Under normal circumstances, if someone knocks on your front door and asks you to sign a petition to begin a new tax, said petitioner would get ushered off your porch sans signature. In Kingston, the signature seeker gets a John Hancock and an “atta boy” to boot.

In February, the Village Green Foundation presented 1,250 signatures to the county of real, actual people who are willing to create a new tax and would happily pay it. The signees support the creation of a parks district that would have taxing authority. The idea is to raise somewhere around 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value. The money will fund programs and maintenance at a community center to be built on West Kingston Road.

The community gathering place will include an activities space, a permanent home for the North Kitsap Boys and Girls Club and a public library branch.

The proposal is now under review by the Boundary Review Board. If it’s approved it will appear on the Aug. 17 primary ballot.

Hats off to the horde of Kingston volunteers for collecting the signatures and to the Kingston community as a whole. They saw a need and are willing to put their own money toward the solution. But then again, that’s what Kingston is best known for.

We’re duly impressed by the successful signature drive, but we’re surely not surprised.