The race for Vancouver City Council Position 1 is no longer a simple face-off between two candidates. The leading candidate, Scott Campbell, died Sept. 17. His name will remain on the ballot. The remaining candidate, Maureen McGoldrick, remains something of a mystery.
McGoldrick has not given interviews or returned a Columbian questionnaire sent to all candidates for Vancouver City Council. Her campaigning has been limited to appearing at a few voter forums. She has no website or social media and has no visible campaign presence.
In August, Campbell captured almost 55 percent of the votes in a five-way primary. Should he win the general election, the city council would accept applications for the position in January and appoint someone to the position.
That result is likely, according to Campbell’s campaign manager, Jim Mains. After Campbell’s death, Mains received numerous messages that voters would still pick Campbell and leave the decision to the council.
A write-in campaign is still possible, but no candidates have declared.
To offer a look at McGoldrick’s positions, The Columbian compiled information from her voter pamphlet’s submission and responses during her appearance at an Oct. 4 forum organized by the SW Washington League of United Latin American Citizens. Her comments were edited for clarity and brevity:
Most important issue
Affordable housing. Without it, we’re losing good citizens.
Since we do have $6 million to spend on affordable housing as part of Proposition 1, we need guarantees that housing is available. I would like to see more universal design requirements in that housing, so that apartments are easily accessible to disabled (residents) and to require some handicap parking.
Homelessness
You’re not going to get rid of homeless people completely but if you can get as many off the street as possible and into a day shelter, for example, they could benefit from services. We need to help the homeless before it becomes chronic.
I would like to utilize some of the facilities we have, like one of the firehouses, to make a homeless shelter for women. Women are no longer allowed to shower at the Share House facility so we need to get something done quickly on that.
Waterfront projects
There’s a lot of money flowing into something like this. You want to ensure that public access remains so I’m concerned about that.
We need a grocery store affordable for those currently living in the area, not a high-priced specialty grocery store to entice “people we want” to our waterfront. Lacking upfront provisions for the long-term health of the Columbia River, a more watchful eye should be kept on all construction (ongoing or proposed) for its environmental impact.
Equity hiring
When you advertise for a job you make sure it’s very welcoming and open to everybody. You just have to constantly stay vigilant. If you haven’t had a minority contractor in a while and it’s their turn, you might take the second-to-lowest bid if that’s what it takes.
Why running
I would like to work to ensure a safe, enjoyable quality of life for all in my community while keeping the good hometown feeling I currently enjoy here in Vancouver.
