Vote for local option tax on Nov. 6

War Memorial Field. Have you ever sat in the grandstands to watch your children, grandchildren, or friends play, perform or graduate there? WMF and City Beach may be the two most recognizable “features” of our town.

How important is it? It was very important to the veterans who dedicated it, praying that our youth could play there in peace. Our veterans, more than any of us, know the price of peace. Thousands have played or performed at WMF for decades. Many thousands more will. The question is: Will spectators have a place to sit to watch?How important is the roar of the crowd when our soccer teams scores a goal or our football team a touchdown? How important is it to have your family there when you graduate? If you ask the athletes or graduates, I'd be willing to bet they would say it's important.

Is it worth a five-year sacrifice on our part to pay only one-half cent on the dollar to build safe grandstands accessible to all? I hope so. A “yes” vote will also allow county residents and tourists to help us pay for those improvements.Sandpoint City Council was wise enough to offer us one project to vote on — not a list of ambiguous “improvements.” Let's be wise enough to honor that integrity and say yes, we can do this together.

I'm hoping Sandpoint voters will join me in voting yes to Sandpoint's future on Nov. 6.

HELEN NEWTON

Sandpoint