Stateside Associates Listed 2012 “Best Local Politics Blog”
Click image for list
The City of Battle Ground, Washington is to be commended for their somber and respectful Memorial Day ceremony.
As it should be, the focus was placed on those from the community that made the ultimate sacrifice.
No political grandstanding, no shout outs to elected officials or candidates for office, just respectful reading of the names by council members and somber poems by Mayor Philip Johnson.
Playing of taps concluded the ceremony.
Excellent job, Battle Ground.
Last evening was the first debate on the Clark County Home Rule Charter, held at the Battle Ground Community Center and sponsored by Clark County Citizens United and the Clark County Farm Forestry Association. As would be expected, in spite of efforts for a calm, civil exchange, it did get a little heated.
I applaud both Clark County Citizens United and the Clark County Farm Forestry Association for hosting and for their efforts to hold a civil discussion.
You may view the full unedited video of the event at Home Rule Charter Debate
If you have had trouble viewing it on Google Drive, Reality Clark County blog has posted it to You Tube with my permission.
Feel free to link to or share as you please, regardless of your view on the Charter.
Of note, all three County Commissioners, Tom Mielke, David Madore and Ed Barnes attended as spectators.
Let’s not send our transportation dollars to Portland, Oregon in support of their failing light rail system forced into Clark County against the wishes of taxpayers and voters. We need to use our tax dollars to solve transportation issues in our own state before giving anything to Oregon’s bottomless pit Metro.
While there are no legislative races in tomorrows election, we can begin returning sanity to our local government by reelecting Jeanne E Stewart to the Vancouver City Council, elect Bill Turlay over Tim Leavitt as Mayor of Vancouver, elect Micheline Doan and Frank Decker for Vancouver City Council, Vanessa Amundson for Camas City Council and Lyle Lamb for Battle Ground City Council while keeping Lisa Walters. Write in Tim Wilson for Ridgefield City Council.
While not directly related to transportation issues, a vote for Lisa Phifer Ross for Vancouver School District will be an improvement for our schools.
Battle Ground, Washington, the small town northeast of Vancouver may not have seen a historic battle, but they have no shortage of battles when it comes to elections and keeping citizens entertained, often just shaking their heads.
The latest involves City Council Member and former Mayor Michael Ciraulo over a campaign fundraising event, a ‘Poker Night’ that was held on September 14, 2013 at Galeotti’s Restaurant and claims of it being in violation of Washington State Gambling Law.
A citizen complaint sent to Battle Ground City Manager, John Williams alleged the event, “did not have [the proper] gambling license as mandated by the State of Washington.”
The complaint further alleges, “The City of Battle Ground prohibits card rooms inside the city limits. Chapter 9.26 Public Card rooms (Ordinance 598s2, 1987), contact had been made with the Gambling Commission and the Commission had an ‘open and active’ investigation ongoing due to previous complaints filed by others.”
Apparently Battle Ground Mayor Lisa Walters has had a change of heart on resigning her city council position.
Three days ago Ms. Walters wrote on her facebook page: “Wanted to let you all know that today I resigned my position with the city council. Time to move forward in my life and make some serious changes. I will be moving out of the area but will keep in touch as I move through this season. Here’s to better tomorrow’s.”
Lisa was citing strictly personal issues prompting the sudden resignation.
Posted on her facebook page this evening;
Once again, the Columbian is up to old tricks with their article, Madore rattles C-Tran board, describing actions of then Commissioner-elect, now Commissioner David Madore and his contacting North County Officials prior to his swearing in.
Not surprising either is the Columbian not quite getting it right.
The article tells us that Madore met with different officials from smaller cities in North County and shortly after, some withdrew their support of a sitting C-Tran Board Member who has served on the C-Tran Board for number of years.
They quote Battle Ground Mayor, Lisa Walters saying, “He hadn’t been sworn in yet, and he was already out causing trouble like this,” leading readers to believe she is upset over Madore’s contacting officials.
In reality, she isn’t as upset as they indicate.
