Area resident Shauna Walters says, ‘If Vancouver wants light rail, let Vancouver pay for it’
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
For too long, Clark County has been dragged into Portland’s light rail failures. TriMet is broke, ridership is collapsing, and now it wants our taxpayers to fund its bailout. Leading the charge is Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, who has twisted the C-TRAN Board of Directors to advance Vancouver’s agenda at everyone else’s expense.
This isn’t regional cooperation—it’s corruption. Small cities like Camas, Washougal, Ridgefield, La Center, and Battle Ground have been stripped of fair representation on the C-TRAN board. Yet their residents are expected to pay millions every year for a light rail system they may never use. That’s taxation without representation.
The rot goes back to 2013, when C-TRAN’s leadership secretly cut a binding deal with TriMet. That contract gave away local authority, tied Clark County to TriMet’s terms, and even included a $5 million penalty if C-TRAN refused to comply. It was rushed through with minimal oversight and has never been undone.
Instead of fixing this betrayal, McEnerny-Ogle has doubled down. By stacking the board in Vancouver’s favor, she guarantees her city gets the train and the power while smaller cities get stuck with the bill. Now TriMet wants $22 million annually for operations—$7.2 million from Clark County taxpayers—on top of a $2 billion price tag for a 1.83-mile rail extension.
Camas Councilor Tim Hein said it best: “You don’t go into business with a partner that’s failing.” He’s right. The time has come for small cities to stop being bullied and walk away from this boondoggle.
If Vancouver wants light rail, let Vancouver pay for it. The message from Clark County’s small cities should be simple and united: “Not our train, not our debt, not our problem”
Shauna Walters
Vancouver
Also read:
- Opinion: ‘If they want light rail, they should be the ones who pay for it’
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance argues that supporters of light rail tied to the I-5 Bridge replacement should bear the local cost of operating and maintaining the system through a narrowly drawn sub-district. - Opinion: IBR falsely blaming inflation
Joe Cortright argues that inflation explains only a small portion of the IBR project’s cost increases and that rising consultant and staff expenses are the primary drivers. - Letter: The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $141 million bribe can be better spent on sandwich steel-concrete tubes
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel using sandwich steel-concrete tubes would be a more cost-effective alternative to the current Interstate Bridge Replacement Program design. - A sub-district vote could be a way to go to pay O&M costs associated with light rail
Clark County Council members heard details on how a voter-approved C-TRAN sub-district could be created to fund long-term operations and maintenance costs for light rail tied to a new Interstate Bridge. - Letter: British Columbia’s new immersed tunnel can solve Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $17.7 billion problem
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel similar to a project underway in British Columbia could significantly reduce costs and impacts associated with the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
Brilliant article that needs to be shared by everyone!!
Well done Shauna Walters. And timely.
This proposed mega transportation project has long been corrupted by forces that promote such projects for enriching themselves.
Including the politicians that are assured – that their assistance will not be forgotten. Wink – Wink.
The actual interstate transportation throughput objectives, in this area, were never a focus of the masterminds, and given such superficial attention to be laughable.
Finally there’s enough transportation ideology goodies proposed to keep the leftist excited. The little train being the big one – since they don’t like cars – or is it they don’t like people having mobility. Or . . ?
Hoping more city leaders say “hell no” to this obvious cabal of corruption and idiocy.
Bravo!! Brilliant analysis and I could not agree more!
Time for the smaller towns to consider secession from C-Tran and let Mayor Annie figure out how to keep her magic buses running.
Shauna, thank you for laying out the truth. I will never use light rail. This cost is far beyond our fixed incomes. I worry about the increase in crime as stated by the Gresham resident. We are fortunate to have your input. Thank you
Justin Forsman is your answer. You have an opportunity to vote her out.
All of our little towns like battleground, camas, Washougal and Ridgefield are being taxed without representation ! C-Tran has tricked them! Trimet is broke and looking for someone to pick up the bill! Our mayor Anne is corrupted and needs to be replaced!
Justin Forman is ready to take over , the right way!