All Politics is Local
Clark County GOP infighting goes IRL
Efforts to de-seat Clark County Republic Party chair David Gellatly are unwavering. In addition to the recent coup attempt by members of the Clark County Republican Board, numerous social media campaigns to remove Gellatly have popped up. RemoveGellatly, for example. But that’s not all. The party infighting made its public debut when signs, like the […]
September 20, 2017 2:43 pm
Campbell campaign to donate remaining contributions
Scott Campbell , a candidate for Vancouver City Council, raised more than $21,000 in campaign contributions before he died Sept. 17. With $10,885 in expenditures, that leaves almost $10,500 in unallocated contributions. Jim Mains, Campbell’s campaign spokesperson, said once all outstanding bills are paid, the money will be donated to a local nonprofit or charity. […]
September 19, 2017 4:08 pm
‘It can’t be used for anything other than apparently a monument’
Confederate monuments in the U.S. are coming under increased scrutiny after a protest in Charlottesville, Va. turned deadly last month. That scrutiny has also come to Clark County, which is home to Jefferson Davis Park, a privately owned monument outside of Ridgefield along Interstate 5. Recently, the Clark County Historical Preservation Commission discussed the Confederate […]
September 12, 2017 10:23 am
It’s endorsement season
We’re just six weeks from ballots hitting mailboxes, which means local endorsements will steadily roll in for the next few weeks. Last week the Clark County Association of Realtors announced its endorsements for the Vancouver City Council. Given the results of August’s primary race, their picks come as no surprise. Here’s who the CCAR is […]
September 12, 2017 9:59 am
The law is still not what Clark County Citizens United wishes it was
It seems like Clark County Citizens United just can’t catch a break — at least with state agencies. For months, Susan Rasmussen and Carol Levanen, the group’s respective president and executive secretary, have complained that the county excluded input from rural residents when it was crafting its comprehensive plan. Unable to get any traction with […]
September 8, 2017 11:52 am
Will Quiring endorse Pike over Boldt for county council chair?
Clark County Councilor Eileen Quiring isn’t quite sure what to do about next year’s race for council chair. Last month, state Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, announced her bid for the position against Marc Boldt, who is running for reelection. Quiring, also a Republican, has a friendly relationship with Pike who supported her run for council […]
September 8, 2017 10:58 am
The race for county council chair could get expensive
The election for Clark County council chair won’t take place for over a year, but state Rep. Liz Pike, a Camas Republican who announced for the countywide position, already has a significant fundraising advantage. That could mean another costly election for chair. On Aug. 18, Pike held a hootenanny at her farm that was billed […]
September 1, 2017 11:12 am
City receives spotless audit from state
The City of Vancouver has a strong handle on its financials, according to an audit conducted by the Office of the Washington State Auditor in 2016. The report was released Aug. 21. City Councilor Jack Burkman said people should absolutely expect a clean audit out of their governments. “It’s an independent measure of your controls,” Burkman said. […]
August 31, 2017 4:42 pm
Another look at the primary, and abysmal turnout
You remember the Aug. 1 primary. Or, maybe you don’t, because final results showed only 19.93 percent voted. That’s 47,595 voters out of 238,855 eligible. Consider yourself scolded. (Hey, I voted even though there was just a school board seat and sewer district race on my ballot.) The results suggest that Vancouver voters may have […]
August 25, 2017 12:32 pm
Demonstrators give thanks for thoughtful journalism
President Donald Trump continued his war with the national media this week, so I was surprised when a group of three or four dozen citizens showed up at The Columbian’s front door around lunchtime on Wednesday with signs like “Thank you for thoughtful editorials” and “Thanks for investigative reporting” and “Democracy requires a free press.” […]
August 25, 2017 12:30 pm