tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post2638921009652895362..comments2024-03-25T17:49:41.408-07:00Comments on Salem Breakfast on Bikes: Urban Growth Boundary Rulemaking Could Impact Third Bridge EffortSalem Breakfast on Bikeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-17762814009424240492015-12-01T00:40:15.286-08:002015-12-01T00:40:15.286-08:00When it comes to Salem "government", it ...When it comes to Salem "government", it is rarely a question of whether one is being paranoid - it is usually a question of whether one is being paranoid enough.<br />If I remember correctly, the matter of whether the "third bridge" could be built was determined, at Council, to be contingent upon the expansion of the urban growth boundary.<br />Putting aside any considerations of whether the bridge should be built, the Chamber of Commerce should, at the least, try to determine if there is sufficient funding to bring this pipe dream to fruition.<br />There has already been a great deal of research about potential sources of financing and none look very promising.<br />Tens of millions of dollars were wasted in the effort to create the Columbia River Crossing - a bridge plan that went nowhere. Millions have been spent promoting the third bridge.<br />Taxpayers will soon be asked to pony up for a new and expensive police facility. There is a limit to what voters will approve. The cost of the proposed bridge, which would primarily serve the state because it would be a part of the intrastate system, should not be primarily financed at the local level.<br />The continuing actions intended to set the stage for the bridge are an example of putting the cart before the horse. The ongoing actions should stop until there is a reasonable basis to believe that is can be paid for.<br />The Chamber and their cohorts at Council are acting in a way that will provide them with more leverage to get public approval. The argument will be that everything is in place and we already expended so many resources that it would be foolish to back out now.<br />Don't be fooled.Kurtnoreply@blogger.com