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
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
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
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
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
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
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
In the realm of estate planning, parents often find themselves contemplating what to do with their homes. Decisions can range from passing down the family home to children, thus preserving the family’s history and legacy by way of their property, to selling the home prior to passing to utilize its equity for various needs and
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
With October comes pumpkins, costumes, and candy, as well as an abundance of one thing — pink ribbons. The pink ribbon has become the nationwide symbol for breast cancer and is a universal sign of support. Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to bring awareness to the common disease. Whether you have battled the illness yourself
