The success of the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District levy last week was another indication that voters here are strongly supporting their community.

That wasn’t quite so certain a few years ago when school bond proposals failed in back-to-back elections. But 2005 is a new year, and voters appear to be in a more receptive mood.

Last March, nearly 68 percent of voters supported the school district’s maintenance and operation levy, a move which kept the school cafeterias in business, 20 badly-needed teachers on the job, and assured that custodians would have the resources to keep up with all the work.

Last week’s Park District vote, which was 63 percent favorable, means one of this community’s finest assets, the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool, will continue to operate without interruption. The six-year pool levy hasn’t always been approved on its initial go-around, so this year’s vote indicates support for the pool has grown in recent years.

The two successful tax proposals this year have one thing in common: They were modest continuations of existing levies, rather than a request for new taxes. Whether voters are willing to pay a little more for something new is the question.

We won’t have to wait long for the answer. In the Nov. 8 election, Oak Harbor School District voters will be asked to support a bond issue for a new stadium and other athletic facilities. This will be a very modest increase, as the new 19 cent levy will start when a former 17 cent levy drops off the tax rolls. So supporters are optimistic, particularly since our high school athletic facilities are in such an embarrassing state of disrepair. But they’ll have to work hard to assure voters understand the issues before ballots are mailed out in October. Two successes in 2005 don’t guarantee a third, but they’re a positive sign.