Editor’s note: This is a companion column to “Vote No: A community center is neither fiscally responsible or fair,” also published in the April 10 edition of the Courier-Herald.

Opponents of the proposed Enumclaw Community Center have two strong arguments against it: The proposal is expensive, too costly in this time of inflation and high taxes. Secondly, we can renovate the senior center rather than construct a whole new building for a lot less cost.

The first argument reflects short-term thinking. The city council has debated this issue for decades. All but one of the current City Council are largely conservative. Those six council members favor building the Community Center. The mayor is also in favor. The sole opponent on the council is a libertarian who believes government should only do the bare minimum. He’s a small government advocate. If council conservatives see the advantage and favor it, then that is a strong endorsement for all of Enumclaw to vote in favor of the bond issue.

Progressives are already in favor of it because they tend to see the big picture. They are future-oriented. Conservatives tend to rely on the past to make their decisions. Both have valid points, depending on the question being considered.

We live in an era in American history where the nation is deeply divided between these two perspectives. Relationships are extremely important. Statistically, 70% of the population believes nurturing the family and community is vital to a healthy society. Building the community center is a way to bind people together by having a common meeting place for both conservatives and progressives to mingle. The center offers healing of our divisive national and local wounds. We need the Community Center.

Enumclaw was founded by our pioneer antecedents who had a vision for the future. Frank and Mary Stevenson were willing to give away much of their land to the Northern Pacific Railroad and to other pioneers to establish this town. It cost them in the short term, but their vision created Enumclaw. Conservatives can look to the past on this issue and thus carry on the Stevenson’s vision of building for the future.

The cost to the average Enumclaw resident who owns a $500,000 home is only $12.50 per month or $150 a year. Most residents spend more than that ordering pizza and other take-outs during the course of a year! The cost is minimal in comparison to the benefits.

The second strong argument against the proposal is to renovate the existing senior center. This denies the fact that the senior population is growing along with the town. Studies have shown that the original building’s remodeling would far exceed its current value. If we just remodel it, we wouldn’t get a community gymnasium or have our youth mingling with our seniors. That’s being penny wise and pound foolish.

Back in 2012, there was a lot of resistance to joining the King County Library System. It only won by 35 votes! I doubt there are many today who think that the community’s decision was a bad one years later. We are now blessed with one of the best library systems in the nation. It binds us together as a community. If history is your guide for making decisions, then just look to KCLS as a good guide for the future.

Sociological studies have shown that people will strive harder to keep from losing something than they will to gain something new. That is human nature. It’s time to resist that urge. Think of it this way: The real issue is deciding whether we want to preserve the sense of belonging to a vibrant community, or whether we want to follow much of the rest of the nation as it fragments into deeper divisions. Most of you who live here or moved here came because you liked the small-town feel. I know I did.

Finally, at least one member of the current city council publicly stated that if the voters reject the community center vote, they will not try again. Too much time has already been spent on this issue.

If you want to continue loving living in this town, vote YES on Prop 1! The future of why you live here depends upon your positive input now.