I moved to Centralia in 1989. During that time, the logging industry was in decline, the unemployment rate was significantly higher than the state’s average, and opportunities in Centralia were in short supply.
The only good jobs in quantity were to be found at the coal mine and the power generating plant. Family wage jobs in Centralia were hard to find until the Port of Centralia began working on executing their plan of bringing quality employers to our town. Through good leadership and vision, they continue to increase economic opportunities for the citizens in my beloved adopted hometown of Centralia.
Julie Shaffley has been a vital part of that and should retain her seat as commissioner.
There are plenty of naysayers, but here are some facts. The port generated over $27 million in tax revenues last year that would otherwise be shouldered by residential households. That works out to be an additional $3,664 per household of tax burden without the port ($27 million divided by 7,368 households).
The average employer in the port pays more than the median salary of Washington state ($47,149), and our unemployment rate is currently near the state average. In its existence, the port has significantly improved the quality of life for its taxpayers.
One of the most popular arguments I hear for a change in the port commission is the port tax. It is my understanding that it was a campaign promise to make the port self-sufficient and remove the property assessment at some point.
Unfortunately, that has not worked out to be a plausible promise to fulfill (like many campaign promises) since the life of any port is dependent on a community that is willing to invest in it.
Here are the numbers. The port property tax assessment is 29.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The average home price is around $400,000, resulting in a port tax of $118. Some pay more and some less depending on their property value.
For an investment of less than the cost of a trip to the grocery store for a family, the citizens of Centralia receive a return on investment of 3,461% annually.
I am as anti-tax as they come, but this is the only tax that I pay that has a tangible return on investment, and I have no issue in paying it.
The port is critical in maintaining a healthy economic base for the livelihood of our community and should not be managed by elected officials that have a personal or group agenda to fulfill. It has to be a person who has a holistic view of the community they serve. That person needs to have the skills and abilities of a person with business acumen, collaboration and community service. Julie fits that description perfectly.
Please vote for Julie Shaffley for Port Commissioner Position 2.
Kirk Parnham
Centralia
