Kira Erickson reports from the Langley City Council meeting on Mon., Sep. 19, 2022:
A South Whidbey resident is hopeful that community fundraising efforts might be enough to secure a new park for the city of Langley.
Mayor Scott Chaplin said he had spoken to a local foundation about the subject. He said he learned that people can also make tax-deductible donations to the city. He added that Shepard’s proposal could be reviewed by the city’s citizen-led Parks and Open Space Commission and Public Works.
Councilmember Harolynne Bobis said she was not interested in hearing more unless the city had a direct role in the issue, but at the same time she claimed that Langley doesn’t have time to address it.
Councilmember Thomas Gill, however, suggested that this very thing might be what eastern Langley needs.
“For people who live in East Langley, there is no place to shop of any sort except coming to the Star Store or going to Red Apple, which is for some people quite a trek, even by vehicle, especially when we get to inclement weather,” he said. “So having that available for somebody who has an enterprising idea, be that commercial or be that multifamily, I think that’s a more efficacious use of money and resources at the time.”
Councilmember Rhonda Salerno disagreed.
“I think this is a gift from people who want to save the trees, save the spot, and I think if there’s a group that wants to gift it to the city, how could we possibly say no to a gift of a beautiful piece of land with huge carbon sequesters on it?” she asked. “It’s part of our policy to look for climate change. These are some of the hugest trees around and we need to save them.”
Councilmember Craig Cyr suggested that Shepard and other creative citizens should lead the charge in raising the funds for the property.
