Chief
05-09-2008, 06:35 AM
In his latest Legislative Newsletter, Representative Jim Dunn endorses the plans of his new North Portland constituent Sharon Nasset when he says:
"Bold solutions would be building a new bridge between the ports of Vancouver and Portland, and adding additional capacity on I-5. This is how to plan long term. We need a bold vision and a committment to action. Our east and west arterial roadways are already plugged because traffic cannot flow north and south. A new bridge and expanding I-5 is how we can solve our traffic problems.
Notice that Dunn is endorsing a plan that both the Ports of Portland and Vancouver have repeatedly rejected. Dunn's stated plan is nothing more than Alternative 14, that has been rejected repeatedly by every agency involved with the Columbia River Crossing Task Force, and Dunn would know that if he had ever been involved in the project in any meaningful way.
Instead of listening to anyone on this side of the River, Dunn has adopted a new constituency in North Portland. Too bad they can't vote for him...
He follows up by denouncing tolls on the bridges while never mentioning the Columbia Crossing Project in any way.
I don't like the tolling plan that is being formulated because it is going to provide a way to bond and finance light rail. That said, I fully recognize that tolls will be necessary to pay for a new bridge across the river, because the money to build a bridge has to be raised somehow. Clark County commuters deserve a break on the tolls because of the substantial funds we already pay to Oregon and Trimet. There is no mention from Dunn about how to apply those tax credits either.
As usual, Dunn's full of hot air and overblown rhetoric. He's sweating bullets about raising enough money to run for office again, and I can only hope that Joseph James gets hot soon and starts out-campaigning Dunn.
8)
"Bold solutions would be building a new bridge between the ports of Vancouver and Portland, and adding additional capacity on I-5. This is how to plan long term. We need a bold vision and a committment to action. Our east and west arterial roadways are already plugged because traffic cannot flow north and south. A new bridge and expanding I-5 is how we can solve our traffic problems.
Notice that Dunn is endorsing a plan that both the Ports of Portland and Vancouver have repeatedly rejected. Dunn's stated plan is nothing more than Alternative 14, that has been rejected repeatedly by every agency involved with the Columbia River Crossing Task Force, and Dunn would know that if he had ever been involved in the project in any meaningful way.
Instead of listening to anyone on this side of the River, Dunn has adopted a new constituency in North Portland. Too bad they can't vote for him...
He follows up by denouncing tolls on the bridges while never mentioning the Columbia Crossing Project in any way.
I don't like the tolling plan that is being formulated because it is going to provide a way to bond and finance light rail. That said, I fully recognize that tolls will be necessary to pay for a new bridge across the river, because the money to build a bridge has to be raised somehow. Clark County commuters deserve a break on the tolls because of the substantial funds we already pay to Oregon and Trimet. There is no mention from Dunn about how to apply those tax credits either.
As usual, Dunn's full of hot air and overblown rhetoric. He's sweating bullets about raising enough money to run for office again, and I can only hope that Joseph James gets hot soon and starts out-campaigning Dunn.
8)