Endorsement: Measure J sales tax for regional parks

Measure J sales tax would provide dedicated funding to beleaguered parks|

“The nation behaves well,” said Theodore Roosevelt, “if it treats its natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.”

If what the 26th President said is true about our behavior toward parklands, then the nation needs to be put on a “time out.”

How else would you describe it when the public allows its aging state and regional parks facilities to fall into further disrepair, while municipal funding sources are cut or diverted elsewhere – thinning staff and rendering local park improvements almost negligible. Or, worse, in the case of the 2012 state parks scandal, tens of millions of dollars are stashed as hidden assets in a bizarre effort to dupe the state Department of Finance, an embarrassing scheme that brought 70 parks to the brink of closure.

But on Tuesday, Nov. 8, Sonoma County voters will have an opportunity to remedy what park advocates have long described as an ongoing underfunding of regional parks: Measure J.

Measure J is a 10-year half-cent sales tax increase that would raise nearly $10 million per year for Sonoma County Regional Parks. The tax would only apply to businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county, bringing the sales tax in those county maintained neighborhoods from 8.25 percent to 8.75 percent. The revenue raised from the tax would specifically go toward regional parks – to improve existing infrastructure, develop educational programs and allow for expansion into future sites.

While we at the Index-Tribune feel the state of our regional parks should always be a high priority, we could understand voter hesitation over such a new tax five or six years ago during a time of economic stagnation and a cloud hanging over park operations in the wake of the scandal in Sacramento.

But things have changed since then and we think establishing a dedicated funding source for regional parks is an imperative.

There are myriad reasons to support Measure J – from the simple pleasures such open space provides to park goers, to their place as permanent strongholds in the battle against climate change, to the wider benefits of ecological constancy.

The extra half cent called for in the measure will only apply in unincorporated areas, bringing sales tax rates to 8.75 percent. Sonoma County Regional Parks Director Caryl Hart – who is taking a temporary leave of absence from the department to campaign for Measure J – says that with the sales-tax hike remaining outside city limits, its revenues will come largely from winery tourists and motorists at gas stations. While, we agree that a sizeable chunk would be derived from out-of-towners, Sonoma Valley itself has a strong business corridor outside the city limits that’s certainly frequented by locals. Still, an 8.75 percent uptick simply brings the sales tax in line with the City of Sonoma’s current rate.

The timing of the tax would be particularly intriguing to Valley residents, as plans to revitalize Maxwell and Larson parks have been in the works for more than a year – and added revenue from Measure J would help make those projects a reality.

Plus, Tolay Lake Regional Park, a vast 1,769-acre swath of pristine open space adjacent to the Valley’s southwest side, has been under County auspices for more than a decade yet, due to scant funds, the regional parks department has been unable to open its hiking, biking and equestrian trails to full public use.

Sure, not everyone frequents county parks – some would probably shudder at the prospect of a 10 mile hike on a hot day through tick-laden grasslands. But even they would be wise to weigh the benefits of revitalizing the parks – if not for them, but for future generations who are, and will continue to be, increasingly drawn away from the outdoors in our doohicky-driven, device-worshipping society.

Consider this: When the Pokemon Go app was first released this summer, media pundits applauded the game for its ability to get kids to play outside. This prevailing line of thought should alarm everyone – that kids suffer “nature-deficit disorder,” as Richard Louv called it, to such a degree that having their eyes locked on a mindless video game outdoors was seen as an overall benefit to the welfare of the nation’s children. That’s a scary thought.

We began this endorsement with a quote from Teddy Roosevelt, who talked about treating nature as an asset – to be valued, not impaired, for the benefit of the next generation.

We agree that such “values” should be imparted to the next generation. So they can increase their own value – as stewards of the land, conservers of the earth, and torch passers to the next generation. And the generations to come.

We recommend a Yes on Measure J.

– Jason Walsh, editor

– John Burns, publisher

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