As acting president of the Save the Pool committee I have spent many hours in the last few months talking to people and promoting the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District Operation and Maintenance levy. I have been continuously surprised at how many people believe the levy is a new tax or a tax increase. The new levy is neither. It is a tax cut. The current levy, which expires at the end of 2011, authorizes the district to collect $.18 per thousand dollars of assessed property value. The renewal on the ballot this November is for $.17 ($42.50 a year for a $250,000 home). There is also confusion about who can vote for the levy. The NWPRD district boundaries are the same as the Oak Harbor School District boundaries. If you live in the school district, you are eligible to vote for the levy.

Another point of confusion is what will happen to the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool if the levy does not pass. The commissioners determined at their public meeting Sept. 15 that the pool will close on Jan. 1, 2012, in the event the levy fails. Please visit the Save the Pool website (www.parksandpool.org) for answers to the most frequently asked questions. Become informed and please vote yes for the North Whidbey Park and Recreation, Recreation Program, Operation and Maintenance Levy. Your yes vote will save the pool.

Julie Wilson

Save the Pool Committee