Proposition 1 will provide sorely needed improvements to the athletic fields and track.

I regret Hilary Emmer’s Jan. 27 commentary, “Vote ‘no’ on Proposition 1: Process was rushed, bond is too expensive,” contained incorrect information about the bond not recycling or reusing. Contrary to her assertions, Proposition 1 both recycles and reuses.

Recycles – The Nike sneakers to be ground up for the turf are not new $200 shoes. They are used, recycled shoes. The new field actually will delay tons of shoes from going to the landfill. In fact, the new field will create no waste since all the shoes in question would be sent to the landfill if they were not recycled for turf.

Reuses – Currently, we have a lighted field that is used a half dozen times each year during the dark nights of the fall because those rainy months create a situation that would destroy the grass field if it was used more often. With a turf field, youth soccer could use the new field 16 evenings per month. Furthermore, this added field would make it possible to “rest” some grass fields throughout the year, while still providing fields for practice and games. We might even eliminate the need to use “the wedge.”

Again, contrary to Hilary’s position, the $540,000 price tag for an asset that will last 15 years is a bargain. That is less than $40,000 per year, less than $4 per year for each islander. Most islanders spend more than that each month for athletic/walking shoes. But wait, the net cost actually is free, since the school district will save $40,000 every year in water and maintenance costs. During our driest months when our aquifer is most taxed, the school district will be using 60,000 fewer gallons of water.

For all these reasons, and many more, Proposition 1 makes sense and deserves your support.

— Scott Harvey