COUNTY GAVE ITS BEST EFFORT WITH METH TAX

The fate of the county's meth-fighting tax will likely be known by
tonight so there's little point in rehashing the pros and cons of the proposal.

The Daily News chose to support the sales tax increase. We believe
the county's meth problem is real and serious. Addressing it
adequately requires extraordinary action.

Regardless of whether voters ultimately agree with us on the merits
of the tax, county officials should be commended for their efforts in
putting the matter to a vote.

County commissioners recognized that the quality of life here is
being degraded because of this drug. Its users aren't just ruining
their own lives, they're also straining our social services, our
health care system, law enforcement and schools. As parents, meth
addicts are causing lasting harm that we'll pay the price for in the
years to come.

The county called upon a wide range of experts to put forth its best
proposal. It was a difficult task finding a balance between treatment
and enforcement but all sides were given their fair say and they
worked together well, despite being in a somewhat competitive mode.

But the most important thing the county did was reach out to
citizens. Numerous public meetings throughout the county attracted
hundreds of people with something to say about the meth problem and
taxes. It truly was an inclusive process.

No tax increase faces an easy time when voters are given the say. It
didn't help that the state Legislature's latest session included a
wide variety of tax increases that probably made the county's
proposal less palatable to some voters.

What county officials did, though, was put forth their best effort
and they should be commended.

Here is a recap of endorsements by The Daily News for today's election:

Countywide 0.2 percent sales tax increase for anti-meth efforts -- Yes

Longview City Council, position 5 -- Mary Jane Melink

Longview City Council, position 6 -- Andy Busack

Longview Port Commission, District 2 -- Dan Buell

Kalama Port Commission, District 1 -- Brad Hoggatt

Woodland City Council, position 3 -- Al Swindell

Woodland School District $3.75 million bond for land for new high school -- yes