Levy ballots arrived to homes yesterday and today, as you, once again, to vote yes or no on spending your tax dollars to supplement the schools.
we've been impressed with Washougals efforts to get the facts out - mailing information to voters in an effort to make an intelligent decision.Even reducing taxes - If I lived in Washougal, I'd vote yes for their levy.
We can't say the same for Camas. They've chosen to send "vote Yes" promotionals and have yet to explain the details of WHY they want to raise our taxes 8%. Either they think the public is too dumb to understand, or the public is too apathetic to care (which there is some truth in that one) or they have a sense of arrogance that the public will just vote "yes" because Camas schools just ask for it.
Rumors are circulating that even IF the Camas Levy passes, there will be staff cutbacks.
Is the Board and Administration correct? Are we too apathetic to care to vote or care to add another 8% to our taxes? When it comes to school levies, is there a tipping point when the voters so NO to $100,000+ administrative salaries, top heavy administrative employment vs. teachers and front line employees, no to 11 football coaches, and other indulgences?
Legislator calls forum to make sure that students, parents, other advocates are heard
OLYMPIA –
“Not so fast there, Governor,” is the message a southwestern Washington
lawmaker is sending out about a legislative proposal to transfer supervision of
the State School for the Blind and the Washington State Center for Childhood
Deafness and Hearing Loss to the state Office of Superintendent of Public
Instruction.
State Rep. Jim
Moeller, D-Vancouver (49th Legislative District), testified in a
Senate committee hearing yesterday morning (Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010) againstSenate Bill 6491, which he maintainshas received“neither theappropriate level
of fiscal scrutiny nor the appropriate level of public involvement.”
Moeller has arranged a public forum this weekend to
discuss the legislation. The forum will be held this Saturday, Jan. 23, from 10
a.m. until 12 noon. It will take place in hearing room A on the first floor of
the John L. O’Brien Building on the Capitol Campus here in Olympia.
Citizens should call or e-mail Moeller for driving directions.
His Olympia phone number is
360-786-7872, his local phone number is 693-0804, and his e-mail address is moeller.jim@leg.wa.gov.
All interested parties are invited to the forum, and staff
from the governor’s office will also be there. Interpreters and Braille copies
of the legislation will be provided.
The legislation, which was
requested by the governor, would require that the School for the Blind, the
School for the Deaf, and the State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing
Loss would become programs under the Office of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction.
Right now, the State School for the Blind is under the
direction of the school’s superintendent, who works with a board of trustees.
The governor appoints the school’s superintendent and the trustees. The governor
also appoints the director of the Washington State Center for Childhood
Deafness and Hearing Loss, as well as the center’s board of trustees.
“I simply haven’t heard any concrete reasoning, either
financial or otherwise, for making such a dramatic change in the way these two
long-standing institutions are governed,” Moeller said. “There is no specific
information about how such a reorganization would save money or improve services
provided to these unique populations.
“And it seems to me that proponents of this idea haven’t
done enough to involve the most obvious stakeholders,” Moeller said. “Students,
parents and advocates for children who attend these facilities must certainly
be involved in the process.
“I understand that there’s a huge budget and revenue
crisis, and I know that we have to make some very big changes in the way we do
things. But we need to be sure that we are not making changes just for the sake
of making changes.”
The Washington State School for the Blind programs emphasize
all aspects of specialized and academic training for blind students, pre-school
through grades 12 and beyond. Very similarly, the Washington State Center for Childhood
Deafness and Hearing Loss provides statewide leadership, coordination and
delivery of educational services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
###
More information ¿ Phone: (360) 786-7872 / 360-693-0804 (District
phone)
A great opportunity is available through the Southwest Washington Workforce
Development Council for all sophomores, juniors and seniors. The SW Opportunity
Internship Program is a 90 hour internship for those students that have a desire
to work in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and or Math
(STEM).
One of the key requirements to qualify for the
internship is that the student must qualify for free or reduced lunch. This
grant is on a first come basis and as there are a limited number of spots
available. Please click on the link below to get additional details or for
contact information. http://www.camas.wednet.edu/chs/counseling/pdf/oipstem.pdf
the Port of Camas/Washougal will call a Special Meeting Workshop for Monday, January 25th at 6:00 p.m., at the Port Office, 24 South “A” Street, Washougal, WA 98671, for the following purpose: OPEN SESSION WORKSHOP – 6:00 p.m. Strategic Planning for the Port Facilitated by John White, of JD White/Berger Abam
Senate Bill 6396 before the Washington legislation would bring California-style gun-control to the Northwest and
ultimately ban many semi-automatic firearms commonly owned by
Washingtonians.
In fact, SB 6396 is more far-reaching than it appears on the surface and will
absolutely impact a gigantic swath of Washington
firearm owners, including concealed pistol license holders, hunters and
competitive pistol shooters.As
examples, consider the following restrictions that flow from the provisions of
this horrendous piece of gun control legislation:
ØEvery semiautomatic AND PUMP-ACTION rifle and shotgun that has a
detachable magazine and has a pistol grip located rear of the trigger (yes,
that is just about all of them) is defined as an “assault weapon” and is banned under SB 6396!
ØIf you and your child/children are out in the woods plinking with his
or her Ruger 10-22 and there are more than 10 rounds in the magazine, you are a FELON!
ØIf you are a Concealed Pistol License holder and your semi-auto
self-defense pistol contains more than 10 rounds, you are a FELON!
ØThe use of firearms defined as “assault weapons” (see first bullet
point) are banned for use in hunting!
ØCompetitive shooters will be impacted as any semi-auto pistol that has
a detachable magazine and is equipped with a muzzle brake or compensator is
defined as an “assault weapon!”
ØIf you own a firearm(s) defined as an “assault weapon” on the date this
bill becomes law, you can keep it if you are willing to allow your Sheriff to
come into your home once every year to ensure you store your firearm(s)
appropriately!
Senate Bill 6396 is proof that the
gun-ban groups and politicians are not interested in only banning
semi-automatic firearms that happen to look like military firearms.This bill shows where they really want to go
with their agenda!This gun ban scheme
will only punish law-abiding citizens and will do nothing to curb crime or keep
criminals from obtaining firearms illegally. This is not only another
attack on our Second Amendment rights in Washington State,
but an attack on your Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches of
your home!
Brief messages can be left for your legislators by calling the
toll-free legislative hotline at 800-562-6000.Legislators’ direct phone numbers and email access can be found by
clicking on their names either here for Senators: http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/Pages/default.aspx
The Port
of Camas- Washougal Commissioners will
meet with leaders from the City of Washougal,
City of Camas
and Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) on January 19th at 7:00 p.m.
in the Second Floor Meeting Room of the Camas Library, located at 625 NE 4th Avenue,
Camas.
This is a rare meeting which
citizen have not witnessed in many many years in our community. Local leaders
talking to one another.
The Agenda:
1.)
Bart Phillips CREDC presentation
a.
What is the CREDC?
b.
How are we managing the regional economy?
c. Questions?
2.)
Cities and Port
of Camas-Washougal
a.
Current economic projects and partnerships we are working on.
b.
What are our efforts for job creation?
c. Other?
3.) How can we work together to
improve economic stability for our area?
4.) What is next?
5.) Adjourn.
(Meeting is open to the public.
No decisions will be made.)
Unlike
Camas Schools which will hit Camas residents with an 8% tax increase if their levy
is approved; Washougal Schools levy will actually DECREASE
if voters approve their M&O and technology levy.
Washougal
Schools mailed a detailed facts pamphlet out explaining, in detail, what
Washougal tax payers will pay, and why, if they approve a replacement
Maintenance, Operations and Technology Levy on February 9th. This report can
also be found on their website at
http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/levybond/levybond1.htm
The
report details what a taxpayer will pay over the next four years. In a very
rare display of government efficiency of mindfulness of tax dollars, the
district will actually REDUCE the 2011 tax burden by $33,296 compared to local
taxes currently being paid to Washougal schools in 2010.
$33,296
isn't much of a decrease, only about one half of one percent of the total $5
million local tax revenue but the point is very clear - Washougal schools are diligent and mindful of the local tax payers,
especially during hard economic times.
Our
hats are off to Superintendent Teresa Baldwin and her team for looking out for
the kids while respecting the local citizens and businesses who "pay the
bill".
Since the
first weekend in January, yard signs have appeared all over Camas, encouraging
motorist to "vote Yes Camas Schools".Yet, with only three weeks to go before we are asked to vote on a levy
to increase our taxes, voters still do not have the details of what is in this
Levy. This week, parents found an oversized postcard in their mailboxes -
encouraging parents again to vote "yes" for schools - but still no explanation
of what or why we should vote yes.
Proponents
rhetorically state that this is a "replacement" levy, but fail to
mention the 8% increase.
According
to public records,Resolution No.
09-072011-2013 of the camas school board approved a Maintenance and Operations
Levy to be presented to the voters.
Under a
narrowly approved Bond a couple of years ago, Camas schools have been going hog
wild this past year building new schools, demolishing old ones along with the
historic Doc Harris Stadium - all during the Great Recession.We always suspected the schools would hit us
with a levy request to pay for the increased operational expenses to operate
these new schools and this new stadium. Bonds only pay to build, not operate.
We did a
little digging to try to find out what were the details of this
"replacement Levy" since the schools have yet to inform us.We found the school board resolutions
presented by Ina Evers-Martin Administrator for the district.
What
caught our attention was the wording that Ina Evers-Martin stated to the school
board when she presented the proposal"a resolution needs to be
approved
in order to put areplacement levy on the
ballot. The administrator’s recommendation is for a modest increase in
the levy over a three-year period to account for a slight
growth in enrollment. She expressed that
approval
of Resolution No. 09-07 will provide formal approval to place a three-year replacement Maintenance and Operations Levy on the
ballot for February 9, 2010. $10,400,000 (to be collected in 2011 at
approximately $2.68 per $1,000.00 assessed valuation), $10,700,000 (to be
collected in 2012 at approximately $2.63 per $1,000.00 assessed valuation), and
$11,000,000 (to be collected in 2013 at approximately $2.57 per $1,000.00
assessed valuation).
What
isn't discussed is the additional cost to operate all these new schools and new
stadium.
It took a
bit more research, which wasn't to easy to acquire, but we finally discovered
the numbers of what we pay now verses the "modest increase" proposed
in the new levy.
If approved,
this levy will increase your personal property taxes 8%
We
currently pay the Camas
School District
$9,542,309.
If this
levy is approved by voters, that modest increase will pay the district
10,400,000.
Camas Schools
has increased to levy taxes we pay an average of 6-8% each year, so if you vote
yes, you are voting for more of the same.
Proponents
argue that camas schools need the money for teachers. Opponents argue that
Camas schools are top heavy with too many administrators and exorbitant
salaries at the top, several earning over $100,000/year salaries.
Has Camas
Schools done all it can to trim administrative costs?
Why is
the public being delayed the details of how this levy money will be spent?
Is an 8%
tax increase "Modest"?
Is an
annual increase of 6-8% acceptable to you as a taxpayer? That's what we've been
paying over the last three years; shall we continue the annual increases?
With 40%
increases in Camas Utility rates during the past 10 months, plus foreclosures,
job losses and the great recession, the schools can not afford to blindly
assume that voters will just "say yes" merely because they ask.
With the
start of 2010 upon us and with a new administration and renewed sense of
enthusiasm, I pledge to lead the City of Washougal through some significant
changes in 2010 with the advice and help of the city council, the staff and the
community of Washougal.Many of these
items have already been started.
Increasingly Open Government.In response to citizen suggestions a number of changes are already being
made to how the City of Washougal conducts business and meetings.First, the Consent Agenda has been eliminated
at council meetings and items that would have been included in this portion of
the agenda will be discussed and acted on individually as are all other agenda
items.
Second,
workshop sessions will now be taped and minutes produced of these important
meetings.In addition, audio tapes will
be made of executive sessions and securely stored.
I will also
be allowing a public comment period during certain agenda items that are of
higher interest, prior to the council taking a vote on the issue.Too often, except in public hearings,
comments are taken only at the start and end of the meetings which does not
allow for helpful and timely input and comments from the public on items as
they are discussed.
In regard to
public record requests, it will now be the policy of the City to fulfill those
requests as quickly as possible, without holding back information
inappropriately.
Long Term Financial Planning.Over the last few years the City has significantly increased its
spending without regard to keeping revenues in line with spending.As a result, in 2010 the City is using over
40% of its cash reserves, over $2.5 million, to balance the budget for
2010.This will leave approximately $2.6
million in reserves at the end of 2010.Without proper future financial planning now, it is entirely possible
that the city will be out of financial reserves by the end of 2011.That is not an option, either legally or
morally.
I have
instructed the finance staff, with help from other department heads, to undertake
an immediate and total evaluation of every revenue and expense line item to see
where adjustments can be made to reverse this trend.While I campaigned on a pledge of not
increasing any taxes or fees, it was not apparent until this fall what a
precarious position the last administration has left the city in financially.
I will be
asking city staff at all levels, as well as the council and members of the
public to assist in this financial planning.While there will be some significant and painful decisions to be made in
how we prepare to balance the 2011 budget without use of reserves, I must say
at this point that each and every portion of the city budget is on the table
for discussion and evaluation.
Consider Zone Changes as it Pertains
to Large Parcels and Commercial Areas.I have asked
the planning staff to bring forward recommendations on zoning that will
encourage commercial and retail development in the downtown, along E Street and
throughout the city on large tracts of land and available lots.
I intend to
invest significant efforts and time in making Washougal THE most attractive and helpful
place in the entire metro area to do business.Through this process I will be asking business and industrial leaders to
assist our efforts of tailoring Washougal’s codes, policies and fees to reach
this goal.
Improve Sign Codes.In response to suggestions over the last six months, I have directed our
planning staff and planning commission to look at updates and changes to our
sign codes, especially in regard to sandwich board signs that clutter the
sidewalks and get left on the ground, all of the temporary side-of –the-road
sign clutter and political signs.
While I want
to be mindful of the needs of our businesses, I also want to balance the
appearance in town and the clutter that is too often just left at the side of
the road and at intersections. While city staff was previously directed to
disregard portions of the City’s sign codes, I have directed that the codes be
enforced until they are properly changed where appropriate.
Making the City Safer.I have instructed the police department to begin a rigid enforcement of
traffic laws in the City of Washougal.While enforcement won’t be punitive, we will work diligently to slow
speeds and intersection/stop sign violations through enforcement.Stringent enforcement should be expected in
all school zones throughout the city.
To assist in
paying for traffic enforcement positions and to also help train officers in
investigative techniques, I have also instructed the police chief to put
together an out-of-state license plate enforcement program.These efforts pay off in a number of
ways.First, through helping residents
understand and comply with licensing laws, the city and state can gain
incremental licensing and tax revenue.Second, as vehicles are legally licensed in Washington, driver’s licenses
also get changed to Washington licenses which help to avoid inappropriate local
loss of sales tax revenue.Third, for
those individuals who continue to ignore the laws of the state, enforcement
will increase revenue for the city and state through appropriate fines and
fraud revenues.
Improving Washougal’s
Whistle-Blower and Ethics Policies.Obviously in
2009 we became painfully aware of major breakdowns in these areas that left
city staff in unfortunate and difficult positions.
I have
already directed appropriate staff to begin a complete reevaluation of
Washougal’s policies for consideration of the city council.I never again want any individual, elected,
appointed or staff, be able to take advantage of or manipulate the system as we
saw this last year.I will be asking the
council to consider changes that are far ranging and allow staff many options
to report abuse and illegal activities without the fear of retribution,
including the options of reporting such abuse directly to agencies outside of
the city.
At the same
time I will be asking the council to consider an ethics policy for all
employees and elected and appointed individuals that make it extremely painful
from a legal standpoint to undertake any such activities.While even the best policies won’t be
perfect, I intend to close as many possible loopholes as possible.
Community Beautification.This is one of those issues that so many candidates, with the best of
intentions, campaign on but are seldom successful in implementing.I hope to not join that group.
Every
community has areas that can look better and Washougal is no exception.While keeping individual rights in the
foremost of our planning, I have instructed staff to research proper and
effective regulations that are used by other communities for possible
consideration in Washougal.
In the end I
am hopeful that we will have success in encouraging residents and property
owners to take better care of the front areas of their properties and make
significant strides in decreasing some of the eyesores and blight in the
community.
Shop Local First.Everything good effort starts at the top.I have instructed city staff on all levels
that we will do business with our local businesses FIRST whenever it is
reasonable and feasible to do so.While
I do not believe this will make a major difference in what is being purchased
now, every sale helps.
With the
assistance of the business community, I am confident that we will come up with
a successful campaign to encourage residents to do more and more of their
business in town as well. A healthy
business and retail climate will help attract a stronger, more diverse business
climate.I respectfully ask that
everyone do what they can to assist the businesses in Washougal.
Partnerships.I have already begun, with assistance from a number of department heads,
to reestablish and strengthen healthy relationships with the Port of
Camas-Washougal, the City of Camas, East County Fire & Rescue and the
Washougal School District.
With the
current economic climate and the realities of government today, it is only
through collaboration with our close neighbors that we will continue to be able
to provide the highest and best services to all of our greater community.I have pledged to each of these entities that
Washougal is prepared and committed to be a good partner in current and future
endeavors.I believe that there are many
areas where we can create new opportunities, or at the very least explore them
to determine if they are viable for all.
These are
ambitious goals, and this is just a portion of the work that I am asking the
city council and staff to undertake this year.I believe that 2010 will be an extremely pivotal year for this city, and
I ask both the council and the public to assist in helping to improve Washougal
for the benefit of all.
Many of this
work will ultimately come before the city council for consideration and
approval.By reinstituting the council
committees, I am confident that the council and staff will be able to work
together to make many positive and informed changes to how the city does
business.I look forward to a much more
progressive and successful Washougal.I
hope that you do as well.
One of
the things I loathe about watching sports on TV - especially Trailblazer Basketball that interrupts
regular programming, is the 30 minute show following the game – giving you play
by play “recaps” of what you just spent watching for the last three hours. So it
is with newspapers and TV programs this week - focusing on 2009. In case you
missed it, you lived through the Great Recession and an election where only 30%
of the voters bothered to open an envelope, mark the ballet and walk out to the
mail box. You saw the King of Pop die and the king of golf lose his (fill in
the blank).
So
instead of reminiscing, I thought I'd focus on 2010 and what we can look
forward to in this coming year in Camas, Washougal and Clark County.
By most economists’
predictions, we can expect a slow economic recovery - expect to see job
opportunities in business development, sales, technology, especially in
renewable energies, medical, environmental. We continue to transition from a
manufacturing focus to a knowledge society - meaning; brains and education are
a hot commodity. There, I just saved you
$50 - no need to attend the CREDC's Economic Breakfast in January at the
Hilton. You can thank me by donating $20 to the CWW website donation tab :)
Locally,
politics will heat up in 2010 with the legislative, senate, and congressional
races.
Jaime
Herrera's seat will open for the 18th district state legislator.
Brian
Baird is giving up his congressional race; our own Jon Russell and Jaime
Herrera will take a run for the congressional spot.
Patty
Murry's US Senate seat is open this year, so hopefully a dynamic conservative
will run against her this coming year.
January
will bring a second utility rate increase raising resident’s rates over 40% in
less than a year.
Washougal
will decide on the E Street Diet – roundabout, road paving.
Washougal
will usher in a dynamic; results oriented Mayor who will have the chance to
make positive change in Washougal. There will also enter some new blood with
some smart, passionate council people.
The
"tunnel to nowhere" will be completed soon.
Unfortunately,
camas residents get more of the same as rampant apathy flowed through Camas -
no one even bothered to challenge the Camas city council members up for
re-election.
Camas
will receive a new football stadium and the "field of Dreams" paid
for by a narrowly passed bond two years ago.
Camas and
Washougal schools will sell the voters on a New Levy in February. They say it’s
a replacement level....keep your eyes open as things easily "slip"
into the levy. How else can Camas pay the operating cost to all the new schools
they built in 2009 and the operating costs of the new stadium?
The Port of CW will see two new commissioners
...there are high hopes for this commission. We hope they continue to clean up
the port and eliminate the "good ol boys" that have cost the tax pays
grief and millions of dollars.
The
commissioners will be tasked to fund the safety improvements at Grove Field.
Will they pander to the Johnston
family who donated money to change their platforms during the election? Or will
they rise above political payoffs and do what is right?
We also
hope the commissioners will hire a business development person who knows how to
recruit companies to the Port area.
We look
forward to a few new companies moving to the area, bringing a few more jobs to
the area in both Camas and Washougal.
We may
see the rebirth of the Parker House into a good quality restaurant.
Questions:
Will
Mayor Dennis resurrect the Camas
Community Center and the
Metropolitan Taxing District – thus increasing the cost of living in Camas even
higher?
With 40%
utility rate increases, will Camas get its new sewer treatment facility?
Will the
State FINALLY start construction on HWY 14?
Will the
Martini bar open in downtown camas?
Will Parkersville Park add another rock memorializing
another Indian tribe?
We
eagerly look forward to 2010 as Camas Washougal continues to grow - like it or
not, with all the stretch marks associated with growth.
Camas is
the highest paying taxing city in Clark
County, Washougal is
close behind.
Will we
grow? or will we stagnate?
will
outside companies find our area attractive and want to move here - bringing tax
revenues and jobs with them?
May 2010
treat you well. May your taxes go down, may you keep your house and may your
wealth increase.
This
week’s Washougal council workshop will be on Tuesday at 5:30, not on Monday.
The agenda is basically one item,
the E Street Project. This meeting has been advertised as a meeting with
possible action. Many of the contractors and financial partners on the project
will be present to give the council the latest information on what money is
available for the project and how it can be used. There will also likely be
lots of Q & A involving the project, alternatives to the full project,
etc.
It is very likely that the future of
the E Street Project will be decided at this meeting this
week.
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IMAGINE YOURSELF DEBT FREE
Dave Ramsey Financial Workshop Coming to Washougal.
Public is invited.
Join us for this 13 week workshop that teaches families to beat debt, build wealth.
Place: St. Matthew Lutheran Church
17th and Washougal River Rd.
Thursdays starting Jan.21st
Time: 6:30pm
Child care is provided
Cost: $93/family for materials
Pre-Register: 360-835-5533
stmattewlcms@comcast.net
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