Ann Rivers, candidate for State Representative in the 18th District, just came to my door to talk to me about her campaign and what she wants to do for Washington. I was so impressed that I decided to write this letter.
Rivers’ enthusiasm and energy is infectious. She genuinely cares about what happens in our community and is working hard to make a difference. Even though the election is a few months away, she is already working hard on legislation that will get help to solve our state’s debt issues, create new jobs, and get our economy back on track.
She has a proven track record and is independent-minded about solutions for Washington’s problems. The good news is that she has fresh ideas about how to solve them. I’m encouraged by her experience and energy and I hope others will join me in voting for Ann Rivers for State Representative.
Ted Lock
Ridgefield
Only a fool believes everything he reads.
Rather than taking The Columbian’s word, Michael Delasandro might want to give Commissioner Mielke a call and ask him if the newspaper article he read was accurate and factual or did the reporter twist what was said just enough to give the appearance of Mielke going against his own principles and voting record.
The stories The Columbian reporters write concerning Commissioner Mielke, an honest, ethical gentleman, remind me of attacks on another Republican county commissioner –Mel Gordon - who was ridiculed unmercifully by the same newspaper.
Lies are easier believed than truth. Mr. Delasandro could have called Commissioner Mielke and asked for the facts. But, I bet he didn’t. When will people see through the Columbian’s tactics? They are simply bullies with a pen who can’t tolerate people of Mielke’s caliber and principles so they have to resort to inaccuracy, ridicule and flat out lies. After all, that is what they do best. Is it any wonder the newspaper has financial woes?
Sandy White
Battle Ground
I have watched daily as construction has taken place on the “climbing” lanes on Lewisville Highway (SR-503) north of Battle Ground. The project appears to be well on the way to completion.
The work has been done in a highly efficient manner. Traffic has been allowed to move through the construction area at most times of the day and at standard speeds. There have been no warning signs about fines doubling in construction zones, nor has there been a need for such threatening signs. Delays have been of acceptable length. And there have been no lane closures during morning and afternoon commute hours. Some work has been done at night.
The state Department of Transportation and the contractor on this project, Rotschy Inc., both deserve to be recognized for the manner in which this project has been conducted. State officials clearly designed a successful plan for adding lanes to the three-mile corridor. And Rotschy Inc. devised and implemented a strategy that has accomplished the work in a short period of time while having minimal affect on traffic.
There may be lessons to be learned from this experience involving moving traffic through a construction zone at acceptable speeds and without unnecessary cautions to motorists. I believe other area residents also appreciate the way this work has been done.
Marvin F. Case
Battle Ground
The political campaign season is in full swing and many streets and neighborhoods are dotted with signs for candidates on both sides of the aisle. These signs are paid for by the campaigns of each of the candidates. The candidates work very hard to raise the funds needed for signs, mailings, websites, and other tools needed to mount a successful run for office.
Unfortunately, both political parties have noticed a disturbing trend of increased vandalism, destruction, and disappearance of the campaign signage for candidates of both parties. It is very frustrating and wasteful for candidates to continue replacing the signs.
While we may not agree on certain issues or solutions to issues, we do agree that it is not appropriate to damage or destroy campaign signs. Therefore, we, the chairs of the Democratic and Republican parties in Clark County, have jointly written this request to encourage residents of Clark County to respect the campaign signage and to report incidents of witnessed vandalism or destruction to the police.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this request.
Dena Norton, Chair of the Clark County Democratic Central Committee
Vancouver
Ryan Hart, Chair of the Clark County Republican Party
Vancouver
Although the headline “Free lunches served to BGSD” in the July 14 issue of The Reflector caught my eye due to its creativity, it, along with its accompanying article, for a number of reasons, is rather problematic.
First, it is simply not true. There is a cost to this and other similar social programs. Second, there is great credibility to the headline and article simply since it is running in a newspaper such as The Reflector. It can lead one to expect more of these “free” meals and more other “free” programs. After all, why not if they are free?would be much more descriptive to refer to these lunches as “tax payer paid lunches.”
It would lead people to make an honest assessment of the program on its merits. People would be challenged to determine whether the cost/benefit relationship is worthwhile. And it would certainly be consistent with the old adage “there is no such thing as a free lunch.”
Bob Richter
Ridgefield
Many have asked why I insist on calling the Vancouver City Council’s latest boondoggle “Light Rail the Gravy Train”. I do that because whenever a light rail line comes into being, hundreds and hundreds of politicians, contractors, developers, and unions reap millions of your hard earned tax dollars.
Although we are somewhat behind in our signature collection, it is still going great. Most people, even those who are in favor of light rail, would like to have a vote of the people before plunging us deeper and deeper into debt.
Did you know that Bart Hansen, who was given the vacant city council seat without any input from the voters, is not only in favor of light rail and bridge tolls, he voted against a new city ordinance that protected our constitutional right to Freely assemble. How about that?
But then he is young, liberal and does not understand that we are being systematically denied many of our constitutional rights.
As Winston Churchill once said, “If you are under forty and you are not a liberal, you have no heart, but if you are over fourty and you are not a conservative, you have no head.”
I ask all to vote for John Jenkins for Vancouver City Council. We deserve to be represented, not dictated to.
Larry Patella
Vancouver
Candidate for 18th District seat makes rebutal
by Jon Russell
Washougal City Councilman,
Thanks to the readers of The Reflector who contacted me and asked me to respond to the attacks made by my opponent Ann Rivers’ friend and business associate, Kelly (KJ) Hinton. While my flesh would love to lay into my opponent’s campaign for dirty politics, the fact is these types of attacks will always come with being a servant leader. The fact is, there are bigger issues facing us as a state and I want to address some of them with you.
Things must change in government and it starts with accountability. As a City Councilman, I assisted the State Auditor by signing off on search inquiries into multiple bank accounts associated with the former Mayor’s activities. I successfully led the charge to force the Mayor’s resignation from office when there was no doubt in my mind that she had falsified documents detailing the revenue from the events she had put on for the city. This type of abuse of power, as was demonstrated in Washougal, permeates Olympia. Whether it was the 2004 Rossi election and voter fraud issues in King County or the fact that some government agencies act as if they do not answer to anyone; as your state representative, I will make it a priority for government to be answerable to the public.
It’s amazing the things that can be accomplished when legislators are focused on accountability and responsiveness. Since our former Mayor’s departure we have cut property taxes while balancing the budget, we implemented a new whistle blower protection policy, we passed E-verify to keep taxpayer contracts from going to illegal aliens, and we deregulated small businesses, to help them be able to create jobs. These have been my priorities and they will continue to be my priorities, as your state representative.
Term Limits is an excellent start to restoring trust in government. While I admire and respect my fellow Republicans Joe Zarelli, Ed Orcutt, Don Benton, Marc Boldt and Tom Mielke for their service to us in the legislature, I fully support term limits of 4 terms, equaling 8 years. The first bill I will bring forward, as your next State Representative, will be to reintroduce term limits for every seat in the legislative branch. Incumbency has great power. As a result, 96 percent of all legislators are re-elected, due in-part to their advantage in name recognition and money brought back to the district. These legislative seats are about the people and not the individuals who hold them. Whether they are Republican or Democrat legislators, they must go to serve for a defined time and then allow others the opportunity to serve. This is what our Founding Fathers had envisioned.
In closing, when serving the public I have found that thick skin is a necessity to be effective in an elected position. I have also found that quick and personal responsiveness to my constituents is the appropriate top priority. I thank you for this time to introduce myself and I hope you will honor me with your vote in the upcoming primary election.