GUEST COLUMN BY SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOHN EVANS

Evans explains his position regarding Lafarge park

posted 08/11/04
In conversations with citizens on San Juan Island I have been asked why, as a County Commissioner, I support Island Recs proposal to build a park and athletic fields in the LaFarge gravel pit. The short answer is…I don't support the proposal. The voters made it very clear in the last levy election for Island Rec that they are not willing to commit to the millions of dollars that would be necessary to turn that sand and gravel pit into a public recreation facility.

Ordinarily, I would keep my thoughts about a junior taxing district's activities and proposals to myself. Junior taxing districts, like San Juan Island Parks and Recreation, have their own Board of Commissioners that has been elected by the citizens of the taxing district they serve. This situation is unique.

The San Juan County Board of County Commissioners agreed to gift the upland portion of the LaFarge property to the Park and Recreation District. Island Rec had a proposed park and recreation use for the property that they said the public endorsed. (The upland property will come to the County as part of the County's purchase agreement with LaFarge for the waterfront that will provide the public access for a variety of activities including a critically need barge access site for San Juan Island). People somehow now connect my vote for the purchase of a critical public transportation access for San Juan Island with support of the park and athletic field proposal. There is no connection.

During my term of office, I have a strong record of support for recreation programs that benefit our island young people. I have been a strong and consistent supporter of the very successful 4-H program that is operated through the San Juan County Cooperative Extension Office. I initiated the funding, a number of years ago, for the countywide recreation programs that provide a host of constructive activities for young people on all the islands. The County's $16,000 annual contribution to the San Juan Island Parks and Recreation District for youth programs is part of that initiative. (San Juan Island is the only island that has a separate Parks and Recreation District. On Orcas, Lopez and Shaw, the programs are provided through the San Juan County Parks and Recreation Department with a lot of help from volunteers and local contributions.)

I have to admit that I do not understand why the San Juan Island Park and Recreation District Commissioners do not make it clear that they understood the overwhelming rejection of their prior expended levy request was a statement by the voters that they did not want the Park and Rec taxing district to take on the multimillion dollar obligation of creating a park and athletic fields in the gravel pit. With no soil, questionable water supplies, winds off the bay, it is not a good location for athletic fields. Don Galt's proposal for athletic fields on the Carter Street school district property the taxpayers already own makes a lot more sense. This location has none of the problems the gravel pit presents. I would encourage the community and Island Rec to get behind this effort.

From my perspective as a County Commissioner, I would certainly understand if the San Juan Island Parks and Recreation District Board of Commissioners said that they heard the voters and no longer wish to be obligated by the LaFarge site. If the Parks Commissioners made that determination, I anticipate the County would hold the uplands until a time in the future when the community could reach a consensus as to what the best use would be for the gravel pit. It appears to me that such an action by the Parks Commissioners would make the upcoming levy request much easier for the voters to decide upon. They do a great job for the San Juan Island young people of all ages.

Thank you for listening.

John B Evans
San Juan County Commissioner, District #2

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