As president of the Tahoma School Board, I want to share with our community a decision by the board to unanimously endorse the February 14 Maple Valley parks and recreation bond measure. The board reviewed the city bond proposal and determined that it would provide improved recreation opportunities for the community and our students that are wanted and needed.
Our school board believes that the city parks and recreation bond is well designed and provides benefits to students as well as the overall community. It builds on what the school district has started by providing additional sports fields in Summit Park, adjacent to the new Tahoma High School, and at Lake Wilderness Elementary School when the land becomes available. These fields, when combined with the existing and new fields at Tahoma schools, will help provide space for the unmet demand for sports and recreation facilities in our area. The city and school district collaboration will create recreation and sports facilities at less cost than if they were pursued independently. To put it simply, this is a win-win.
It is rare that the school board lends its endorsement to a ballot measure. However, we believe this bond measure will greatly benefit our students and the community and is deserving of our support. Please vote on February 14. Thank you.
Mary Jane Glaser
President, Tahoma School Board
More ballfields will be a time saver
Last year the city of Maple Valley had a bond measure on the ballot. It lost by a pretty big margin. Instead of giving up, they went back to the citizens to find out why it failed. Taking that input, they created a new bond measure that we will vote on in February.
They eliminated improvements to the golf course and Lake Wilderness Park, and concentrated on Summit Park and added new ball fields at Lake Wilderness Elementary. The bond will still include ball fields, a skate park, a sports court, an off-leash dog park, a picnic shelter and easy access to the Cedar to Green River Trail. But, by reducing the scope of the project, the price has gone down.
For anyone who has been driving to other cities for practice and games, having local fields will be a time saver. You might even get to have a dinner or two at home! Your dog will have an opportunity to spend some time playing with his buddies off leash. And, easy access to the Cedar to Green River Trail might mean you get a little more time in nature. When you add in the fact that Maple Valley businesses will benefit from people coming to town for tournaments, I think this bond deserves a second look.
Get out and vote! Say “yes” on Proposition 1.
Linda Olson
Maple Valley
