One of the many things I enjoy about my job is getting to share what’s on my mind with all of you each week in this space. And, as a result of this exercise, conversations between us are born.
Sometimes, that conversation is in the form of a letter to the editor submission, often you send me emails and even others pick up the phone or stop by the office to tell me what’s on their mind. Many of my recent exchanges with you have centered around three topics, which I will address in this column.
First, many of you have asked me what in the world is going on with the investigation in the City of La Center regarding allegations raised in the report completed last year by Interim Police Chief Erin Nolan? The honest answer is I don’t know nearly as much as I wish I did. You see, most of the folks involved in the situation are now radio silent. No one wants to talk, especially to me.
Here’s what I have been told. The investigator, Jim Webber, has visited La Center on at least two occasions to conduct interviews with witnesses. I have spoken to folks who have been interviewed and overall they were left with a good impression of Webber and his intentions. At least one source has told me that Webber is done with his interviews and all that is left is just the completion of his report.
La Center residents are still very skeptical that an investigation that is being conducted by someone handpicked by the city’s liability insurance provider (the Association of Washington Cities) is actually legitimate, considering the outcome of the investigation could lead to financial liability for the city.
Others close to the situation have expressed concern to me regarding who Webber has not interviewed. I have talked to several people who were very involved in the operations of the city recently, and who were actually named in Nolan’s report, who have not been interviewed. Those concerns seem valid to me. So, stay tuned. I believe the investigation will be completed soon.
Another thing on the minds of many of you is marijuana. It was revealed to me this past week that the City of Battle Ground has received a total of six applications for a business license to grow marijuana by three separate applicants. There has been one application for a building permit for a marijuana facility and two applications for a retail location. None of the applicants live in the City of Battle Ground.
It appears any opportunity for the members of Battle Ground’s City Council to save the day by joining every other municipality in Clark County, and the county itself, by issuing a moratorium on marijuana has been lost. As a result, everyone around the county who wants to be in the marijuana business has their sights set on Battle Ground.
So, for the time being, the marijuana issue is at the mercy of the state legislature and the Liquor Control Board to establish the parameters by which the fledgling industry can and will operate. I’m told those decisions should be final March 13. I’m still getting my head around the idea that, perhaps as early as this summer, a person can walk into a retail location in Battle Ground and legally purchase marijuana. We’re not talking about Amsterdam. We’re talking about Battle Ground.
Finally, I’ve had spirited conversations recently with some of you who are disappointed in my recent editorials about the county and Steve Stuart’s announcement that he will not seek re-election. There’s a lot of support in the area for the M & M boys, commissioners Tom Mielke and David Madore. One visitor asked me, “what world are you living in?’’
I’m not ashamed of my appreciation for Stuart. I explained that it’s not about ideology. I have no problem with the M & M boys, and as I have said before, I’m ideologically in line with Mielke and Madore. It just seems like there’s a new way of doing business down at 1300 Franklin and it makes me pause when one, or in this case two people seem to have too much influence or power.
And, if this current wave of conservatism is bringing about such positive change, why I am still hearing horror stories from area residents about exorbitant fees and ridiculous bureaucratical loops that they have to jump through to conduct business or put a shovel into the ground in Clark County? Doesn’t sound to me like there has been widespread change from this blessing that has been bestowed upon us. I guess patience is a virtue.
Ken Vance
Editor
