Vote Felix
To the editor:
We are fortunate to have three enthusiastic Democratic candidates for Legislative District 23, Position 2. Although none has previously been elected to public office, all presented themselves well at the recent League of Women Voters’ debate. I encourage you to watch so that you can make your own informed decision.
My vote will go to Brynn Felix. Not only is she thoughtful and well-spoken, her background and experience are the most comprehensive of the three. She is the child of two Navy veterans and has “walked the walk” in many ways that relate to her constituents, including elementary and junior high school teacher, state Supreme Court law clerk, Peninsula Community Health Services employee, volunteer/advocate for Planned Parenthood, Kitsap Community Resources, the ACLU, the NAACP, and—most importantly—a working mother.
That broad experience was evident in her detailed and succinct, yet comprehensive answers in the debate. As a result, I believe Brynn Felix will best represent the diverse interests and needs in our district.
Sam Sharar
Bainbridge
Pick Nance
To the editor:
These are the three reasons I am voting for House Rep. Greg Nance. I am grateful that Nance helped deliver $80 million in new funding to Fix our Ferries.
I am impressed with his progress to build Kitsap’s healthcare workforce and bring a new healthcare option to Kitsap. He led investments to expand Olympic College’s Healthcare Pathways program that paves the way to train 600 more nurses, technicians and behavioral health clinicians to serve our community. In partnership with the Suquamish Tribe, Nance sponsored over $4 million for a new Suquamish Health Center helping tribal members and neighbors across Kitsap have greater healthcare access. And Nance is 100% Pro-Choice and is proposing an amendment to our state constitution to enshrine reproductive freedom for generations to come.
In addition, he earned “Freshman Legislator of the Year” honors from Children’s Campaign Fund. He’s endorsed by all four Kitsap Firefighter Unions and both tribes — the Suquamish and Port Gamble S’Klallam.
Nance is a proven leader for Kitsap. Please join me in voting for him. Let’s send Nance back to Olympia to continue to be our Kitsap champion for positive change.
Debra Lester
Bainbridge
Vote no
To the editor:
I am writing to urge our community to vote “no” on the upcoming ballot item regarding the proposed $10 million project to add two new lanes in our already functioning pool.
The current pool is in good condition and serves our community well. Allocating such a significant amount of taxpayer dollars for unnecessary lane additions is not a responsible use of funds.
Please consider the financial impact and lack of necessity when casting your vote. Let’s prioritize spending on projects that address urgent needs and benefit a larger portion of the community.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust you will make the right decision for our community.
Nicole Vani
Bainbridge
Trojan horse
To the editor:
The special interest yes for aquatics campaign has done a great job of cloaking their ask inside a Trojan Horse of public need, but it’s a false narrative. There is zero correlation between swim lesson availability and the Ray Williams pool, and there isn’t even a wait list anymore. There is already funding capacity available to properly renovate the Ray pool, it’s happening even if the bond fails. Why does the yes for aquatics campaign keep harping on those issues? It’s to conceal the real thing they’re after.
If the bond passes, a small minority of pool users will get two more lap lanes while other users of the Ray pool will be disadvantaged by the loss of adjacent spectator space, the loss of a shallow end to rest between laps, and all aquatics users will be hugely disadvantaged by an 18 month Ray pool closure.
The addition of two lanes involves completely removing the existing viable six-lane pool to build a new eight-lane single-purpose pool in its place. That’s wastefully inefficient. What’s more, the chances of getting a better facility later will likely be cut off for the next 20 years while we all pay off their bond. Why do lap swimmers need coaches on the district payroll plus a bond to build their own facility? Does your sport get that kind of support? Keep island recreation equitable by voting against this special interest bond measure.
Frank Reena
Bainbridge
Bond needed
To the editor:
I am writing to express my support for the Bainbridge Aquatic Center Pool bond measure. The bond will replace failing systems in the 54-year-old Ray Williamson Pool and expand its capacity from six to eight lanes.
As a local real estate agent, I can attest to the value that a strong swim program and desirable pool facilities offer a community. Local businesses also benefit when the pool hosts swim meets, bringing scores of families that eat and shop while here for a meet.
As a parent, I can attest to the importance of having adequate pool space for our children to learn to swim. I witnessed firsthand how learning to swim in the Ray Pool 30+ years ago opened doors to our son to be part of a high school swim team experience and to continue that swim team experience in college. That experience provided him with structure, discipline and incentive.
And as a Masters Swimmer, I can attest to how crowded the pool is, even at 5:15 a.m. Most of the programs at the Aquatic Center are limited by space available. Programs from Masters Swimming to beginning swim lessons are wait-listed. Overcrowding and waitlists have been an issue for years. Not having space available impacts park district revenues since you can’t charge for programs if you don’t have the space for them.
We need a pool that will accommodate our growing community, now and into the future. Please join me in voting to approve park district Proposition 1.
Carleen Gosney
Bainbridge
Third place
To the editor:
The term “third places” was coined by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg to identify informal public gathering places where people spend time outside of their home (“first” place) and their work (“second” place). Oldenburg says third places play a strong role in developing our sense of community and enhancing civic engagement, particularly when they are spaces where people can easily connect on a routine basis and when they bring together people across different age groups, professions, interests, beliefs, abilities and life experiences.
I believe the aquatic center is one of our valuable “third places” on the island. When we first moved here over 25 years ago, BI residents were working hard to raise bond funding for construction of the Nakata pool. I was impressed by the civic involvement toward that goal, but at that time I didn’t appreciate the role the pool would play in my own family’s life.
Over the next 25 years, however, the aquatic center was where my children learned to swim, our daughter competed in water polo, and my husband and I ultimately joined the masters program. Now, when I go to the pool, I marvel at the community blending that occurs there, including small toddlers and their engaged parents, retirees, young athletes, working professionals and the amazing staff.
The proposed bond levy for the aquatic center will expand access to this valuable community-building resource. Support our “third place” pool by voting “yes” on park district Proposition 1.
Cestjon McFarland
Bainbridge
