To the editor:

I read with total dismay the South Whidbey Record article suggesting that Island County is seriously considering ending all trash pickup from county parks. This is a ridiculously short-sighted idea that will lead to little if any cost savings and ultimately hurt the county’s already-perilous bottom line.

Parks are as much a part of county infrastructure as are roads, utilities, schools and other public facilities. We have invested millions of dollars in acquiring these lands, and it is now our duty to manage them.

People come to Whidbey Island to live and recreate in a beautiful place. With trash and dog waste washing up on our shores, we are sure to undermine what little economic activity we have here, not to mention compromise public health.

Moreover, the notion that parks can be self- sustaining, and that we can simply trust people to “pack it out,” is ludicrous. Imagine visiting Whidbey Island from the mainland to walk at Double Bluff with your dog and having to drive around for the weekend with dog waste in your car. This is not exactly something that will inspire tourism.

No, the real problem is that the county pays a relatively high level and senior county staff person to spend 40 percent of his time picking up trash — a task that can more efficiently be addressed by private-sector disposal services at a fraction of the cost.

As far as I am concerned, the future of Whidbey Island’s economy is entirely dependent on our efforts to keep the island an inspiring place to live and to visit. We’ve assigned one part-time person to manage an entire park system where we have invested tens of millions of dollars. Targeting the park system for cuts as basic as garbage pickup is shortsighted and will come back to haunt us.

Phil Pearl

Langley