Letter to Editors - Woodinville Weekly - Dec. 3, 2012

Mike O’Grady, Letter to Editors - Woodinville Weekly - Dec. 3, 2012

In the November 19th Woodinville Weekly, Snohomish County Park and Recreation Director Tom Tiegen is quoted as saying “… we have thousands of folks very supportive of this park …” to replace the golf course.

At the Snohomish County Parks Advisory Board meeting on Tuesday, November 13,  he stated that there were a lot of supporters who didn’t want to get into battles with their neighbors but were very supportive.

Does Tom really think that those of us who gave up our time to attend the meeting really want to get into battles with anyone?

Does he not think we have more important things to do on a Tuesday afternoon?
Let me draw an analogy. Suppose we decide to build a county aquatic center in Tom’s back yard.

I guarantee you there would be numerous supporters in a 3, 4 or 5 mile radius but it would not make or break their current living situation.

If it goes through they’d be pleased, however if it did not, no big deal.

However, Tom himself would be very opinionated. If it goes through, his whole life changes forever as there will now be thousands of people tromping through his backyard to the aquatic center.

The constant noise, particularly on weekends, and the night lights would permanently alter his lifestyle.

He would have skin in the game and would cut out of work to fight the proposal.
Such is the case for the neighbors adjacent to the current golf course location.

Our lives will change forever if Snohomish County government runs us over.

The whole idea to mitigate the construction of Brightwater was to put in parks to offset wiping out such a large green space.

A commercial sports complex is NOT a park. If you want to see a park, visit Volunteer Park or the Washington Park Arboretum.

It seems as if Brightwater has given Snohomish County government carte blanche to run over local residential neighborhoods.

No private business would be allowed to build such a complex as it violates local zoning laws. Does the county not have to abide by the law?

Thank You,
Mike O’Grady, Woodinville