Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Thursday, May. 15, 2008

Offers more about proposed park district

The Bellingham Herald editorial on April 4 opposing the proposed Chuckanut Mountains Park District was well stated. However, two facts deserve additional emphasis:

The editorial states that the park district would tax “southern Bellingham.” This description may be misleading. The northern boundary of the district runs from Bellingham Bay up Maple Street to Samish Way and then east to well beyond Yew Street. The lands to the south of this boundary would be included in the park district. Check the proposed boundary map. If the park district is passed, you may become a part of it, with its ensuing taxes and bureaucracy. You can find a park district boundary map at: www.northsoundconservancy.org/uploads/MapInRED.gif

Unlike Greenways levies and other taxes of limited duration, the district would add permanent taxes that never expire. Despite “recommendations” of a lower rate, by law the tax can be set as high as 75 cents per $1,000 of valuation. Yes, this tax would be forever.