Members of the Battle Ground City Council passed a resolution last week naming the Battle Ground fire and police stations the William J. Ganley Public Safety Complex, recognizing Council Member Bill Ganley for his service to the Battle Ground community.
I know I’ve shared with you before that I believe it’s the people who reside, work and volunteer in the communities of north Clark County that makes this such a special place. And, Bill Ganley is further support of that belief.
When making the announcement, the city highlighted Ganley’s 30 years of service to the Battle Ground community as a teacher and coach at Battle Ground and Summit View high schools. He has also served on the Battle Ground Planning Commission, City Council and as Battle Ground’s mayor from 1997-2001. Ganley was the city’s first mayor to serve under the council-manager form of government.
“What he did taking us from a strong mayor to a city manager form of government is huge,’’ said current Battle Ground Mayor Shane Bowman. “He made a huge difference in how things are done in our city. I truly believe our form of government is the best and he was instrumental in that. I know that he once told me that if anyone would try to change it back, he would fight it with everything he had because of how important it is. I like that he had the foresight back then even though it wasn’t the coolest thing or politically best thing to do.’’
Six years ago, Bowman attempted to become an elected official by running against Ganley for a position on the council. He was unsuccessful in that bid but two years later he was able to join Ganley as a fellow council member. Shortly after that, Bowman and Ganley were each nominated to become deputy mayor and it was Bowman who received the nod this time.
“When they made me deputy mayor, Bill was wonderful to me,’’ Bowman said. “He started working with me and helping me out. I got to know him and his wife Brenda. I talk to him about 3-4 times a week now.’’
Bowman said his interactions with Ganley aren’t just in their roles serving the city and its residents.
“We’ve gone to football games together; we’ve eaten pizza together, we talk politics and our wives talk about whatever they talk about,’’ Bowman said. “He has such a historical knowledge of government in general. It’s been awesome. We are good friends. He’s a lot different than what I first thought when I ran against him. He really cares.’’
Last week, I wrote in this space about some things I don’t like about politics. I don’t care for the scoreboard fanatics who are more interested in counting who wins and who loses and I don’t care for those who are so entrenched in their beliefs and ideology that their minds are closed to new ideas. Bowman said Ganley isn’t burdened by any of those imperfections.
“He’s not reactive,’’ Bowman said. “He researches everything out. He doesn’t just react to stuff and get upset about it. He’s very willing to look at both sides of an issue. He’s not just stuck in a rut out of party affiliation or ‘this is what I am’ and he doesn’t let it bother him if it doesn’t go his way. He’s always been really good about that.
“A lot of that probably comes from teaching,’’ Bowman said of Ganley. “You deal with so many different kids from so many different backgrounds. Every kid is different. I think that’s why he had such respect as a teacher. He just wasn’t one way. He learned how to work with all kids.’’
City officials pointed out that Ganley “consistently advocates for public safety as the first priority of the city of Battle Ground’’ when explaining the decision to name the Public Safety Complex after Ganley, who has also made it a personal crusade over the years to paint fire hydrants around the city.
“Bill has always been a champion for public safety,’’ Bowman said. “He used to be a volunteer firefighter. His dad was involved in firefighting. He has spent countless hours painting fire hydrants. I think (the Public Safety Complex) is a good fit as a way to honor him.’’
So it is my hope citizens of Battle Ground thank city officials for their gesture and also take the time to offer their own appreciation to Bill Ganley for his service to this community.
“For me as mayor, he’s somebody during these last two years who has been there for me for anything I’ve needed,’’ Bowman said. “I can bounce anything off him. It’s been invaluable for me to have somebody who knows what he knows about our city, our government and our state.’’
Ken Vance
Editor
