FOP board member Justin Porter answers voter concerns here, but he didn't bother to reply

[Fun CH]

Quote from FOP website.

"What about our housing issues, will this impact affordable housing?

We are concerned about affordable housing too. Unfortunately, housing affordability is a market driven, societal issue that persists, regardless of a new local tax. This project benefits our low income families by providing a safe and affordable place to recreate year round - specifically because it relies on all of us from varying incomes and property values to chip in. In terms of housing, we have a very committed group of citizens looking at housing solutions and we applaud those efforts. We’ve considered adding dormitories, or manager housing to the center - and those options still exist. Opportunities to collaborate and work together to face our collective challenges abound. It’s not a zero sum game, an all or nothing solution. It’s an everything solution and an everyone solution.

If voters opt to not fund the Aquatics Center, our housing challenges will not be solved. If we do build a publicly supported Aquatics Center, our low and medium income families will have an affordable alternative to otherwise costly recreational activities, allowing any flexible income to be expended on other needs, including housing." end quote

That answer seems to be a lot of gobbly goop. I'm low income, so how does them taking my money benefit me exactly? I'm left with less money to do the recreational activities that I actually enjoy and most benefit my health and well-being . Those activities are free once the sports gear like skis or hiking boots are purchased. So they take my tax money, now I can't buy new shoes? That just doesn't make sense.

And I swim at Patterson Lake. Again, free.

And are they actually proposing that Recreation tax dollars build a home for the pool manager and provide rooms for rent for low income folks? Is that where they want to put the "colored and low income" people as if they are the same thing. (quoted their exact racial slur words).

They have no plan except to hoodwink the taxpayers into setting up their Metropolitan Park District to do what pleases their entitled attitude.

(I apologize for the tone and if I offended anyone using their words, but their racist slur and then changing it without a very public apology really pisses me off).

The fact is, they are taking dollars away from low-income people and making it sound like they're doing us a favor. Sorry FOP, I need my all "flexible income", which I earned doing hard physical labor, for my own needs like food, energy, shelter and medical bills. We're even supporting our 4th rescue dog which enriches our lives with unconditional love.

But maybe you want my home too when I can't afford the tax burden.

[pasayten]

I will be out backpacking Thurs-Sunday... So addressing issues/edits/questions for me on FOTP stuff will be on hold for awhile... Keep up the good work on getting the true information out there!!!

[pasayten]

Chris... thanks... I updated my answer and posted your pic of their original wording with my answer. I also have screenshots of everything on their thread for safe keeping

Their edit history…

[Fun CH]

IMG_8089.png

They were able to hide their racist remark by changing their facebook post. Now unfortunately Ray, your posted quote of their words looks like the racist remark.

Pretty sneaky of FOP changing their racist slur "colored" without an apology to our fellow community members. But it does reveal who they are.

Is this just more White folk attitude who think they are benefiting the "colored and low income communities" (their words) while "taking" our money for a dream mega spa? As a 68 year old low income person I find that attitude highly insulting.

More reason not to trust them with unchecked power and our hard earned tax dollars.

There is an old saying: when someone shows you who they are believe them the first time.

Facebook post after the racist slur was changed. Original appears in the second post above.

[PAL]

I wondered the same thing. I just don't think so herein the Valley.
I've been thinking about this category. Should Justin or any other FOTP post here to answer our questions, we really do have to keep it civil.
We really do want to know why they think the Wagner Pool has ever been in the state described.
And it depends on when people arrived here. Say 2015 on, do they know the history of this community before that? Do they know what it took, say in the 70's to the 90's to be here, to be able to live here?
The Wagner Pool was a gift. Was there discrimination? I came in '90. Late arrival me. But I didn't see or hear about discrimination. The Valley is a different place than many other places. Oh, we quibble and argue, but in times of emergency(fires) we help each other.
We want to know.

[pasayten]

[PAL]

It appears they need PR help. This doesn't cut it.
One concern, among many is carbon footprint? Snow load in the winter. Snow will melt off possibly through heat loss. This needs to be thought through alot more. It's sounding desparate. Pass the taxing district no matter what, then iron out the details.
Public swimming happens alot in the Valley, not necessarily at the pool. A new outdoor pool would be quite nice.
I might support a Center, if EVERTBODY paid, not just property owners.
How about an endowment foundation?

[pasayten]

Let's have ANYBODY from FOTP post here... The silence is all telling...

[Fun CH]

There is a whole list of questions but I'd like to start by asking you Justin why the folks at the friends of the pool think it's appropriate to use a racial slur in its quest for power and unlimited taxpayer funds?

[Fun CH]

This is it folks. FOP is now using scare tactics to get your vote.

FOP quote

"THERE IS NO RELIABLE FUTURE WITH A PUBLIC POOL WITHOUT A SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICT TO FUND IT - AND TIME IS OF ESSENCE"

FOP has the ability to replace to Wagner pool NOW with a lesser tax payer ask that won't place a burden on low and fixed income families and senior citizens of this community. But they want more, they want it all.

Tonasket put in a public pool with just 13 cents per thousand. So why the scare tactics Justin?

Justin, I invite you to participate here on this forum to answer voter questions with honesty, integrity and transparency. Will you do that?