Democracy for Vancouver

Having just returned from a dredging conference in Hawaii, I was a not disappointed reading article in the Columbian that were saved for me. They (THE COLUMBIAN) continue to support the tax and spend crowd, make feeble attempts to discredit those challenging incumbents and of course, support the wasteful spending of our hard earned tax dollars.

John Laird in his column asked he question, how would you like the challengers to serve on your jury. In my opinion, anyone being tried would be better served with individuals like challengers, Stemper, Campbell, Kallstrom, and Oliver on any jury. They would at least examine all the fact, (not vote in lockstep with others) and make intelligent decisions.

The Editorial on Property Tax Assessments left one important question out. Why are they, (Politicians) in this important election year waiting until after the election to publish the new property tax assessments. Could it be that to air that information prior to the elections would be harmful to the incumbents.

And, how about Tom Koenninger’s article on the “Bridge to Nowhere” (Land Bridge Spans Our Rich History). He once again glosses over the fact that this bridge is being built with tax dollars that could in my opinion be better spent on curbing such things as increased crime and gang activities. He apparently doesn’t think that State, Federal, and City of Vancouver Tax dollars come out of our pockets.

And what about “Downtown Spanky’s store to close?” How can that be? Didn’t our three incumbent council members, who are running for re-election based on their past accomplishment, assure us that if we did it their way downtown would be flooded with people 24 hours a day, seven days a week? That has not and will not ever happen. Downtown is void of people.

However a closer look at their record reveals that when they voted to bypass the voters and spend hundreds of millions of our hard earned tax dollars to “resuscitate a mummy” (revitalize downtown) and give away millions of dollars of property and tax incentives to developers they only succeeded in Plunging us deeper into debt.

We are because of their actions currently subsidizing the People’s (Hilton Hotel) to the tune of approximately 2,000,000.00 a year, the new Library to the tune of $500,000 a year for 25 years, and have obligated the taxpayer to give Millions and Millions of dollars in Property tax breaks to developers.

And in case you don’t think that the Columbian is anti-people, Check their record, they are in favor of every tax increase proposed and yes asked the voters to approve the Port of Vancouver’s outrageous 132% property tax increase.

If you have not yet voted, don’t let the Columbian and the Incumbent Rascals tax you out of your home.

Vote for: CHARLIE STEMPER, PAT CAMPBELL, DAVID KALLSTROM FOR CITY COUNCIL AND JERRY OLIVER FOR PORT COMMISSIONER.

LARRY PATELLA
A PROUD MEMBER OF THE HOUNDS OF WHINERVILLE