Quality of life panel a good idea, but diversity is essential

This editorial appears in the March 5, 2010, Yakima Herald-Republic.

Attaining a good quality of life for those living in Yakima County is a tall order. Budget shortfalls and ever-dwindling revenues make the goal of enhancing recreational and cultural opportunities a difficult, if not impossible, task.

So we are pleased to see the Yakima County commissioners establish a committee to grapple with quality-of-life issues. As Commissioner Mike Leita warns, if nothing is done, "Quality-of-life assets are on the verge of going away."

This has certainly been the case for the county's parks system. Like other communities in Central Washington and across the state, the county has bailed out of protecting these public places. Only one park remains under the county's purview -- Eschbach Park -- and it's no secret the commissioners are looking for a community group to take it over.

Thus, guidance from a committee would be helpful if the county wants to keep true to its six priorities of government, which the commissioners have embraced. The last of these priorities, quality of life, lists these general goals: "Efforts to improve the well-being of the community by providing services through cultural and recreational opportunities. Parks, pathways and investments
in service organizations would be examples of quality-of-life programs."

The commissioners picked three members to get the committee off and running. Larry Mattson, a former Yakima City councilman, will serve as chairman. He's an outdoor enthusiast and has been under contract with the Yakima Youth Soccer Association to develop a new field complex.

Dave Edler, Yakima City councilman and former mayor, and Bruce Smith, editor and publisher of the Yakima Valley Business Times, were also selected to what may become a 10-member committee. Edler has actively supported the concept of a regional aquatics center, and Smith advocates for balancing community improvements with fiscal restraint.

We have no complaints about these three choices.

But the announcement of this new committee leaves us wondering -- what happened to quality of diversity? Commissioner Rand Elliott said the process should welcome participation from across the county, but wouldn't it have been prudent to include women, minorities and community leaders from the Lower Valley when the committee was unveiled?

Breadth and depth should also be served on this committee. Really, isn't that a true measure of quality of life? We think it is, and hope the three committee members embrace that as well as they seek others to join their panel.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.