City survey shows Islanders support parks | Letter

Published 1:00 pm Thursday, April 28, 2016

For decades, Islanders have demonstrated via the ballot box and other means that parks are valuable assets to the overall well-being of the Island. The recently-completed Island-wide telephone survey the council sponsored once again confirms that belief. In one question asking Islanders about their top priorities for funding, “maintaining parks, trails and open space” was number three of nine listed possibilities.

Consistent with the notion that parks are a top priority, another question asked Islanders to rank the most important problem facing Mercer Island today. Just like public safety and crime, preserving parks and open space was not viewed as a big problem because the city has done a great job, to date, in preserving and providing for them.

Unfortunately, a majority of the current council has decided to disregard this information, and desires to change the nature of our parks. A dangerous precedent may be established. What can you do? Contact council members to express your concern and sign the petition to have a citizen’s initiative protecting our parks put on the ballot for all voters to decide this critical issue.

Peter Struck

Mercer Island