Chief
05-13-2008, 04:40 PM
I received my first reply from a Commissioner Candidate to the ten questions I sent out seeking answers. Thanks Brad, and we'll meet for coffee in the near future.
Questionnaire from Clark County Blog.
1. Should the Cowlitz Tribe be allowed to build a casino in Clark County?
My opposition to a casino is not tied to the Cowlitz Tribe’s federal recognition or their right to economic prosperity. I believe that the proposed site does not fit the vision for the I-5 corridor. Also, an additional 14,000 cars a day on I-5 would be a significant problem. I would much prefer a business park or an employment district at that location that would provide family wage jobs so that folks that have to cross the Columbia River for work would have the choice to live closer to their homes and families. Residents working closer to their homes would also help reduce congestion on an already overburdened I-5 corridor and help reduce emissions.
2. What should be built, if anything, at the Columbia River Crossing of I-5?
I believe that our transportation dollars, which seem to be increasingly scarce, are best spent in the most cost-effective way by focusing on congestion relief. Congestion prevents us from spending time with our families and wastes money. I have serious concerns that we are spending billions of dollars to replace a bridge that would do very little to reduce congestion. I do believe that a new bridge would make it safer to merge onto I-5 in the immediate area, it could help freight mobility and the bridge wouldn’t have to be raised for river traffic, but replacing a six lane bridge with a six lane bridge doesn’t make sense. I remain open to a compelling case for the bridge replacement, but only with the agreement that we begin the process of locating and building a third bridge in the very near future. I believe that a third bridge is what is needed to significantly reduce congestion. I am hearing from folks that they would like an opportunity to vote on the bridge and if it should have light rail. I could support that.
3. How would you pay for anything that gets built at the Columbia Crossing?
If the Columbia River Crossing goes forward, I believe that the Federal government should pay for the majority of the bridge. It is an Interstate highway. As far as the interchanges on both sides of the river, the counties should receive financial help from the Federal Government and the states of Washington and Oregon. After all, it is our money no matter what jurisdiction is paying the bills.
4. Should part of Camp Bonneville be developed as a National Cemetery?
Yes, it would be an honor to have a National Cemetery in Clark County.
5. Assuming the current request for an increase in the Sales tax to pay for a new emergency radio system fails, what should be the next step to raise the money needed? If voters disapprove a sales tax increase, what should the County Commissioners consider next?
The individual agencies will now have to use their existing budgets to finance it. The BOCC should begin working on a plan to pay the portion that will be owed by county agencies. Unfortunately the smaller agencies such as fire districts will suffer a significant hit on their budgets that could affect emergency response. All of the agencies are eligible for federal homeland security grants and could possibly apply for those as a group or individually.
6. What specific steps will you take as a Commissioner to increase jobs in Clark County?
Economic development is a very important issue to me. Attracting businesses from outside the area while supporting our existing businesses should be a priority. The local governments should work together to recruit new businesses no matter what jurisdiction they may want to purchase land in and develop on. Financial incentives should be looked at on a state and local level especially for businesses that would provide family wage jobs. The county needs to be more business friendly.
7. What do you see in the County’s Transportation future via C-Tran and RTC if you are elected County Commissioner?
I believe that CTRAN will continue to struggle. This year they have a short fall due to less than anticipated sales tax revenue and an increase in rider ship. The express bus service to Portland is very successful but the routes through the city and portions of the county are not being utilized by very many people. When it takes you an hour to take a bus to work in-county versus driving it in 20 minutes people will usually save the time and drive. It will take a significant amount of money to have a real transit service and I’m not hearing that the people of Clark County are ready to pay more in taxes for CTRAN or give up their cars. They should have that choice. I am not a supporter of light rail but I believe that the citizens should have the right to vote on such a crucial issue.
8. The animosity between Vancouver City Hall and the County Commission dates back many years, and has prevented serious cooperation between the two on many issues. What steps will you take to heal the breach in relations between the County Commission and Vancouver City Hall?
I have met with several members of the City Council, the Mayor and the members of the BOCC. I believe that good relationships between individuals and open channels of communication are the keys to easing the relationships. Although we may disagree and we will on occasion, it must be kept in perspective and should always be viewed as what is best for all of the people of Clark County. I believe that I have the skills necessary to build healthy relationships that will create greater opportunities.
9. What will you do as a County Commissioner to control ever rising residential property taxes in the county?
The County Assessor follows the laws of the State of Washington that can only be changed in Olympia. With that said, bringing new businesses into the county would help stabilize residential property taxes. Businesses pay considerably more in property taxes than do homeowners and would provide some relief. The 1% limit has been in effect for several years now and the average homeowner should see some stabilization coming their way. I know that I have. I believe that Clark County can achieve a smaller, smarter government which would help hold the line on large budget increases. We also have to remember, anytime a special service district such as a school district, park district or fire district asks for additional revenue, you have the opportunity to vote on it and weigh the benefits versus the additional property tax.
10. Name the top three wasteful things that Clark County spends money on and how you would do things differently?
1. The most current item to me is the time, energy and money spent on hearings and the negotiating of a new MOU with the Cowlitz. An MOU was signed in 2004, thrown out by the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board and is now being appealed in court. If the Federal Government / Bureau of Indian Affairs approves their request, there will still be numerous items to negotiate with the state and county.
I would not negotiate a new MOU.
2. I am a proponent of parks and ball fields, but the way the county went about purchasing property for new parks was ridiculous. My best example is the property purchased at the NE corner of NW 11th Ave. and NW 164th Street, the old Soper farm. It was purchased for use as both a park and for ball fields. I am not an engineer, but driving by it on a regular basis I could tell there was a considerable amount of wetlands on the property. As it turns out, it is unusable for ball fields and the county is in the process of buying some additional land to provide the promised ball fields. Also, the cost estimates for the purchase and development of the promised parks was woefully underestimated.
I would make sure Public Works is involved in the process to help evaluate the sites before purchase and I would drive by the locations myself to have an over view and better understanding of each site.
3. You may not consider this wasteful but hear me out. The county doesn’t bond against the road fund for road projects. They wait until they have the cash before they start. If they borrowed the money and paid it back over 20 years with a low interest loan from the state, they could start several projects that would reduce congestion, take care of numerous safety issues and promote economic development. It would be far less expensive to build the roads at today’s dollars than 6 years from now, plus the potential for economic development and taxes back to the county from those projects would more than even out the debt service.
I would promote bonding for new road projects that would reduce congestion, increase safety and provide economic stimulus.
Questionnaire from Clark County Blog.
1. Should the Cowlitz Tribe be allowed to build a casino in Clark County?
My opposition to a casino is not tied to the Cowlitz Tribe’s federal recognition or their right to economic prosperity. I believe that the proposed site does not fit the vision for the I-5 corridor. Also, an additional 14,000 cars a day on I-5 would be a significant problem. I would much prefer a business park or an employment district at that location that would provide family wage jobs so that folks that have to cross the Columbia River for work would have the choice to live closer to their homes and families. Residents working closer to their homes would also help reduce congestion on an already overburdened I-5 corridor and help reduce emissions.
2. What should be built, if anything, at the Columbia River Crossing of I-5?
I believe that our transportation dollars, which seem to be increasingly scarce, are best spent in the most cost-effective way by focusing on congestion relief. Congestion prevents us from spending time with our families and wastes money. I have serious concerns that we are spending billions of dollars to replace a bridge that would do very little to reduce congestion. I do believe that a new bridge would make it safer to merge onto I-5 in the immediate area, it could help freight mobility and the bridge wouldn’t have to be raised for river traffic, but replacing a six lane bridge with a six lane bridge doesn’t make sense. I remain open to a compelling case for the bridge replacement, but only with the agreement that we begin the process of locating and building a third bridge in the very near future. I believe that a third bridge is what is needed to significantly reduce congestion. I am hearing from folks that they would like an opportunity to vote on the bridge and if it should have light rail. I could support that.
3. How would you pay for anything that gets built at the Columbia Crossing?
If the Columbia River Crossing goes forward, I believe that the Federal government should pay for the majority of the bridge. It is an Interstate highway. As far as the interchanges on both sides of the river, the counties should receive financial help from the Federal Government and the states of Washington and Oregon. After all, it is our money no matter what jurisdiction is paying the bills.
4. Should part of Camp Bonneville be developed as a National Cemetery?
Yes, it would be an honor to have a National Cemetery in Clark County.
5. Assuming the current request for an increase in the Sales tax to pay for a new emergency radio system fails, what should be the next step to raise the money needed? If voters disapprove a sales tax increase, what should the County Commissioners consider next?
The individual agencies will now have to use their existing budgets to finance it. The BOCC should begin working on a plan to pay the portion that will be owed by county agencies. Unfortunately the smaller agencies such as fire districts will suffer a significant hit on their budgets that could affect emergency response. All of the agencies are eligible for federal homeland security grants and could possibly apply for those as a group or individually.
6. What specific steps will you take as a Commissioner to increase jobs in Clark County?
Economic development is a very important issue to me. Attracting businesses from outside the area while supporting our existing businesses should be a priority. The local governments should work together to recruit new businesses no matter what jurisdiction they may want to purchase land in and develop on. Financial incentives should be looked at on a state and local level especially for businesses that would provide family wage jobs. The county needs to be more business friendly.
7. What do you see in the County’s Transportation future via C-Tran and RTC if you are elected County Commissioner?
I believe that CTRAN will continue to struggle. This year they have a short fall due to less than anticipated sales tax revenue and an increase in rider ship. The express bus service to Portland is very successful but the routes through the city and portions of the county are not being utilized by very many people. When it takes you an hour to take a bus to work in-county versus driving it in 20 minutes people will usually save the time and drive. It will take a significant amount of money to have a real transit service and I’m not hearing that the people of Clark County are ready to pay more in taxes for CTRAN or give up their cars. They should have that choice. I am not a supporter of light rail but I believe that the citizens should have the right to vote on such a crucial issue.
8. The animosity between Vancouver City Hall and the County Commission dates back many years, and has prevented serious cooperation between the two on many issues. What steps will you take to heal the breach in relations between the County Commission and Vancouver City Hall?
I have met with several members of the City Council, the Mayor and the members of the BOCC. I believe that good relationships between individuals and open channels of communication are the keys to easing the relationships. Although we may disagree and we will on occasion, it must be kept in perspective and should always be viewed as what is best for all of the people of Clark County. I believe that I have the skills necessary to build healthy relationships that will create greater opportunities.
9. What will you do as a County Commissioner to control ever rising residential property taxes in the county?
The County Assessor follows the laws of the State of Washington that can only be changed in Olympia. With that said, bringing new businesses into the county would help stabilize residential property taxes. Businesses pay considerably more in property taxes than do homeowners and would provide some relief. The 1% limit has been in effect for several years now and the average homeowner should see some stabilization coming their way. I know that I have. I believe that Clark County can achieve a smaller, smarter government which would help hold the line on large budget increases. We also have to remember, anytime a special service district such as a school district, park district or fire district asks for additional revenue, you have the opportunity to vote on it and weigh the benefits versus the additional property tax.
10. Name the top three wasteful things that Clark County spends money on and how you would do things differently?
1. The most current item to me is the time, energy and money spent on hearings and the negotiating of a new MOU with the Cowlitz. An MOU was signed in 2004, thrown out by the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board and is now being appealed in court. If the Federal Government / Bureau of Indian Affairs approves their request, there will still be numerous items to negotiate with the state and county.
I would not negotiate a new MOU.
2. I am a proponent of parks and ball fields, but the way the county went about purchasing property for new parks was ridiculous. My best example is the property purchased at the NE corner of NW 11th Ave. and NW 164th Street, the old Soper farm. It was purchased for use as both a park and for ball fields. I am not an engineer, but driving by it on a regular basis I could tell there was a considerable amount of wetlands on the property. As it turns out, it is unusable for ball fields and the county is in the process of buying some additional land to provide the promised ball fields. Also, the cost estimates for the purchase and development of the promised parks was woefully underestimated.
I would make sure Public Works is involved in the process to help evaluate the sites before purchase and I would drive by the locations myself to have an over view and better understanding of each site.
3. You may not consider this wasteful but hear me out. The county doesn’t bond against the road fund for road projects. They wait until they have the cash before they start. If they borrowed the money and paid it back over 20 years with a low interest loan from the state, they could start several projects that would reduce congestion, take care of numerous safety issues and promote economic development. It would be far less expensive to build the roads at today’s dollars than 6 years from now, plus the potential for economic development and taxes back to the county from those projects would more than even out the debt service.
I would promote bonding for new road projects that would reduce congestion, increase safety and provide economic stimulus.