As a parent, business owner, full-time resident, and future senior, I strongly endorse the formation of a parks and rec district on Lopez to bridge an urgent gap in funding for our school and keep our community from falling further behind on services benefiting younger children, working families, and seniors. I also support Bridie Spreinie and Kit Ledbetter in the contested positions because they are more qualified, informed, and dedicated candidates.

The Rally for the Rec committee has made an extraordinary effort to communicate their goals, the process, and the challenges ahead for over a year now. They have held numerous outreach events and responded to voters’ questions and concerns with integrity and transparency. If voters still have doubts, they should direct themselves to reliable sources of information, such as the Rally for the Rec website, and speak directly with the committee, school administrators, county council members, and informed community members rather than rely upon inaccurate social media grousing.

The benefits to our community will be wide and long-lasting, as will the negative consequences if we choose to NOT fund sports, after-school and summer programming, art, music, etc. Inequality is a serious issue on our island. We have an opportunity here to ameliorate the growing divide and invest in a healthy, connected, active community. Please look to the future, Lopez, and let’s RALLY FOR THE REC!

Megan McLean