The Hood River News, Hood River, OR., August 12, 1932, page 7
MERGER OF THREE COUNTIES IS URGED
"Among certain thinking citizens of Wasco, Sherman and
Hood River counties," states The Dalles Chronicle editorially, "the idea
of consolidating into one county is rapidly gaining favor as the various
arguments against such a move are, one by one, proved to be groundless.
"Why have three sets of county officers and the overhead
expense of operating three counties when the same effective county government
can be accomplished by one set of officers? Such is the argument of the taxpayer
who gives this matter serious thought. Thousands of dollars in tax money
can be saved in administration expense alone, and in these times of high
taxes every dollar that can be saved it is vital and necessary.
Time was when the tedious effort of driving to the county
seat to pay taxes or transact other official business was a matter of several
days away from home for some of the residents of the distant corners of Wasco
county. That was in the days before the automobile and fine highways. Sherman
county was whittled out of the old mother county of Wasco because of the
residents of the Sherman county district felt that they were big enough to
have a county of their own. Nor did the residents of Wasco county object.
They also felt that our good neighbors to the east should have a county of
their own if they so desired, and approval was given.
"Again later, not so many years ago, the residents of
the fine, fertile valley of Hood River and the citizens of the city of Hood
River felt the same urge to create Hood River county. Again the Wasco county
residents gave their approval and wishes by voting in favor of the creation
of Hood River county.
"In each case three young counties were obliged to elect
officers for the conduct of county business. A court house was maintained
and many other expenses were added to the tax dollar the citizens were already
paying. But that was as they wanted it and the mother county of Wasco was
happy to see its offspring thrive.
"In the passing years conditions have changed materially.
At no time since Sherman and Hood River counties were born has there been
a lack of interchange of thought, business and social activities between
them and Wasco county. The residents of all three counties are still interested
in each other and the knowledge that once we were all one county is still
a tie of friendship. Connecting and through highways have been built. The
automobile gradually made the residents of the three counties better acquainted
than they were in the old days when a 30- or 80-mile trip was a matter of
days.
"Naturally the demand for roads was an extensive drain
on the taxpayer. In the case of Wasco county as it is today the burden has
not been as great on the individual taxpayer because we have a preponderance
of population -- more people to pay the bill. And a fine system of county
and state highways has been completed.
"With such roads it is an easy matter for the residents
of the Shaniko and Antelope regions to reach the county seat, transact their
business, and return home the same day. These two towns are mentioned because
they are still the most distant from the county seat. No resident of Hood
River county and no resident of Sherman county has as far to go to reach
his present county seat. When Hood River county was still a part of Wasco
county the town of Cascade locks was so isolated that a train or boat trip
was required for its citizens to reach The Dalles. Now a little more than
an hour and most any kind of car will suffice to make the trip.
"And the same condition prevails in Sherman county. Today
it is possible and, in fact, a reality, for residents of the Kent district
to drive to The Dalles in the evening, attend a show and go back home the
same night.
"So much for the picture of distances and inter-relations
which have been materially changed in the last 20 years.
"Now, what are the objections to consolidating the three
counties? We shall try to be bring out a few of them, and show how they can
be handled.
"First, it must be remembered that each county has its
set of county books and records. These could be maintained in their present
setup under one set of officers.
"The board of county commissioners is composed of three
members. One from each of the present three counties to look after his respective
districts will solve that problem.
"Taxes paid by each other districts could be controlled
by one board of county commissioners and correct percentage of road funds
and other funds allotted to the district from whence the tax money came.
"Without consulting records to ascertaining the financial
condition of each of the counties, we see no reason for objection from anyone
on the matter of county debts. For an example, let us say that Wasco county
at present is carrying the least in outstanding bonds. It might be the thought
of some that we would be obliged to take on more debts for the acquisition
of Hood River and Sherman county. In a sense, yes, but nothing would prevent
district budgeting in a manner that would care for the retirement of all
outstanding debts in proportion to the taxes emanating from each district.
There may be some legal matter to consider in this connection, but it is
certain that some adequate handling of the outstanding bonds could be worked
out without the taxpayers of one county being forced to take on an additional
load to pay out the deaths of the annexed county. At least there must be
a plan that would be satisfactory to all.
"Additional revenue through the saving of county operating
expense would aid in more rapidly retirement of outstanding debts of the
counties in question.
"We could go on ad infinitum, setting forth item after
item in the consideration of the problem, and in each case there is a solution
-- a solution that can have but one end -- the ultimate saving of thousands
of dollars in taxes.
"While neither Wasco, Hood River nor Sherman county will
ever fail as an individual county, yet we like that phrase denoting strength
-- "United we stand."
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer