Islanders are no doubt frustrated that issues important to them are being decided in Olympia with not a lot of local input.

Besides the all-important ferry system which is being widely discussed, islanders are very concerned about our Central Whidbey state parks placed on the possible mothball list, and the continuation of the popular WSU Extension environmental programs.

Will Fort Casey and Fort Ebey state parks be closed, and WSU Extension drastically cut back? At this point we don’t know, and that’s frustrating.

Our 10th District delegation to Olympia is working on the problems but not in a united fashion. Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, to her credit, isn’t afraid to mention raising revenues to support popular programs. She’s proposed a small, statewide property tax to support parks, for example. House members Barbara Bailey and Norma Smith oppose new taxes but won’t say what programs they would eliminate. As Republicans, they seem to be sitting back and watching as majority Democrats take the heat for their decisions, often made in the secrecy of the party caucus rather than open debate in the people’s House. This strategy may be politically safe, but it doesn’t tell the people who elected them what their priorities really are.

A lot more ideas should be aired before any decisions are made. Nobody has seriously proposed bringing back the hugely unpopular day use fee for state parks, but with such an enormous budget deficit, perhaps it should be reinstated. Or maybe switch to the Blue-Fox Drive-in model, where there’s a fee for each person in the car, with discounts for seniors and children. This too would be unpopular, but it would raise more money and, most importantly, keep our parks open.

As for Extension programs, why not charge dues to those who participate? Hundreds of islanders are enjoying a free education in environmental issues, while they give back what they learn in public service, helping people garden, keeping the beaches clean, monitoring the health of Puget Sound, and otherwise doing good deeds. They’re all good people, and probably wouldn’t mind paying a participation fee if it will help keep the programs operating.

Before the Legislature lets the ax fall on popular programs, the people affected should be given some choices. Don’t just tell us what you did and expect us to be happy about it.