PORT TOWNSEND — A proposed park district for Port Ludlow was failing by 677 votes to 577 votes — or 53.99 percent to 46.01 percent — while a similar measure for Kala Point was losing handily, 467 votes to 29 votes, on Tuesday night.
If Proposition 3 passes, Jefferson County Park and Recreation District No. 3 in Port Ludlow would have its own taxing authority but would not impose any new taxes, district commissioner candidate Arthur Moyer has said.
Five board candidates — Moyer, Mike Brainard, Lonnie Bartlett, Peggy Manspeaker and Ron Gregory — ran unopposed.
Had it been approved, Jefferson County Park and Recreation District No. 4 in Kala Point also would have managed recreational facilities and have its own taxing authority.
If either measure to form districts fails, then its respective board will not be seated.
Two Kala Point slates are running: those in favor of the district and those opposed, although opposition members said they will serve if elected.
Those in favor are Kristy Cummins, Rick Peirson, Harold Glantz, Jay Burcham and Jay Garthwaite.
Those opposed on the ballot are David Gooding, Don Marioni, Pat Miles, Jerry Bamburg and David Miller.
The leaders on Tuesday were Gooding, Marioni, Miles, Bamburg and Miller.
None of the head-to-head contests was closer than 85 percent to 15 percent.
Both measures were created in response to an effort — which has since been put on hold — to create a joint Port Townsend/Jefferson County parks district countywide, to keep such a so-called metropolitan park district from imposing taxes or having authority over the communities.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
Reporter Charlie Bermant contributed to this report.
