A flier mailed by Save Our City received by Vancouver residents Monday states that Vancouver City Council candidate Josephine Wentzel, whom the political action committee supports, is a volunteer representative for foster children in the court system.
The flier touts Wentzel, 52, as a retired police detective, CASA volunteer and mother of five.
However, the YWCA of Clark County, which runs the local Court Appointed Special Advocates program, said Monday that it has no record of Wentzel ever having volunteered through them.
“We don’t have her in our records in the past or currently,” YWCA spokeswoman Sharon Svec said.
Clark County Superior Court records also do not show that Wentzel had any involvement advocating for children as a guardian ad litem, which is in a similar vein to what CASA volunteers do.
Wentzel did not return multiple calls and emails asking for comment about where Save Our City — which legally cannot inform candidates of its actions — got the information that she is a CASA volunteer.
Her campaign website does mention her being a CASA.
“As a longtime citizen activist and community volunteer, I’ve used common sense and clear priorities to solve problems,” the website says. “This history includes being a Court Appointed Special Advocate….”
Debbie Peterson of Save Our City also did not return a request for comment.
David Madore, who has contributed $95,000 of the $95,159 Save Our City has raised, said he cannot speak on behalf of the PAC as he’s not on its board. He also said he’s not made aware of all the campaign material it produces.
“Of course, I contributed to Save Our City because they focus on supporting pro-citizen pro-business candidates and measures,” wrote Madore in an email. “Their focus hits that target with absolute truth and accuracy.”
Andrea Damewood: 360-735-4542 or andrea.damewood@columbian.com or www.facebook.com/reporterdamewood or www.twitter.com/col_cityhall
