My family and I care about our Forest Preserves. That’s why we voted to support them.
On your ballot this election, you have the opportunity to vote “Yes” to boost funding for the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD). You should do it.
The actual language on the ballot is a bit fancier. You’ll recognize it as the question about increasing the “limiting rate.” It’s the last question on the back of your ballot, but it’s important!
Around town, you can recognize supporters of the referendum by the white and green signs urging you to vote yes for your forests.
But what is this resolution about?
The CCFPD isn’t asking for heated seats in their work trucks or for pricey, ergonomic chairs in their offices — anyone who knows the CCFPD knows they understand the restraints of the taxpayer-funded budget. Instead, they are simply asking for an investment from the public so they can, among other things, maintain dams, replace outdated equipment, and upgrade facilities like paths and bathrooms.
The new funding would also let CCFPD create more educational opportunities for people in Champaign County.
Like many Mahometans, my family and I love the parks and natural areas here.
The gorgeous forests are the habitat of fascinating wildlife like deer, owls, and butterflies. The lakes and rivers provide space for fishing and boating. As a bonus, we get a stellar cast of water-loving birds like herons, kingfishers, and ospreys who call our town home in the summer.
There are so many ways for young Mahometans to learn from the preserves.
As kids, we learned how to talk to owls and how their feathers make them so quiet when they fly.
We learned why massive turkey vultures sit on telephone poles in the morning, wings outstretched, as they prepare for a long day of soaring.
And we learned how to build huge snow ramps on the sledding hill — and then we learned why you really really should NOT go off the big ramps on the sledding hill.
Mahometans benefit so much from the forest preserves. Especially now.
During the pandemic, while most sectors experienced lower use than they had in probably years, the parks were bustling. Champaign Urbana Public Health District data shows that, during the pandemic, our parks have seen a huge spike in traffic to almost double normal levels.
It seems my familty and I are not the only who have found the outdoors to be a vital place to exercise and relax while socially distancing.
In return for maintaining all these important services and giving us a place to be during a pandemic, CCFPD is asking for a tiny increase in funding from your tax dollars. With this funding, CCFPD may even be able to make infrastructure investments that are fiscally sensible in the long run, meaning you’ll get more out of your tax dollar.
It’s a prudent investment.
I hope you’ll join my family and I in voting yes for our forests.
For more information, check out the FAQ on the Yes for Forests website. And watch this slideshow our family made highlighting our forest preserves!
-Ben Chapman and Family
