Local schools need local families

By Frank Liddell

La Conner is rich with generational wealth. I have neighbors that have spent their entire lives in this community and are descendants of families that practically built this town. I have been a La Conner resident for almost 20 years. I’m lucky to have lived here this long. I pull it off because the people I have rented from actually believe in fair, affordable rent.

All of my kids have attended La Conner schools. My youngest is starting middle school this year and by the time he graduates I will have been involved with the school district for almost 30 years. Now I have read that the school has eliminated full time positions, made major budget cuts and enrollment is down. This is bad news for the staff and faculty that rely on the district for their employment and careers.

The proposed building at 306 Center Street will not provide housing for families which is greatly needed in La Conner. The new “affordable housing” built on the old ball field on Maple Avenue has houses too close together and are extraordinarily expensive. I don’t see how a family earning an average Skagit County annual wage could afford to buy a home there or for that matter anywhere in La Conner.

Without families, school enrollment will plummet. La Conner invested a ton of money in the new school. It should be the town’s top priority to encourage families to move here and invest in the community by enrolling kids at the school. Allowing this condominium building to take place is a slap in the face of every resident who paid into the school tax levy. It blows me away that this is even being considered.

La Conner is in danger of losing its generational wealth. The cost of La Conner is beyond my neighbors' and my own kids' means. They are unable to live in the community that their family has been a part of for generations.

I live across the street from the lot that is now being considered for an apartment building to be built. It appalls me that a nonresident would expect the residents to embrace a change that will destroy what makes La Conner a great neighborhood/community.

Center Street doesn’t need any more traffic. It already has rush hour traffic in the morning with cars speeding by to work at the marina and boat yards. If the town allows the Atkinson condominium building to exceed the 30 foot height, The Port of Skagit has plans to build more apartments/condos.

Good grief! I know of nobody who supports this building proposal. Who in La Conner would like to have a three story 20 unit condominium and vacation rental built next door to their home? It has been placed in the hands of the "Town" to determine which historical codes are to be enforced in determining the height of this condominium vacation rental building.

Who is the town? You are the town. I am the town. Make some noise! All of La Conner is a historical district!

What is the relationship you, Mr. Atkinson, wish to build with this community? Maybe reconsider and build homes for families.

Choose future dental patients over an elevator.