Democracy for Vancouver

The Outsider

A Newsletter for the Overburdened Taxpayers of Vancouver Washington

October 29, 2007

Something’s Askew

In the Sunday’s Columbian Business section, there was an announcement that property owners in the city of Vancouver can anticipate an average of a 12% increase on the assessed value of their home. I’m sure that will surprise everyone considering the slowdown in sales of homes and property in this area. Values have not been adjusted to kept up to the reality of the situation.

The one part of this that worries me is the continuous plan to provide favored downtown developers ten year exemptions and property giveaways while we the taxpayers get an increase on our home on an annual basis no matter what the circumstances. This is not fair to the citizens of Vancouver especially to our honored citizens on fixed incomes who try to keep up with tax increases without any increases in their income.

Since the city council has at least four representatives of the senior age group, you would think that they would relate to the senior and change the direction of the city by establishing a Senior Commission to help the senior. Parks for seniors could be an innovation long due for our community. In the city you see a lot of parks for kids and dogs but never a park for seniors. These forgotten members of our community need more help than downtown developers whose only motivation is profit for their own welfare.

My solution is to create a Senior Citizen Commission to help the seniors that have helped us in the community. We as a community have an obligation to see that they are not taxed out of their homes. We owe them the respect and dignity they deserve as seniors and members of this growing community. Please take time to mark your ballot for your choice in this and every election. Make you vote count. Let’s not make voting something that is “askew”.

Charlie Stemper Candidate for City Council Position #5 City of Vancouver USA