Dr Fishaut’s mysteriously uninformed letter demands a response. Whaaat Dr Fishaut? The Zylstra Lake Trail is the hoped-for baby of our County Manager who, also hopefully, will be soon on his way to other pastures to impact. The Conservation Land Bank did not promote or pursue the Zylstra Lake Trail Project. Please check your facts before proselytizing, especially about issues heartfelt in our small community. As such, your accusations of bulldozing, condescension, and elitism belong squarely with the County Manager and not the Conservation Land Bank Director, who, with Land Bank Commission, knew better than to align with the strategy of this unpopular project. This was County Manager’s baby and was never authorized or pursued by the Land Bank Commission.

The Conservation Land Bank Renewal is coming up and it is important that we all keep the facts foremost. Land Bank preserves protect the quality of life for residents and visitors and preserves are paid for predominantly by a real estate tax imposed when people purchase property here as well as grants and donations. Thus, since the Land Bank was voted in, when we buy here, we are buying into the beauty that drew us here. That seems like a pretty fair one-time tax to me.

Sincerely,

Amanda Azous

San Juan Island