Election 2017: Who will lead Washougal in 2018?

“They really listen and evaluate issues,” Coston added. “The decisions that are made are sound and reasonable. They have some depth of knowledge on council in various areas.”

She would like to see the mayor and council involved in long range planning for a sustainable future.

That would include planning for water and sewer infrastructure, as well as transportation.

“The city needs to anticipate growth,” Coston said. “How many police officers will we need if we add another 1,000 citizens or expand the city limits? How will we pay for those jobs?”

She said the area east of downtown Washougal will grow.

“We need a strategy for building an overpass or underpass and develop stronger relationships with neighboring Camas, the Port of Camas-Washougal, CWEDA, Clark County and organizations such as that. Better communication is a high priority with citizens.”

Coston mentioned future development by the port near Washougal Waterfront Park will involve the city of Washougal to meet infrastructure needs.

“As the port grows in the commercial retail direction, there will be increased police management,” she said.

Coston serves on an advisory committee that is discussing the potential of a community center, jointly funded by Camas, Washougal and the Port.

“It is a daunting enterprise,” she said. “I’m not sure how realistic it is, but we can strive towards that.”

Coston would like Washougal to have a more streamlined permitting process and see more businesses in the downtown core, eastern core area and “E” Street.

She also would like to see more parks, trails and open space, with the potential to connect one park to another.

Coursey said the current council listens to the community about its needs and wants. Respondents to a survey in 2016 indicated support for a community center/pool/recreation center.

“That’s a big goal and a big reach for Washougal,” Coursey said. “We are evaluating options and looking at a partnership with Camas to do that and considering the possibility of a third party — some private party — to provide that.

“We have to keep in mind it needs to be cost effective,” he added. “It would need to be approved by the citizens of Washougal. It would be a very expensive thing to put something in like that. The pool might be a bit much. It might be more of a recreation center.”

Coursey said the people he has talked to while campaigning have mentioned community development as a priority.

“They want to see the fiscal condition of the city improve by bringing in new businesses and jobs here,” he said. “They want the city to continue to revitalize the downtown core, and they want to see it linked to waterfront development at the Port of Camas-Washougal.”

Coursey said constituents have also mentioned they want city leaders to control taxes, fees and costs, to attract and keep private enterprise and residents in Washougal.

Improving the condition of city streets and looking for ways to reduce future congestion are also issues of importance, according to Coursey.

“Coming off Highway 14 on to 32nd Street, traffic backs up every single day when people come home from work,” he said. “Our streets are pretty pitiful in many locations, with potholes and cracks. People complain about them all the time. We are starting to make some improvements now.”

Public safety is another important issue for Coursey.

“People want to feel safe in their homes and on the streets,” he said. “We need to keep our police force continuously funded.”

The proposed $3.6 million 2018 police budget includes the addition of one full-time officer, with an estimated salary and benefits cost of $100,000.

Write-in Candidate: Paul Godin

A man who describes himself as “not a career politician,” has filed as a write-in candidate in the Washougal mayoral race.

Paul Godin, 41, has lived in Washougal for three years.

He has volunteered with the Downtown Washougal Association, Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance, Washougal High School and Meals on Wheels.

Godin, a Farmers Insurance owner-agent, has never run for elected office. He said his civil service efforts have primarily been philanthropic and behind the scenes. They include establishing and running an after-school program that involved more than 19 schools, facilitating camps in Hillsboro, Oregon, and working with at-risk youth overseas.

Godin said he does not believe Washougal has a clear identity of itself.

“What makes it unique? he asked. “If you don’t have a clear identity, you can’t move forward.”

Godin said there is an influx of new residents, including young families, to Washougal.

Important issues to him and the people he meets include parks systems, safety and youth centers.

“Kids are running around the Safeway parking lot,” Godin said. “That is the gathering spot right now.”

He said the city should do more to capture tourism dollars.

“People are going to the gorge and the river,” Godin said. “They attend the Spartan race and motocross. They fill up their RVs with food and drive through the city to private property and exit. We should capture that money.”

He said the current city leaders should be honored for the work they have done, but some things have grown stagnant. Godin said he would elevate residents’ civic pride.

“I’m tired of hearing ‘we’re not Camas,’” he said. “Let’s talk about who we are and what we can do.”