Letters to the Editor for Oct. 6, 2016

Battan and Gillespie are fine candidates I was lucky when my father's job brought our family to Washougal in 1962. This was a wonderful area to grow up in, and remains a wonderful area to live. But no place is perfect. It would sure be better if we had less divisiveness from our government leaders. On my ballot the races for State Representative 18th district (with Kathy Gillespie and Liz Pike), and for County Council, District 4 (with Roman Battan and Eileen Quiring) will represent a stark contrast on this issue. If you are a Democrat you should be very pleased to have such fine candidates as Battan and Gillespie to vote for. If you are an unaffiliated, independent voter you should definitely vote for Battan and Gillespie. They are both well grounded candidates with a thoughtful, collaborative approach to leadership. Watch the joint interviews for these races at http://www.cvtv.org/program/election-2016 and see Quiring and Pike talk about fighting as their goal if elected. Watch Battan and Gillespie talk about working together to solve problems we all face. The difference is not just the words they use. Look at their records, and who supports them. Quiring and Pike represent a divisiveness that we could do well without. We need less fighting and more working together. If you are a Republican you should also vote for Battan and Gillespie. The divisiveness Quiring and Pike represent is not only bad for us all, it is very harmful to your party. Battan and Gillespie will thoughtfully, fairly and collaboratively represent you, too. Richard Hamby, Washougal Pike has a backbone, not a wishbone Liz Pike is a champion of the people. Liz stands strong to protect citizens in the 18th District from higher state taxes and bigger government. She is not afraid to stand up to the liberal media who seem to take delight in misrepresenting her stellar record of leadership in our community. Liz is one of the hardest working people I know and certainly the most qualified state legislator in Southwest Washington. She understands that her role is to represent the people of her district, not special interests. She is a legislator of profound integrity. Liz has a backbone, where others have a wishbone. Washington needs more citizen legislators like Liz willing to stand up for what is right, even in the face of media adversity. Thank you, Liz Pike. You have my vote. Sarah Bang, Camas Mahar has heart My husband and I are thrilled to have Richard Mahar running for Skamania County Commissioner in our district. He has been our neighbor for over 10 years. He is experienced in life and has actively participated in our community for many years. We are impressed with Richard's calm, balanced, mature objectives. He is a good listener and hears people out rather than jumping to rash conclusions, and knows how to ask the right questions. He has deep convictions about private property rights, personal responsibility, debt, charity, preparedness, local accountability, and transparency. Over the years we have personally chatted with him numerous times over political, social and spiritual matters and always find his insights and ability to see big picture implications of choices as very valuable. He has heart, integrity, and honesty. It will be refreshing to watch Richard apply his healthy perspective to county issues. We encourage everyone to vote for Richard Mahar on Nov. 8. Gwen Bumala, Washougal Gillespie supports kids and community When I was in sixth grade, our class created a "Bill of Rights for children." We included things like food, shelter, education, personal safety and freedom from conscription until age 18. While this was many years ago, I think most people would agree that the list of basic rights created by our idealistic young minds still rings true with people of all ages, regardless of political persuasion. It is perplexing when our elected officials do not show commitment to these basic rights for our children. Liz Pike (R-18 District) has shown terrifying disregard for the rights of children in her district. She has supported poaching local school tax dollars to offset state government shortfalls. She has failed to support aid for homeless students and foster youth (HB1682; HB 1735). I urge citizens to do their research and consider Kathy Gillespie. Kathy has championed our children while serving on the Vancouver School Board and supports common sense safety measures to keep our kids and families safe. This is not about political ideology, it's about our children's future. Holly Jacobs, Camas

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