission that the citizens want.
• Voters will have the opportunity to approve a tax levy at a separate election down the road.
Parks and Recreation programs benefit the entire community whether one is a participant or not.
• Kids have things to do and stay out of trouble.
• Recreation programs bring young and old together and create partnerships that develop a kinder, safer community.
• Events like the Steve Braun Triathlon stimulate our economy by participation of off island guests.
Parks and Recreation programs are thriving throughout this great country because of the support of citizen based levies. You can look across San Juan Channel to see this ~ San Juan Island Recreation is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary.
“Orcas Rec” is for everyone!
Kevin O’Brien