A Vision for Clark County
Clark County is a great place to live. We’re such a great place to live that our population has more than doubled since 1990.
Major growth. Fast growth. The problems that come with that growth: Crime, infrastructure problems, transportation issues. The need for economic and recreational opportunities. Requirements for fiscal restraint and efficient government customer service.
We’re in difficult economic times right now… we all know that. I believe that no society has ever taxed itself into prosperity and Clark County is no exception. My vision for county government is a streamlined bureaucracy that fosters an exceptional business climate while relying on extraordinary customer service to get the job done.
Realistic, timely, necessary regulation combined with outstanding service to the people should always be our goal as a county government. Candidates have been saying this for years, yet we have failed to see Clark County government adequately respond.
Economic Development
Reaping the benefit of economic development has so many advantages that positively impact us in so many different ways. Keeping jobs in Clark County and attracting new employers to this side of the river has positive economic and environmental impacts that are undeniable. In everything, from keeping our money on this side of the river, to reducing the property tax burden to homeowners, to helping to relieve the pressure on an already over-burdened I-5 corridor.
We already know all of this. Every element of economic development that can be impacted by the county must be reviewed and revised to make us the business magnet of the Northwest. It must be more than just a phrase trotted out in election season. It must be the purpose of everything we do.
In the area of economic opportunity, our guiding principles must be these: are we doing everything we can to keep and attract business - businesses that will benefit the people of Clark County? Is our regulatory and tax climate an incentive for business to locate here? Are our systems for permits and other costs related to the construction and maintenance of building a business in our county realistic? Do they meet the needs of those considering locating here, and thus, those considering working here? Can we do more to assist the business community to achieve their needs and do it in such a way that our environment here in Clark County is not impacted in a negative way by this push?
Casino Development
I am in complete agreement with the many well thought-out deficiencies found by local governments in the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Clark County and the Cowlitz Tribe. These reasons were included within the correspondence our local governments provided to the Bureau of Indian Affairs during several comment periods as a part of the federal process. The promise of thousands of minimum wage jobs in Clark County does not offset the many negative impacts and the costs to the actual taxpayers who live here. This makes opposition to this project an absolutely critical and continuing goal of government at all levels in the affected area. Because of this I remain opposed today, as I have been for years, to the placement of a huge casino complex anywhere within Clark County until all legitimate issues raised are adequately and realistically addressed.
The I-5 Bridge and Light Rail
I believe that another, better, less costly option exists. We need to look back at the third bridge placed downstream from the existing, perfectly functional, I-5 Bridge. Let me make my position clear: I am opposed to replacing the I-5 Bridge before we add a 3rd and maybe a 4th Bridge to the Columbia River. Also, Bus Transit added to a new downstream crossing is much more efficient and flexible than any Light Rail option.
And I am certainly opposed to any option without a vote of the people of this County. What are our leaders afraid of? Why haven’t they asked us what we want? A government by, of and for the people wouldn’t hesitate. By the Columbia River Task Force narrowing the scope of study, they eliminated all other viable options to the people most affected by this project.
A critical element of economic development is our transportation system. We are about to waste over $4 billion on a project that will cost our 65,000 commuters as much as $120 per month or more in addition to astronomical gas prices to commute over a bridge that will accomplish absolutely nothing in terms of what I believe to be our number one transportation responsibility: reducing congestion.
Light Rail does not reduce this congestion. The entire basis for including Light Rail Transit (LRT) is to realize the dream of the social engineers on both sides of the river to force LRT into a community that does not want it and cannot support it.
I believe both city and county government should put this question to the people they would govern… the people who will, ultimately, wind up paying for this colossal waste of money.
True government would ask us if we want to do this at all. But government in this area, where non-elected bureaucrats hold so much power over our future, has decided to force this project down our throats without our permission.
But on my campaign, I’ve heard you. You’ve told me that you see replacing a perfectly serviceable 6 lane bridge with a brand new 6 lane bridge as a monumental waste of scarce transportation dollars with a light rail system that we do not want as a complete waste of time, money and effort; and I agree with you.
We must have additional bridges in place before the issue of I-5 bridge replacement is even considered.
A July 7 article in the Oregonian tells us the facts: “Planners and elected officials who back the project are aware of the shortcomings, but say it's better than doing nothing.”
No, it isn’t.
How can it be a good idea to waste over $4 billion because a group of disconnected bureaucrats and arrogant politicians believe that the most expensive public works project in the history of the Northwestern United States is “...better than doing nothing.”
It’s actually better to do the right thing. It’s actually better to spend those dollars on a project or projects that will actually make a difference instead of just meeting the agenda of a few in downtown Vancouver and Portland.
Within Portland there are 7 bridges to serve their population. Shouldn't we have more crossings on the Columbia between Oregon and one of its highest tax paying counties before we replace an existing bridge?
The absurdity of replacing this bridge without asking the people of this county cannot be overstated. The arrogance on the part of the few in the pockets of the special interests demanding this waste of money is obvious, and watching local government cave into pressures from anywhere besides the population they would serve is a painful, shameful chapter of our history.
For those supporting this project, your only challenge is to prove it. Put the entire project up for a vote. Make your case that replacing one bridge with another that has the same number of lanes and an inefficient light rail system that will cost us billions now and in the future is the way to go… then let us have our say.
Taxes… and You
For those of us who’ve lived here for many years, we remember a time when things were different. Life was less hectic. We spent less time in our cars… more time with our families. We looked forward to the simple things that made this County such a wonderful place to live.
Now, we have to commute to jobs on the other side of the river. Now, our neighborhoods are at risk from the influences of exploding growth and lost focus on what’s really important to us.
That situation is compounded by an economic downturn that all of us must contend with. “All of us” MUST include government. Ideally, government at every level must remember that we all must bear this burden.
That means a government that lives within its means: A government that shares your burden, not a government that increases it. As we, the people, all must learn to do more with less, your government must reflect that philosophy at every level.
That’s what I’m talking about when I mean that government must share your burdens. Our government MUST make do with the hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes collected now.
I challenge my opponent to make the following pledges along with me:
- “I will not accept any pay raise of any kind while I am in office this term.”
- “I will not vote for any tax increase while I am in office this term.”
Serving as your commissioner will be a privilege. Adding to your burden is not.
There is a basis for the phrase that “No society has ever taxed itself into prosperity.” Fiscal conservatism and frugality with taxpayer dollars will never be outdated.
Battling Meth
For our community, we must do everything we can to provide a law enforcement ability second to none at the county level. We must utilize all available assets to support the men and women of the Clark County Sheriff's Office and their crime-fighting abilities. This must be a part of the multi-faceted approach to address the scourge of meth production, use and criminal activity related to that drug and the activities surrounding it.
This approach must include treatment and education. But the critical and primary element must be enforcing the law.
Family Recreational Opportunities
At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the very real characteristics of our county that make this a magnet for raising our families. As our population grows, we need to be mindful of our parks and recreational system.
There has been some effort in that regard. But I do not believe that effort to be enough.
Our youth, particularly, must have the facilities they need to play. Baseball. Football. Soccer. Thousands of our children use these places every day. Youth athletics is a critical element in their upbringing, with solid, life-long impacts that help make us into better citizens. We must insure that these remain open and are expanded, along with regular park settings, dog parks, and other facilities in the local area.. Having local parks and playgrounds also makes sense in terms of economics, transportation and other rising costs confronting us.
Growth and Property Rights
Our plans for growth must be realistic and far-seeing. Protection of open space and agricultural land along with our responsibilities to wildlife and our environment are a major priority. Clark County cannot become a victim of our own success. But our county finds itself at the cusp of that very outcome.
I support outgoing Commissioner Morris's position on the question of annexation by Vancouver of the Hazel Dell area. Annexation should not take place without a majority vote of those annexed. Any city in our county seeking to annex property should be required to place the issue on a ballot, remembering that those who govern do so at the consent of the governed.
Our children need homes when they grow up. Our children will need jobs to pay for those homes and the other things that make our lives into what they are. Private property rights cannot be overlooked in the name of political expediency. When our government requires an individual to sacrifice in the name of the whole, then that individual must be compensated.
No government should have the authority to engage in taking part or all of the value of your property for any purpose without compensation. No government should circumvent this basic principle through using regulations or policy as a basis for their actions. And I will do everything I can to stop the government of this county from ever engaging in this type of behavior while I am a part of it.
