The citizens of Marietta face an important decision Tuesday on the fate our city's park system for many years to come. I want to explain my support for the parks bond and ask you to consider doing so as well. I feel strongly enough to have contributed $5,000 for campaign expenses and volunteered to be the treasurer of the citizen's committee incorporated as Progress Marietta, Inc. Why am I spending my money, time and effort on this?
* Parks improve the quality of life and property values in the community.
* Parks can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.
* several areas need new and upgraded parks.
* Now is the time to lock in low interest rates, and make improvements when land and labor costs are low as well.
You may have questions and be undecided, or be against the bonds for any reasons that make sense to you. For some people this can be a resistance to taxes in general, or they believe this is not the time in a bad economy.
But consider the following points:
* I am also a strong believer in limited government and low taxes. Yet this is an issue I think the people should consider investing in the future in a way they can enjoy the benefits for a long time to come.
* The economy will likely have improved by the time the money begins to be spent and millage rates are adjusted.
* I believe the cost is modest for the overall benefits, $25 per year per $100,000 of appraised value during the life of the 20-year bonds.
* It is unlikely to find money in the city budget for more than minimal maintenance and improvements for many years, and even more unlikely we will have a chance to do so with a major bond initiative.
You also may not like how the current city council has struggled with the master plan for parks or the bond proposal, what it is or isn't, that the future council can revise it, or what it turns out to be in the end if the bonds are approved. I may not like everything about it either; nothing will please everybody to perfection. But I would rather we approve the bonds and help the city council get past "if" and get on with "how" to improve the park system of the city. I am convinced that whatever the result it is better than doing nothing of significance for years to come.
So if you believe parks are good for us all and ours should be better, NOW is the time to approve the parks bond.
Stephen Imler
Marietta
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