June 30, 2008 - 3:59pm
UPDATED: Failed Pierce Co. lands measure has electoral implications
By Bryan Bissell
Category: LocalTags: Washington Attorney General Race, shawn bunney, Pierce County Executive, John Ladenburg, Calvin Goings
A proposed ballot measure intending to raise property taxes 
Pierce County Councilman Shawn Bunneyin Pierce County to protect farm and conservation land was killed in committee Monday in the Pierce County Council. The bill, which would have raised tax by a few cents per every $1,000 of assessed property value, was proposed by Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg.
But two of those who killed the measure, Councilmembers Calvin Goings (D-Puyallup) and Shawn Bunney (R-Lake Tapps), are vying to replace the outgoing Ladenburg as county executive. Going and Bunney both serve on the Rules Committee along with Council Chair Terry Lee and voted 3-0 to postpone the bill indefinitely.
The News-Tribune goes into some more details and gets the candidates' reactions. They fell in line with the council's general feeling that it was not good timing for a property tax hike.
"I think we are in volatile times," Bunney told the paper.
Goings, meanwhile, suggested a next step would b in order.
"I think its incumbent on us to move forward with a Plan B," Goings said.
UPDATE: The News-Tribune has a statement from Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg on the postponed ballot measure.
"As I said in my editorial, I think it would be good to let voters decide. They may decide the best time to buy open space is when prices are depressed and interest rates are low."
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Read My Lips...
I'm paying out the wazzu on my taxes here in South Tacoma. I don't need any more right now! Thank you Mr. Bunney for protecting my wallet!
not a problem
I'm a Pierce County resident, I have no problem with exercise of eminent domain where it's clearly in the public interest, as it often can be in the case of preserving open space. I wish the lands measure had gone forward.
problem
"Right now, money is cheaper than it has been in quite a while so the bond debt payment will be at a low rate. In addition, property is becoming more affordable. It’s possible to save land today that may be out of reach in the future."
WAs the actual comment made in the TNT article.
The issue was the very dangerous wording in the proposed ordinance. Wording that included slight of hand eminent domain potentials by letting the land be obtained by any means necessary including condemnation, etc. Mr. Ladenburg has reaped the legacy of his prior actions with the Miller property among others. Few residents in Pierce County would ever even consider an ordinance that would let this happen again. Citizen emails to the Council requesting shelving of this ordinance for further review was very warranted. The plan concept is good, the way it was written and attempted to be slid into this election was dangerous and deserved to be rejected.
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