Every six years the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District maintenance and operation levy comes up for renewal. This year the vote for the renewal will be part of the Aug. 16 primary; ballots will be mailed on July 29.

The levy renewal rate is a reduction from the previous levy: from 18 cents to 17 cents per thousand dollars of property value. The cost for a family living in a $200,000 home would be $34 a year.

The NWPRD programs serve a broad spectrum of members of the community. The John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool and its aquatic programs including swim lessons, water aerobics and lap swimming.

NWAC and North Whidbey Masters are only a part of the services the NWPRD provides. Additional programs include Babe Ruth baseball, the North Whidbey Running Club, and the Clover Valley Off-Leash Park. Please visit our website at www.parksandpool.org for a complete list and more information.

The pool was built and paid for by our community and has been maintained for the last 29 years by M&O levies that have been consistently approved by the voters. Please continue to protect this valuable asset by voting in favor of the levy renewal. Without public support all NWPRD programs will be lost. Without public support the pool will close ending recreational and competitive swimming in Oak Harbor. Our entire community will lose, from our children to our senior citizens. Please vote yes for the parks and pool levy.

Juliana Wilson
Oak Harbor