Tax collection stays fairly constant

Dale Hillman’s April 20 letter, “Drop in values affects entire county,” reflects a common misunderstanding about how property taxes are levied by Washington counties and cities.

A drop in property values, even a severe countywide drop as we have seen recently, does not affect the total of property taxes collected by the county or other governmental entity. The tax rate for each taxing district is simply adjusted upward by the county assessor to produce the revenue necessary to meet the taxing district’s budget.

Our state Constitution limits the total annual revenue that a county can collect from annual taxes on the value of existing properties. If the total assessed value in the district goes up (not counting new construction), the tax rate is adjusted down to stay within the revenue limit. Conversely, the rate goes up when values go down.

The revenue of our county and its cities does drop during bad times because collection of other taxes and fees goes down. Excise taxes on the sale of real estate, and the impact fees collected from new development have certainly gone down, as have other sources of revenue. Nevertheless, the revenue from property taxes stays relatively constant.

Lonnie Moss

Battle Ground

Spring step easily tripped by pets

The Vancouver Farmers Market is a pleasure I look forward to each spring. There are gifts, plants, flowers, fresh produce and so many other treasures. Just a great experience — bustling, yet relaxing fun. There are even tasty treats to enjoy as I shop.

But now dogs have become a most unwanted and annoying element. Their presence brings barking, the possibility of being bit, not to mention the danger of being tripped or bumped into a fall where I could be hurt. Their deposits are just an additional disgust.

Dogs are not shoppers. Why are dogs allowed? It is a serious discouragement for me to come and financially support the vendors and local businesses. This wonderful jewel of Vancouver must continue without our precious pets.

Kay Fox

Vancouver

Beware the Beckies

I’m not quite old enough to be a hippie, but I have two older brothers who were; both went to Woodstock. It looks like we have a new anti-establishment movement, the Tea Party “Beckies.” Once they’ve smoked some Glenn Beck, had a dose of Rush Limbaugh, and gotten Sarah Palin-ized, they’re ready to tune-in (to Fox), turn-off (their brain), and reload.

We’ve gone from Woodstock to Weirdstock, communes to militias, free love to open carry, long hairs to cross hairs, peace signs to the bird, from gurus to guns. We don’t sit-in; we stand up and shout in your face, interrupting public discourse.

Is this what America has devolved to?

I believe in free speech, but there are some irresponsible “patriotic” conservative entertainers and politicians fabricating news and inciting a few Beckies into domestic violence against our country. It’s tantamount to shouting fire in a crowded theater. It borders on treason.

Perhaps those in the Tea Party movement who choose to ignore the will of the majority of the American people, who desire limited government, and favor unregulated militias, should consider living in Somalia. They’d feel right at home there.

I don’t know about you, but I’ll take Flower Power over Fire Power anytime.

Rich Stever

Vancouver

Ridicule disrespectful of honor

In response to the April 19 Columbian story “On the money,” only a handful of our nation’s many leaders have had the great honor of appearing on the monetary bills of America’s currency. This honor is often in recognition and respect for their accomplishments and importance to the history of our nation.

Some leaders, such as Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, stood strongly for their beliefs and actions, even in the face of opposition and assassination. Both Lincoln and Kennedy were tragically put out of office. Both were established on a form of U.S. currency ($5 bill and 50-cent piece, respectively). Many other leaders have made similar sacrifices and accomplishments, thus being put on a monetary piece.

The story informed readers that some people find these immense honors to be a joke. It is so “humorous” that American leaders ought to be dressed up as women, clowns, and other inaccurate and disrespectful figures (with the use of a set of stickers) for the amusement and profit of others.

The leaders of our nation should not be ridiculed for this honor considering their sacrifice and solidarity that helped shape America as we know it.

Nicholas and Kevin Robinson

Vancouver

Coherent message is most important

Roy Rapier, in an April 19 letter, “Obama is worst leader yet,” continues to “beat a dead horse.” Who cares if President Obama uses a teleprompter when giving speeches? It’s been done since Eisenhower was in office.

I don’t care if a speaker uses a teleprompter, note cards, massive pages of script or scribbles on her hand. The message is the only thing that’s important and Obama presents a clear, coherent, rational message when he speaks. Sarah Palin might want to invest in a teleprompter just so she doesn’t mess up the punch lines of her dead-horse, bumper-sticker rhetoric.

I don’t know where Rapier has been, but I’m confident that George W. Bush holds the “Worst President in History” title over Jimmy Carter, possibly for eternity. But the similarities between Carter and Obama can’t be overlooked: two gracious men concerned with civil rights, peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts, both inheriting huge national deficits, recession, growing inflation and energy crises when they took the oath of office, faced with cleaning up the messes of their predecessors.

Oh, and let’s not forget — both were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Jane Sturm

Battle Ground

Dog owners act responsibly

We encourage the continued welcome of well-behaved canines and their owners by the Vancouver Farmers Market. How much better to have happy, socialized animals rather than dogs who bite out of fear.

We bring our Old English sheepdogs to the market most Saturday mornings, purchasing from many of the vendors, and enjoying the interactions with people and their dogs. It is impressive to have children asking permission to pet our dogs, even when they see other children already petting them. Some children stand quietly, looking wistful; when asked if they’d like to pet the dogs, their faces light up, and they stroke gently and happily. We hear constant “thank yous” from both children and adults.

Most dog owners respect the feelings of those who do not wish to associate with dogs. We have never seen a dog owner neglect to clean up after their animal at the market.

Sandy and Erskine Wood

Vancouver

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