You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

Last weekend’s “Dancing with the Local Stars,” sadly, did not include any local elected officials. Why didn’t 2010 winner Vancouver City Councilor Larry Smith step up to try and win the title again? What about Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, who once gave us MC Lil’ T?

Or maybe it’s better to share the spotlight. The Sept. 15 event, which raised $115,000 for the Fort Vancouver National Trust, was won by Ed Barnes, retired IBEW Local 48 executive. Here’s Ed, who performed a foxtrot with Kaylyn Haynes, an Arthur Murray dance instructor.

Ryan Hart, district director for U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, won an award for most creative performance. (We weren’t there, but we assume he won this category because of his dance partner.)

Avaly Mobbs, executive director of the Building Industry Association, won an award for best costume.

Finally, we’ve never heard of Aaron Kraft of Veolia Water. And that’s not a dig on Aaron. We don’t get out much. We know local elected officials, government employees and regular speakers at public meetings.

We wish Kraft would show up at a public meeting, in costume. He won an award for “most outrageous.”

Other contestants were: Victoria Bradford of Comfort Interiors Inc. (best overall dance performance), attorney Steve Horenstein, (fan favorite) and community volunteer Julie Kuni (best natural talent.)

Photos by Robert Holcomb