September 26, 2006
Tuesday

Dedicated friends and neighbors have spent several years researching, planning, and soliciting input on what has evolved into The White Cliff Center project. On October 3rd, you will have an opportunity to support this vision of a multigenerational facility by voting yes on Proportions 1 and 2. For the plan to move forward both measures need to pass.

No one likes raising taxes, but like the half-cent for recreation, this half-cent is dedicated to this purpose, not the general fund where it can be spent on any project that gets an ear.

Many of the concerns I have heard people express are based on miss information and hearsay. If you have concerns please take the time to make sure those concerns are based in fact. There is an information session at the Ted Ferry Center on Friday September 29th from 5 to 7:30 pm. Please stop by and get accurate information on which to base your decision.

All of the organizations involved have played a valuable role in our community for many, many years. The community has already shown their support or they wouldn t be in existence. The conceptual design is well thought out, and the price tag reflects approximately 20% for contingencies. A portion of the money from the cent sales tax will be set aside to finance long term maintenance items such as paint, windows, and roof replacement on a scheduled life expectancy basis. That means we won t be asked later down the line to provide additional funding to maintain what we have. Once the bond is retired, that portion of the tax can be dedicated to another community project.

Facilities within the building will be available to other organizations and community members when not reserved by the permanent occupants, which is a much-needed commodity in this community.

These are just a few of the areas people have expressed concerns about to me. If you have other questions or concerns, please attend the Friday information session. If you are already a convinced supporter, you need to vote on Oct 3rd, and you need to vote "YES" on both propositions. Thank you.

Susan Doherty
Ketchikan, AK - USA


About: "26 year resident"

On the Web:

Proposition 1 - Sales Tax Increase: For the full text of Ordinance No. 1403 click here
http://borough.ketchikan.ak.us/clerks/documents/1403.pdf

Proposition 2 - Bonds: For the full text of Ordinance No. 1404 click here
http://borough.ketchikan.ak.us/clerks/documents/1404.pdf

White Cliff Project
http://www.ketchikanarts.org/whitecliff

 

 

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