Support the Community Center
Occasionally, we citizens have the unique opportunity to make a decision that has a long lasting positive effect on a community.We have this chance on Nov. 6 by voting Yes on Proposition 1, the advisory vote for the community/aquatics center that will enhance and benefit citizens of all ages within our city.
The proposed Sammamish community/aquatics center will be built without any increase in our taxes by using a portion of the city's reserves.
The partnership with the City of Sammamish and YMCA includes the guarantee that the Y, with 144 years of community service and experience, will operate the center and guarantee to cover all operating expenses, insuring that the citizens of Sammamish are not taxed to subsidize the facility as many other cities do.
The Y will also contribute more than $5 million towards the construction of the facility, the furniture, fixtures and equipment, start-up costs, as well as enter into an agreement with the city for the use of the Y property adjacent to Pine Lake Middle School.
Sammamish voters can approve moving forward to have a facility that caters to families, youth, and our senior citizens, offering a full range of health and exercise programs, swimming, meeting rooms, classes and a spirit that will contribute to joining our neighborhoods into a vibrant community.
I can say from personal experience growing up and spending all my free time at the YMCA, that I learned how to swim, compete, win and lose graciously, enhance my personal values and principles, work as a team, and how to lead.
My experience with the Y helped build a foundation in character that I have valued throughout my life.
Let us use this opportunity to invest in our families and future families of our great city of Sammamish.
Let us capitalize on this opportunity that will serve all ages for many years to come.
Let us join with our caring neighbors by voting Yes on the advisory vote, Proposition 1, on Nov. 6.
Thomas J. Sante
Mr. Sante is a Sammamish resident and a volunteer on the Sammamish YMCA Board