The proposed new park district is a bad idea for many reasons. Forming a new layer of government is not necessary. Many believe property taxes must be raised to reimburse the city for money they took from the Greenway Endowment fund to buy land near Fairhaven Park. Not true.

City council identified the source of repayment when they took the money. The money will be repaid from Greenway III revenues. According to city officials, estimated revenues from this levy in the year 2016 is $5 million. The loan is to be repaid at the end of 2017 in the amount of $3.3 million. Problem solved. Of course, this city council would enjoy having more money to spend, but they borrowed this money and they should be required to repay it as they promised.

I agree with Byron Elmondorf and Paul Leuthold, former Bellingham park directors, when they say this new layer of government is not good for Bellingham parks.

Vote no on the proposed new park district and support your existing community-wide park system.

Lynn Carpenter

Bellingham