Dear Editor:
In a recent article regarding the Future of Silverdale, it was reported that some members of the audience attending a county sponsored meeting to gather input on Silverdale’s future in order to “update” (or revise) the county sub-area plan for the next 20 years, reacted negatively to the phrasing “Within the 20-year planning horizon, Silverdale will be a self-governing city”.
According to the article, “that particular line proved to be contentious and some audience members objected to it, noting that citizens had voted against incorporation already.”
That is true. In fact, incorporation efforts have failed at least three times over the past 30 years, despite Silverdale being designated an “urban growth area”, and despite the fact that most people living in or around Silverdale believe that it is a city. It’s just NOT a “self-governing city”.
In fact, the county spokesperson at the meeting I mentioned above said, “the PSRC (Puget Sound Regional Council) identified 27 regional centers around Puget Sound, and that Silverdale’s center was the only one that was not an actual city.”
So who does govern Silverdale? And why have incorporation efforts failed in the past?
It appears that those who have voted against incorporation in the past have done so for two misinformed reasons. First, they believe that incorporation “adds” another layer of government to our lives. That simply isn’t true. Right now Kitsap County governs Silverdale. And that means three Commissioners, elected by the citizens of the entire county, determine how the taxes (sales and property) generated in Silverdale, are distributed THROUGHOUT the county.
However, incorporation “replaces” county governance with a local, self-governing city council … a city council that is elected by the voters living in the City of Silverdale, and who are non-partisan (i.e. not politically affiliated). They determine how the taxes generated in Silverdale are distributed IN Silverdale. And because they are residents of Silverdale, they are much more responsive to the needs of the local community.
The second reason voters have rejected incorporation in the past is the false assumption that property taxes will increase. That also simply isn’t true. In fact, given the sales tax generated in Silverdale, it is likely property taxes will actually DECREASE. That’s been the experience of the most recent cities that have incorporated in the state of Washington.
Because of misinformation … biased political agendas … and a “keep it rural” mentality, Silverdale has been held back from achieving its full potential. Although we look and act like a city, and already generate the resources necessary to fully function as a city … WITHOUT increasing taxes … we need to take the next step, mandated by the Growth Management Act, and incorporate. In fact, as an incorporated city we would qualify for state and federal grants to make infrastructure improvements, and provide a safe and livable environment.
In other words … because of misinformation, un-informed voters have been denied the opportunity to set Silverdale on a course that would allow us to determine “design standards” … road project “priorities” … increased security and response time from law enforcement … and a more responsive and timely building permit process, just to name a few benefits.
Personally, I am committed to the future incorporation of Silverdale, and I intend to be engaged in an effort to inform voters and correct misleading claims that have persisted for many years. And in the process, I want to honor two of the most influential and visionary leaders of our Silverdale community, two of my dearest friends, who invested their lives in its future, and who dreamed of its incorporation until their recent deaths: Blaine Highfield and Hank Mann-Sykes.
If you would like to join me in this effort, please let me know. You can email me at silverdale.future@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Carl R. Johnson, 5834 Chico Way NW, Bremerton, WA 98312
