Letters To The Editor

Sat., March 9, 1996

‘No’ before, ‘no’ again

In regard to the proposed city of Evergreen (Valley Voice, March 2), we must respond to Arne Woodard’s comments.

We resent being referred to as idiots because we are in opposition of the attempt to make a city.

We believe the people opposing this “oft repeated attempt” are a lot wiser than those promoting it.

The voters have not been given any figures of the costs to run this city. Just what can a city of 14,000 accomplish, except to raise your taxes?

When are these city proponents going to get the message of the “no” vote? We wonder how many people know these past elections have cost the county over $120,000. Are we going to continue to pay for this?

We have voted “no” before and will do so again. And, Arne, think before you refer to people as “idiots.” Jim and Bess Routt Spokane

Same old objections

Last night I attended the Boundary Review Board public hearing for the incorporation of the proposed city of Evergreen.

There was this guy that got up and recited the same stale objections to having a city in the Valley that we’ve endured for almost a decade. You know the song: Why can’t you take no for an answer? What part of no don’t you understand? We don’t need another layer of government. We never have our questions answered about how we can support a city.

The “other layer of government” argument is patently ridiculous. Our county commission system was developed during the last century to govern rural areas. It was never designed nor equipped to manage the myriad complexities of urban communities. Spokane, Cheney, Deer Park, Millwood, Airway Heights and the other 6 small towns in the county all have the option to dis-incorporate and place themselves under the auspices of our county commissioners. Why don’t they do that? I suspect it’s because they all realize that self control of their own communities is better than depending upon three commissioners who are responsible to the entire county.

If the gentleman hasn’t gotten responses to his concerns it’s because he hasn’t been listening. We’ve proven that we will have more than adequate revenues to operate a city on less taxes than we are paying now! Over six million dollars will come to us from property taxes and sales taxes alone, or $273 for each man, woman and child. Federal Way residents get only $208 each. The folks in Ellensburg get about $220.

I would advise all the nay-sayers and self-styled experts on municipal government who’ve always tried to drown our efforts to get new buckets. The old ones just don’t hold water. Ed Meadows Spokane

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