by MARSHA FARISH, BOB EAGAN, JIM BREDOUW, IAN LISTER, VICKI VANDERMAY

In last year’s November election, an Orcas Island Park and Rec District was created by a 72 percent majority of Orcas voters.

On this November’s ballot you will be asked to vote on the levy necessary to fund it. The proposed levy amounts to 10 cents on every $1,000 of assessed property value.

Clearly, it’s a difficult time to ask the public for money. Many feel they shouldn’t have to pay for any service that doesn’t have a clear universal benefit (law enforcement, roads, military, etc.).

We understand this opposition well and respect this point of view, as we are also all homeowners tired of paying too much for frequently too little. We submit that the upcoming Park and Rec levy is a modest and valuable investment that actually does have a universal benefit to our community.

The size of the levy is relatively small. It will cost $5/month for a $600,000 assessment. Last year, of Washington state’s 39 counties, ours actually paid the lowest property tax rate in the state ($5.04 per $1,000 vs. the state average of $9.41) and within our county, Orcas pays a lower rate than either Lopez or San Juan. And, most importantly, with this levy every penny received from Orcas will stay on Orcas.

Current Park and Rec programs on Orcas are in true jeopardy of disappearing without public help. They have been cut to the bone and while grants, donations and fees will continue to be sought and collected, it’s simply not enough anymore. And the much appreciated but minimal financial support historically received from the county is going away.

These programs include adult classes, extracurricular athletics and sports for both kids and adults, essential non-school safety net programs, activities for seniors and upkeep of outdoor facilities, all of which are part of our proposed budget (available for viewing online at www.orcasparkandrec.com).

After years of not having the support of a local, funded Park and Rec District, as most communities in America have (probably including the one in which you grew up), ours, after many years of struggle and support from hundreds of volunteers and generous donors, now needs help.

Universal benefit? Just ask law enforcement or education experts about the general effect on communities that don’t have extracurricular, after-school and/or weekend programs/facilities available to them.

We feel that ‘Big Government’ frequently fails to address local needs and frequently wastes money.

This levy represents the opposite of Big Government. It is the most efficient way for local money to judiciously and transparently support local interests and puts every penny into benefits for the very public that paid for it.

If you agree, let’s keep these healthy, necessary and productive programs alive by voting “yes” on Nov. 2 to fund our Orcas Island Park and Rec District.

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