OPEN SPACE BOND: Need to acquire open spaces on prairie

There is a very important Open Space Bond proposal on our Nov. 7 ballots. The area between Coeur d’Alene and Rathdrum, known as the Rathdrum Prairie, is being rapidly “urbanized” with housing developments and apartment complexes. Take a drive on Lancaster Road to see for yourself. The bond proposed is for $50,000,000 and to be paid off over a 20-year period by residents of Kootenai County. If approved it will cost us homeowners $8 per $100,000 tax assessed value. Please continue reading.

If open spaces are not purchased now, the Rathdrum Prairie will fill up with houses and business, and look much like the Phoenix valley or other maga urbanized area, from whence you came. The Rathdrum Prairie aquifer below this area has a finite water supply. I can’t wrap my mind around how all the sewage would be managed if this area was filled with houses and businesses.

I’ve lived here a longtime and seen this area go from agriculture to rapid urbanization. We need to acquire public open spaces on the prairie. I’m willing to vote for the bond, and I hope you will too.

MARK WEADICK

Coeur d’Alene