By OIPRD commissioners

Having completed our first two public meetings, we, as your recently elected Orcas Island Park and Rec District commissioners, would like to clarify what seem to be some common misconceptions 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. 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 (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 percent margin of “Yes” votes, was not funded, and consequently cannot disperse even a dime to any organizations until it is deemed worthy of the public’s financial support.

Orcas Rec has been gradually losing its county support for years and currently receives only office space, which will run out by 2011 due 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.

Second, some believe that we should get on a ballot immediately to ask the public for its financial support. While we have been working diligently doing research for creating a proposal, there are only a handful of dates on which we are legally allowed to be on a public ballot. Plus, any funding, even if passed, will not be made available to this body for many months. Also, it can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $17,000 just to be on a public ballot. November’s election is the least expensive, but also the farthest away. 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 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.

Orcas Island Park and Rec District commissioners Martha Farish, Bob Eagan, Jim Bredouw, Ian Lister, Vicki Vandermay.