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No one can deny that parks and open spaces add to La Grande’s attractiveness and livability. They provide a place for locals to relax and enjoy themselves, and also help the economy by drawing people from outside the area. They are an important asset and should be kept in the best possible condition.
Still, the proposal from the La Grande Parks Advisory Commission to place a parks improvement serial tax levy on the November ballot should not be given serious consideration at this time. The plain truth is that the community has far more pressing needs, and money is in short supply.
Just last month, the City of La Grande Budget Committee approved a budget that included the elimination of a position each from the city police force and fire department. The cuts may have been necessary, and perhaps the level of service will remain acceptable, but, as City Councilor Dan Pokorney noted at a recent work session, taxpayers likely will have a hard time reconciling a request for money for parks with a reduction in public safety staffing.
More important is the fact that the La Grande School District is planning to take a levy of its own to the voters this fall. District-wide, school buildings are in crying need of upgrades. Nothing should stand in the way of that.
The argument that a parks levy will face competition no matter when it is put before the voters is not an acceptable one. The school levy is paramount in importance and the less there is to interfere with its passage, the better.
Then there is the problem with La Grande’s streets. They are in such pitiful condition, they are the talk of the town. For safety, first, and aesthetics, second, they absolutely must be fixed.
A committee is preparing a proposal for a street improvement levy, though it will not be ready in time for the upcoming election. When finally it is ready, it should go ahead of parks.
It doesn’t seem reasonable voters would pass a street levy after passing a parks levy. As Mayor Colleen Johnson noted during the work session, there is such a thing as going to the well too often.
For all the above reasons, the city council gave the parks levy proposal a cool reception during the work session. It did, however, schedule a second session to look at a refined version. That’s very well, but it is hoped the council will, in the end, keep priorities in proper order.
All of us can and must hope that the current recessionary times will pass, that existing businesses will grow and new businesses will decide to locate here, that the local economy will improve and there will someday be enough money for all the needed public improvements.
But until then, we can’t have everything. For now, job one for the parks department is to do the very best it can with the resources that are available.
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Opinion 
