It has been well documented that the Bonney Lake community is short of adequate park space, ball fields, trails and community meeting/services facilities. Our elected officials have taken input from outside organizations, local citizens as well as their Parks Advisory Board concerning these issues. They have considered our local economic climate, reviewed recent “Parks” initiatives throughout Western Washington and have drawn the conclusion that this issue should be put to the citizens of Bonney Lake.

Isn’t this what we want our elected officials to do? Move proposals, ideas, needs, and wants through a decision tree and bring those which stand the litmus test to a vote of the citizens, in this case the formation of a Metropolitan Parks District (MPD). That is called a democratic government. I applaud our elected officials here in Bonney Lake for taking the long view.

Yes, there has been an economic downturn over the last several years. Despite these hardships, people have continued to find ways to purchase cigarettes, lattes, movie tickets and meals out all of which could be considered nonessential, short term indulgences. Why then is there such a debate concerning a long term vision that can benefit an entire city rather than just a few or the one? Could it be that it is time to reprioritize as we emerge from the long recession?

Yes The MPD will require at least a 50 percent yes vote to pass. This is not your elected officials trying to pull a “fast one” but rather what is required to create the mechanism to achieve the parks, trails, ball fields and community center as well as the long term O&M of these facilities that Bonney Lake needs and deserves.

The cost of holding a special election, like the one that will now be held April 2013 is approximately $25,000. This cost, however, can be split up among other municipalities holding special elections in the same county during the same time period. As it turns out, there may be at least two other municipalities holding special elections in Pierce County this next April effectively reducing the cost to Bonney Lake for our April ballet.

Why an MPD? 1) While the city could place the very same objectives that the MPD looks to address as line items to their budget, in the end, any tax money coming into the city can be and is often reallocated elsewhere based upon priority. 2) Of the options proposed, the MPD was the one and only proposal which provides for the construction of new facilities as well as the operation and maintenance of parks. 3) All tax money collected by the MPD, by law, can only be used for Parks.

This is a beginning with a long term vision in mind. It merges the needs of the city, the desires of the citizens and the fiscal assuredness to provide the all-encompassing “Parks” everyone has been wanting. They will not spring to life overnight; but given time and a funding mechanism, we can all have the facilities that the residents of this city deserve.