The city of Washougal has three city council primaries on the same ballot for the first time in nearly four decades, Clark County officials said.
Council incumbents Rodney Morris, Jennifer McDaniel and Molly Coston each face challenges from two or more opponents in their quest for another four-year term. Washougal voters have 10 candidates to choose from during the Aug. 16 primary election.
The city has a dozen candidates overall seeking four council spots, counting the Nov. 8 general election. Councilman Michael Delavar, who has only one opponent, will face Joyce Lindsay in the general election.
“This is the only (Washougal) primary we’ve had since 1973 where we’ve had three offices appear on a primary ballot,” said Tim Likness, Clark County’s elections department supervisor.
Clark County started overseeing Washougal’s elections in 1973. Since then, Washougal has had larger candidate pools, but those included competitors in general elections.
In 2001, the city had 14 candidates compete for six positions, Likness said. A total of 13 candidates sought seven positions in 1981.
The primary council elections include Ward 2, 5 and 7.
Ward 2 Councilman Rodney Morris faces the most challengers — three. Morris, 56, has been on the Washougal council nearly 19 years and has served as a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years. Among his chief objectives are working on the Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association, balancing the city’s budget and maintaining EMS services.
Attorney George Kolin, wellness consultant Mike Moreau and cosmetics saleswoman/stay-at-home mother Caryn Plinski are the candidates looking to unseat Morris. None of the challengers has held elective office.
Kolin, 45, lists job creation, the need for taxes reflective of the economy and maintaining a budget not reliant on bailouts from the state or nation’s capital as his top campaign issues. Kolin has been a practicing attorney since 1993.
Moreau, 61, says his focus is on city finances — investing tax revenues in municipal services rather than projects with political agendas, public safety and economic development through low taxes and fees.
Plinski’s first two issues — economic development and fiscal responsibility — are similar to her fellow challengers. The 35-year-old mother of three young sons also desires to see increased collaboration between Washougal and its school system to find mutual cost savings.
In Ward 5, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer McDaniel is running against Clark County Sheriff’s employee Niki Anderson, who did not provide a photo, and C-Tran driver Mark Rohr. Neither challenger has held elective office.
McDaniel, 44, an office administrator, has served on the Washougal City Council since 2008. Maintaining a balanced budget, improving infrastructure, such as sidewalks, and increasing transparency in government are the issues McDaniel believes are most important.
Anderson, 36, works in the Clark County Sheriff’s Custody Division. Anderson’s campaign priorities are public safety, jobs and a railroad crossing to ease commuter congestion when trains pass.
Rohr, 58, lists city finances, the Columbia River Crossing project and downtown development as the city’s most important issues. Southwest Washington needs a new bridge, he said, but not light rail or bridge tolls.
In Ward 7, Molly Coston has held a council seat since 2005. The 63-year-old retired project manager for a multinational telecommunications equipment manufacturer lists Washougal’s budget, attracting and retaining businesses and preserving Washougal’s small town charm as her top priorities.
Coston’s opponents are school bus driver Connie Jo Freeman and retired police chief Hugh Roberts. Neither Freeman nor Roberts have held elective office.
Freeman, 59, drives a bus in the Camas School District and previously acted as office manager for Washougal councilman Jon Russell’s unsuccessful run for Congress. Washougal needs to cut taxes to stimulate business, preserve financial reserves for emergencies only and spend responsibly on public safety and sidewalk projects for school zones, she said.
Roberts, 79, helped start Washougal’s police department in 1982. He served as the city’s police chief six months, and also had another dozen years as police chief in Benton City and Mabton. His priorities include promoting community development, public safety and fiscal responsibility through a balanced budget.
Ray Legendre: 360-735-4517; www.twitter.com/col_smallcities; www.facebook.com/raylegend; ray.legendre@columbian.com
