http://blog.oregonlive.com/clackamas..._jeopardi.html
Clackamas County vote jeopardizes Sellwood Bridge replacement (election results)
Published: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 8:10 PM
Updated: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 9:20 PM
Yuxing Zheng, The Oregonian By Yuxing Zheng, The Oregonian
OREGON CITY -- Clackamas County
voters on Tuesday resoundingly rejected contributing to the cost of replacing the Sellwood Bridge, a decision that could delay the project.
Voter turnout in Clackamas County was about 37 percent.
Partial returns indicated voters rejected the fee 63 to 37 percent. The measure called for Clackamas County residents to pay a $5 annual vehicle registration to help raise the county's $22 million contribution for the $290 million replacement bridge.
Clackamas County commissioners unanimously approved the fee last December before former Oregon City commissioner Dan Holladay and Molalla resident Thomas Eskridge led a petition effort to refer the issue to voters.
"This grassroots effort showed the big money and big unions that they cannot push us around," said a "very ecstatic" Eskridge. "This is a strong statement that people are really concerned about where their money is going. We should not be forced to pay for somebody else's bridge, the same as you should not be forced to pay for your neighbor's roof."
Holladay said he was as happy as a clam in mud.
"Voters sent the message that Clackamas County isn't Portland, and it's time for some fiscal responsibility," Holladay said. "The county commissioners need to figure out how to use the money they have wisely instead of just tossing it around for the next green sustainable project, bikes and bike paths.
In Clackamas County, we drive cars."
Clackamas County commissioners took a brief break from interviewing the seven finalists for the board vacancy in order to check the election results shortly after 8 p.m.
"I think it's disappointing," Clackamas County Commissioner Jim Bernard said. "I think we worked hard to get the message out but this is a tough time to raise fees and taxes."
Charlotte Lehan, chairwoman of the board, said the county will not be contributing any money to the project now that voters have rejected the fee. "We don't have any money," she said. "If somehow, Multnomah County won't be able to fix the Sellwood Bridge, that's a huge impact on Clackamas County residents."
Critics questioned why Clackamas County residents should pay for a bridge located in Multnomah County and expressed concern that once a precedent was established, county officials could raise the fee or create new ones.
The failure of the measure leaves the project in jeopardy. Combined with an existing $20 million shortfall in funding, Clackamas County's withdrawal spells a $42 million funding gap.
Multnomah County spokesman Mike Pullen has said the county is not optimistic it could make up another $22 million.
"We cannot replace it if we can't pay for it," Pullen wrote in a recent email to The Oregonian. "Without the $22 million from Clackamas County, the project could be delayed, take longer to complete, or be partially completed."
-- Yuxing Zheng
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