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Opinion
The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
News / Opinion / Editorials

In Our View: Your Call for City Council

In unusual race, no recommendation other than what voters think best for city

The Columbian
Published: October 16, 2017, 6:03am

The contest for Vancouver City Council, Position 1, presents a unique challenge for voters. Rather than recommend a candidate in the race, The Columbian’s Editorial Board encourages voters to ponder the process and vote for what would most benefit the city.

Scott Campbell, who won 55 percent of the vote in a five-person primary and was the favorite in the race, died of complications from cancer on Sept. 17. Campbell, who shares a name with the publisher of The Columbian but is not related to the family that owns the newspaper and Columbian.com, was a civic leader involved with multiple community organizations.

Campbell’s name will remain on ballots that are scheduled to be mailed to voters beginning Friday.

The other candidate for Position 1 on the city council adds to the uniqueness of the race. Maureen McGoldrick advanced to the general election by receiving 17 percent of the vote in the primary, despite being mostly unknown to voters.

McGoldrick has not responded to multiple requests for an interview with Columbian reporters or the Editorial Board, and she apparently has no history of community involvement. She has appeared at two candidate forums, and her campaign materials express concerns about safety, traffic, and homelessness in downtown, where she lives.

According to Life PAC of SW Washington, McGoldrick filled out a questionnaire for that organization, answering questions mostly related to abortion. In one response, she wrote, “Life begins at conception — that of a unique human being.” Regardless of what one believes about abortion, the question is not germane to the duties of a city councilor.

McGoldrick might be an exceptional candidate for city council, or she might not. The fact is that voters have almost no way of determining that — and that is disconcerting. As mayoral candidate and city council member Anne McEnerny-Ogle told The Columbian, “I want to see someone who’s local, someone who’s involved in Vancouver.”

That brings up a salient point. There is a movement in America — one that helped facilitate the election of President Trump — which has drawn many voters to political “outsiders.” This is somewhat understandable, but it is misguided. Applying that logic to local races ignores the fact that community leaders attain their status through involvement, connections, and works that give them an understanding of their constituents. Communities are built from the inside out, constructed by those who care enough to become active and develop an understanding of the people who make up that community.

Because of that, we cannot in good conscience recommend McGoldrick for the city council. Being an outsider who has not previously demonstrated an ability to work for the good of the city or a desire to engage with citizens should disqualify a candidate from consideration for a position that requires thoughtful collaboration.

This creates a dilemma and calls for voters to be aware of the process involved in choosing a city councilor. In the wake of Campbell’s death, nobody has expressed a desire to run as a write-in candidate for the position being vacated by Jack Burkman, who is retiring. Burkman has said he will not serve if re-elected as a write-in candidate.

If Campbell receives the most votes in the Nov. 7 election, the sitting councilors will decide who fills that vacant seat, likely choosing among people who have demonstrated an ability to make Vancouver stronger. It’s not ideal, but that would be the best possible scenario for the good of the community.

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