Madore to expand no toll efforts to North Clark County

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Over the last

year, US Digital founder and CEO David Madore has earned a

reputation as the leader, spokesperson and primary donor to the

semi-amorphous no-tolls and anti-Columbia River Crossing elements

in Clark County.

Up to now, his

efforts have primarily focused on Vancouver, but the self-made

millionaire has confirmed rumors he is planning on increasing his

political efforts in North Clark County.

"Some of the

smaller cities have elected officials that deal with issues that

are bigger than their communities," said Madore.

For Madore, the

primary issues are the light rail and I-5 tolling components of the

Columbia River Crossing project, a project he feels elected

officials have pushed through without listening to the "voice of

the people."

Madore confirmed

he will be conducting outreach and "listening to the communities"

for prospective "well qualified" candidates.

"I am definitely

scouting for people with the right head and right heart that are

here to bring jobs and value industry," he said.

Madore said he

will use the C.A.S.H. model to evaluate potential

candidates.

"C.A.S.H stands

for character, attitude, skill and habits," said Madore.

According to

Madore, it is the same method he uses to assess prospective

employees for his company, which he believes makes it an

appropriate approach to selecting public officials.

"When the public

elects people, they are hiring them for a job," he said.

Madore stated he

doesn’t "have anyone identified for future office" yet, but he will

"definitely" be looking for someone to challenge Clark County

Commissioner Marc Boldt, who is up for reelection next

year.

"I am very

disappointed in Marc Boldt, there’s no difference between Boldt and

the biggest deficit spender I know," said Madore.

According to

Madore, Boldt is neither a "true republican" nor a "fiscal

conservative."

"Boldt used to

have a good record, but he’s been in office way too long … now he

is a Republican-in-name-only," said Madore.

Madore also

confirmed he is considering the political strategy of focusing on

elected positions that sit on the C-TRAN Board of Directors or the

Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC). Madore

said his goal is to be able to give the public a vote and "voice"

on light rail and tolls. It’s a tactic Clark County Commissioner

Boldt doesn’t believe will ultimately impact the tolling

discussion.

"Even if (Madore)

replaced the entire C-TRAN and RTC Board, the Federal Government

will still call all the shots on tolling," he said.



Boldt says he is

"confused" by Madore labeling him a "deficit spender."

"To me a deficit

is having an unbalanced budget and I’ve never had an unbalanced

budget as an elected person," he said.

Boldt is also

"concerned" about the amount of time political candidates spend

discussing tolling.

"If a person is

running for a County Commissioner position and his only issue is a

state and federal issue, it begs the question what the candidate is

going to do with the other 95 percent of the issues affecting the

county," said Boldt.

Regardless if

Madore’s endgame is valid or not, North County political candidates

seem to find Madore’s efforts helpful.

"Two of the three

candidates he supported out here won," said Battle Ground council

member candidate Shane Bowman. Pending a reversal on a possible

recount, Bowman beat council member and Deputy Mayor Phil Haberthur

52 to 48 percent, a difference of 116 votes, as of Nov. 8

unofficial results.

According to

Bowman, Madore’s endorsements and financial contributions were a

significant help in his campaign.

"Madore’s

contributions helped us out by letting us get more signs and

advertisements," he said.

According to

Bowman, Madore and Madore’s wife each donated $500 to his campaign,

which raised a total of $2,300 in cash and in-kind contributions.

Public Disclosure Records were not available for Bowman’s

campaign.

When asked what

specific action he could take as a Battle Ground council member

that would have more than just a symbolic effect on tolls, Bowman

stated he could only take indirect actions.

"My job is to

influence C-TRAN and RTC Board members to put tolling and light

rail to a vote," he said. That is, unless Bowman is appointed to

either board.

"When we take

office (in January), we will appoint a new mayor who will appoint

who will sit on the C-TRAN and RTC Board," said Bowman.

If appointed,

Bowman said he will vote against light rail and tolls or for the

matter to be put to a public vote. "I am against light rail and

tolls (on the I-5 Bridge),’’ he said.

According to

Madore, he also supported candidates Paul Zandamela and Philip

Johnson for council positions with Johnson being the second Battle

Ground victory for Madore.

Bowman doesn’t

believe the no tolls and anti-CRC platform is an inappropriate

platform for Battle Ground candidates.

"Everyone thinks

(tolling and light rail) are Vancouver issues and they’re not,

they’re county issues that affect everyone," he said.4