Thou shalt not flood thy neighbor

Published 1:01 am Friday, October 3, 2008

Have I lived in North Bend forever? Just about! I came here as a toddler in 1918 and my grandfather, a section foreman for the railroad, was here before that. This is where my children were born and raised and now my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

For more years than I can remember my family and I have hoped to see Tollgate Farm saved. Now we have a willing seller and lots of property that is less sensitive, zoned for manufacturing near Truck Town. Also, employment figures indicated we are ahead of our GMA mandate.

I was a business woman here in the Valley for over 30 years. I have studied the cost of North Bend’s Proposition 1 and feel the ballot measure is a responsible proposal. Our bond rating of A- is a first among cities of our size! If we vote yes on Prop. 1, our taxes will still be lower than Snoqualmie and unincorporated King County.

Have you ever walked into the city building that has a banner that reads, “Thou Shalt Not Flood Thy Neighbor?” Haven’t we had enough experience with flooding to know better than to pave over this flood-holding property and send Snoqualmie more water than they have ever dealt with in recent history?

For the sake of ourselves and future generations, please join me and my family by voting “yes” on Prop. 1, Sept. 18.

Betty Holstein

North Bend