In light of the facts, let’s see what most of the voters want

Should we return to Spokane County government, and disincorporate our new city? You’ve seen your city government at work. You’ve seen it grow at your expense. You need to decide if it’s the best use of your precious dollars or just another expensive layer of government.

The petition for Valley disincorporation is about citizen empowerment. This is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian, grassroots, all-volunteer effort by Valley citizens for Valley citizens. It is not driven by business organizations or personal political aspirations. This is not a one-person effort. Sally Jackson does not stand alone. Signatures are being collected by more than 400 volunteers – your friends, neighbors and co-workers, not paid gathers. It is about letting the citizens of the Valley have an opportunity to revote the issue in light of the facts.

We have more than 47,000 registered voters in the new city. Only 21 percent (10,272) of those voted for the formation of the new city, while 20 percent (9,680) were opposed. A difference of 1 percent decided our future!

There is and will be a lot of disinformation circulating about what will happen if the disincorporation takes place. You will have to be an informed voter.

A receiver will be elected or appointed to take possession of all property, money, vouchers, records and books to wind up the city’s affairs. We will, in the end become county residents again. We will not be parceled out to or scavenged by the nearby cities of Spokane, Liberty Lake or Millwood.

When we incorporated, we left Spokane County, one of the most efficient governments in the state, with a surplus of nearly $18 million. We opted for a new layer of government in the city of Spokane Valley, which not only has no surplus, but is forecasting significant deficits. The Valley City Council considered a 6 percent utility tax just last fall. The council does not need to put it to a vote of the people.

The city of Spokane cannot annex the Valley unless the affected residents petition to be annexed or vote to be annexed. Annexation cannot happen without a vote of Valley residents, no matter what the proponents of the new city try to tell you.

Our goal is to put the question of disincorporation on the ballot in November and encourage a large voter turnout and put this issue to rest forever. The pro-incorporation advocates tried five times before they finally squeaked by. We’re asking for just one vote to confirm this is actually the will of Valley citizens. Our only feasible option is a petition signed by just more than half of the registered voters requesting the issue be brought to the voters in the November election.

We want whatever the majority of the Valley residents want. We will abide by that decision and we ask the supporters of the city to do the same. If they, the City Council, really do care about the citizens of Spokane Valley they have the power to put this issue on the ballot without going through the petition process. If, in light of the facts, the voters really do support them, we’ll shut up for good.

Eliminate this new expensive layer of city government and its bureaucrats. Return to Spokane County, one of the most fiscally sound governments in the state. Return to the quality road building and maintenance programs, pool construction and park system and Sheriff’s Department operated by the county. Eliminate the worries of a utility tax. Sign the petition and let your voice be heard, then vote in November.