In Our View: Green For County Post

The race for Clark County councilor from District 2 is an adventure into unknown territory.

With the district being created by passage of a county charter last year, the contest for one of two new spots on the council will play a significant role in the reformation of county government. Voters have two strong candidates from which to choose in the Nov. 3 election, and those candidates offer a contrast in opinions and political views. That being said, The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Democrat Chuck Green in his race against Republican Julie Olson.

As always, this is merely a recommendation. The Columbian has faith in the ability and the desire of voters to examine the candidates and the issues. To assist with that, we suggest a viewing of the Editorial Board interview with Green and Olson (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOjirgSQa4k). There, voters will find two candidates who demonstrate thoughtfulness, a grasp of the issues and the demeanor that will be required in order to provide the county with effective governance.

Green, who is project manager for C-Tran’s Bus Rapid Transit system and spent six years as Clark County’s transportation manager, has a long history of leadership in the area. His understanding of the nuances involved in transportation will provide important skills as the region continues to wrestle with the issue. He talks about developing public-private partnerships to generate funding for projects such as the Interstate 5 corridor near 179th Street (which is in District 2), and he notes that residents of his district have opposed the construction of a third bridge across the Columbia River as long as the current I-5 Bridge remains a concern. Regarding light rail, he says: “I just don’t think Clark County is the right market now. Maybe there will be the critical mass in the future that makes it economically feasible.”

Green believes that continuing the county’s current growth-management plan probably is the best option for land use, and he criticizes county councilor David Madore’s unilateral development of an additional proposal: “The reason the charter is there is to give staff an opportunity to use their expertise.” Regarding the county’s fee waiver for non-residential development, he says, “What we got was a program that has given away $10 million.”

Olson also is critical of some actions from the current council. She notes that the Madore-developed Alternative 4 to the growth-management plan is unlikely to survive legal challenges, and says, “It’s not a process I would have used.” She favors an examination of the fee waiver’s effectiveness, but adds that the exemption has helped small businesses: “I might look at an entrepreneurial or small-businesses fee waiver program so we can encourage small business to grow here.” She also takes a scientific approach to the issues, emphasizing a desire to measure data before weighing in on important decisions.

Either candidate appears capable of providing a thoughtfulness and deliberation to the council that has been missing from some sitting members. Green says: “A leader needs to be able to listen, to collaborate, to partner, to serve. … The true ability of a leader is to understand what’s going on in the community. I can bring you the experience not only of serving the community, but also in reaching across political differences and getting successful programs, events and projects pulled off.”

Because of that, The Columbian recommends a vote for Chuck Green for Clark County councilor from District 2.