Click here to read the candidates’ answers to the previous forum question…
Ferndale mayoral and city council candidates, including those running unopposed, answered questions posed during a public forum Tuesday, October 13th, at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center hosted by the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce.
Each candidate was offered 2 minutes to respond to questions asked. Ferndale High School social studies teachers, Scott Browne and Jennifer Kubic, served as moderators. Many students could be seen in the crowd of nearly 70 attendees.
The following is a depiction of the questions and answers but in some cases responses have been paraphrased. This is not to alter the intended meaning or emphasis but due to limitations in hearing and recording verbatim.
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Question: City is asking to approve the metropolitan parks district. Is this necessary? And, for incumbents, how can citizens be sure the money collected won’t be spent elsewhere?
Keith Olson – The metropolitan park district could have been formed by the city council without putting it to a vote but we wanted it to go to voters. I prefer doing it that way. I don’t want to see people taxed out of their homes. And I always abstain from telling people how they should vote.
Paul Ingram – We need it. Parks are in a dismal state of repair. People don’t understand the state’s requirements and how they work. The parks fees collected from developers cannot be used to improve and take care of parks, only to build new parks. I don’t like seeing taxes go up but want the voters to decide.
Cathy Watson – We [the city] are audited every year to ensure monies are used for the intended use. Finance committee looks at these things too. I don’t support the park district but I like that its going to the voters. There are other upcoming property tax increases that are more important. The school district has a higher priority need for the high school.
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Click for more informationGlenn Stewart – I do want the money for the parks and am glad its on the ballot. There was no problem in council for approving the 2nd largest bond in Washington state. That’s spoiled the water. The police station was done without the voters. And when put to the voters, the 1% tax was defeated.
Teresa Taylor – I am an advocate for parks however I have a few concerns. For one, this makes the council the parks board. Paul says we have parks that are hurting but the city website talks about building a great new park.
Jon Mutchler – I voted not to send this to voters because it got no support from the parks board. Not saying it’s a bad idea, this is just the wrong time due to a leadership problem.
Rebecca Xczar – it is not a perfect setup but I support the district. Parks are important for family and economic life. People are attracted to parks and will then shop nearby.
Greg Hanson – It’s a tough sell. We are going to be asked to pay more taxes to support a number of other things like schools and while I love parks, something more modest is probably a better solution.
Click here to read the candidates’ answers to the next forum question…