Whats going on here in town?

Lately, it seems that all our fun is being ripped from our hands.

As a kid growing up here in the area, summers were great.  And one of the things that I remember the most is camping at Salt Water State Park.  Well, what happened?

Without any warning, the camping spots have all been removed.  There will be no more camping at the park.  Whaaaatt??  This was the last campground in the entire Seattle area, that was still “in town” and now its gone.  What happened?  I asked the park ranger, and he said talk to you local rep!  Now, it seems that they have been doing quite a lot of construction down there, I dont know what for, there is never any signs posting what is going on down there.

A few weeks ago, I see that they have installed a booth at the entrance to the park.

Are they going to start charging us to use the park now?  What’s next, are they going to take the entire marina away from us too… Oh wait, they already did that.

What’s next?  Where is all the money going, and why do they keep closing down things that bring in money, like the campgrounds, boat lift, marina…  Are they still planning on spending millions on that stupid dragon on the jetty?

I am just frustrated with the fact that there are getting to be less and less things to do with the family.  Even going to the park (Saltwater)now is going to cost us money.

And what are they planning to do with the marina down there?  Anyone know?

- Josh
Des Moines

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To the Editor:

I would like to know if you could shed some light on how the two publicly-owned street trees at the corner of Marine View Drive and South 223rd Street managed to be topped. I cannot imagine that this action was performed with the approval of the City and am certain that it was not approved by any licensed arborist.

The residents of Des Moines funded the planting of these trees years ago during the renovation of Marine View Drive. I have watched as these trees have matured and have greatly improved the downtown streetscape. The fact that someone took it upon themselves to effectively kill these trees is nothing less than theft from the residents.

Thank you for any information you can provide on how this might have happened and what actions, if any, are being taken to hold accountable those who did this.

- Mark Proulx
Des Moines, WA

We forwarded this email and photos to Des Moines City Manager Tony Piasecki on Tuesday (June 29), and here’s his response:

Scott,

Late last summer/early fall, the property owner asked for permission to prune these two trees when he was constructing the All-Star Sports Bar building (he owns that building as well as the barbers shop/Lighthouse Lounge building).  We approved his request but his landscaper went way beyond what we thought we had approved, particularly on the tree in front of the All-Star.  The property owner agreed to replace this tree and was going to do it himself.  He hasn’t yet done so, (obviously) so we followed up with him today.  He said he’s now ok with the City replacing the tree and billing him for the materials and labor.  In regards to the tree in front of the barber shop, we had originally said he didn’t have to replace that one because it had not been pruned as extensively as the other tree, thinking that it would look ok once it leafed out.  Now that the leaves are here, it doesn’t look as good as we wanted it to so we will be asking him to pay for replacement of that tree as well.  Hope this answers your questions.

Tony

As the owner of Shuttle Express, a provider of passenger service at Sea-Tac International Airport, I have been following the Port of Seattle’s recent decision to replace STITA (Sea-Tac International Taxi Association) with Yellow Cab. How could the Port make such a poor decision and why? Even though I compete with the taxis, I feel the need to speak up. When there is such an injustice to the traveling public, questions need to be asked.

Working at Sea-Tac for 35 years, I have firsthand knowledge of airport operations and STITA Taxi. Knowing STITA’s reputation, I thought they would surely be chosen for the new contract for the taxi concession. I was astonished to hear the Port’s decision. The structure of the RFP caused a bidding war, and the Port plans to award the contract to the highest bidder, Yellow Cab. How could they base their decision purely on money and not reputation and quality of service?

Shuttle Express and STITA operate within a few feet of each other so I know their operations and service level. STITA taxi owners maintain their vehicles and have invested in a green fleet, all while making a living wage. And, STITA provides good service, much better than any other taxi service in Seattle.

As a competitor, it would be to my advantage to say nothing and compete against a lesser provider. But I can’t watch this play out without saying something about the Port’s injustice to STITA, and more importantly to you, the traveling public. I have no issue with the Port opening the concession to competitive bid, but its selection based on who will pay the most money rather than service and safety is wrong.

Jim Sherrell is the Owner of Shuttle Express.

More money for the Port may sound good, but in reality the over-inflated fees that Yellow agreed to pay the Port are way off base. There is no way Yellow can use the minuscule taxi fees to fund reservations, dispatch, accounting, marketing, safe vehicles, insurance, advertising AND also pay the Port an exorbitant fee to use the taxi curb. What expenses will the Yellow taxi drivers have to cut to still be able to put bread on the table? Will you feel safe when you climb into that taxi knowing they cannot meet their financial obligations and still make a living?

So why would the Port prioritize getting more money above safety, service and other important factors? What seems obvious is the Port wants more money. Who is eventually going to pay the Port more money? Sure, first it will be the poor taxi drivers. Next, the taxi drivers will ask regulators to allow increased fees. In the end, YOU, the traveling public will be paying the difference with higher taxi fares.

Now ask yourself, is the Port operating in the interest of the traveling public, or is it merely trying to squeeze more money from taxi drivers and you, the passengers?

Will the publicly elected Port of Seattle Commissioners recognize this flawed RFP bid for what it is and correct this radical mistake? My experience during the last thirty-plus years tells me that when the Port Commissioners know the facts and hear from their voters, they will make the correct decision to award the RFP fairly, based on service and safety for the traveling public rather than strictly money from fees.

It’s up to you, the traveling public, to let the Commissioners know your feelings on the issue to have it corrected: www.portseattle.org.

- Jim Sherrell
Owner, Shuttle Express

(Jim Sherrell is the owner of Shuttle Express, serving the Seattle region since 1979)

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Dear Editor,

Recently, the Des Moines Police Officers’ Guild started a website to pass on information to its members and the public. We, as a group, felt it was important to open a more effective line of communication with the citizens we serve and again our members. On our site you will find important links to other local guild’s web pages along with links to other law enforcement organizations.

Recently on our site, we have posted, with permission, a memo written by Chief Baker about the state of the Des Moines Police Department and how recent budget cuts have affected us and the voter approved 2006 Tax Levy Lid Lift. This memo is posted on the home page of the site under the “What’s New” section.

Please take the time to look over our site and contact me with any questions:

http://www.desmoinespoliceguild.com/

Thank you,
Kevin Montgomery
Vice President
Des Moines Police Officers’ Guild
kmontgomery@desmoinespoliceguild.com

Good things are happening in Des Moines!! Good people are doing them!!

I say this as a reminder that all news is not bad!! We have problems, certainly, but we also have plenty to feel good about. We have people that care about this town. This is a fantastic jumping off point for constructive dialogue about what type of town we want to live in, as so many issues hang in the air. Budget problems, economic development questions and even a parade, seem to stir strong feelings. This is great!! It demonstrates that people are thinking about this town. I applaud ANY strong opinion, even if I can’t stand that opinion. If it comes from a place of concern for Des Moines, I am grateful and I thank people for caring.

With that in mind, the recent war of words regarding a parade has inspired me to throw my own opinion into the hat. The parade “debate” speaks to where we place value. It represents what kind of town we want to live in. It is about more than money, as plenty of people would do it and have done it for free, maybe not the police, but certainly many others. A parade and other events are about reconstructing a livable city. Des Moines has become so lame, it truly borders on unlivable. Those words break my heart, as I am a child of this town and love it more than anyone I know. Des Moines needs fun stuff to do. This need is not a superficial, fickle, immediate-gratification-regardless-of-consequence type of desire. Events foster a sense of community and belonging to something that connects people. It connects residents to local businesses and neighbors to one another. More than anytime I can recall, in the forty years I have lived here, Des Moines needs to get connected. These connections matter. These connections are connected to quality of life. A town without these vital connections and a high quality of life is a town people don’t want to live in. The beautiful thing is that we can manifest and determine our quality of life by engaging with each other having some fun. This is great. It is a cause for hope that a genuine win/win is possible! As the folks lined the streets last summer, I was reminded of what Des Moines can be, a true community, a place where people can come together and enjoy this town and feel proud to be a part of it.

Value is here.

On a warm day in July, I watched my five-year old daughter walk the parade dressed up as an eggplant, following the Farmer’s Market entry. My wife was an apple and my ten-year old son carried a pitchfork, frankly unnerving me a little bit. The memory of this day is priceless. It is priceless to me and it is priceless to my kids and many other kids and parents and residents that set-up their chairs early to sit in the summer sun and watch our parade. This has value. It is real. It is tangible and it matters. I can think of nothing this town needs more than opportunities for people to get together and feel good about living here.
There are problems in this town. There is no money. This is understood and undeniable. What we do have is interested, passionate people with big hearts and creative minds willing to set to task making good things happen. This has value, as well. A town with a strong service base and folks that can and will support events that create a sense of community is a good investment. A town that people want to live in is a good investment for OPM. We need it.

Recognizing, promoting, encouraging and prioritizing this as a part of any economic development plan is vital to shaping Des Moines future. It is not all about the feely-goody. Fun and feeling good about Des Moines is good business!!

I am including a letter I e-mailed around a few months prior to last year’s Anniversary celebration. It created some buzz and stirred opinions and seems timely given the current debate. I named it, ironically, the “Waterland Manifesto”. The irony exists in taking fun very seriously and the value in making great memories for ourselves and our kids. We need to do more of that in our terrific little water town.

My Waterland Manifesto by Dave Markwell

"Am I the only one that misses the Waterland Festival?" - Dave Markwell

I’ve been very conflicted recently with my own feelings of allegiance to the Waterland festival and my involvement in and support of the current events scheduled for the citizens of Des Moines. I struggle with whether or not I might be an anomaly. Am I the only one that misses the Waterland Festival? Am I clinging to the past and not giving the future a fair shot? Am I really not as progressive as I think by continuing to pine for the Waterland week?

Growing up as a kid in Des Moines, I looked forward to two weeks out of the year, Christmas and Waterland. Waterland was the highlight and exclamation point on every summer that I can recall. From sitting on my dad’s shoulders watching the parade, to spending the night on my uncle’s boat on L dock all five Waterland nights, to the first time I rode my bike to Waterland with my buddies and no parents, to “accidentally” getting to second base on the Skydiver in the eighth grade, to the annual reunion of high school friends who invariably would show up on Friday night, to being both the first and last person in the beer garden on the same day (once), to setting up, tearing down, guarding the gate, picking up garbage, being a vendor, sponsor and parent of kids enjoying the same things I did, my memories and experiences are not just Waterland memories. They are my life’s memories. They are the best thing there is. I am not the only one that has these memories. Anyone growing up in Des Moines has their own vault of great Waterland days. It is a collective joy shared. From Wednesday fireworks, to Thursday kid’s day, to the funny boat race, arts and crafts, B & E Tri-tip, Lions Club corn on the cob, barbershop quartet to old time rock and roll and the Seafair pirate ship cannon blast during the parade, Waterland had something for everyone. The cool, salty breeze on a hot summer evening mixing with the whistles and screams of the games and rides made it perfect. It defined community event. It was of, by and for Des Moines located in the heart and soul of Des Moines, the marina. The Waterland Festival was not perfect, but it was ours. It was something that residents of Des Moines could be a part of and enjoy. People were there as families. Local businesses were set up and people met one another and friends were made, some lifelong.

It was a showcase of the best Des Moines had to offer. People came and saw and had fun. In a landslide, the good times far outweighed the bad.

Granted, the last few Waterlands were shaky. Organization, security and accountability were issues as were money and politics. However, I hold that the good experiences still triumphed over the negative by far. My question now is why can’t it be great again? Des Moines is at the cusp of a fantastic renaissance with new restaurants and businesses cropping up, as well as new families moving in. How could Waterland be bad? It is a huge event with opportunities for every business, community group or interested person to get involved. It provides the best venue around to highlight and truly showcase all that Des Moines has to offer. With the 50 year anniversary coming up, there is not a better event to celebrate the occasion. Waterland represents the good things in Des Moines history and could really help define and highlight its hopes for the future. I believe that the combination of the new, enthusiastic and engaged citizens with the tried and true veterans of Waterlands past could create magic. We know where the problems were. How can we fix them? Solutions exist.

Many creative, talented minds also exist in this town. It is time to revisit Waterland and explore the potential. It is real and it is great and totally consistent with what every person who lives here, works in, or serves this town wants. Knowing what the problems were allows a great chance for some changes to help mitigate the issues. Having a couple years break allows an opportunity to reshape the event in ways that will make it something everyone will be proud to get involved with. It can be done. More memories of kids sitting on their dad’s shoulders watching a parade in their hometown are just waiting to be made, hopefully by my kids.

Thanks for indulging my thoughts and I hope to see you at the next parade as the Pete’s Towing truck train marks the grand finale. It’s about the coolest thing there is.

–Dave Markwell

Dear Des Moines City Council Members,

As firefighters of South King Fire & Rescue, we have concerns about public safety and potential service delays for the Citizens of Des Moines. South King Fire & Rescue serves fire and emergency medical services for the cities of Des Moines, Federal Way and a small area of unincorporated King County. For decades, King County Fire District #26 (Des Moines Fire) and the Des Moines Police Department have enjoyed a close working relationship–something which is not common in a lot of jurisdictions. Three years ago, King County Fire District #26 merged with Federal Way Fire, creating South King Fire & Rescue. After the merger we have been able to continue this close working relationship. Our relationship creates a more cohesive, efficient and safe working environment out on the streets of Des Moines, ultimately making a safer community for our citizens.

A staffing reduction in the Police Department is a concern to us and should be a concern to the City Council and Citizens of Des Moines. Our #1 priority is the citizens we serve and time is of essence when mitigating emergencies. The level of service provided and the safety of our community hangs in the balance. Firefighters are severely handicapped if we are not safe while doing our job and if we enter an unsafe scene. Potentially, we could become part of the problem and not be able to help our citizens. By cutting Police staffing, a ripple effect could delay our services. There are a number of situations (i.e. – violent crimes, assaults, domestic violence, overdoses and suicides to name a few) where the Fire Department doesn’t enter the scene until Police go in first and verify it is safe for the Fire Department to enter. By reducing staffing in the Police Department, our response times to such scenes could be significantly delayed, thus delaying the Fire Department’s ability to enter a scene and mitigate an emergency in a timely matter.

Reducing Police staffing could have a significant impact on the health and safety of the Citizens of Des Moines. We encourage you to reconsider your decision to reduce Police staffing. We need, at the very minimum, to keep current staffing levels to maintain a safe Community which the Citizens of Des Moines deserve!

Respectfully,
Scott Ervin
Vice President
South King County Professional Firefighters
IAFF Local #2024

On Friday, November 27th, I couldn’t help but notice a shopping cart, piled high with boxes and rubbish, blocking the sidewalk and parked right in front of the “Welcome to Des Moines” sign at Pacific Highway S. and Kent-Des Moines Road. Most likely a homeless person was using it to transport belongings, and had left it there.

On Saturday afternoon, November 28th, the cart was still there.

I drove past again on Wednesday, December 2nd. There sat the cart. By now, some of its contents were beginning to blow around the adjacent planting beds and into the street. I thought surely someone from the City would have seen this by now and at least moved it so it wasn’t blocking the sidewalk.

I happened by the location again on Saturday, December 5th. Cart intact.

Hmmm… maybe this is some sort of artwork installation… or it is replacing the boat sails as Des Moines’ new civic symbol?

If it weren’t for the fact I was running late for an appointment, I was going to go move the cart myself, out of sheer frustration that thousands of cars had been proudly welcomed to the City by a grocery cart of rubbish for over a week.

I will be driving by again this afternoon. I can’t wait to see if its still there…

Here are photos taken Saturday the 5th:

- Michael Gray
Director of Campus Services
Landmark on the Sound

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Saturday morning (Dec. 5th), we received an email entitled “Response from the Men and Women of the Des Moines Police Guild, who protect our community” regarding possible budget cuts by the city, and while this is a story we’ll be covering more in-depth over the next few days, we thought it was still relevant enough to post today.

Here’s what they sent:

Between March and April of 2009 the Des Moines Police Officers Guild entered into contract concessions negotiations with the City of Des Moines. The Guild agreed to a one time surrender of a funded annual benefit, saving the City in excess of $70,000.00.

On November 12, 2009, in an unprecedented event, the City and the Mayor met with the Guild in an effort to re‐open concessions negotiations on the existing contract. The City and the Mayor believed they could save currently occupied Police Officer positions from layoff only if the Guild were to concede to an annual reoccurring cut in wages, amounting to approximately $62,000.00. The Guild countered again with a one time surrender and agreed to respond back to the City by no later than 12/03/09.

On November 19, 2009, City council, in absence of the Mayor, voted and passed a motion to eliminate four (4) currently occupied Police Officer positions, one (1) Sergeant position. In addition to the three (3) currently vacant positions which were earlier eliminated.

Their budget cutting actions were retaliatory based. Their cuts were discouraged by our Chief of Police and deeper than those proposed.

The Guild has sent an informational mailing to the public in an effort to inform them of the potential danger in a reduction of police services.

Also, here’s a poster they included:

Dear Blog Editor,

I would like to thank the voters of Des Moines for granting me another four years to represent our great city.

While Des Moines has struggled to overcome a number of adversities over the years, we are poised to build a bright future for all of our residents … one that reflects the values of our community, takes advantage of our ties to Puget Sound and our proximity to regional transportation facilities, and one that ensures a rational, sustainable level of city services for our residents.

I’ve been proud to serve as your City Councilmember for the past four years, and I’m looking forward with enthusiasm and energy to the next four years.

Thank you again!

Cordially,
Dave Kaplan
Des Moines City Councilmember

THANK YOU, DES MOINES!

One is not supposed to write with solid capital letters on the Internet because it is equated with shouting. But I am SHOUTING.

THANK YOU, DES MOINES, for recognizing that we need to stop legislating for our grandparents and start legislating for our grandchildren. By that I mean we need to stay focused on investing in the future, not obsessing with today.

On Tuesday, even in our down economy, the good people of Des Moines set aside haggling over taxes to pass Proposition 1. You created Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District to keep Mount Rainier Pool operating for generations to come. You responded to the message that we do some things right here in the “Waterland City.” And one of the best is our swim program, which, in addition to teaching tens of thousands of kids over the years to swim and be safe around water, gives those kids an opportunity to better themselves and better our community.

As one of your new pool commissioners, I’m fully aware of the need to pinch pennies and stretch dollars… and not just in these lean times. Continuing to do so will be necessary if we are to achieve my goal of seeing to it that every child in this community who wants to learn to swim will have an opportunity to do so.

I look with admiration at Pacific Middle School teacher Schell Ross who can pack Mount Rainier Pool on a Friday night with sixth, seventh and eighth graders who enjoy safe, supervised exercise rather than wandering the streets.

And who can not be inspired by 105-year-old Faith Callahan whose three-days-a-week regimen of low-impact water aerobics keeps her sprightly?

I was particularly struck during our campaign kick-off when Chris Burrage, just hours out of United States Marine Corps boot camp training, showed up, unannounced and in full-dress uniform. He wasn’t on the agenda and initially declined an invitation to speak. But he was moved by his remembrances of the role swimming at Mount Rainier Pool has played in his life. He spoke wistfully of those memories and what it meant to be a teenager growing up in Des Moines. He then exhorted the crowd to “fight to keep Mount Rainier Pool.”

And there was Ariana Kukors, who began swimming at Mount Rainier Pool as a 5-year-old and would go on this last summer to be crowned the fastest woman in the world in the 200m IM. She didn’t flinch a minute to break off from her training in Southern California for the US Olympics team to return home to urge voters to keep the pool open.

And you did.

So I, once again, just wanna shout: THANK YOU, DES MOINES!

Gene Achziger for
Save Our Swimming

Dear Editor –

It is election time again and there is confusion in the craft. So many good people, all wanting to serve the community and in as many different ways, have stood up to the scrutiny of voters. From each candidate comes a word or two that they know voters really want to hear or read about. The voter’s pamphlet lays open on our table and it is eagerly analyzed but rarely fully understood. So when you evaluate each individual and come up empty or undecided, it is time to look at all of the issues confronting us today, this year, and onwards.

A few very important items glare up as you read, line by line, all of the propositions and positions taken by the candidates. It becomes a choice, not so much of which person to vote for, but what they stand for. Proceeding down the list of issues, we are made, painfully aware, that our little city of Des Moines is running on empty when it comes to finances and action must be forthcoming to bail us out. This immediately begs the question:

“How long did it take us to get to such a sad, sorry state, and how much is the recession actually responsible for this?”

Instead of looking backward to find causes and assign blame, we need to decide how to get back on our feet and return to the proud existence that was once enjoyed by our fellow citizens. We find that two major items before us are; the need to maintain a suitable police presence and preserving parks and recreation facilities, both nearly on equal footing. Now, realistically, you can deny the good judgment of our chief of police Roger Baker and start carrying a sidearm while looking over your shoulder or you can argue strongly for holding onto what we have. The first priority that a city has toward its citizens is a comprehensive blanket of security. All else becomes secondary, especially when you see graffiti on walls and fences declaring “territorial rights”.

I would like to share my thoughts about what I think would make Des Moines a better more attractive destination and tourist Mecca:

• At the first opportunity there would be a closure of Marine View Drive one or two weekends a year for street vendors, rerouting traffic through 7th Avenue but only during the events.
• A small seafood shop like Ivar’s would be encouraged to set up down on the northern end of the marina.
• There would be a large gazebo erected where the “Big Catch” plaza is now for occasional entertainers and kid things.
• Our city leaders would begin selling the sizzle of Des Moines instead of the steak. Why not partner with a little east coast village as a “sister city” such as Nantucket or Provincetown?
• In the process we could also encourage a casino to open nearer to the marina and add to our revenue base.
• In the summer it seems that a water taxi visiting and bringing tourists is an ideal goal.

Many of these things depend on a little more leeway on the part of our permit and building staff and the ability of the new council to present a much more friendly face to prospective residents and businesses. Oh and why not lease the Des Moines Cinema to the parks and recreation department such as the one in Auburn?

Our city of Des Moines has promise; you candidates and incumbents need to make some promises that you can keep.

- Pat Nardo

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The citizens of Des Moines have an opportunity this election to stand with tradition and stand with their children, seniors and community.

It was 41 years ago that the people of King County approved the Forward Thrust measure to build 16 pools across the county so that our children could be taught to swim and combat the grim statistics which, even today, record that nine Americans drown every day – three of them children. Today, many of those pools have closed, victims of communities that just don’t care enough.

Over the last two months of campaigning, I’ve heard time and again from the city council candidates about how bad things are here in Des Moines. But I’m here to report about something that’s right with our community: the job that’s being done at Mount Rainier Pool.

Since Mount Rainier Pool finally opened its doors in 1975, tens of thousands of kids have learned to swim, to perform CPR and learned lifesaving skills that keep them, and all of us safer here in the “Waterland City.”

Teaching kids to swim is the No. 1 priority, but there’s so much more. Seniors and the infirm are maintaining their mobility and lengthening their lives through low-impact water aerobics programs. Faith Callahan last week celebrated her 105th birthday and attributes her continued good health to her three-days-a-week regimen at the pool.

Our high school and swim clubs are producing some of the best swimmers in the state – young athletes who go on to represent us at the collegiate, national and international levels. Remember that the fastest woman in the world in the 200m IM, Ariana Kukors, practices at Mount Rainier Pool. The best men’s 200 fly swimmer in the Big Ten, Scott Rice of the University of Wisconsin, only a few years ago led the Mount Rainier Rams to three consecutive 3A state championships.

We have numerous young servicemen and women who credit their physical fitness and leadership skills to time spent at Mount Rainier Pool. US Marines Christopher Sharpe and Christopher Burrage both sing high praise for their association with youth programs at the pool.

And how remarkable is it that once a month Pacific Middle School kids fill the pool for safe, supervised water activities on Friday nights?

This hasn’t happened by accident. It’s happened because this community cares about its young people. It cares about its seniors. And even now, during the current hard economic times, this community understands that preserving these opportunities is well worth the approximately $1 per week, per household, it will take to keep Mount Rainier Pool open for this and future generations. That’s it, for the average homeowner, a buck a week.

You’ve done good Des Moines. Let’s keep up the tradition! Vote YES! on Prop. 1.

Gene Achziger, for
Save Our Swimming

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Letter to the editor:

Parks, Recreation and Senior Services builds community and enhances your quality of life.

What is important to you?

The Des Moines Legacy Foundation was established in 1999 to support Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services to help ensure that Des Moines remains a beautiful, healthy, safe and caring place to raise our children and enjoy retirement.

Every day our lives are enriched by the work of Parks, Recreation and Senior Services preserving our environment, nurturing our children, providing activities, services and events for our citizens regardless of age, access needs, ability to pay, and connecting and celebrating our community.

We believe that parks and recreation programs are the foundation of our community that contributes to the social, physical and mental health, safety and security, economic and environmental fabric of the community; essential building blocks for healthy families and citizens. These are important values to the citizens of Des Moines and are necessary to make Des Moines a livable community.

The City of Des Moines has for many years faced severe financial challenges due to the lack of a sustainable tax base. As reported in the September edition of the City Currents, due to the economic slowdown the City reduced expenses by cutting over ten positions, negotiating several “give backs” from employees, closing City Hall and all non-essential operations for five days, and keeping a lid on all expenditures for materials, supplies, and services. The Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Department also increased program fees, ended non-revenue producing programs and special events, and severely reduced park maintenance to a level below 1994 standards.

For 2010, the City is facing an additional $2M cut due to more reductions to sales and property taxes. Proposals have been made to close many of your recreation programs and parks to offset the budget shortfall. These cuts would drastically reduce or bring an end to youth and adult sports programs, before and after school programs, camps, fitness programs, facilities such as the Field House and Steven J. Underwood Memorial Park, and reduce maintenance further or close many of the parks in your neighborhoods.

Share your vision for Des Moines with its leadership!

The Des Moines Legacy Foundation asks you to take a moment and let your elected officials know how important Parks, Recreation and Senior Services are to your family and to the community.

• E-mail the Mayor and Des Moines City Council at: citycouncil@desmoineswa.gov
• Attend a City Council meeting on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and provide public comment
• Write the Des Moines Mayor and City Council at:
  City of Des Moines
  21630 11th Avenue South
  Des Moines, WA 98198

Contribute to your community and make a lasting difference.

The Des Moines Legacy Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit whose purpose is to raise funds and provide financial support for community programs, park enhancements and to serve the less fortunate in our community. Your donations can be directed to support youth and senior scholarships or to sponsor a specific recreation or senior services program; contribute to park amenities such as play equipment, picnic tables and memorial benches; rehabilitate the historic Field House Grandstand or to support community events such as Fireworks Over Des Moines and the Des Moines Farmers Market. Your investment at any level will help the legacy continue!

Please help us keep Des Moines a family community.

Together we can build a brighter future through parks, recreation and senior services in the Des Moines community!

Sincerely,
Clark B. Snure, President
Des Moines Legacy Foundation

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