As a Southside neighbor and property owner I can't understand why a few taxpayers (the Southsiders) are being unfairly taxed again to pay off a $3.2 million loan for Chuckanut Forest Park! I believe this just isn't right, and doesn't pass the smell test! We were already taxed under the Greenways program to buy the park. This is double taxation of the few for the benefit of the many! This simply is not fair; and I wonder if this ill-conceived procedure is even legal? Beware! A new metropolitan park district is not just a park district, it's a whole new taxing bureaucracy giving five unknown commissioners, hand-picked by the pro side, broad powers to acquire, condemn and dispose of property, issue debt, pay salaries and increase your taxes forever without your vote! Increased taxes make your home less marketable and income properties less valuable! To the extent fewer taxes are collected from income-producing properties, due to higher taxes lowering their assessed values, the deficit must be made up by homeowners and other non-income producing properties. They say it's a temporary tax lasting only 10 years. We are reminded that the federal income tax was also supposed to be a temporary tax enacted in 1913, 100 years ago! Remember, failing to vote is tantamount to voting yes. Protect your property values and maintain equality in taxation, vote no on Prop. 1.

Cal Leenstra

Bellingham