Leave it to Tim Leavitt, unfortunately still the mayor of Vancouver, Washington, to make another plea for the deep dark hole sucking up money as fast it can Columbia River Project instead of saying something relevant to thank all of those have died defending our country, even though that is why we have the three-day weekend.
Leavitt, who readily lied through his teeth in order to be elected as Mayor in 2009 has an Op-Ed appearing in the Sunday, May 27, 2012 Columbian, Local View: Crumbling roads, bridges show why Congress must act where he attempts to paint a picture of the aging, yet still sound Interstate Bridge Structure as “crumbling” and “structurally deficient,” urging Congress to come up with the estimated $4 Billion to start their replacement.
We hear the usual words like “negatively affecting our region’s economy and livability” and “Significant safety and congestion problems” destined to only get worse. We hear all of the usual canards the CRC and supporters use to force this project on the citizens of Clark County, while continuing to block any efforts at allowing citizens in the county to voice whether or not they want it through a vote.
What we don’t hear is that real and only reason this project even exists is to force Portland, Oregon’s financially ailing light rail into our community, as was shown in an Oregon Supreme Court Ruling earlier this year.
Neither Leavitt, the Columbian nor any of the supporters of the CRC ever mention that little revelation, just the usual fearmongering in an attempt to fool citizens into we really need this boondoggle.
Even though Leavitt’s appeal is aimed at congress, does he not realize that the money they have is first confiscated from us also, as well as the tax increases he would like, tolls to cross the bridge even before construction begins and that the federal government, America is over $15 Trillion in debt already?
Nobody has the money to fund this pie in the sky boondoggle that has already sucked up over $150 Million in “studies” without even a shovel of dirt being turned in over a decade.
Leavitt does not address the impact on downtown businesses that will be under the shadow of this eight story monstrosity during the 8 to 10 years it will take to build it, nor does he address the increased congestion through the corridor during the years of construction, with only the I-205 Bridge for any relief.
Not surprising is seeing 49th Legislative District Representative Jim ‘da candyman’ Moeller chime in, supporting Leavitt’s appeal to rip off citizens. Moeller, who has never met a tax or spending increase he doesn’t like, said, “An individual leads through service. Part of that service is to explain the options and present the solutions to the voters including asking for the action of other elected officials. It’s time for congress to act and reauthorize a surface transportation bill. It’s time for Washington and Oregon to act including asking voters for funds for transportation projects. And it’s time for all of us to move forward.”
If you note, “honesty” merits no mention. If honesty had any part in this, Leavitt and Moeller would stop the fearmongering over the structures and admit the truth, they are still structurally sound and the only reason for replacing them is to run Portland’s light rail into Clark County, giving Oregon the ability to take even more of our money than they already do, giving nothing back to our community but headaches.
Council member Larry Smith, a man I have come to respect for his work supporting Veterans added, “this is an American issue not a political one. We all need to focus.”
Recovering from the deep recession and 4th year in a row Clark County has seen double digit unemployment is a focus.
We that oppose this project as currently designed have focused for several years. It is time that our elected Representatives focused more on the citizens who will be stuck with the albatross of the project for generations to focus, on us, not fattening the wallets of those who push light rail.
If they were to focus, maybe they would see that third bridge must be constructed prior to replacing the Interstate Bridge. If for no other reason than to alleviate the increase in congestion that will be ongoing for several years.
Focusing would also allow the citizens throughout the county that will be stuck paying for this over expensive project if we even wish to.
Focusing would also have project managers seriously looking at the several alternatives that are actually affordable.
In case our so called leaders already have forgotten, Washington State just went through a nightmare of legislative special sessions to close an over $1 Billion budget gap with projections of next year’s budget gap approaching $2 Billion.
Of course, Moeller’s “focus” will be robbing taxpayers blind, even more than we already are, evidenced in his comment on “asking voters for funds.” Whether o not you feed your family is not as important to the likes of Leavitt and Moeller as is paying off special interest Fatcats who keep them in office with generous donations.
It is obvious that these two must go, they must be voted out next election.
Leavitt will not be up for reelection until 2013, but Moeller is running this year. His announced opponent, Carolyn Crain rightfully sees it for what it is, “Talk about incompetence! The ultimate example of the manifestation of crony capitalism at the cost of local taxpayers.”
We can ill afford to fall further prey to Portland, Oregon and continue placing their interest above the efforts of struggling Clark County taxpayers to recover from this elongated recession politicians have kept us in.
We need to elect new people to represent us, people that will actually listen to us and who are really concerned for our plight.
The CRC should be halted and a full investigation launched. The whole project smacks of corruption and collusion between two states to rip-off citizens of one county. If warranted, all parties should be prosecuted.
Above all, we need to begin voting these con-men out of office.
