There are about a million reasons why I could never hold political office, but more than anything else, it’s because I just don’t think I could, far too often, do what I knew wasn’t the right thing.
Clark County Councilor David Madore was criticized in recent days for expressing concerns about the Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) advocating for improvements to the Mill Plain I-5 interchange. Madore expressed belief that the project is a veiled attempt to revive the defeated Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project, which would have replaced the I-5 bridge over the Columbia River and extended light rail into Clark County against the will of the voters on this side of the river.
Madore told me that he has been asking for months for the CREDC, and just about every other agency in the area with any interest in the CRC, to reveal its stance on the Mill Plain I-5 interchange project and he said he’s gotten virtually no answers to his questions.
As a result, Madore recently raised the idea that until the CREDC agreed to remain neutral on the Mill Plain I-5 project, and any other that violated the will of Clark County voters, the organization may not be worthy of the county’s Associate Development Organization (ADO) status, which nets them about $160,000 in annual support from the state Commerce Department to support business services. That’s about 19 percent of the the CREDC’s annual non-grant budget.
Madore wasn’t asking the CREDC to oppose the Mill Plain I-5 interchange project. He just asked the organization to remain neutral on it. The CREDC board met, it’s not clear if they really voted on the issue of neutrality, but they agreed to collectively tell Madore to go take a hike and that they would conduct their business however they wanted to.
On Tuesday of last week, Madore joined fellow councilors Tom Mielke and Jeanne Stewart in voting unanimously to grant the CREDC the county’s ADO status. I suppose it was the right thing to do, but if I was Madore I would have stuck to my guns and voted not to grant the CREDC the ADO status. You know how much I love the lone voice of dissent.
Madore said he did so in part out of respect to the 11 legislators who collectively wrote the councilors a letter praising the CREDC and encouraging them to grant the organization the ADO status. Madore also said he values and supports the CREDC and its core mission, which includes the desire to create jobs in Clark County. The councilor said he will continue to monitor the organization’s stance on the Mill Plain I-5 interchange project and others that might be in conflict with that core mission or the will of Clark County voters.
Here’s what rubs me the wrong way. Is there anyone out there who can convince me the CREDC board isn’t made up of members who are pro-CRC or pro-light rail? I’m so sick of the fact that the majority of voters who opposed the CRC, and light rail, have to keep fighting the fight we should have already won just because our elected officials and other leaders have their own agenda.
I support Madore for asking the tough questions and for attempting to hold his fellow elected leaders and public officials accountable. But, I want him to follow all the way through. If he believes the CREDC is still advocating for light rail or the CRC, then do the unpopular thing and vote not to award them the ADO designation.
Madore is no stranger to being cast in an unpopular light. It goes with being the guy who challenges the status quo – the way things have always been done. He’s never appeared to me to be all that concerned about other people’s perceptions. I know many of you will disagree with this, but I’ve always believed the guy has tried to do the right thing for residents of this county.
Sure, he can be single-mindedly driven to a perceived fault, but the guy outworks those around him and he keeps the will of the voters at the forefront of every issue. I’m sure the fact that the voters’ stance on things like the CRC, light rail and Bus Rapid Transit match his own makes it easier, but nonetheless, he does represent the majority most of the time.
Now, he’s running against five others to be elected to the newly created county chair position. David, please don’t become interested in winning that or any other election. Please continue to follow your instincts, your beliefs and desires to be an advocate for change and for the will of the voters. Everything else will take care of itself.
Ken Vance
Editor
