In 2011 the city bought the 82 acre parcel of Chuckanut Ridge. It has considered how to repay the $3.2 million loan for the purchase. Their solution is to sell a large part of the property for development.

Many Southside folks, seeing Southsiders as the main users of the area, came up with the park district idea to preserve the property.

Unfortunately, there have arisen in opposition a few fear mongers with extremist fantasies. They speak of such bizarre ideas as the park district commission seizing private property as far as Fairhaven waterfront, of never-ending 75 cents per $1,000 taxation of property, of highly paid commissioners.

These bear no resemblance to reality. Southside neighbors running for the park district commission (Sue Kaun, Dan Remsen, John Hymas, John Brown, Vince Biciunas and Cathy McKenzie) have zero interest in doing anything but what they have publicly committed to: exclusive focus on Chuckanut Ridge, taxes limited to 28 cents per $1,000 valuation, ending the park district after 10 years (sooner if the loan is repaid) and turning full control of the property to the city park system, and volunteering their time unpaid.

All park district commissioners are subject to periodic re-election by local citizens.

Ignore fear, with its inaction and loss. Vote for the final step to preserve this forest -- a temporary and limited Metropolitan Park District.

Ross Marquardt

Bellingham