[Vision2020] Gravel Pit

[Donovan Arnold]

Wayne Fox writes:
"Donovan thinks its OK for the commissioners to devaluate property values, 
impose
>severe adverse impacts upon, and to negatively impact the lifestyles of 100 
>or
>more property owners in order to approve a gravel pit."

Mr. Fox believes that raping, killing, and pillaging the taxpayer is OK. 
Well, maybe not, but since he is declaring what I stand for incorrectly, I 
thought maybe I could do the same back to him.

Anyone can see Mr. Fox doesn't have any facts that back his claims. He must 
be thinking that attacking me and my character make his position correct. 
Any rational person should be able to see this form of argumentation as 
irrational and illogical. Kind of like the "If you oppose the war you just 
like Terrorists." argument.

Mr. Fox however, did get one thing correct, I do believe that the County 
Commissioners do have the right to devalue, revalue, and overvalue property. 
In fact it is law that they have this ability. Otherwise, the Latah County 
Taxpayer would not be able to appeal the decisions made by the Tax 
Commission. The County Commissioners reduce taxes all the time for 
Taxpayers. They also must value property to sell as well. This is one of the 
issues you should consider when electing members of the Commission.

The rest of Mr. Fox's claims are in direct opposition to what I stated, and 
tried to convey to him, unfortunately to no avail.

Fact is, property values have not gone down in Potlatch since the approval 
of the gravel pit. Second, jobs have been created. This drives property 
values up. Especially construction jobs that pay more than $5.15 an hour.

We all need gravel. It has to come from some place. If we were to get our 
gravel from another place it would cost each of us more money in rent and/or 
property taxes. Can you afford that? It would cost more because the major 
cost of gravel is the cost of hauling and labor. The further you have to 
haul the gravel, the more it costs to ship, and the more hours you have to 
pay labor to ship it. You, the taxpayer, are having to pay, taxes the "100 
people adversely effected" would also have to pay decreasing their property 
values. The site was chosen because it was the most cost effective.

There are 35,000 people in Latah County. Everyone of those 35,000 deserve a 
government that will spend their hard earned dollars effectively.

Wayne and others are trying to paint this picture of a big bad government 
coming in and blasting TNT while they are trying to sleep, kicking dust up, 
and leaving the site unsafe for little kittens and children to fall into and 
get crushed, and it is really absurd.

Yes, I would favor having a pit far away from people. However, that is not 
possible, people cannot afford any higher property taxes. It is unfortunate 
that some people have to live near the site, but it has to be put somewhere 
that is affordable.

I understand and respect the concern for the property owners that are now 
near two gravel pits. However, I think my sympathy first goes to the 
thousands in Latah that own no property, many disabled or elderly, and have 
to spend 50-80% of their income on substandard housing. That is where our 
energies should reside.

Respectfully,

Donovan J Arnold

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