Why not an elected Board?

[PAL]

I don't think Sarah will be running this year for Town Council as she did not file to run. I think.
It's speculation that she would position herself for Town Council for next year. That would be a big conflict of interest.
Her husband will be mayor as no one filed to run against him.
Another vague sentence. "revenues first and foremost will be used to pay for the new pool and possibly the current pool.

[Fun CH]

^^ the Wagner pool endowment is ending in 2024. The FOP has already stated they want to use our tax dollars to keep the Wagner pool going* and build a new indoor pleasure Palace. So now we will be funding the operational, repair and construction costs of two different pool facilities in two different communities, Twisp and Winthrop.

In my discussion with Justin Porter and Ken Malloch, this subject came up.

They are afraid that an elected Board might have some members that are independent thinkers and are not in lockstep with their plan...

exactly. That opinion has also been reflected in public statements by FOP board members. They want complete control.

I'm guessing that Sarah Schrock left as head of the FOP board, not because of any disagreements but because she is positioning herself to be on the Twisp Town Council as an appointed Metropolitan Park District commissioner.

Vote NO on prop 1. We need her back on the FOP board, not trying to figure out what amenities she wants to add to the Mega Spa/pool to keep the parents from getting bored while their children are swimming.

Supporters say a luxury mega pool/spa/climbing gym is "for the children", but isn't it more important for the children of people who are living paycheck to paycheck to have good quality food, medical care and a warm home?


*From FOP website
"How will the Aquatics District funds be used?
Revenues will first and foremost be used to pay for the ongoing operating expenses of the new pool, and possibly the current pool. This will ensure a sustainable funding plan to help qualify for any federal or state grants or private funds for building a pool."end quote

[kedski]

I found a story on CNN on why swimming pools are losing ground with tax payers. Biggest take was there big bottomless pits on tax payer. Sorry I didn't save the link. Kind of figured if CNN does a story like this,pools are bad news.

[pasayten]

In my discussion with Justin Porter and Ken Malloch, this subject came up.

They are afraid that an elected Board might have some members that are independent thinkers and are not in lockstep with their plan...

[PAL]

Those districts Ray posted probably have a bigger population base to tax.
There should be elected board members, but Prop 1 should not pass in the first place.

[SOulman]

The lack of a directly-elected board is one of the worst aspects of Proposition 1.

It is important to recognize that the language Ray quotes is only the desire of Proposition 1 proponents. There is NO interlocal agreement between the county and the towns regarding appointment of district commissioners. The debate about an interlocal agreement covering distribution of members and who gets appointed will begin only if Proposition 1 passes.

The proposal Ray quotes also vests disproportionate authority with the two town councils. The majority of population and the majority of assessed property value within the proposed district lies outside town limits.

People who live outside town limits should lobby the county commissioners to assure that any interlocal agreement says at least three appointees are residents of unincorporated rural areas selected by the board of county commissioners. Any interlocal agreement should also set term limits for the initial appointees and direct replacements selected by a vote of voters in the district.

Steve Oulman

[Fun CH]

Did you happen to notice how many of the MPD pools are year round 2 heated indoor pools with a hot tub and plans to add other amenities such as a climbing wall, to keep the parents occupied while the children are swimming?

I'm guessing zero and yet they all have way larger populations than we do. That means more people to spread out the cost of a pool and more actual pool users.

This prop 1 MPD here is being put forth and supported by some of the wealthiest and newest arrivals to this Valley.

Some long time communty members and people trying to gain a foothold as new members of our community are really hurting financially.

I'd really like to know how pool supporters can justify taking money from people who can't afford to help fund such an expensive project and why an outdoor Seasonal Pool is not sufficient enough to satisfy their safety goals of teaching children how to swim?

[pasayten]

From the FOTP website...

How will the commissioners be selected?
As it is currently written, each Town Council will appoint two commissioners: one elected council member and one member-at-large. The members-at-large will be appointed every two years to fill the seats. Anyone living within the Aquatics District boundaries can be nominated as an at-large commissioner.

The 5th rec district commissioner will be our County Commissioner from District 2.

This structure is a common form of governance for districts with limited purposes like transit and EMS districts that operate between more than one town or county. It’s a proven structure that works, is accountable, and transparent.

As of 2021, MRSC (https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/parks-a ... -districts) is aware of 23 metropolitan park districts within the state. 8 were for pools. Of the 8, 6 have elected Boards. Hmmm...

Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District Nov. 2009 Des Moines Elected board Maintain and operate existing Mt. Rainier Pool (with additional funding from Normandy Park MPD and Highline School District).

Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District Nov. 2009 Normandy Park City council (ex officio) Help fund existing Mt. Rainier Pool (along with Des Moines Pool MPD and Highline School District).

Odessa Metropolitan Park District Nov. 2020 Odessa School District within Lincoln County Elected board Maintain and improve Odessa swimming pool facilities.

Si View Metropolitan Park District Feb. 2003 North Bend and nearby unincorporated King County Elected board Operate the Si View Park Community Center and Pool, which had been closed due to county budget cuts, as well as other park facilities.

Stevenson Community Pool District Feb. 2021 City of Stevenson and urban growth area Elected board Maintain and operate Stevenson swimming pool

Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District April 2011 Tukwila Elected board Operate the Tukwila Pool, preventing potential closure following recession and general fund shortfalls.

White Salmon Valley Pool Metropolitan Park District Nov. 2018 Bingen-White Salmon Elected board Construct, operate, and maintain White Salmon Valley swimming pool

William Shore Memorial Pool Park District May 2009 Port Angeles School District No. 121 (City of Port Angeles and part of unincorporated Clallam County) 2 county commissioners, 2 city councilmembers, 1 resident elected by the board Operate the William Shore Memorial Pool, preventing its closure.