Pubdate: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 Source: Daily News, The (Longview, WA) Copyright: 2005 The Daily News Contact: http://www.tdn.com/forms/letters.php Website: http://www.tdn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2621 Author: Venice Buhain Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) SHERIFF'S LEVY FACES TOUGH BATTLE ST. HELENS, Ore. --- A Columbia County Sheriff's levy made it to the November ballot Wednesday, but that's just the first hurdle for Sheriff's department supporters. Not only do they have to convince voters to raise their property taxes by 39 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value --- or $39 for a $100,000 home --- but more than 50 percent of voters must turn out in order for the measure to pass. "I'm not worried that people do not believe in this," said campaign chair Diane Dillard. "If I have any concerns, that's it." Supporters maintain the increase in crime is related to a growth in population and in methamphetamine use. "It seems to be an issue that people understand," County Commissioner Rita Bernhard said. "You almost can't go anywhere without hearing about how meth affects crime. Identity theft, fraud. It affects children who are abused." The $6.3 million over five years --- between $1.2 million and $1.3 million a year --- will triple the number of deputies patrolling the road, which supporters say is necessary to fight crime in Columbia County. It also provides for a treatment program at the jail. The levy would increase the Sheriff's budget by more than 80 percent. Supporters will need more than 13,864 ballots out of more than 27,728 in order for the levy to pass, said elections supervisor Pam Benham. With no other statewide or countywide measure on the ballot, that could be a challenge. Last year's first try for the Columbia 911 operating levy failed despite widespread support because of a lack of turnout. Columbia 911 eventually got its levy passed during the presidential primary, Benham said. Supporters also must convince a public that has so far been skeptical of raising property taxes for the Sheriff's department. In the past 10 years, support for three different Sheriff's levies has been lacking. In 2003, 42 percent of voters approved a 68 cent per $1,000 levy. In 2002, 45 percent of voters supported a $14 million, five-year levy. In 1995, with an unpopular Sheriff in office, 48 percent of voters voted for a $3.4 million sheriff's levy. Dillard said that people are becoming more aware of the increase in crime and drugs. "People are getting fed up," she said. "And they realize it's because of a lack of law enforcement." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake