Letter Writer Takes Issue With Councilman's Characterization of Park Expenditure

Dear Editor,

Last night (Wednesday, October 4) at the Finn Hill Neighborhood Association (FHNA) meeting, Kirkland City Councilmember Dave Asher said that adding $10 million of expenditures for Juanita Beach Park does not constitute greater debt.  Who does he think pays the bills?  It’s our debt, not the Council’s, it’s more debt the Council has imposed upon us at a time when they already have the money.  Prop 1 and 2 are not necessary.

By definition, debt is money owed.  If Prop 1 and 2 pass, we the citizens will have to come up with the money in order for the City to balance its budget.

No wonder he doesn't consider it debt.  The Council doesn't pay the bills.  We do; something that politicians persistently forget.  Taking more money out of our pockets reduce our ability to sustain and improve our quality of life especially of those with fixed income.

To think Prop 1 and 2 and their ongoing cost for improvements do not create more debt is ludicrous but it’s the way Councilmember Asher and his political cohorts think.  Now they want us to pay for what they have neglected to do over the past a years.  They failed to allocate funds that meet the needs of the city.

A no vote is necessary to prevent an unnecessary increase in our property taxes and to restore Council responsibility.  Out of their $449 million budget, they already have the money to finance the projects listed in Prop 1 and 2.  All they need to do is to quit spending our money on other things that come at the expense of our parks and roads.

Robert L. Style, Kirkland