We’ve been hearing rumors that some of our elected officials are interested in annexing Glen Cove into the city of Port Townsend.

At this point, that’s all it is, a rumor, predicated on the fact that the city of Port Townsend is headed toward a financial crisis.

More than once, annexation has been considered as a possible solution, or at least a salve, to our fiscal woes.

We reported on the possibility of annexing Glen Cove 20-some years ago when then-City Manager David Timmons suggested it as a long-term possibility when faced with a daunting $20 million fix to the city’s water system.

So the idea isn’t that surprising, given our more recent reports of a fiscal cliff currently forecasted for our city.

But regardless its potentiality, citizens should do what they can to attend a meeting at 5 p.m. May 12 at the Port of Port Townsend Pavilion in Port Hudson, to listen and learn about the possibilities of expanding the city's boundaries and more importantly, their vision for economic growth.

About 40 years ago, the city worked out a deal with the county to provide water to Glen Cove to provide for industrial uses and allow the county to administer the public works there.

The city considered very briefly, annexing Glen Cove at that time,but given its far reach (about two miles south of town along the banks of Port Townsend Bay) there was no serious consideration. Certainly the mill would have no interest in being within our city limits - and so the project proceeded and it has proved successful, with dynamic growth of business in that area.

As the 100th anniversary of the mill’s operation approaches (2027) we can think of no less fitting gift than a forced annexation, and no more fitting gift than an opportunity to expand the business interests of Glen Cove.

If the city’s fiscal projections are accurate, this may be a moot argument but we believe that adding to the city’s square mileage will create a short term boom in tax revenue and a long term responsibility for maintaining and regulating those extra square miles.

The city has made great progress these past few years on its infrastructure, especially in repairing some of our worn out streets and sidewalks.

But as anyone tripping down an upheaved paving slab or bouncing across washboarding streets can attest, more needs to be done.

One of the many things that attracts jobs to this area is a favorable tax situation and Glen Cove stands out as a beacon in the county. It is easily accessible for freight and it is only minutes from the cultural jewels of Port Townsend, the greatest of which is her people.

Glen Cove’s limitations, economically speaking, are its dearth of infrastructure, sewer lines in particular.

We have a lot of smart people in Jefferson County, people who are experienced problem solvers, and both the city and county have, in recent years, gone to great lengths to reach out to the community when faced with difficult decisions that affect us all.

Increasing our tax base should always be measured against the long-term costs of that expansion, and not just in dollars.

We can’t imagine that any business in Glen Cove would welcome the Business and Occupation taxes that are levied within our city limits, but they would certainly welcome improvements to their infrastructure.