Letters to the Editor for July 20, 2010

Russell sets the trend

Thanks to Pro-tem Mayor Jon Russell, Washougal has set the trend for the State of Washington on illegal immigration.

Candidate Russell is by far the most qualified candidate for our 18th District. His accomplishments have proved that we can count on him to get the job done to our satisfaction in Olympia. No other candidate has been more active in standing up for traditional marriage between one man and one woman. Jon was the only candidate that showed up to assist in our rallies on R-71 vote no on SB 5688. In Clark County, voters agreed with us by more than 56 percent.

Russell has also been the only candidate working with Washington Citizens for Responsible Government to pass E-Verify in Clark and Cowlitz counties, and other cities and towns.

E-Verify is used by 118 businesses in Vancouver, including Jack in the Box fast food chain of restaurants. Clark County, Lewis County, Pierce County, Lakewood, Washougal and Camas have all passed E-Verify ordinances. Other cities and towns are contemplating using E-Verify.

E-Verify is run by our Homeland Security and Social Security departments and provides and maintains a legal work force for all private businesses and government jobs. American jobs for American citizens.

E-Verify is fast, free and efficient. No additional cost to our taxpayers and identifies workers in 2 to 5 minutes. More than 300,000 businesses use E-Verify in America.

Neighbors, here are some of the many assets Russell will take to Olympia to work for us, we the people. Jon and his wife Sarah own Columbia Gorge Medical Center and Grass Valley Medical Clinic, which will open this year on the corner of 192nd and 20th Street in Vancouver. Jon and Sarah’s clinic has a wide spectrum of patients with private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Tri-Care and the uninsured.

Jon and Sarah have developed and are piloting a system for providing basic health care to uninsured patients by utilizing the generosity and resources of non-profit organizations.

Russell has served as a Washougal city councilman from 2006 to present, mayor pro-tem, chairman of the Hotel/Motel Tax Committee, Chairman of the Policy and Ordinance Committee, a member of the Community Development Committee.

His legislative achievements include sponsoring and passing property tax cuts, E-Verify to stop taxpayer contracts from going to illegal aliens, the repeal of a ban on religious material in public places, and a resolution to in support of Arizon’s immigration law.

Chuck Miller, Camas

Russell has common sense

Jon Russell has earned my support for 18th District representative. Jon regularly demonstrates a rare thing in an elected official — common sense.

As a Washougal city councilman, Jon has trimmed his city’s budget, successfully battled political corruption and liberal agendas, lowered taxes to help local businesses create jobs, and stood up for our country’s Rule of Law with his strong stand against illegal immigration.

Russell is clearly the best person, with the best record, to send to the Washington State House from the 18th District. I support Russell.

Michael Frome, Vancouver