To the editor:

The upcoming election for the park board provides the opportunity to inject some new ideas and to provide fresh insights in guiding our park district forward.

I recommend and strongly endorse Rachel Pritchett. Her background as a journalist has given her the opportunity to cover many local government meetings including the park district meetings. Unfortunately, park district meetings are no longer covered by a journalist.

Our current park board talks about replacing the Ray Williamson Pool with one of three alternatives ranging in cost from $30 million to $43 million. Since the park district was in charge of the maintenance and upkeep of the Ray Williamson Pool, how did the condition deteriorate so drastically?

What is significant about the pool issue is that by the park district’s own measure, only about 1 in 25 islanders are even aware of the proposals for the pool. Were you?

At the same time the pool is being planned, a proposal to build a field house on the Sakai property is also going forward along with trails and ancillary buildings at a projected cost of $52 million.

The city is growing and the desire for more recreational opportunities is increasing. We need some fresh perspectives to complement our growth; that is why I strongly ask that you vote for Rachel Pritchett for park board.

TOM KILBANE

Bainbridge Island