I have lived in Ridgefield for 22 years and have had a front row seat to all the recent growth. I know there are challenges like traffic and unsightly housing developments that make it unpleasant at times.
However, the growth also brings good things to our community. We have our first large grocery store and a professional baseball team coming in June. A Vancouver Clinic is on the way and in 2020 Clark College will start building their north county campus.
Growth also means Ridgefield schools are overcrowded and need to expand. Growth has also made it more affordable. More people paying for the same pie means my personal slice is smaller, i.e., more affordable.
In February 2017, a 78 million dollar bond cost Ridgefield homeowners 77 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Because of growth, the school district must run another bond in February 2019. This 77 million dollar bond will cost Ridgefield homeowners 9 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. That’s 77 million dollars of infrastructure improvements for 9 cents!
Are your children worth 9 cents? Is our community worth 9 cents? Nine cents seems like a pretty small price to pay so our children and grandchildren can learn in uncrowded, updated facilities.
Please join me in voting “yes” on Feb. 12.
