According to an opinion in the Herald on Dec. 27, the Port of Poulsbo wants to increase its boundaries to roughly those of the City of Poulsbo. Obviously, the Port of Poulsbo is unaware of the boundaries of Poulsbo.

Their map takes them all the way south to Keyport, east to Lemolo, and east of Noll Road, which is a Poulsbo boundary. They also propose to annex all of the Olhava development, which is in the city but far from the port. Much of the proposed annexation is more than four miles from the city limits. One of the issues, but not the most important, is that each time the city proposed annexation the port was invited to be part of the process. Every time, they turned the city down. It would have cost them nothing; there would not be the expense of a special election.

The tax increase issue: In the Dec. 27 article, Herald Editor Richard Walker writes that the average tax increase would be $75 per household. That is based on assessed value of $250,000. Obviously, he has not looked at values of waterfront as well as new builds lately. It will be much higher. But for argument’s sake, let’s say $75. Too much! Right now, between income tax, real estate tax, Social Security tax, sales tax, gas tax, excise tax, etc. nearly 50 percent of what I earn goes to the government on some level. I am the one who gets up at 6 a.m. to go to work. And I am tired of one more tax — it is really time to just say no.

Richard also addressed how the port will enhance businesses in Poulsbo. How? By building parking lots that charge and are not even full during Viking Fest? Five years ago, I could come to Poulsbo for dinner or shopping and was comped a few hours to enjoy Poulsbo and spend money. Now, if I pull up to the dock to pick someone up, they want $5. A small price, you might say, but why? This happened during the off-season when the docks are mostly empty, so they are losing nothing.

Fueling facilities: For me, Brownsville is closer, friendlier and they give my dog a cookie.

The port does nothing to enhance my life and I am strongly opposed to this annexation and urge all of you to vote no.

Sandy Habecker
Virginia Point