Business groups opposes B&O
tax, looks toward long-term fix

A coalition of Vancouver business-related organizations recommends  a short-term city business tax surcharge and a long-term solution for Vancouver’s public safety and transportation needs by asking voters to approve an increase in property taxes.

“We don’t believe that that B&O [business and occupation tax based on gross receipts] is the right way to go,” says Lee Rafferty, representing Vancouver’s Downtown Association. Rafferty adds: “A tax on gross receipts can be an onerous burden, especially for high-volume, low-margin businesses. Equally important is the message that B&O sends to businesses considering a new location or expansion in Vancouver. The tax would hurt the city's competitive position.”

The Vancouver city council has wrestled unsuccessfully for several months with business tax and business tax surcharge proposals to make up for deficits in public safety and transportation budgets. The council has turned down at least three different scenarios. An ordinance reinstating a form of the phased-out city business and occupation tax is before the council.

Led by the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, the coalition recommends a $50-per-employee surcharge on business licenses, which would expire after three years, to help cover short-term transportation needs, coupled with increases in city parking fees, and greater attention to asset management. This would provide short-term financing for $3 million in transportation projects.

To cover an estimated $1.8 to $5.8 million shortfall in police and fire services, the coalition recommends bridge financing and sales tax reapportionment.

Long-term options call for greatly increased penalties for vehicle tax evasion and for business community support to get greater local control over state funding allocations.

Participants in the coalition, in addition to the Vancouver chamber are Identity Clark County, Vancouver’s Downtown Association, and the Columbia River Economic Development Council.

Ruby Apsler honors late parents with 100
scholarships to mature learning program

Honoring the memories of her father, Alfred Apsler, Clark College history and social science instructor, who on retiring in 1971 helped found the Clark College Focus on Mature Learning Program, and her mother, Camas physician Erna Apsler, who nurtured the program, daughter Ruby Apsler has established a scholarship program that will provide approximately 100 scholarships for adults 55 and older who need financial support to take advantage of the program.

The Clark College program now offers more than 40 courses each term, ranging from T’ai Chi to watercolor painting, and including courses on current affairs and politics.

Applications for the scholarships are being accepted, reports Tracy Reilly-Kelly, Clark’s director of continuing education. She says applications can be made by telephone. For further information, call 992-2213.

17th District candidates on view at
Vancouver chamber forum breakfast

Candidates for 17th District Representative offices are scheduled to appear at a Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce East forum breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, in Nautilus World Headquarters, 1400 NE 136th Avenue.

Candidates are incumbent Republican Jim Dunn and Democrat Pat Campbell in Position 1, and incumbent Democrat Deb Wallace and Republican Paul Harris in Position 2.

Admission is $10. For further information, call 694-2588.

News briefs

Miller Nash, Portland law firm with offices in Vancouver and Seattle, has acquired the central Oregon law firm of Lynch Austin Wilson, with offices in Bend and Prineville. Miller Nash is one of the largest law offices in the Pacific Northwest. n The dailyinsider.info yesterday reported on the hangar dance being put on by the Valery P. Chkalov Cultural Exchange Committee to raise money for a 70th anniversary celebration of the Russian flight over the North Pole to Vancouver in 1937, but failed to inform readers of the date, which is Saturday, Oct. 14, beginning at 7 p.m. The dance is in Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th Street. For further information, call Doug Lasher at 576-9783.

Calendar

Portland International Airport’s Citizen Noise Advisory Committee meets at 6 p.m. this evening in Gresham City Hall, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway. A report from the Vancouver subcommittee on cargo feeder and general aviation flights will be reported. n Tribute for Chuck Furno, National High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame member, is at 6:30 p.m. this evening in the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Admission is $30 per person or $50 for a couple. n The Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association meets at 7 p.m. this evening in the Community of Christ meeting room, 400 NE 179th Street.

Thursday headlines

Growth paying fair share--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

County leaders scratch heads over 1-933--Columbian, Kathie Durbin

Railroad operator reports progress--Columbian, Dean Baker

County pot pourri: (Camas candidates night set, C_TRAN narrows selection of chief to four--Columbian

Blessed are the pure in heart--Columbian, Lou Brancaccio

Clark College extends corporate outreach--Columbian, Courtney Sherwood

Vancouver couple puts together trendy beer emporium--Columbian, Amy McFall Prince

Dow moving right along--USA TODAY

Will voters pull the trigger?--Washington Post, David S. Broder

U.S. meets resistance on N. Korean plan--New York Times, Warren Hoge

Gunmen kill 11 in Iraqi television station--New York Times, Kirk Semple and QAIS Mizher