Election: Parks Levy campaign stops in Delridge

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Some people just get involved in politics young. That little girl seemed determined to get the day off to a running start, along with one of three groups that toured the city today to campaign for Seattle Proposition 2, the $145 million, six-year parks levy (text/pros/cons/$ impact here) that’s going before voters just as the old Pro Parks Levy expires. This group started its day with a stop at Delridge Playfield, one of the West Seattle spots that stands to benefit if the levy passes, according to West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen: (who chairs the council’s Parks Committee):

Specifically, Delridge Playfield would get $3-plus million to replace its sand fields with artificial turf; the fields were hosting games when the levy campaign stopped by today:

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The official pro-Prop 2 website has a map of other projects in West Seattle (and around the city). This is one of three local money-raising measures you’ll be considering on the November 4 ballot – the others are Seattle Proposition 1, the Pike Place Market levy (text/pros/cons/$ impact here), and Sound Transit Proposition 1 (text/pros/cons/$ impact here), which would expand light rail and includes money to study a potential future expansion into West Seattle.

8 Replies to "Election: Parks Levy campaign stops in Delridge"

  • GC September 28, 2008 (7:40 pm)

    This year, vote “No” on everything – between fuel costs, the financial meltdown, and the rise in food costs – far too many folks on the edge are falling right over that edge. We can’t *afford* any new projects just at the moment.

  • DW September 29, 2008 (11:02 am)

    What about all the parks they have not finished from the 1st levy? When are Beveridge Place, Myrtle Reservoir and Dakota Place Park getting done?

    Shouldn’t they be finishing these up first?

  • WSB September 29, 2008 (11:08 am)

    Myrtle Reservoir construction scheduled next year. Beveridge Place scheduled later this year. Dakota is the only one that I haven’t had an update on lately, and will be checking as I was just down there yesterday covering the First Lutheran procession … and snapped some photos in the morning sun, as the building sits there, waiting, waiting. Anyway, money is set aside for all of these from the Pro Parks Levy that is expiring.

  • Eddie September 29, 2008 (11:23 am)

    Cute picture of a kid with a political sign. But those kind of shots always bug me – can the kid even read? Does the kid even know why they’re carrying a sign?

  • WSB September 29, 2008 (1:58 pm)

    Good question. She was with the contingent on Saturday morning and picked up a sign, unprompted, as they were all about to walk onto the field and speak with the sports crowd. She looks old enough to read but I wouldn’t want to make any assumptions. Next time I’ll ask! – TR

  • Mickymse September 29, 2008 (4:31 pm)

    While I understand folks who are concerned about taxes in a down-economy, let me point out that the new Parks Levy, when combined with the Pike Place Market Levy, are roughly equal to the current taxes you are already paying for the expiring Parks Levy.

    So, should both of these levies pass, your taxes will remain THE SAME as they are currently. Yes, these are both new taxes, but your rate “increase” will be negligible as the existing levy expires.

  • dave September 30, 2008 (2:36 pm)

    That’s my daughter. She’s 6 and can read. She’s starting to form an understanding of how decisions like this (and others like who will be our next president) get made. I’ll ask her about how she feels about her photo appearing here and get back to you Tracy (BTW, thanks for coming out and posting the story). For those of us who can vote I hope that you choose to vote yes and continue the good work that began under ProParks. West Seattle has a lot to gain if this levy passes!

  • Tom Rasmussen September 30, 2008 (9:01 pm)

    As chair of the City Council’s Parks Committee I want to ensure that the projects promised in the current levy are complete. If you have questions about any of them please let me know. I will get information about Dakota Place Park and post it and any other information people want.

    Recently I spoke to a group of retired people and asked whether they would support the levy. I was concerned because it will continue an annual property tax at about $81 per year. They said they would support it.

    I was pleased and somewhat surprised. When I asked “why” one man volunteered his reason; he said: “parks and playgrounds are the only places I can afford to take my granddaughter”.

    Tom

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