Port of Vancouver measure a tough call

So the Port of Vancouver wants more tax money to do port stuff, in this case to buy over 200 acres, clean it up and also to create more railroad infrastructure. Some people in town weren't happy about the port raising taxes without voters weighing in, as the port used an arcane bit of law called an Industrial Development District (IDD) levy. They get two tax measures without a public vote, and they had one left on the books from like the Eisenhower administration or something.

So some regular citizens got the measure on the ballot, as is their right by gathering signatures, and then decided not to raise money or wage a campaign. Which is kind of refreshing, in a way, that they didn't try to make a career out of it. They actually are letting the people decide.

But here's the funny part, thanks to a Columbian reporter:

Ghormley and Elliott, who are both registered as independent voters, said they entered the political arena with fairly open minds on the port tax, but through the process have decided to vote against the levy once they get their ballots.

Um, isn't everyone in Washington just "registered," since we don't register with parties here? I know, everyone makes mistakes, but that's a pretty basic fact about politics in this state.

As for the port's proposal, I'm undecided. Cleaning up land is good. More jobs are good. Using up highway transportation capacity is mixed. Not putting the issue on the ballot in the first place is probably a deal breaker for a lot of people in Clark County. Promises of jobs always seem to be overblown, and for some reason all the dedicated "free marketeers" come running like pigs to a trough when there's public money to be had.

So, like I said, I'm undecided, probably leaning towards no.