Major contributions to trestle repair

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Fundraising for repairing the Tommy Thompson Trail trestle damaged by fire took a major step forward with new pledges totalling $50,000 from the Samish Indian Nation and the Puget Sound Energy Foundation.

trestle_fixit_logo.jpgFundraising for repairing the Tommy Thompson Trail trestle damaged by fire took a major step forward with new pledges totalling $50,000 from the Samish Indian Nation and the Puget Sound Energy Foundation.

The two donations, one for $30,000 from the Samish Tribe and $20,000 from the PSE Foundation were announced at a media event Wednesday afternoon at the east end of the trestle.

Mayor Dean Maxwell said “These contributions are marvelous gestures by your organizations, tremendous gifts to our community.” He added “I hope others will follow your lead and step forward to help us rebuild this vital link of the Tommy Thompson Trail."

Samish Tribal Chairman Tom Wooten said “No one person or entity can fix this, but collectively and as a community we can and will make this repair happen.”

Bert Valdman, the interim acting chair of the PSE Foundation, said “It’s clear that the recreational and environmental value of this trail, not just for the people of Anacortes but for the entire region, is deserving of support from the Puget Sound Energy Foundation.”

A fire of unknown origin heavily damaged about 300 feet of the trestle across Fidalgo Bay last October 15 by a suspected arson.

The Anacortes Parks Foundation has set a fund-raising goal of $300,000. The city is estimating the repair will cost around $400,000, but Mayor Maxwell said that volunteer help should reduce the cost by around $100,000.

The city hopes to complete repairs by April.

Tax-deductible donations to the bridge repair effort can be sent to the Anacortes Parks Foundation, PO Box 1902, Anacortes or be made online at the foundation’s Web site.