Voters' choices represent democracy

I read with interest a recent opinion piece by Scott Nazarino, which was critical of the city of Sammamish’s upcoming Parks Bond and Maintenence Levy. I felt compelled to respond. Bonds and levies presented to the voters are exactly what democracy is all about. Putting issues before the voters is the means in which your elected city officials represent their constituents. Let the voters decide how their tax dollars are used, not only for the yearly budget process of running city government, but also capital projects and services the citizens feel are needed: Recreation Center, new parks, ball fields, trails and playgrounds. Sammamish has a local reputation of being a well-run city, and facts show that your council spends your tax money partnering with different municipalities and your school districts to stretch taxpayer dollars. They provide matching funds in the grant process, and, by partnering, they double your tax dollar buying power to provide more facilities and community services. These have to be maintained by the city or neighborhood groups: HOA’s, MOM’s Clubs, Boy & Girl Scouts, churches — you get the picture. The reason you have this upcoming bond and levy, Samm Parks I & II, is the continued askance by citizens wanting a better quality of life for their families. Citizens want more parks. There is never going to be enough money — ever. No matter what is cut or how lean and mean you run your city, there is never enough money. There will probably not be cheaper land, so parks and ball fields will continue to cost more to build, maintain and acquire. If you want something, you’re going to have to pay for it with tax dollars as a community; capital bonds to build it, and maintenance levies to protect your tax dollar investment. You decide your quality of life. The caveat? No matter how wealthy your community, you have to find a way to pay for new projects. Cities welcome ideas, solutions offered and donations, just like every other nonprofit. Kudos to your City Council for doing what it was elected to do: represent you and let you decide. An additional kudos goes to your City Parks Commission. They have the hard job of deciphering need, looking at every possibility and having to be a representative for your voice. Don’t like their recommendation? Step up to the task of presenting a positive alternative. The King County Library System built your library knowing it was small. Ask the library officials why they did that, and be grateful your city pushed for a better facility. The city did not build the small library, and yet you get a new facility if the building is purchased from King County. Bring in a Post Office? A Post Office is provided by the Federal Government. Do you want your city government using your limited tax dollars and staff to lobby for a Post Office? If you do, contact your councilmember or attend a council meeting, and speak up. Duvall passed a parks bond when I was mayor. We asked the voters what they wanted, and they did their job. They told us with their “Yes” vote. I love the democratic process and hopefully, so does Dino Rossi. -Becky A. Nixon, Former mayor of Duvall Former citizen of Sammamish

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