FOP Board member spreading misinformation

[Fun CH]

Don Nelson, editor of the Methow Valley News recently penned a editorial where he made some serious divisive accusations directed towards the 78% of us who voted NO the last time a Metropolitan Park District proposition came up for a vote.

He wrote Quote;

"but their assurances could not overcome the suspicions and paranoia of some opponents (there was a fair amount of dis- and mis-information promoted at the time."End quote

Note he offers no factual basis to launch such an attack on the citizens of this Valley.

In a June 29th MVN My Turn article of Friends of the pool board member Blue Bradley wrote when discussing the formation of a Metropolitan Park District Quote;

"That type of rec district is beneficial for many reasons including you don’t have to return to the voters every two years like the other types of Washington rec districts." End quote

https://methowvalleynews.com/2023/06/29 ... essential/

That simply is a misrepresentation of the facts based on Washington State Law.

Three types of recreational districts are defined under Washington state law with the friends of the pool choosing a Metropolitan Park District. The other two recreational District types require a vote every 6 years to decide on a property tax levy, not every 2 years as Ms. Bradley states. Ms Bradley is clearly offering misinformation, presented to the citizen voters of this Valley, as truth.


https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/parks-a ... -districts

Ms. Bradley further states, Quote;

"It is not for recreational trails in the valley, not for any other facility or recreation maintenance in the valley at this time (the commissioners could possibly change that in the future with a new ballot measure to the voters), nor will it take anyone’s property away by eminent domain." End quote.

Unless they can pick and choose which laws apply to them, the formation of a Metropolitan Park District automatically by law gives the power of eminent domain to the MPD commissioners.
"RCW 35.61.130
Eminent domain—Park commissioners' authority, generally—Prospective staff screening.
(1) A metropolitan park district has the right of eminent domain, and may purchase, acquire and condemn lands lying within or without the boundaries of said park district..."

The point, once this Metropolitan Park District is formed power is taken away from the voters. It's a done deal. We will be paying for any Recreational facility the MPD Commissioner's deam desirable while paying the MPD citizen commissioners a fat salary, that they determine, in perpetuity.

No future vote of the people is required for any new recreational purpose which is contrary to what was stated by Ms Bradley.

"RCW 36.69.090

The park and recreation district board of commissioners shall:
(1) Elect its officers including a chair, vice chair, secretary, and such other officers as it may determine it requires;

(4) Initiate, direct and administer district park and recreation activities, and select and employ such properly qualified employees as it may deem necessary."


So I would say to Mr. Nelson, before you accuse the citizens of this Valley of being paranoid and implying that the opponents to the formation of a Metropolitan Park District are spreading misinformation, check your facts, check the law, and look where the actual misinformation is coming from.