The election is this coming Tuesday, Sept. 18, and it is far too important for any Valley resident to take lightly. On the minds of all North Bend voters, and its surrounding community members, is the Tollgate Farm bond levy. To be validated, the bond measure needs 808 votes.

Remember, a founding principle of our government is taxation with representation. So this is your chance to decide if you are willing to support rural character with your checkbook. I truly wish the burden proposed by the Tollgate bond measure could be spread among all Upper Valley residents, because we will live with your vote, one way or the other.

Many opinions have been echoed here in the pages of the Valley Record. Those opinions have been both pro and con. Let’s not let the passion these individuals show for this subject fall to a non-validated vote. Get out there and show the rest of the Valley what you want. This is your chance.

The levy boils down to whether you are willing to pay for the remaining 56-acre parcel of Tollgate farm that was not purchased by King County and the Trust for Public Lands. Remember, 330 acres of the farm have already been saved and are in permanent open space, regardless of the vote outcome.

But the piece you have been asked to buy is one with a whole lot of character. So please, get out their and vote. Make your vote count.