We are coming to the end of the campaign season and it is now time for decision making on Proposition No. 1.

A lot of information has been presented and the forces of “no” have responded with half truths and fear tactics as we suspected they would.

They apparently have no faith that city council and the citizens of Port Orchard can digest the information presented and make a rational and proper decision on how we want to address the future of Port Orchard.

Yes, some cities have made mistakes in changing to council/manager, while others have gone through smooth transitions.  I have confidence we can accomplish the latter.

We are no longer a small city with 8,000 citizens as it was when I moved here 13 years ago. Our population is bordering on 12,000 to 13,000 and growing, and as much as the “old guard” might not like it that growth is occurring west of Highway 16 and along the Bethel Corridor and Sedgwick Road.

While conversations about growth and improvement center on downtown, we have sales tax revenue flowing into the city treasury because of activity at McClendons, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Lowes, and Safeway among others.  Last I looked, none of these revenue generators is in downtown.

That is not to say that downtown is not important, it is. But realistically we need to pay attention to the whole city.  The residents west of 16, representing about 35 percent of the city’s population and close to 50 percent of registered voters, wonder when they are going to get the same attention downtown gets.

It has been five years since annexation of McCormick Woods gave the city the land and seed money to build a park. What has been the progress since then? Not much. How would the image of Port Orchard improve with such a beautiful addition? A lot.

We need progress on the Tremont Roundabout. The Bethel Corridor needs a 1-, 5- and 10-year plan that we can follow,  and yes, we need to put the finishing touches on the Bay Street Pedestrian Pathway.

Professional leadership can bring us that progress.

Let’s think outside the box a little and rather than fear change why not embrace it and manage it?  If we can do that we can live in the vibrant community we deserve.

Vote “yes” on Proposition No. 1.

Dick Davis | Port Orchard