Opinion

Letter to the editor by Billy Sehmel, PenMet Parks commissioner.

It seems the only way ongoing forward momentum is made in the Peninsula School District regarding DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) and HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying), is to have the news publish an article about it. Thank you for your coverage in February. Since attending school board meetings from the beginning of the school year, I

Gig Harbor taxpayers are clearly tapped out and that’s why this property tax hike got rejected by 70% of voters. Even though proponents cheated by using tax dollars and illegally utilizing city personnel to promote their side, the citizens of Gig Harbor saw through it and overwhelmingly rejected this transparent tax grab. It’s long past

This may surprise some people, but I am impressed with Heather Maher’s Letter to the Editor and with her dedication to our community.  I also agree with much of what Heather has to say, and I thank her for sharing her thoughts.  I have always been an advocate for everyone having their say on issues

Edward Nadler’s recent letter brought up the potential Cultural Access tax, stating that “this tax supports the organizations that preserve our city’s charm, natural beauty, and historic heritage.” It seems a fitting time to explain Cultural Access in deeper detail. Cultural Access is a fairly recent piece of legislation (RCW 36.160) that allows municipalities in

Gig Harbor voters are being asked to approve a permanent levy lid lift on property taxes. We are told that there has been no levy increase in over forty years, that in the last decade our population has increased 65%, placing a strain on city services. We’re told that in the last decade the property

On the evening of April 2, 2024, I attended a meeting sponsored by Engage Gig Harbor to learn more about the Gig Harbor Proposition 1, the “Levy Lid Lift”. Passage of this measure would allow the City Council to Increase Gig Harbor Property taxes from the current rate of $0.70/$1,000 to a maximum of $1.10/$1,000.

As a mom, constituent, and PenMet Parks district taxpayer, I feel compelled to stand up against the recent comments directed at our local parks department leadership. For the past three years I have jumped in with both feet with the goal of learning about the Peninsula Metropolitan Parks Department: how the organization is operated, its

The City has a spending problem of its own making. That problem is at the root of the City’s complaint that it is experiencing a deficit in its General Fund. It reports that it is experiencing a 2 million dollar shortfall in its General Fund and proposes to solve this problem by burdening Gig Harbor