TAX Referendum Meeting “Time to Shut It Down”
7 pm on Friday, April 13, 2018,
North Bend Library on Sherman Avenue
7 pm on Friday, April 13, 2018,
North Bend Library on Sherman Avenue
One of the purposes of the referendum process is to keep local and state politicians in check. The state of Oregon has a very liberal policy on rescinding bad laws or taxes that were enacted by city councils and county boards.
At the Coos County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 27, 2018, ALL THREE COMMISSIONERS voted to continue the urban renewal tax debt. There are thirty-two million dollars in potential projects and any debt incurred over the twenty-year life of the plan is the responsibility of the taxpayer. Since the vote was unanimous, it is hard to tell who is representing the people.
The commissioners started reviewing the North Bay URA plan back in August of 2017. During the meetings, Commissioner Main played both sides of the issue sending mixed messages, while Cribbins and Sweet repeatedly implied they were going to do everything possible to find out what the people thought about their plan of extending this public liability.
However, the board scheduled all the meetings during the day when most people are at work. There was no town hall or public forum where the opposition and the supporters could debate the issue in free discourse in front of a live audience. There was no opportunity for the people to hear both sides of the argument because the commissioners were only concerned with the opinion of the supporters of the agency. Everyone else had to follow strictly mandated time constrictions, and the commissioners never allowed the opposition to give their power point presentation at any of the meetings.
In fact, all Cribbins and Sweet had to do to find out what the people thought of the issue was to put the question on the ballot, but that would have revealed an ugly truth. The truth is that most people do not support creating more debt for themselves or their children. They certainly do not approve of using public money for the benefits of private development. Cribbins and Sweet lied about their intentions, deceived the people, and denied them their authority to make the final decision. After all, it is the taxpayer’s money, not the boards.
Fortunate for the voters, they might get two chances to veto the commissioners and override these elected employees, but those opportunities depend on the actions of county voters.
First, it is time to drain the swamp and give Cribbins and Sweet their walking papers. Start looking for new employees, especially when the old employees are guilty of deception. In the upcoming primary in May, the voters have a couple of choices for candidates in both commissioner positions #2 and #3.
Secondly, people can and should take back their authority by gathering signatures for the referendum petition filed by The Committee to Shut Down the Coos County URA. A successful ballot measure would put the commissioners back in their place. Our forebearers wrote the state’s constitution acknowledging the right to the redress of grievances so that the people could train their politicians to obey, which is what Cribbins, Sweet, and Main should have done for the people of Coos County.
There will be a meeting to discuss the history and consequences of urban renewal and tax-increment financing at 7 pm on Friday, April 13, 2018, at the North Bend Library on Sherman Avenue. Petitions will be available for registered voters to sign. The campaign also needs volunteers to help circulate the petition.
For anyone who cannot make the meeting, but would like to gather signatures can get copies by sending an email to cooscountywatchdog@gmail.com. Please put “UR Petition” in the subject line. There is a petition available to sign at The Sentinel Newspaper in Coquille, and Waterman’s Automotive in Bandon.
Otherwise, download a single signature sheet and find out more information at www.CoosCountyWatchdog.com.
At the Coos County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 27, 2018, ALL THREE COMMISSIONERS voted to continue the urban renewal tax debt. There are thirty-two million dollars in potential projects and any debt incurred over the twenty-year life of the plan is the responsibility of the taxpayer. Since the vote was unanimous, it is hard to tell who is representing the people.
The commissioners started reviewing the North Bay URA plan back in August of 2017. During the meetings, Commissioner Main played both sides of the issue sending mixed messages, while Cribbins and Sweet repeatedly implied they were going to do everything possible to find out what the people thought about their plan of extending this public liability.
However, the board scheduled all the meetings during the day when most people are at work. There was no town hall or public forum where the opposition and the supporters could debate the issue in free discourse in front of a live audience. There was no opportunity for the people to hear both sides of the argument because the commissioners were only concerned with the opinion of the supporters of the agency. Everyone else had to follow strictly mandated time constrictions, and the commissioners never allowed the opposition to give their power point presentation at any of the meetings.
In fact, all Cribbins and Sweet had to do to find out what the people thought of the issue was to put the question on the ballot, but that would have revealed an ugly truth. The truth is that most people do not support creating more debt for themselves or their children. They certainly do not approve of using public money for the benefits of private development. Cribbins and Sweet lied about their intentions, deceived the people, and denied them their authority to make the final decision. After all, it is the taxpayer’s money, not the boards.
Fortunate for the voters, they might get two chances to veto the commissioners and override these elected employees, but those opportunities depend on the actions of county voters.
First, it is time to drain the swamp and give Cribbins and Sweet their walking papers. Start looking for new employees, especially when the old employees are guilty of deception. In the upcoming primary in May, the voters have a couple of choices for candidates in both commissioner positions #2 and #3.
Secondly, people can and should take back their authority by gathering signatures for the referendum petition filed by The Committee to Shut Down the Coos County URA. A successful ballot measure would put the commissioners back in their place. Our forebearers wrote the state’s constitution acknowledging the right to the redress of grievances so that the people could train their politicians to obey, which is what Cribbins, Sweet, and Main should have done for the people of Coos County.
There will be a meeting to discuss the history and consequences of urban renewal and tax-increment financing at 7 pm on Friday, April 13, 2018, at the North Bend Library on Sherman Avenue. Petitions will be available for registered voters to sign. The campaign also needs volunteers to help circulate the petition.
For anyone who cannot make the meeting, but would like to gather signatures can get copies by sending an email to cooscountywatchdog@gmail.com. Please put “UR Petition” in the subject line. There is a petition available to sign at The Sentinel Newspaper in Coquille, and Waterman’s Automotive in Bandon.
Otherwise, download a single signature sheet and find out more information at www.CoosCountyWatchdog.com.
Sign the petition to repeal the Coos County Urban Renewal Debt for the 2018 ballot!
It's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3!
1. Print out the petition on white paper.
2. Sign, date and fold it. Only use tape on the outside of the signature sheet.
3. Stick a stamp on it and mail it in.
It's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3!
1. Print out the petition on white paper.
2. Sign, date and fold it. Only use tape on the outside of the signature sheet.
3. Stick a stamp on it and mail it in.
You can request 10 line signature sheets so you can collect signatures from your friends, family and at events.
Send an email to: cooscountywatchdog@gmail.com
Send an email to: cooscountywatchdog@gmail.com
Related Posts Establishing the Timeline
Commissioner's URA Vote Triggers Tax Referendum ~ Meeting on Friday the 13th
Coos County Considering Ordinance to Extend UR Tax Debt March 27, 2018
Board of Commissioners Postpones Vote on Coos County Urban Renewal Agency
Update on The Campaign to Shut Down the Coos County Urban Renewal Agency
Coos County Public Hearing on Extending the Urban Renewal Tax Debt Dec. 13, 2017
The Continuing Saga of the Coos County Urban Renewal Agency
Coos County Board of Commissioners FINAL VOTE on Extending the URA Debt
Information on the Campaign to Shut Down the Coos County Urban Renewal Agency
Coos County Proposed Ordinance Adopting North Bay UR Plan ~ FOREVER
Coos County Commissioners Hearing on Extending the Debt of the North Bay URA
Cribbins & Sweet Utilize Voter Suppression on Urban Renewal Extension
Commissioner's URA Vote Triggers Tax Referendum ~ Meeting on Friday the 13th
Coos County Considering Ordinance to Extend UR Tax Debt March 27, 2018
Board of Commissioners Postpones Vote on Coos County Urban Renewal Agency
Update on The Campaign to Shut Down the Coos County Urban Renewal Agency
Coos County Public Hearing on Extending the Urban Renewal Tax Debt Dec. 13, 2017
The Continuing Saga of the Coos County Urban Renewal Agency
Coos County Board of Commissioners FINAL VOTE on Extending the URA Debt
Information on the Campaign to Shut Down the Coos County Urban Renewal Agency
Coos County Proposed Ordinance Adopting North Bay UR Plan ~ FOREVER
Coos County Commissioners Hearing on Extending the Debt of the North Bay URA
Cribbins & Sweet Utilize Voter Suppression on Urban Renewal Extension
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