The Elections Department of Clark County is presenting thier annula class for Election Observer Training.  Be reminded that if you took this class more than 2 years ago, it is expected you will retain your eligibility to observe by retaking this class - and here's your opportunity.

Election Observers are a good way for the Democrats to "show the colors" for the Party by participating in the Technical and Logic testing of the vote-counting machines, and to watch the ballot sorting, counting, and checking proedures for accuracy.

Election Observer Class -

Time: 6:30p.m. til 8:00p.m.   Wednesday, June 5.

The Clark County Democrats approved 2 resolutions on Mon 05/13; both about problems with the Clark County governance:

1.) Resolution Opposing Hiring of an Unqualified Politician to be Director of Clark County Environmental Services by Clark County Commissioners Madore and Mielke. Read full context

2.) Resolution Supporting Friends of Clark County in their Opposition to Fee Waivers by Clark County Commissioners for Commercial and Industrial Development.  Read full context

    Clark County Commissioners Madore & Mielke

     Capacity crowds inside and outside Saturday

An estimated 300 concerned citizens showed up Saturday at 3:30 to hear Ex-Mayor Royce Pollard & Ex-Senator & County Commissioner Craig Pridemore discuss opportunites around the disputed decisions of county government by Madore & Mielke.  It was a bipartisan crowd overwhelmingly unhappy with the Commissioners.  Results and plans will be emailed to the attendees.  Exploration will continue into releif from Mielke & Madore's unilateral rulings. 

Read The Columbian article  - Overflow

Tuesday night 44 people testified aginst Commissioners Madore & Mielke hiring of Sen Don Benton as Clark County Environmental Director.  The two commissioners' summary statements after midnight indicated the factual, influential, and passionate testimony fell on deaf ears.

The hiring of Benton and the reasons his environmental predecessor, Kevin Gray, left his job are under scrutiny.  Political cronyism has been claimed.

A time to explore alternatives to these apparent unilateral actions is 3:30 PM, Saturday May 11 at the IAFF (Firefighters) Union Hall, 2807 Fruit Valley Rd (MAP).  Bring your questions, bring your opinions, bring your lawyer.

Read Columbian article 05/10/13

A capacity crowd attended the County Commissioners meeting Tuesday night from 6:00 PM to midnight to participte in public comment over the hiring of Don Benton as Clark County Environmental Director.  The hearing rooms upstairs were full and standees ringed the walls.  The overflow crowd filled the Dragonfly Cafe downstairs to capacity. 

Forty-four (44) people testified against the hiring of Benton and 5 testified in favor.  Commissioner Steve Stuart reported that the emails received were 539 opposing the Benton hire and 12 in favor.  Testimony included requests for resignation, recall, rescinding the hire, utilization of standard interviewing process, and the lack of Benton's qualifications.  The hire as a reward by Madore & Mielke for Benton's efforts to block the CRC in the legislature was also mentioned, as were political cronyism, and outright shame.  Some testifiers mentioned the circumstances in which Kevin Gray left the Enviromental position were suspicious.

At the outset, Madore said he was gratified with the turnout and he would spend the night if necessary to provide free speech for all.  Six hours later he said thanks, but the testifiers didn't understand him or the situation and Benton had a "good heart".  Mielke closed by saying that there was a lot of misunderstandings and assumptions and untruths in the testimony.  The wealth of testimony against the Benton hire was essentially discounted by their summary statements.

Read the article in the Columbian 05/08/13 with videos

Would you hire this man as Director of Environmental Services for Clark County? 

He is Sen Don Benton, State Republican Senator in the 17th LD.  County Commissioner Madore and his lackey, Commissioner Tom Mielke, voted on May 1 to put Benton in the environmental job, while retaining his Senate post.  This bypasses the normal hiring practices for County department heads.  The environmental job salary has been $118,000.

There's data that says Benton is not qualified. 

The third Commissioner, Steve Stuart, is justifiably angry over the proceedings and labelled it "political cronyism".

Benton has been very critical of the CRC bridge replacement project as have Madore and Mielke.

Join others on Tue May 07 at 6:00 PM at the Public Service Building, 1300 Franklin St, to discuss the error of Benton's appointment.

Read Columbian article on the events

Read the Columbian article on Benton's lack of qualifications

Read The Columbian editorial "insulted' by hiring

   Ty Stober, recently announced he is running for Vancouver City Council, Seat 2; the seat currently occupied by Jeanne Stewart.

Ty will officially kick-off his campaign Wed May 08 at Torque Coffee, 521 Columbia St, Vancouver (Map) from 5:30-7:00 PM.  Join him there and support him.

 
John Laird, Columbian columnist, has a ripping good satire of CRC detractors.  Recognize anybody?  Columbian 04/28/13

Ed Lynch, community activist, has a no-nonsense op/ed piece in Sunday's Columbian.  Columbian Ed OpEd

Sharon Wylie, State Representative 49th LD, says all the right things about supporting the Columbia River Crossing project in an op/ed piece in Sunday's Columbian.  Read it here.

Here's a little primer on SOCIAL SECURITY and your right to it.  It's not an entitlement.  This is a searing column from Malcom Berko who is published in the Columbian regularly.  With the current flap on federal budgets and the possible cut to Social Security, it's important to uphold Social Security benefits as our earned money and not en 'entitlement'.  Enjoy the Berko column

The Clark County Democrats have established a committee to review the organization's bylaws.  It is comprised of:

Suggestions may be submitted via Email at: clarkcountybylaws@gmail.com

            US Trans Secty Ray LaHood                                      Gov. Jay Inslee

The US Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, was in Olympia Wed (04/10/13) urging lawmakers to vote needed appropriations for the CRC project, or miss out badly.  Gov. Inslee stood beside him.  Read the Columbian article.

It's vital to SW WA, the Portand/Vancouver metro area, the State of WA and the nation that our lawmakers approve this project

Our new Democratic governor, Jay Inslee, urged everyone in SW WA yesterday to support the Columbia River Crosssing Project. Read the Columbian article

                  Sen Annette Cleveland  

Senator Annete Cleveland published an editorial in The Columbian recently debunking some Columbia River Crossing Project myths, and urging approval, funding, and erection of the bridge,  Read the Piece.  Discuss these facts and direction at the dinner table.

Same great group...but Different Place!

The Clark County Democrats (CCDCC) will meet at the Teamsters/Laborers Labor Hall, 2212 NE Andresen Rd, map, instead of at the Longshoreman's Hall, until further notice.   Still 7:00 PM on the 2nd Monday of the month, though.

04/24/13 - Some progress in WA Legislature - read $82 Million approved

03/06/13 - Columbian Editorial positively pursuing 1-5 Bridge Project - Editorial

02/25/13 - Oregon House of Representatives today appoved $450 Million for their share of CRC.  Columbian Article

WA State House Democrats have proposed a $10 billion WA State Transportation package called "Connecting Washington".  It includes $450 million for the Columbia River Bridge Project here in metro

Portland/Vancouver.  Now both Washington and Oregon legislators have begun the process to fund the states' share of the $3.5 billion CRC project.  Read the Columbian article

The 29th Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner & Auction is coming up Saturday June 8 at 5:00 PM.  This event is the only fundraising device for your local Clark County Democrats.  Money raised supports the local office, the bi-annual Coordinated campaign office, website fees, and sometimes, local candidate contributions.  There are no salaries in the CCDCC - all volunteer personnel.

There's several vital ways to support the JJ Dinner & Auction:

  + Donate a fine saleable item for the auction
  + Sell tickets
  + Buy a ticket
  + Help with the Commiitee -
        Get items
        Work computers
        Volunteer at the dinner itself

Call Temple Lentz at 503-349-7089 to assist.

Ticket Pages

As of 03/11/2013

The CCDCC Officers for 2013-2014 were elected Monday Dec 10 at the Laborer's/Teamster's Hall 2212 NE Andresen Rd

Chair - Mike Heywood
Vice Chair - Liz Campbell
Secretary - Jamie Hurly
Treasurer - Tom Lineham
State Committeeman - Jay Renaud
State CommitteeWoman - Jan Buchanan Banks

The 49th LD held their elections Sat Dec 08 with the following results:

Chair - Catherine Rich
Vice Chair - 
Treasurer - Marian Bryce
Secty - 
State Committeeman - Noland Hashino
State Committeewoman - Kathy Lawrence

The 18th LD held their elections 12/01/12

Chair - Candy Bonneville
Vice Chair - Rich Rogers
Secretary - John Meuller (Temporary to Mar)
Treasurer - Doris Holmes
State Committeeman - Dave Shehorn
State Committeewoman - Liz Campbell

The 17th LD held their Reorganization elections 12/17/12 at Jorge's Margarita Factory 14415 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Suite 110b at 7:00 PM:

Chair - Dena Horton
Vice Chair - Robert Chu
Secretary - Tanisha Harris
Treasurer - Lorretta Thomas
State Committeeman - Gary Akizuki
State Committeewoman - Marsha Manning