Fish Park
Thank you, anonymous donor
I want to applaud the recent land donation of two parcels from an anonymous donor to the Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC), see the June 11 Herald. In turn, Great Peninsula Conservancy has donated this land along Dogfish Creek at the head of Liberty Bay to the city of Poulsbo.
This total 7.43 acres is now being added to the city’s Fish Park. What a benevolent act with benefits to the community now and for generations to come.
There are tax benefits to land owners that make land donations and with the recent enactment of the Farm Bill, it is worthwhile for owners to investigate the advantages. You do not need to donate a property’s total rights to realize tax benefits or to do a good turn for your community.
Conservation easements may restrict lands from development while allowing agriculture, forestry, or other land uses to continue. The donation of rights in a strip of land for trail easements is another option.
One only needs to look at the successful progress on the Clear Creek Trail through Silverdale to see the result of folks working together for a community cause and more of Great Peninsula Conservancy’s fine efforts.
Right now, the city of Poulsbo Parks and Recreation Department, the North Kitsap Trails Association, and other organizations are planning for future trails to connect public open space and communities in the North End.
The Land Trust Alliance, an umbrella group for land trusts like Great Peninsula Conservancy, has land donation tax benefit information posted on their Web site. Locally, Great Peninsula Conservancy can be contacted through their site.
You can also get involved with trail planning at a Poulsbo Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, every fourth Monday of the month, 7 p.m.
Putting together a string of trails and great places like Fish Park is a long and tireless job. The pieces are certainly welcomed as they add to the good of the area.
Thanks to all involved and particularly to those most generous donors.
Wayne R. Hill
Poulsbo
DOT
Kitsap’s getting the raw end of the deal
The Washington State Department of Transportation has now formally joined all other government Departments in recognizing that, since they are unable to complete their assigned basic mission, DOT will refine their primary responsibility to that of social engineering.
The transition has been gradual but consistent. First it was the HOV lanes that had to remain dedicated 24 hours a day seven days a week.
After all, federal dollars paid for those lanes so they had to be preserved as sacred. Look how easy it has been for DOT to start the shift of HOV lanes to “pay for use” lanes. The next step is to upgrade from HOV-2 to HOV-3 which will do little more than increase congestion or force the two occupant vehicles into “pay as you go” lane commuters.
The toll on the Narrows bridge jumps by almost one-third without apparent government concern. How do we get that kind of fee increase without legislative action?
What option do we in Kitsap have other than to pay the toll?
Now DOT ferries has a plan to charge more and perhaps require reservation for vehicles during commute hours. The idea is to “encourage” more people to walk-on, expand car-pools, or use their bikes for transportation.
Is it possible that the ferries brain trust is so out of touch with the needs of the people of Kitsap County? Can they really believe that our taxpayers and citizens put up with a four-hour commute each day by choice or that paying to take a car cross-sound is really a matter of choice?
What part of “ferries are part of the highway system” do they not understand?
Would it be possible for us to elect a governor and legislators who will pay more attention to the primary duties we assigned them under the Constitution and a little less time trying to run our lives for us?
With Olympia so deeply into our pocketbooks and no relief in sight, when do we stop paying for our family necessities so we can pay our taxes? Just how much more are we willing to take before we actually revolt?
Jack Hamilton
Silverdale
KRA wants you
Kingston is
seeking volunteers
Kingston Revitalization Association (KRA) is soliciting community minded volunteers.
Looking for something to fill your day? We are an organization that gets things done. We are friendly, and charge no dues. Age is no limit, young or mature. All you need is a willingness to socialize and accomplish deeds that give back to the community. We meet the third Monday of every month at the American Marine Bank in Kingston at 7 p.m. and you’re invited.
We have been in existence since the summer of 1997 for the purpose of revitalizing downtown Kingston. We are a sub-committee of the Greater Kingston Area Chamber of Commerce. The Association is comprised of local residents, and business and property owners, working together to promote and maintain a healthy and prosperous downtown while preserving “The Little Village by the Cove.”
So, come join us. There is a great deal of personal satisfaction in completing our projects, and serving the community. It would be our honor to meet you. For more information, please contact Karen Ross at (360) 297-0316.
Ron Muell
Kingston
