Editor’s note: Clark County Today has reached out to all six candidates vying for three seats on the Clark County Council. We asked about light rail, homelessness, and taxes/budgeting.
In this installment of our series, we look at the race for Clark County Council District 3, featuring Peter Silliman vs. Troy McCoy.
(Clark County Today sent these questions more than two weeks ago and made several attempts to reach Troy McCoy. With no responses from him, we will use his messaging from the Voters’ Pamphlet in this report. Those messages are not direct answers to these questions, of course. If McCoy does respond, we will update this story.)
Light Rail/IBR
Clark County Today: Light rail remains a hot topic. Three Clark County Councilors are on the C-TRAN Board of Directors and would likely be voting on any negotiations/deals with TriMet for operations and maintenance costs if light rail does come to Clark County. With that said …
What is your position on the extension of light rail from Portland to Vancouver via the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program? If you support it, can you share with us why you think it is important for all of Clark County? If you do not support light rail, what would you say to those who want light rail?
Silliman: “I am 100 percent against extending light rail into Clark County. I would vote to oppose it, or free Clark County citizens from any commitment to it, if given the opportunity. I don’t think my opponent’s opposition is sincere. As a Council member, he voted against Battle Ground passing a resolution making opposition a policy of the Council. While he has represented Battle Ground on the CTRAN board since then and opposed light rail, he has been bound to represent that policy. Freed from that, I think he would vote with Democrats.
McCoy (via the Voter’s Pamphlet): “Focusing on … infrastructure needs … we can work together to protect what makes Clark County special.”
Clark County Today: If light rail is definitely coming to Vancouver, who should pay for operations and maintenance for light rail into Vancouver? Should it be the city of Vancouver, or should all Clark County help foot the bill? Or simply TriMet?
Silliman: Those who want light rail, should pay for it. In Clark County, that appears to be only Vancouver. The good news? I don’t think anyone is going to pay $15 billion dollars for it. Oregon voters just shot down a transportation tax that Oregon was going to use to fund their share. I don’t see Washington voters ponying up billions for a bridge. I don’t see Washington DC ponying up billions for a bridge or approving tolls for an existing freeway. I think this IBR project will die under its own weight.
McCoy (via the Voter’s Pamphlet): “Clark County taxpayers must not pay for light rail unless approved by voters.”
Clark County Today: Would you be supportive of another advisory vote for Clark County residents regarding light rail? Why or why not?
Silliman: “If a light rail vote were held, I am sure the voters would reject light rail just like they have in the past. The state took away local control for ‘regional projects’ so it would remain symbolic.”
Homeless Crisis
Clark County Today: Are you in favor of HART’s plans for expansion into Clark County? In other words, are you satisfied with the work HART (Homeless Assistance and Resources Team) has done in Vancouver and how it has responded to the homeless crisis?
Silliman: “Like everything else, I would like to judge it based upon performance. The cost of the bridge shelter is $22 million and has expected operating costs of $6.5 million. How many people are going to be helped at that price? What is the cost per homeless person helped? Are we delivering more money for overhead than we are to individuals that need help?
McCoy (via the Voter’s Pamphlet): (Clark County Today: There is nothing in the messaging in the pamphlet regarding the homeless issue.)
Clark County Today: The Bridge Shelter in Vancouver is expected to open later this year. There are big expectations for that facility. What other ideas do you have to address homelessness in the county?
Silliman: “There are lots of people on the streets by choice. They have been offered help. They have been offered treatment. We should not continue to grant special privileges to people who remain on the street by choice. They are committing crimes. They are littering. They are destroying property, sometimes habitat areas that citizens paid to enhance. That shouldn’t be acceptable.”
Taxes/Budgeting
Clark County Today: There is a deficit in the general fund of the Clark County budget. How would you prefer to correct that issue? Cuts to the budget only? Raising taxes only? A combination of both? In short, can you describe your ideal plan for solving this problem?
Silliman: “There is always a deficit when you project out the budget that county employees want.
“Twenty-five years ago, taxpayers revolted against property tax increases. The result was what we call the 1-percent levy limit. This is what the council pretty much passes every year. They still complain they don’t have enough.
“The other component to levy growth is new construction. In most years, this adds more revenue to the county levy than the 1-percent increase does. … The fact is, that for the last several decades, the county has tried to kill this golden goose with overregulation.
“People can see and hear about the Mayor of Seattle and the direct impact of Seattle businesses leaving. They have heard about the state-passed income tax and see high wage earners and businesses leaving the state. The Democrats and bureaucrats of Clark County are doing the same. You just don’t read about it. The cost to comply with county regulations, permit costs, delays, and just government arrogance, has discouraged business from locating here, expanding here, and providing more jobs for Clark County.
“The answer is to change the direction of Clark County’s bureaucracy. The 1-percent tax increase needs to be taken off the table. The mission of the Community Development department needs to be redefined to serve the builders and developers in Clark County. If a land use or building is permitted under state law, the county should be helping people do it.”
McCoy (via the Voter’s Pamphlet): “I will be a strong proponent of responsible budgets, carefully managed growth, and ensuring law enforcement and emergency services have the tools and facilities needed to protect our communities.”
Clark County Today: For any political leader, tough decisions, such as whether or not to raise taxes, are part of the job. Can you describe your process in making these tough decisions?
Silliman: “I will only be satisfied when it comes to taxes and tax increases, when I can look people in the eye, explain the need, proposal, and cost, and have them agree that it is worth it and that we aren’t wasting a bunch of their money somewhere else.”
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