Vote YES on Measure 36-149

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

City of Newberg  Planning and Building Director Barton Brierley opposes your right to vote.  In his October 29th letter to the editor, he claims we will subsidize  developers if we pass Measure 36-149.  The City already subsidizes developers.  My letter to the Graphic editor explains:

To the editor:

In his letter, Barton Brierley stated “ I don’t want to subsidize development — that’s why I am voting no on Measure 36-149.” As the City of Newberg Planning and Building Director, he supports waiving SDCs for developers that adhere to his “affordable” housing goals. For example, the City waived SDCs of $21,000 for the Habitat for Humanity duplex on North Main St. Our school board also voted to waive Construction Excise Tax of $,2000 for the same project. This tax is intended for classroom construction, not wealth transfer.

Here “affordable” means taxpayer subsidized. Uncollected SDCs have to be made up by taxpayers. Hence the Council established an “Affordable” Housing Trust Fund to be funded with a “utility surcharge” or a FEE. Without this measure, a FEE cannot be referred to the ballot.

Furthermore, developers oppose this measure. Real estate developer Curtis D. Walker loaned $3800 to Newberg’s Future, the PAC opposed to our right to vote. Mike Gougler’s MJG Development Inc gave $700. They know taxpayer’s might balk against supporting Brierley’s wealth transfer schemes.

Brierley is trying to scare us by saying taxpayers will have to make up SDC shortfalls. Yet that is exactly what we are already doing because we don’t have the vote!

Vote YES on Measure 36-149.

Yours in Liberty,

Hank Grum, Newberg

The Newberg Graphic editorial supports the development of high-density housing on the beautiful and historic Deskin property. Follow the link below, then read my reply sent to Gary Allen, Managing Editor.

Dec. 8 editorial: Complex deserves a fair hearing

Meridian Residents Deserve a Fair Hearing

The comprehensive plan calls for R-1 zoning on the west side of Meridian Street. It also calls for preserving the parts of Newberg that make it uniquely Newberg. Keeping the beautiful Deskin property zoned R-1 conforms to the plan. Rezoning to R-3 does not, unless the comprehensive plan is amended.

Why amend the plan to accommodate higher density? I for one like the small-town quiet atmosphere of Newberg. continue reading…

To: David Wu, U.S. House Representative, Oregon, 1^st District

To: Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senate, Oregon

To: Ron Wyden, U.S. Senate, Oregon

From: Hank.Grum@HankForNewberg.org

Re: Airport Terror

Dear Representative Wu:

The TSA has overreached its authority to screen passengers at airports. As a member of Congress, what are you doing to stop this outrage? continue reading…