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Opinion

October 8, 2013

Hogan for Camas Council Ward 2

In the Camas City Council Position 2, Ward 2 race, incumbent Steve Hogan is being challenged by former Camas city employee Ken Kakuk. Hogan, 61, has served on the council for the past eight years. He has a long history of volunteering for a number of roles within the community, including the Camas Educational Foundation, Downtown Camas Association, Camas-Washougal Rotary Club, Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association board of directors and Journey Community Church, to name a few.

October 8, 2013

Letters to the Editor for Oct. 8, 2013

Martin is an asset to ECFR board Voting for a fire district commissioner has always been a bit of a mystery to me in that they, the commissioners, are of rather low profile in the political arena. They just quietly do their job in support of the many dedicated fire and rescue professionals.

October 1, 2013

Letter to the Editor for Oct. 1, 2013

Martha Martin is the right choice for ECFR Your Sept. 24 editorial sheds necessary light on an awkward situation at East County Fire & Rescue. No one argues that the work of ECFR is crucial and essential. However, it's just as essential to question how much money -- tax money -- an organization needs to do its work.

October 1, 2013

Parental involvement is key to children’s success

It's that time of year again when busy parents are sending their kids out the door to meet the school bus or dropping them off at school. Expectations are high that students will be paired with great teachers who spend the necessary time helping them learn, supervising their safety and keeping parents abreast of their children's progress. I recently formed an Education Kitchen Cabinet, made up of local educators, because I want to know how we can ensure kids have the best education. I've learned we have very dedicated teachers who care about kids and their education. But they tell me they can only do so much. The other component in the success of a child's education is parental involvement.

October 1, 2013

Retain Sean Guard for Washougal mayor

Under the direction of Mayor Sean Guard, Washougal has slowly been building a stronger foundation that was left cracked and broken more than four years ago by mismanagement and poor leadership. Guard is up for re-election as part of the Nov. 5 General Election, and he should be allowed to continue to build on that growth and be elected to a second term in office.

September 24, 2013

It’s not the right time for ECFR Proposition 1

Amid an economy that has been in a recession for several years and is finally beginning to get back on track, now just isn't the right time to ask East County Fire and Rescue voters to approve a capital improvement bond. The $1.275 million, 20-year capital projects proposition would fund two new fire engines, one brush truck, new fire fighting and medical equipment, an emergency generator at Mount Norway Station 94, parking lot repair at Sunnyside Station 93 and a water well at Livingston Mountain Station 92. It is estimated that the bond would cost taxpayers 9 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. This means the owner of a $300,000 home would pay an additional $27 per year, the owner of a $250,000 home would pay $22.50 per year, and the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $18 per year.

September 17, 2013

State law allows direct election of the mayor under Prop 1

The column written by Battle Ground City Councilors Michael Ciraulo and Adrian Cortes was interesting commentary but plainly wrong when they state: "[i]n July 2013 a majority coalition arbitrarily changed our form of government..." The Battle Ground City Council cannot change their form of government. That takes a vote of the people. My understanding of what Ciraulo and Cortes are upset about is the procedures the Battle Ground Council adopted to elect their mayor. They don't make any complaints about their city management, in fact they seem to compliment it.

September 17, 2013

Form of government change is not needed in Washougal

Washougal voters have an important decision to make when their ballots arrive in the mail for the Nov. 5 General Election. It may, in fact, be one of the most important issues to appear on local ballots in recent history. If approved, Proposition 1 would transition Washougal from its current mayor-council form of government to the vastly different council-manager system. Currently, Washougal citizens have the right to elect a strong mayor, who is the chief executive officer of the city, along with seven city council members who form its legislative body. Washougal's city administrator, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, carries out the day-to-day operations of the city.

September 17, 2013

Letters to the Editor for Sept. 17, 2013

Smith wants to improve the community Why is someone from Ridgefield writing about a Camas city council candidate? Well, over the past few months I have been able to observe Melissa Smith through her service on the Regional Transportation Council.