Washington Co. light rail opponents want public vote on issue

TIGARD, Ore. - Opponents of light rail in Washington County are worried the trains could someday run from Portland to Sherwood, but rather than wait for a fight, there’s a new campaign underway to put the future of light rail in the hands of voters.

They want to stop city, state and federal politicians from spending any money on light rail.

The push is to require a public vote in Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood and King City before the first dollar is spent.

In Art Crino's mind, the southwest corridor is the Metro area's next transportation battleground. He said he doesn't want to lose a lane of car traffic to light rail trains or see businesses along Barbur Boulevard disrupted by construction. But what he's really bothered by is who will foot the bill.

"From the standpoint of the taxpayers, there doesn't seem to be much accountability," Crino said, adding that politicians "haven't performed very well," in similar projects.

He points to the WES train, which rides between Beaverton and Wilsonville, connecting in Tigard. Originally, it was expected to cost taxpayers $117 million. But the final price tag was more than $161 million.

"The only people riding it, essentially are the ones who used to ride the bus," Crino said.

So to stop the trains before they're in their tracks, Crino's teaming up with light rail opponents in Tigard, Tualatin, King City and Sherwood to get measures on the ballot in all four cities. That would give local voters the final call on light rail spending.

"I would be voting against any light rail," said small business owner Eric Long. "I have a real problem with being taxed on something that I see no benefit from."

Even light rail supporters like Ruby McHone have a hard time arguing against a public vote.

"They pay their taxes. They should vote on whether or not it comes all the way down to Sherwood," she said.

The signature-gathering effort could start this week.