Cheers: To Election Day. Tuesday, in case you have not noticed, is the day when Americans will elect a new president, along with congressional representatives and various state and local officials. If sent by mail, ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday; no postage is required. They also may be placed in an official drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday or dropped off at the Clark County Elections Office (1408 Franklin St., Vancouver) by that time.
Cheers are warranted for all candidates on the ballot. Running for office takes time and money and opens a candidate to public scrutiny; it’s not for everybody. Cheers also are warranted for everybody who casts a ballot, partaking in a grand civic tradition. But mostly, at this point, we cheer the fact that Election Day marks the end of campaign commercials and should result in the removal of roadside campaign signs.
Jeers: To ballot harvesting. The torching of an official ballot box this week at Fisher’s Landing has increased concerns about security at drop-off sites. It also has increased attention on unofficial ballot boxes, which pose a risky endeavor for voters. Collection from official boxes is conducted by teams and starts a closely monitored chain of custody. The same cannot be said of unofficial boxes, which typically are managed by partisans who might or might not deliver ballots to election officials.
“We won’t know that until the ballot is received here in the elections office and we’ve given credit to the voter,” Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey told KATU-TV. “I would again just strongly encourage voters to only give their ballot to someone they know and trust, someone they have a very high level confidence in will return their ballot to the elections office.”
Cheers: To Cathy Sork. The principal at Dorothy Fox Elementary School in Camas has been selected as the 2024 Washington State Elementary Principal of the Year. She will be honored by a national organization next year in Washington, D.C.
Sork has been in educational leadership for 24 years, including 17 as principal at Dorothy Fox. She said the best part of her job is “to have relationships with students and help them to grow, laugh, stretch, and move toward a bright future.” The award is representative of the many educators in our area who help students reach their potential.
Sad: The closure of Vanco Golf Range. For 50 years, the practice range along Devine Road has provided golfers with buckets of balls and camaraderie. Now, it has closed after the city of Vancouver declined to renew its lease.
“I can’t tell you how upset people are,” owner Chuck Milne said. “We really fill a void and this is going away.” The decision is understandable, as Vanco is on city-owned land and sits within the Heights redevelopment area. Coming development will transform and reinvigorate the area, providing numerous benefits. Still, Vanco will be missed by its many patrons.
Cheers: To the Port of Vancouver. The port has landed a $22.5 million federal grant that will help reduce carbon emissions. The money will fund two electric mobile harbor cranes while replacing diesel-powered equipment. It also will be used to expand shore power at a planned Terminal 1 dock. Officials say the funding will help the port carry out its Climate Action Plan.
In addition to providing local benefits, the grant demonstrates the role of the federal Clean Ports Program. The advantages of federal spending often are overlooked, with critics saying they do not see the benefits. But such spending often makes a difference in communities.
