Manson,WA(MPRD) - Jeanette Collins of the Manson Parks and Recreation District has sent MVT the following letter about the upcoming Manson Parks Levy vote on February 19th.

Read More for the entire letter. 

February 1, 2008

A Letter to Manson Park and Recreation District Voters:

By now you have probably received your mail-in ballot for the February 19, 2008 Presidential Primary and Special Election.  The ballots are due back to the Chelan County Elections Department postmarked no later than February 19, 2008.  There is an important issue on the ballot for the Manson Park and Recreation District’s regular maintenance and operations levy.

The Manson Park and Recreation District, as you may be aware, operates the Manson Bay Marina, the Old Mill Park boat launch area, Willow Point Park, Singleton Park, Wapato Lake Campground, and the Ray Bumgarner Building.  Monies for maintenance and operations of these facilities come from two sources:  user fees and the generosity of the voters supporting a maintenance and operations (M & O) levy.

Water, electricity, insurance, repairs, supplies, employees, lifeguards, and more must be paid for with levy funds.  There is upkeep of sports fields, restrooms to keep supplied, and a host of other “routine” items that are funded by monies received from our levy.

The Park District also charges user fees where applicable and routinely applies for grants to try to keep the levy request as low as possible.  These user fees are not enough to support the operation of the Manson Park and Recreation District.

Over many years, you have been most generous in supporting your parks.  The current maintenance and operations levy expires in 2008.  The M&O levy that failed in the last election would have provided park funding for the years 2009 through 2011.  We are re-submitting this M & O Levy for your thoughtful consideration -- it will require a 60% majority YES vote to pass.  This levy will raise important operating monies for 2009, 2010, and 2011.  If it does not pass, your park and recreation programs will not be able to operate as they have in the past.  There will be a reduction in services, and most likely, increase of user fees for current specialized services provided.

If you have questions, please contact Shannon Byquist-Freels, Chair of the Levy Committee.  For questions about Manson Park and Recreation District operations, contact Lanny Armbruster, Parks Manager, at 687-9635. 

We, the Levy Committee, are asking you to vote YES for the regular levy for the continued maintenance and operation of our substantial Manson Parks System.  This will continue our community’s excellent parks and recreation programs.  We appreciate your previous support and look forward to it continuing in the future.

Respectfully submitted by:

Levy Committee for the Manson Park and Recreation District