Should the Port Double Your Property Taxes?

[Chief]

Making the rounds via e-mail...

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p184/thejoerebel/bob4rv.jpg

From: "Local Mailing List" <lmpatella@comcast.net>
To: <bkoski@worldaccessnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 9:27 PM
Subject: Should the Port Double Your Property Taxes?


> (Mailing list information, including unsubscription instructions,
> is located at the end of this message.)
> __
>
> If you need a reason to vote against the Port of Vancouver's attempt to double your property tax you will find one on Page C6 first Column, second line of Sun. May 20th columbian.
>
> It states: " The City would pay off the debt (Money to build Killian Pacific, with taxpayer dollars, 300 t0 400 parking spaces) over 25 years using revenues from three sources.
>
> 75 percent of incremental property taxes generated by Riverwest that would flow to the City, Clark County, THE PORT OF VANCOUVER, and the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District".
>
> If the Port of Vancouver can afford to give away 75% of its future property tax revenues generated by the Killian Pacific Riverwest project for the next 25 years, they sure as hell don't need to double our current property taxes.
>
> Don't miss this opportunity to send a strong message to these tax and spend politician that we are sick and tired of them spending our hard earned tax dollars without first letting us vote on the issue. Plan now to vote for the right to vote.
>
> Larry Patella
>

[Chief]

This is an excellent example of how to give the City Council of America's The 'Couv a convenient and effective piece of camouflage for the three upcoming City Council races. Tim Leavitt, Larry Smith, and Dan Tonkovich don't have a thing to worry about when it comes to reelection this year, because Larry Patella is going to run political interference for them with his decades long personal vendetta against the Port of Vancouver.

We certainly can, and definitely will debate all of the merits of the Port of Vancouver, the IDD Tax, and the performance of Commissioner Arch Miller; but twisting every issue in the news in order to beat the Port of Vancouver over the head with it, like Commander Patella insists upon doing, is not something I am going to agree with, or allow to stand without comment any longer.

I have been told that in effect I talk too much. That may be, but it beats the alternative, which many here in town seem to favor; and that is letting one person hijack every political discussion in order to fit it into their personal political agenda.

The focus on this latest real estate deal for Killian, needs to be on Vancouver City Council, and it would be damned convenient if Commander Patella could get on board with the idea that the real problem child on this issue is Vancouver City Council, and not the Port of Vancouver. The Port has plenty of warts all their own, and are worthy of criticism for the things that they are responsible for, but this ain't one of them.

Trying to make the Port of Vancouver, and everything they stand for, into a whipping boy for every sin, real or perceived, by Vancouver City Council, Clark County, and the State of Washington; is ill considered and completely out of line. I am not going to allow it to stand unchallenged here at Clarkblog where we are going to have an open discussion, based upon the facts, and not overheated rhetoric and extreme hyperbole from Larry Patella.

As always, Commander Patella is most welcome to defend his statements and challenge mine here at Clarkblog. He has recieved repeated invitations to join us here, and to date, has steadfastly refused to take advantage of that ongoing opportunity.

Stout Hearts...

[tefen]

Honestly, I don't understand his point. The Port didn't say it wanted to give up 75% of its share of the Riverwest taxes. The city council is approving this, not the port commissioners, and even if they did let this go in order to pursue the tax increase, this seems like a fair trade off. Losing 75% of one property's taxes versus a doubling of taxes on all properties in the city? I think it's best they focus their attention on the larger sum.