Both candidates running for Clark County treasurer agree on one thing: Democrat Doug Lasher, who is stepping down from the post after serving for eight terms, has done an admirable job. However, during an interview with The Columbian’s Editorial Board, both said there is room for improvement and each trumpeted their qualifications for the office.
Running to succeed Lasher are Robert Hinds and Alishia Topper, both of whom are running as independents. Hinds is a market analysis and planning manager for HP Inc., who argued that bringing his experience from the private sector would improve the office. Topper, a Vancouver city councilor who works as tax services manager in the treasurer’s office, said that she is the best-qualified candidate.
During the interview, Hinds said that the office’s financial analysis could be improved and “there might be a little bit of room to get a slightly higher return” on public investments overseen by the treasurer’s office. He also suggested that having a leader with a long background in finance and information systems would reduce the county’s reliance on consultants.
Topper said that she’s not concerned about the use of consultants by the treasurer’s office and said that staff is well-qualified. She also said that the treasurer’s office has the largest banking contract in the county, manages funds for local school districts and oversees banking functions of 42 taxing districts. “So, yes consultants are important,” she said.
Topper praised Lasher for championing changes to state law that have allowed for innovation. One example she cited was the county’s Public Service Center lobby where staff are cross-trained to help customers who have business with the assessor, auditor or treasurer.
“But I think that one area (for improvement) is being able to take feedback from customers and help that inform how we’re operating,” said Topper, who noted that 35,000 people annually come to the office and it fields 18,000 phone calls from residents.
During the interview, the candidates also clashed on who is truly nonpartisan and contrasted their backgrounds.
No more parties
Although state law allows county officials to run with political party affiliation, each candidate argued that they were more nonpartisan than the other.
Hinds said that it’s been a challenge running against a sitting city councilor with wide name recognition. Although the Clark County Republican Party isn’t backing a candidate in the race, he said he has the support of multiple GOP precinct committee officers. Pointing out that Topper previously ran for state Legislature as a Democrat, he said that she is viewed by some as being a liberal.
“I can definitely represent the treasurer’s office from the middle more effectively,” he said.
Topper said she has not sought a single party endorsement in the race.
“I’m not making this a partisan seat,” said Topper. “I’m sorry, but my opponent is trying to do that.”
Comparing résumés
The Clark County Treasurer’s Office has an annual budget of $2.9 million and has 24 full-time employees. The position comes with an annual salary of $114,504 and is responsible for overseeing the collection of taxes and managing the county’s investments.
During the interview, Topper highlighted her roots in Clark County. She attended Battle Ground High School and returned after getting two bachelor’s degrees from Washington State University. She holds a master of public administration from Portland State University.
She is in her second term on the Vancouver City Council. She works full time in the tax services office in the treasurer’s office, overseeing billing and collection of property taxes and assessments for more than 148,000 parcels. She’s also board chair of Columbia Credit Union. Additionally, her work on housing and homelessness earned her an appointment by the governor to the Washington State Housing Finance Committee.
“I’m very well-rounded in my professional and educational experience and feel like I’m perfectly poised and experienced to be Clark County’s next treasurer,” said Topper.
Hinds touted his 20-plus years working for major companies. He said his career started with a degree in finance from the University of Oregon. That was followed by a position working as a financial analyst for Toyota at a California joint venture plant that manufactured Corollas and General Motors autos.
He later worked for a dot-com company before the bubble burst. He went on to work for Freightliner, performing internal operation audits and reviews. He spent some time with a startup company and then worked for Nautilus. After completing an MBA, which he said he finished near the top of his class, at Washington State University Vancouver, he landed a job at HP Inc.
He currently serves on the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. Hinds said he was encouraged by others to pursue political office and considered running for city council but decided not to.
“But I always looked at the treasurer’s office, and I said, ‘Well, that’s right up my alley; that’s right in line with my experience,’ ” he said.
Ballots and promises
During the interview, Hinds was asked about his spotty voting record. As reported by The Columbian, since moving to Clark County in 2012 he’s only voted in the 2013, 2014 and 2016 general elections. Hinds said his voting record isn’t due to a lack of concern or engagement.
“Sometimes it just gets away from me,” he said. “I mean to vote. I guess I’m remiss in that respect.”
Topper said that voting records count.
“I personally don’t want an elected leader that doesn’t have a near-perfect voting record,” she said.
Hinds said that Topper has done a good job on the city council and he voted for her. But he questioned her decision to seek another office after having just asked voters for a second term last year.
Topper replied that she has accomplished her goals by helping the city create a day center for the homeless, as well as fund police and the arts.
“So I am happy to say, everything I have promised the voters I have completed,” she said.
