She says she's 'stickler for the rules' at first meeting of group
By Erik Hidle
Published: November 26, 2013, 4:00pm
Share:
Clark County Superior Court Judge Barbara Johnson, right, swears in state Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, left, at the first meeting of the board of Clark County freeholders Tuesday at the county's Public Service Center.
Former Camas mayor Nan Henriksen was unanimously elected chair of Clark County’s board of freeholders Tuesday night at its inaugural meeting.
Nominated for the position at the meeting by state Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, and later revealing that state Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, had spoken to her before the meeting about becoming chair, Henriksen gave her fellow freeholders a straightforward preview of what to expect before the vote.
“I have no inkling whatsoever to serve in an elected capacity in the future,” Henriksen said. “I’m as moderate as they come.”
Stating that she’s a “stickler” for the rules, she said if folks talk about issues not pertinent to the freeholder’s work, she “will call you out.”
“If you enjoy four-hour meetings, then you don’t want me for chair, either,” Henriksen said.
After hearing Henriksen’s speech, Joe Zarelli, a former state senator from Ridgefield, who had also been nominated for chair, deferred his nomination and joined in the unanimous vote.
Shortly after, Zarelli was elected vice chair, and Val Ogden, a former state representative from Vancouver, was elected secretary.
The pair was elected after Henriksen nominated them, stating she wanted someone more conservative and more
liberal for what she viewed as her “leadership” team.
Other than the election of officers, the first meeting of the 15 freeholders was largely uneventful. They held introductions and hashed out meetings times. At the end of the meeting, Henriksen asked the members to come prepared with a priority list for the board’s next meeting.
The board is tasked with drafting a new county charter, to be offered back to voters for approval as soon as November 2014. The new charter would allow the county to be governed by its own set of rules, as long as those rules don’t conflict with the U.S. or Washington state constitutions or state laws.
The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the county Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.
Morning Briefing Newsletter
Get a rundown of the latest local and regional news every Mon-Fri morning.
