Friends, Fellow Newbergers, Lovers of Liberty,

Can the City of Newberg collect revenue from the taxpayer without a vote simply by renaming it a fee?  This is the central question addressed by Measure 36-149, the Charter amendment to get the option to vote on any fee or charge, as well a tax.

The City Council passed a Public Safety Fee (PSF) to hire three more police officers.  Normally, funds for this come from the property tax base, and the City would have to go to the voters to raise it.  By using a quasi-judicial order to pass the tax renamed a FEE, they took away our right to vote on it, since only an ordinance can be referred to the ballot.

Not only have the taxpayers been stabbed in the wallet, Truth and Integrity have also fallen victim to the opposing forces.  “We already have a process to refer any LEGISLATION to the ballot”.  You have seen this statement repeated in your voter pamphlet.  However, the fact that orders (PSF) and resolutions (water rates) cannot be referred, a material fact, is conveniently omitted.

Yesterday, I sent a letter of complaint to City Attorney, City manager, Council Members and the editor of the Newberg Graphic and asked for remedial action.  So far no one has replied.

However, I discovered a vindicating statement on the City website:

“Matters that are done by resolution or order are generally not subject to the initiative and referendum process.”

See FAQ #4 here: http://www.newbergoregon.gov/legal/initiative-petition-amend-charter-nov-8-2011-election

However there is no reference to the misleading statements in the voters pamphlet or the Measure Explanatory Statement.  A partial victory is better than none.

Read the letter Letter_MaterialFacts

Vote YES on Measure 36-149, and send this to a friend.

Yours in Liberty,
Hank Grum