I am reading in the paper that the Whidbey Island Conservation District is asking for my money to ensure a steady stream of funding since they currently are not able to do what they want to do due to a current inconsistent funding source.

The mission statement for the Whidbey Island Conservation District reads that they serve “residents of Whidbey Island in conserving natural resources through educational outreach as well as technical and financial assistance to provide a healthy environment for our present and future generations.”

I am drawing the line right here on giving more power to our government. I have come to realize that the more we give the government, the bigger they get! Our founding fathers rebelled against an over-burdening government and designed a model where the people held power. We are now looking to a government that is getting bigger and bigger and no one is saying “enough! Stop!”

Some friends of mine bought a piece of farmland property to develop and found after purchasing it that the pastureland was a declared wetland according to our government! I walked the property and could not find a single frog, duck, cattail, or even moist piece of dirt. I did notice a drainage ditch on the uphill side of the property that needed to be cleaned, that would probably drain off any winter rains coming down the hill.

The Whidbey Island Conservation District has its priority educating and promoting land stewardship, but I disagree with what “our government” deems as important to educate toward. I find it amusing that “our government” is requesting a property tax to fund a branch of government that will educate and discourage us on what we should (or should not) do with our property.

I urge others to draw the line on an ever expanding, intrusive government. The county commissioners should vote no on the upcoming Whidbey Island Conservation District proposed property tax.

Ken Ellison

Oak Harbor