Exit133

April 15, 2014 · Exit133

YES! Parks & Zoo Campaign Announces Unprecedented Tacoma-wide Coalition

As ballots for the April 22nd election arrived this week, the Neighbors for Parks campaign announced an unprecedented community coalition of more than 50 Tacoma civic organizations representing neighborhood, youth, education, business, labor, environmental, and philanthropy groups and communities of faith (see list attached).

“Everyone is on board to support Proposition 1,” said Campaign Co-Chair Debbie Regala. “We have organizational and volunteer support from every neighborhood in Tacoma. Community organizations represent the grassroots of Tacoma. They understand, at the local level, the urgent needs to preserve and protect our neighborhood parks and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.”

To pass, Proposition 1 must win at least a super-majority of 60 percent approval and enough registered voters must cast their ballots to meet the election validation requirement. If approved by voters on April 22nd, Proposition 1 will:

  • Preserve Parks, Playgrounds & Playfields. More than 70 improvements to parks, deteriorating playgrounds, playfields, aquatic facilities and community centers.
  • Protect Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Animal life-support improvements. Replace aging North Pacific Aquarium. Upgrade Polar Bear, Marine life exhibits.
  • Protect Natural Areas & Open Space. Critical habitat restoration and conservation. Protect waterfront, lakes, streams and creeks throughout Tacoma.
  • Protect Cultural & Historic Landmarks. Preserve and enhance Tacoma’s landmarks. Fort Nisqually, Seymour Conservatory and Point Defiance Lodge.
  • Upgrade Safety, Health and Security. Clean up polluted and contaminated park areas. Upgrade park area security and lighting systems.

Proposition 1 is a $198 million bond measure that would cost the average Tacoma homeowner approximately $8 per month for the parks and zoo improvements and safety upgrades district-wide.

“Bill Ray said he wanted to erase all the pain and all the hurt, when I asked him, ‘Why a community center?’” said Shalisa Hayes, Honorary Co-Chair and mother of Billy Ray Shirley, III. “He said, ‘there’s nowhere for kids on the Eastside to go.’ We lost one life, but we will save many more. Billy’s friends and community partners are working together, but we need to pass Proposition 1.”

“The Zoo & Aquarium is a treasured attraction and a major economic engine for Tacoma,” added Karen Veitenhans, Honorary Co-Chair and Vice President of The Zoo Society. “Critical animal life-support systems must be upgraded to maintain care standards. The 51 year-old North Pacific Aquarium is projected to fail within 5 years. The aging Polar Bear and Marine life exhibits badly need renovations to ensure optimal care for these amazing animals.”

“I grew up playing in Tacoma’s parks and playgrounds,” said Doug McArthur, Honorary Co-Chair and Executive Secretary of the Tacoma Athletic Commission. “As a parent, I used the parks to coach youth softball, baseball, and football. My children played in them almost every day. I want to be sure all the Tacoma kids have the same opportunities to be safe, healthy and active – now and in the future.”

“Safe and accessible parks are essential to strengthening our community and quality of life,” said Honorary Co-Chair and Executive Director of Safe Streets. Proposition 1 helps make sure every neighborhood has parks and community centers, so we can continue recreation and after-school programs that keep our kids active, well-supervised and safe.”

Both the News Tribune and Tacoma Weekly joined in editorial support of Proposition this week as well. In recommending a “YES” vote, the News Tribune editorial noted, “like a homeowner who needs to put on a new roof, we must invest in our park system if it is to thrive and not deteriorate.”(Editorial 4/6/14)

The Tacoma Weekly wrote, “Renovations would come at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – improvements that would boot the appeal of the attraction and its role as an economic engine in the community. But most impactful for Tacomans will be improvements at neighborhood parks.” (Editorial 3/11/14)

Proposition 1 Endorsements

Tacoma-wide & Youth

  • Safe Streets
  • League of Women Voters
  • PTA, Tacoma Council
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Billy Ray Shirley, III Foundation
  • Tahoma Associates
  • Humane Society
  • Foundation for Tacoma Students
  • Elements of Education Board
  • Stand for Children
  • Ministerial Alliance
  • Asia Pacific Cultural Center
  • Black Collective
  • NAACP
  • Urban League
  • Centro Latino
  • Korean Women’s Association
  • Operating Engineers #286
  • Pierce Central Labor Council
  • Realtors Association
  • Tacoma Public Schools, Board Resolution
  • Master Builders Association

Environment, Parks & Recreation

  • Pierce Conservation Voters
  • Tahoma Audubon
  • Forterra, Formerly Cascade Land Conservancy
  • Forever Green
  • Puget Creek Restoration Society
  • Greater Metro Parks Foundation
  • The Zoo Society
  • W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory Foundation
  • Fort Nisqually Foundation
  • Northwest Trek Foundation
  • Nortac Soccer Club
  • Tacoma South Sound Sports
  • Tacoma Athletic Commission

Neighborhood & Civic

  • North End Neighborhood Council
  • Central Tacoma Neighborhood Council
  • Eastside Neighborhood Advisory Council
  • West End Neighborhood Council
  • South End Neighborhood Council
  • Stewart Heights Neighborhood Coalition
  • Friends of Charlotte's Blueberry Park
  • Friends of Franklin Park
  • Friends of McKinley Park
  • Fern Hill Park Alliance
  • Friends of Swan Creek Watershed
  • North Slope Historic District
  • Pierce County Democrats
  • Pierce County Young Democrats
  • 27th Legislative District Democrats
  • 28th Legislative District Democrats
  • 29th Legislative District Democrats
  • Fuse Washington
  • Tacoma City Council, Resolution
  • Tacoma Library Board
  • The News Tribune
  • Tacoma Weekly

Campaign Chairs

  • Kathleen Olson, Executive Director, Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society
  • Debbie Regala, Former Senator, Washington State
  • Willie Stewart, Fmr. Asst. Supt. Tacoma Public Schools

Honorary Campaign Co-Chairs

Civic, Business and Labor

  • Arthur Banks, Reverend, Ministerial Alliance
  • Benjii Bittle, Fmr. Admin., Tacoma Arts Comm.
  • Brad Cheney, President, Cheney Foundation
  • Georgia Conway, Retired, Tacoma Public Library
  • Ryan Dicks, Sustainability Mgr., Pierce County
  • Tom Dixon, Pres. Emeritus, Urban League
  • Ken Gibson, Exec. Dir., TACID
  • Holly Bamford Hunt, Director, Bamford Fdn.
  • Priscilla Lisicich, Director, Safe Streets
  • Dawn Lucien, Civic Leader
  • Bruce & Barbara Lind, Tacoma Rose Society
  • Mark Martinez, Building & Construction Trades
  • Doug McArthur, Exec. Sec., Athletic Comm.
  • Jeannie Mitchell, Pres., Pierce Co. Democrats
  • Susan Odencrantz, Dir., Tacoma Public Library
  • Lua Pritchard, Exec. Dir., Asia Pacific Cultural Ctr.
  • Patty Rose, Sec./Treasurer, Pierce Co. Labor
  • Ann Seago, Trustee, Tacoma Public Library
  • Jay Stricherz, Pres., Tacoma Athletic Comm.
  • James Walton, Fmr. City Mgr., City of Tacoma

Youth, Environment, and Education

  • Tony Anderson, Board, Boys & Girls Club
  • Joanne Bamford, Bamford Foundation
  • Dan Barkley, Board, Fdn. for Tacoma Students
  • Sam Bell, Operations, Tacoma Schools
  • Sue Bernstein, Friends of Swan Creek Watershed
  • Kellie Bennett, President, PTA
  • Dan Bessett, Principal, Tacoma Schools
  • Darren Campbell, Vice Pres., PTA
  • Dottie Dedrick, Retired, Tacoma Schools
  • Ross Hjelseth, Headmaster, Life Christian Acad.
  • Charles D'Hondt, Retired, Tacoma Public Schools
  • Helen Engle, Board Member, Mountaineers
  • Bryan Flint, E.D., Greater Metro Parks Foundation
  • Pat Flynn, Retired, Tacoma Public Schools
  • Dr. Josh Garcia, Dep. Supt., Tacoma Public Schools
  • Dr. Ruby Harris, Retired, Tacoma Schools
  • Dean Martin, Retired, Tacoma Schools
  • Teresa Maxwell, Director, Communities in Schools
  • Larry Norvell, Executive Director, The Zoo Society
  • Lyle Quasim, Advisor, UW Tacoma
  • Liesl Santkuyl, Director, Stand for Children
  • Larry Saunders, Board Chair, Boys & Girls Club
  • Dave Seago, Board, Pierce Conservation Dist.
  • Jim Shoemake, Chair, Fdn. for Tacoma Students
  • Jessica Upton, Uniserv Dir., Tacoma Educ. Assn.
  • Eugene & Kathleen Wiegman, Fmr. President, PLU
  • Jack Wilson, E.D., Metro Parks Tacoma

Current and Former Elected Officials

  • Marilyn Strickland, Mayor, City of Tacoma
  • Victoria Woodards, Deputy Mayor, City of Tacoma
  • Bill Baarsma, Fmr. Mayor, City of Tacoma
  • Brian Ebersole, Fmr. Mayor, City of Tacoma
  • Harold, Moss, Fmr. Mayor, City of Tacoma
  • Tim Reid, Pres. & Commnr., Metro Parks Tacoma
  • Larry Dahl, Commnr., Metro Parks Tacoma
  • Erik Hanberg, Commnr., Metro Parks Tacoma
  • Aaron Pointer, Commnr., Metro Parks Tacoma
  • Andrea Smith, Commnr., Metro Parks Tacoma
  • Laurie Jinkins, State Rep.
  • Jake Fey, State Rep.
  • Steve Conway, State Sen.
  • Rosa Franklin, Fmr. State Sen.
  • David Boe, Council, City of Tacoma
  • Marty Campbell, Council, City of Tacoma
  • Anders Ibsen, Council, City of Tacoma
  • Ryan Mello, Council, City of Tacoma
  • Robert Thoms, Council, City of Tacoma
  • Lauren Walker, Council, City of Tacoma
  • Rick Talbert, Council, Pierce County
  • Scott Heinz, Director, Tacoma Public Schools
  • Kurt Miller, Pres. & Dir., Tacoma Public Schools
  • Catherine Ushka, Director, Tacoma Public Schools
  • Karen Vialle, Director, Tacoma Public Schools
  • Debbie Winskill, Director, Tacoma Public Schools
  • Kim Golding, Fmr. Dir., Tacoma Public Schools
  • Connie Rickman, Fmr. Dir., Tacoma Public Schools

*Titles and organizations provided for identification purposes only

Filed under: Parks, Elections