Letter to the Editor: I urge you to vote yes for Proposition 1

To the Editor:

Shoreline has many fine parks, good streets, and safe neighborhoods. Most of all, we have many fine citizens who support each other and value our community. This fall we can maintain our excellent police, parks, and community services by voting yes for Proposition 1.

For a decade, the City of Shoreline has cut costs and kept tax increases at zero or one percent – far below inflation. Shoreline is one of the most efficient cities in the region, with fewer employees and lower costs than similar cities.

Proposition 1 is a maintenance and operations levy to pay for parks, police, and community services. It would cost the average homeowner $7.60 per month. For that price, our police will still be there when you call, our parks will be clean and safe, and we will have access to services in times of need. It’s a great value.

If it does not pass, the cost to our community would be enormous. The $14 million shortfall over six years would require drastic cuts in many basic services, such as closure of the Shoreline Pool, shutting down the East and West Police storefronts, eliminating School Resource Officers at Shorewood and Shorecrest, and reduced maintenance of parks and playfields. Cuts to our human services safety net could jeopardize funding for the Senior Center, the Center for Human Services, and recreational programs for youth and people with disabilities.

Of course these are tough economic times. I believe that when the times are tough, the tough get going. I feel that the citizens of Shoreline can pull together in any times. I urge you to vote yes for Proposition 1 to support basic services in Shoreline.

Donn Charnley

Shoreline