Charter review candidates share priorities

For the second time since passing a home rule charter that went into effect in 2015, Clark County voters will be tasked with electing 15 charter review commissioners in the November general election.

A home rule charter effectively serves as the county’s constitution, separating the executive and legislative branches. The county manager serves as the chief executive officer and the county council is the legislative authority.

A home rule charter gives the county the power to govern itself and create its own structure without being limited by general state laws, unless expressly prohibited. Along with being written by citizens, the charter gives voters the ability to propose initiatives and referenda.

The charter includes a requirement that a 15-member commission, three positions for each of the county’s five voting districts, be elected every five years to review and update the charter as needed. We asked each candidate what their top priority would be if elected.

District 1 (west-central Vancouver)

Position 1: Cemal Richards, 39, Vancouver: Include new provisions to the county’s initiative and referendum process.

Patrick Adigweme, 34, Vancouver: Protect the integrity of the charter review process and ensure transparency and broad public input.

Position 2: Ann Donnelly, 83, Vancouver: Address the county’s law enforcement staffing crisis, possibly by requiring the county budget to fund a specified number of deputies.

Adrienne Mason, 35, Vancouver: Protect the integrity of the charter, particularly the separation of executive and legislative powers, with changes grounded in common sense and public benefit.

Position 3: Leah Perkel, 59, Vancouver: Establish community forums, which the county council would convene quarterly at various locations, to provide citizens with the opportunity to engage with council members directly.

Eric LaBrant, 44, Vancouver: Give local residents more say in what’s happening in county government while providing a broad array of perspectives.

District 2 (Hazel Dell/Felida)

Position 1: John Bower, 28, Vancouver: Add ranked choice voting to the charter, so voters can support multiple candidates rather than vote against the candidate they don’t want.

Brandon Erickson, 53, Vancouver: Focus on charter amendments that make communities safer, improve affordability and strengthen accountability in county government.

Position 2: Cathie Garber, 65, Vancouver: The former county elections supervisor wants a meticulous review of the county charter and amendments that includes listening to and gathering input from citizens about changes they want to see happen.

Bob Runnells, 59, Vancouver: Ensure a balance between the three branches of county government.

Justin Oberg, 23, Vancouver: Fight for better access, clarity and a voice for Clark County residents.

Position 3: Kim Hamlik, 65, Vancouver: Collaborate on developing amendments that promote cohesive governance improvements for our county, especially clarifying the public’s expectations for the county council.

Jim Foote, 61, Vancouver: Support policies that enhance public safety and improve local resources that ensure a responsive and resilient government.

Sean Oberg, 27, Vancouver: Represent working families, especially young voices and others left out of local decision-making.

District 3 (east Vancouver)

Position 1: Michael Bauman Sr., 59, Vancouver: Preserve the character of local communities and prevent the county from being reshaped by agendas that don’t reflect residents’ values.

Ben Christly, 49, Vancouver: Review the charter carefully, line by line, to ensure it still meets the county’s needs with recommended changes the result of listening to the people, not pushing partisan agendas.

Jill Ross, 64, Vancouver: Ensure the county charter improves livability for families and businesses, while also protecting individual rights and ensuring accountability.

Position 2: Janet Gullberg, 60, Vancouver: Include language in the charter that ensures first responders are supported, fully staffed and well equipped to protect local communities.

Janet Landesberg, 73, Vancouver: Adopt a charter amendment to appoint rather than elect the clerk of the court, as requested by the chief judge of the Clark County Superior Court, noting that the majority of charter counties do not elect the clerk of the court position.

Position 3: John Jay, 35, Vancouver: Strengthen the charter’s checks and balances to better serve the public, including clarifying the roles of the county council and county manager.

Henry Marion, 42, Vancouver: Maintain the home rule charter as a vehicle for progress and direct democracy to oppose efforts to undercut the county council, dilute initiative power and increase political interference.

District 4 (Camas-Washougal)

Position 1: Amber Kent, 39, Vancouver: Ensure county government is fair and transparent when making any changes to the charter.

Liz Cline, 68, Camas: Make commonsense charter amendments that address critical issues and solutions.

Cole Horning, 24, Washougal: Guarantee the accessible right to citizen initiative and referendum.

Position 2: Dorothy Gasque, 45, Brush Prairie: Refine charter amendments, which were adopted during her first term as a charter review commissioner, to help the council implement changes from those amendments more effectively.

Janna Meyer, 52, Brush Prairie: Secure funding for public safety and emergency services to address rising crime rates.

Position 3: Brad Witteman, 55, Washougal: Require a supermajority vote to approve tax increases.

Morgan Holmgren, 36, Vancouver: Give residents the opportunity to engage in the political process and ensure all voices are heard.

Kirk VanGelder, 65, Vancouver: Address the issues that residents have already voiced concerns about, such as lower taxes and greater transparency.

District 5 (Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center)

Position 1: John Zingale, 44, Vancouver: Review which positions are appointed and which are elected, look at how other counties make similar decisions, and find a solution that works best for Clark County.

Brad Benton, 30, Vancouver: Give the residents of District 5 a voice in their government and the charter review process.

Position 2: Hattie Stigum Larionov, 36, Ridgefield: Focus on government transparency and integrity.

Duncan Hoss, 55, Battle Ground: As a full-time Clark County sheriff’s deputy, his top priority is ensuring public safety needs can keep pace with the county’s growing population.

Position 3: Randi Knott, 57, Brush Prairie: Ensure a true balance of power in local government and return the county council to full-time positions.

Peter Silliman, 56, La Center: One of the freeholders who created the charter, he wants to protect citizens by prioritizing public safety.