In the Seattle Times article (7/17/15) James McNeal’s opponent criticized him for opposing the city’s so-called “Parks and Public Spaces” bond levy last November, claiming that its failure to pass “crippled the city’s ability to buy open space.”

In reality, the proposed $42 million levy allocated only 11 percent of the funds for parks in Snohomish County with no specific location or information on what kind of park was planned in north Bothell. Sno County residents’ city property taxes would have increased by 20 percent. They were expected to fund nearly half of a levy that provided a measly amount towards parks in their county.

Additionally, at least two-thirds of the levy money was allocated to downtown road projects around the new $50 million dollar City Hall-the one approved by Freed, Lamb, and a crew without a public vote.

Along with James, smart Snohomish County voters saw through the scheme and rejected the bond levy with a 55 percent no vote. His opponent obviously didn’t do his homework or is perhaps just naive. In contrast, James is already hard at work pursuing strategic funding opportunities for parks and open space (i.e. regional grants and development impact fees.)

James McNeal deserves our votes.

Meg Connelly, Bothell