"But the Sign Said..."

We noticed the park tax group have signs out. Have to wonder though about what they were talking about. One said “Trails and Parks” and another had ‘Community and Rec Center” Really? One our objections to the tax is that we have commit ourselves to years of paying for “something” before we know what the ‘something” will be.  

Point is it “sounds like” the city is legally committed to first building trails and then a community center. However, that’s not the case. The city has no legal contract that commits them to building either trails or anything else.

So how can the taxers claim that the money will go to trails or a community center? In short, they can because it will help get votes. It’s a political promise. The taxers have no authority to speak for the city. Much less commit the city to building anything.

Think about it. The Park Tax passes. You go to the city council and ask “When will you start building the trails?” Surprise! The MPD must first be organized and then the various groups will argue for their pet projects. Could the Frisbee Golf course be built first? Yes, as unlikely as it seems.

We first noted that there was a tax for ‘something.” Then were taken to task by the taxers who said there was a park plan. We then looked at the 38 million dollar park plan.  What happened? Now, one of the taxers has stated “I never believed that every element identified would be built.”

What is really going on? Let’s look at the trails and community center claims

We have visited the trail plan. Call it 9 million and 5 plus miles. This plan has detailed routes, trail design, and what it will connect to. In short a viable plan. However, it’s not on any “build list” any more then a museum, Frisbee golf course, BMX track and so on is. Pass the tax and the trail won’t be built. It will have to compete with all the other projects. Could a small and vocal group push through another project instead of trails? Yes.

Would the city hold a vote for people to choose? A year ago we suggested just that. You can see where it went.

Now consider the “Community Rec Center.”  Unlike the trail plan it doesn’t have a location, a design, blueprints or a cost. In fact, will it have a swimming pool? Include the Senior Center? Will there be daycare? Have meeting rooms? What services will it provide? Nobody knows. It’s been talked about for a couple of years and that’s it. Just talk. Better yet, just a political promise by those without authority to legally commit the city.

We’ve all seen the ad where two people are talking that “You can’t put anything on the Internet that isn’t true.” "Where did you read that?" “On the Internet.”  She then walks off with her “French model boyfriend.” That’s just about what the taxer signs are doing. They are creating the impression that these projects are done deals, that the city is legally commited and that they only wait for your tax dollars. No, voting for the tax won't automatically get the trails or community center built.