Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Responding to PenMet commissioner’s letter

Oct 20, 2023 | By: Craig McLaughlin

Response To Steve Nixon’s Letters First: I asked Mr. Nixon if anyone from PenMet or the For Committee would debate me offering anytime and anyplace. On August 10, 2023, Mr. Nixon responded: “I wouldn’t anticipate a debate.  Not sure how that would work.” Also, Ally and I were invited to speak before the Gig Harbor

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Letter to the editor: Impressed by PenMet’s board, staff

Oct 18, 2023 | By: Joan Storkman

Gig Harbor is fortunate to have PenMet Parks Director, Board and staff who are extremely skilled, professional and deeply care about our community and have presented us with a solid financial plan for the future of our parks. My family has lived in Gig Harbor since the 1940’s and as our community has grown, so

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Letter to the editor: Levy request is a referendum on PenMet

Oct 18, 2023 | By: Peggy Power

The PenMet vote is NOT about whether we value our parks. Instead, it is a referendum on how this public agency makes decisions and spends our tax dollars. A NO vote does not take away PenMet’s $8+ million budget — it only stops a 30% increase. The PenMet park I live next to is part

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Letter to the editor: Clarifying statements about PenMet’s budget

Oct 17, 2023 | By: Steve Nixon

I am writing regarding Craig McLaughlin’s October 10, 2023 Letter to the Editor, which contained several factual inaccuracies and misleading statements. PenMet Parks staff has developed the district’s draft 2024 operating and capital budget proposal which responsibly balances community needs, goals and objectives with available resources while reinforcing the district’s long-term financial stability. The first

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Letter to the editor: PenMet measure will help preserve Gig Harbor as we know it

Oct 17, 2023 | By: Deb Krishnadasan

I grew up in a rural Pierce County home surrounded by forests. When we asked, we were told the land directly across from our house was wetlands, unbuildable. Five years later, a large, grey, concrete warehouse stood on that land directly in front of our house. Developers figured out how to build. There has been tremendous

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Letter to the Editor: How does PenMet compare to other park districts?

Oct 17, 2023 | By: Craig McLaughlin

PenMet has referred to data provided by the National Recreation and Park Association or “NRPA.”  NRPA has 7 key metrics it uses to compare one park with another. The NRPA metric data is compiled from a thousand park districts across the country. I’ve used the data for park districts with between 20,000 and 50,000 residents

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Letter to the editor: PenMet request is excessive

Oct 17, 2023 | By: Tom Long

The PenMet Tax levy lid lift request is excessive, in particular because of the built in “up to 6% annual increase for 5 years”. Can you imagine that it will ever be less than the full 6% per year? The need is not established. As an example, I love Mccormick Forest but I cannot imagine

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Letter to the editor: Misinformation and inaccurate statements by PenMet levy opponents

Oct 11, 2023 | By: Steve Nixon

I am writing in response to Ed Friedrich’s article on the PenMet Parks levy lid lift measure. Mr. Friedrich’s reporting on this measure provides a good explanation regarding the funding structure for PenMet, as well as explaining the financial implications associated with the measure. Unfortunately, some of the information and statements provided in the GHN

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Letter to the editor: PenMet’s risky financial planning

Oct 10, 2023 | By: Craig McLaughlin

PenMet is pleading poverty in 2024. Its draft 2024 budget shows that without the additional $2.7 million in property tax levies the levy lid lift would provide just in 2024 (almost a 30% increase), PenMet would have to cut its cash outlays by $2.5 million. Let’s take a closer look at how PenMet plans to

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Letter to the editor: Who is financially responsible for future environmental damage?

Oct 09, 2023 | By: Lucinda Wingard

Regarding “The Reserve, an RM Homes development approved by the City of Gig Harbor despite environmental threats”: Who pays for future environmental damage caused by a developer? “In the event of imminent threat to public health, welfare, or water quality, the Stormwater Maintenance Agreement gives the city unrestricted authority to access the stormwater facilities for

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