Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, wants a districtwide vote on light rail into Clark County, as well she should. Clark County needs light rail, as it is now proposed, as much as a salmon needs a bicycle. The present proposal has it going just a few miles to Clark College, where it will serve only a few people in that area, to say nothing of taking properties off the tax rolls in order to make room for parking lots for the light-rail commuters.
It’s even more disturbing that Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt doesn’t seem to understand, complaining that Herrera Beutler, in his view, doesn’t respect the locally elected officials. Why should she? Our locally elected officials don’t appear to respect the wishes of the people who put them into office.
Residents must have a voting say on light rail and tolls. I believe voters will vote it down. However, a defeat against light rail and tolls will serve to wave a red flag at the locally elected officials and we will get the thing rammed down our collective throats, like it or not. I resent the attitude Leavitt has toward the people who voted him into office, and I am one of them. This will be remembered during a re-election bid.
Bill Fisher
Vancouver
