It's that time of year for ghosts and goblins.  Jack o' lanterns and cobwebs all abound.  Not the least bit unusual to see mummies and zombies walking the streets.

Here's hoping you have plenty of opportunity for hot Apple Cider and many youngsters to help eat the candy.  I'll keep on the look out for those "hidden taxes," "scary resolutions" and "dastardly decisions." 

 

The outcome of budget years 2011 and 2012 showed some Conservative influence.  By dialing back our expectations of revenues and keeping a tight belt on our expenses, we were able to nearly restore the reserve fund.

 

This year's budget went Progressive with more tax increases, exploding expenses and no offsetting reductions.  The bottom line was developed on the premise of a forthcoming property tax levy lid lift.  I had to oppose.

 

I was happy to go along with much of the restoring of funds to essential departments and became utterly disappointed when the talk of decreasing non-essentials fell silent.

 

What I saw in the budget director's data was that actual expenses are increasing significantly more than revenues year over year.  A levy lid lift would only be a band-aid for this problem,  the only real solution is to drill down on unnecessary and inefficient expenditures.                     

  

I remember hearing a pitch for the voluntary stewardship plan from Ruckelshaus himself at the annual Washington State Association of Counties conference. 

 

Ruckelshaus, having been the first EPA director, talked about the tremendous improvements we have made in the stewarding of our environment.  It's time to temper the hysteria and take a more local approach is what I took away from his speech.

 

This came to mind because recently, at the Northwest Clean Air Agency, we had an update on the monitoring of the air quality in our airshed.  It appears we are seeing lower ozone levels at some of our most concerning locations.

Whether you believe that humans are destroying the planet, or all of the ongoing efforts are cleaning things up, the facts show that things are getting cleaner.  Maybe now we can slow down the pendulum swing and seek balance before we completely destroy our economy.

Meanwhile, the climate continues to change, just as it has from the beginning of time.  Which was before mankind.

 

A small group of Camano residents have decided the Growth Management Act does not work for them and are asking Island County to  disregard the State Law and allow them to incorporate into a city. 

 

Their problem is...  Camano must become an Urban Growth Area before it can incorporate...  Camano does not have the necessary characteristics of an Urban Growth Area.  The ironic thing is, it is one of the strongest backers of the Growth Management Act that is now seeking a way around the regulations for her homestead. 

 

Former Senator Mary Margaret-Haugen, who once penned a law to allow Camano unique control of its own surroundings which cost Island County tremendously in legal funds and harmony, and was later deemed unconstitutional, is looking for a new back door.

Incorporation means another layer of government.  More government = more taxes.  More taxes = less interest in investing on Camano, more fleeing from Camano and Island County going deeper down the road of becoming a two class society.

MRSC, Municipal Research and Services Center suggests a thorough study before going to a vote of the people with such an endeavor.  This group provided me no study and I was the last to find out about their efforts.

This action would mean our entire county would lose its designation as rural, which allows us substantial state funding for our roads.  We would have to build a City Hall.  Employ staff for the new Mayor (or City Manager).  Probably need our own jail, Stanwood will only help out so much.  Full time planning department even if the market doesn't warrant it.  Fleet of vehicles, Risk Manager, Attorney, etc., etc., etc.

This is the utmost in divisiveness and I am sad to hear it being seriously considered.  Okay, maybe you see some things I don't see.  Let me know what you think. 

I wonder who they have in mind for Mayor and City Council?