By Chuenchom Greacen
Lopez Island
Our community faces a wild ride ahead. Funding cuts at the federal and state levels are shrinking services we rely on. Our County government also has to slash its budget 9% next year. And we haven’t even begun to feel the full costs of climate change, with eroding roads and wildfire risks.
San Juan County is already one of the least affordable places in the state. Wage growth isn’t keeping pace with rising costs. Our health insurance premiums may soon double. About 40% of islanders do not earn enough to “afford basic household needs,” according to the County. Our median age is now 60. As we age, we need more services like eldercare and home repairs. But our working-age population, who provide these services, is shrinking. Affordability is what makes it challenging for working families to make a life here. Without a thriving school, it will be even harder to attract and retain young people. Services like emergency medical services may be impacted.
Many Lopezians are hanging on to being here because there is something precious about Lopez. Many have long chosen to live a life rich in community and creativity, not in money, rejecting the gospel of the corporate rat race. We thrived on autonomy, personal empowerment and connection with nature. We clean up beaches, help each other, repair things. We share our musical, artistic and life skills. That spirit is our recreation.
The question on the ballot is: Do we need a new Lopez Parks & Rec taxing district to provide organized recreation?
Lopez needs a thriving school and subsidized after-school and summer youth programs to attract young families for the community’s vibrancy. But the school is in a budget crisis, and funding for these programs is uncertain. As a trustee of Lopez Island Education Foundation, which has worked hard to fill the school’s $300,000 funding gap, I know it is difficult to meet such needs through private donations.
Lopez does have wealth. Our per capita income is the second highest in the state, thanks to high unearned income from investments. Thanks to generous donors, we are making 70% progress toward the $300,000 goal for this year, but we have to do it all over again next year. Can we rely on just donations year after year? This is why the Lopez Rec formation committee worked hard to put the district and a levy on the ballot. If passed, the levy could help solve half of the school’s budget gap and support groups like Lopez Island Family Resource Center and Youth Conservation Corps that provide youth programs. It is regrettably the only broad-based, sustainable solution that I see right now.
But the formation committee envisions 40% budget for staffing and admin. They believe besides passing funds to the school and organizations, Lopez needs bureaucratic “structure” and a director who is paid $117,000 plus benefits to provide organized recreation (primarily sports). This and the glossy marketing feel out of touch with our rural, self-reliant community. It is debatable if Lopezians want to tax themselves to have institutionalized recreation for adults. Extra tax adds strain on those with limited income. Even non-property owners indirectly pay property taxes through their rents.
I’m running to serve on the Lopez Rec Commission because I want to support the school, children and young families, but keep Lopez Rec lean by passing through funds primarily and not taking the full levy rate of 37 cents per $1,000 property value ($30 per month for $957,000 median home value) to minimize tax burden. Our community’s strength is in our resilience — let’s protect it.
