Battle Ground Council Member Mike Ciraulo, who has served on the council for the past 12 years, is up for re-election this year and he is being challenged by three citizens new to the political scene.
Lyle Lamb, Cherish DesRochers and Richard Brown are all vying for Ciraulo’s Position No. 1 on the Battle Ground City Council. The Position No. 1 race is the only of the four Battle Ground City Council races that is on the Aug. 6 Primary Election ballot. The other three each have just two candidates going head-to-head.
Here is some brief information about each candidate running for Position No. 1 on the Battle Ground City Council:
Mike Ciraulo
Ciraulo, 49, was first elected to the council in November 2001 and he is currently serving his third consecutive term. He also served as mayor for two consecutive two-year terms. He is currently employed as division chief for Clark County Fire & Rescue. He and his wife, Gilda, have two grown sons.
Ciraulo said he decided to run for re-election because over the past 12 years, he’s learned a lot about how to implement positive changes for the city.
“I think I have a vision for the city and I want to continue to serve,” Ciraulo said. “I’m proud of where the city has gone over the past 12 years and I want to be able to continue some of the positive changes.”
As the economy continues to improve, Ciraulo said he believes city officials need to continue to focus on what the priorities of the city are.
“I believe a strong fiscal policy needs to be continued in regards to building up our reserves,” he said. “Transportation also needs to be made a priority, we need to alleviate the traffic problems.”
Ciraulo said a unique aspect that he brings to the council is the different relationships he has developed over the years at the county, state and federal levels that help bring in outside money. Historically, he said he has been successful generating outside revenue and he believes that needs to continue to be a priority for the entire council.
“I think people should vote for me because I have a history of service, both elective and volunteer,” Ciraulo said. “I’ve spent 20 years in the community and I have always aimed to have the motto ‘service above self.’ It’s been an honor to serve.”
Website: www.voteciraulo.com.
Cherish DesRochers
DesRochers, 30, has lived in Battle Ground since she was 7 years old. She is currently employed with C-TRAN as a passenger service representative, where she assists passengers on phone or in person with various transit questions. DesRochers has been with her significant other, Brian Vafeados, for almost eight years.
An avid soccer player, DesRochers said she currently manages a women’s soccer team and plays several times a week. She also enjoys raising chickens, gardening, volunteering around the community and spending time with her family.
In addition to wanting to be the voice of the citizens in Battle Ground, DesRochers said she also made the decision to run for city council because she believes this to be an “amazing” opportunity for personal growth that she could not pass up.
“Not only is it allowing me personal growth, but I am inspiring women and youth to be more involved in local politics,” DesRochers said.
If elected to the council, DesRochers believes she can inspire more community involvement, especially among youth. If elected, she plans to implement a citizen advisory board where individuals in the community will apply to represent their demographic so the council can ensure they are representing all citizens in Battle Ground.
DesRochers pointed out that one of the major differences between her and incumbent Ciraulo is their views on taxes.
“I believe taxes should be considered sacred funds and we should not raise taxes unless it’s for the greater good of the community,” she said.
However, DesRochers said she shares Ciraulo’s support of the North Clark County Food Bank, one thing they have in common, and she believes it’s a vital service provided in the community.
“I’m working for you,” she said.
Website: www.VoteCherish.com.
Lyle Lamb
Lamb, 38, has been married to his high school sweetheart for 18 years and they have five children, who range in age from 9-15. He and his family moved to Battle Ground in 2003. Lamb has worked for the U.S. Postal Service for the last 18 years and has been in maintenance management for the last 10 years.
Lamb enjoys reading, tinkering in the garage and spending time with his family.
Lamb said he feels the City of Battle Ground has become expensive to live in and many people are in dire straits with the expanding cost of living and poor job situation. When he couples the economic difficulties with the fact that the city continues to grow the budget while people are struggling, he gets unnerved.
“I know there are unfunded mandates and increased regulatory compliance the city has to deal with, but I feel there must be another way,” Lamb said.
Lamb said some of the positive things he feels he would bring to the council include his vision for Battle Ground, which includes managed growth, more business providing living wages and a continued sense of community.
Lamb said a difference between he and Ciraulo’s political views is their view on taxes.
“I think Mr. Ciraulo and I both want what is best for Battle Ground,” Lamb said. “It’s a question of what is best and how to accomplish it.”
Lamb said he would be a good fit for the city council.
“This will allow me to speak confidently to the issues that affect so many citizens, much as my education will allow me to speak competently in defense of the tax and rate payers,” he said.
Website: www.lylelamb4bg.com.
Richard Brown
Brown, 44, is married and has three children. He has lived in Battle Ground for several years and he works as an IT engineer for a major U.S. Corporation. He also founded an online automotive parts retail company 15 years ago.
As an IT engineer, Brown said he enjoys computer technology and enjoys reading non-fiction books and scripture.
Brown said that what pushed him to run for a council position was watching the incumbent fail to lead. He said he felt Ciraulo failed to attract investment opportunities to revitalize Old Town Battle Ground, maintain 20th Avenue, South Parkway and Grace Avenue. Brown said he also feels Ciraulo had opportunities to support a community pool in Battle Ground, but did not do so and also cited that he opposed a proposal by former Council Member Paul Zandamela regarding a pool.
Brown said the final straw for him came in 2011 when the incumbent voted for annexation of The Cedars neighborhood.
Brown said the council would benefit from having him as a member because he has leadership and management experience in the public and private sectors. He said he has the skills and knowledge to bring entrepreneurs and citizens together to work on strategies to revitalize the city’s economy.
“I have met with many business owners and citizens in our city and I am convinced that investing in the Old Town Battle Ground will boost our city’s economy,” he said.
Brown summed up why he would be a good fit for the Battle Ground City Council by saying he is a leader and a problem solver.
“I believe that leadership is about listening, engaging and inspiring others as they inspire me,” he said. “I will bring a new approach to problem solving that will emphasize listening to the voices of the people.”
Website: www.brownforbg.com.
