Creative management needed, not more taxes

To the Eagle:

Our county fair is dying from natural causes, chief among them being the steady geriatrification of our local population and the flight of agricultural enterprise to less restrictive, more profitable shores. There are possibilities for rejuvenation that have been suggested but remain untried. The fairground has unused acreage on the west side and undeveloped waterfront in the northeast corner, giving it the potential for a demolition derby, mud-a-thon, racing events, ox, horse, tractor, and doodlebug pulls, and aquatic activities including log rolling. The airspace over the fairgrounds is available for fly-bys or sky diving, and the management of neighboring Vista Park have shown their interest in some sort of cooperative venture. The answer, then, is creative management and volunteer labor -- not taxes.

Dan Cothren is on the money pointing out that our mandated and vital services should be fully funded before we consider handing tax money to recreational activities. Our county museum lost its tax support several years ago, and has managed to improve the museum, keep it open for limited hours, and even build a modest addition. This was accomplished by a small and mostly elderly museum board working at fund raising, a few modest endowments, and the ongoing kindness of Michael Baccellieri who builds and donates a new small nifty boat each winter for them to raffle off each summer. They would be appreciative of renewed county support, but certainly not at the expense of basic government services or as an additional burden on taxpayers.

Commissioner Backman's plan is well intended, but a bad idea that should be tabled before going to the expense of putting it on the ballot. However, if it does succeed, I hereby request that a couple of million bucks be budgeted for my CIA-PIGS project (Cathlamet International Airport -- Puget Island Grass Strip).

Howard Brawn

Puget Island