Letters to the Editor for July 22, 2021

McDaniel's experience makes her best choice for Camas City Council Jennifer McDaniel is the best choice for Camas City Council, Ward 3. Her experience as a city councilperson in Washougal, coupled with her knowledge of and involvement in our community, makes McDaniel uniquely qualified to hit the ground running on day one in office. Please vote for experience and for those who want to move our community forward in a positive manner. Join me in supporting Jennifer McDaniel for Camas City Council. Deanna Rusch, Camas Sign allegations mar Washougal candidates' 'fair campaign' pledge The League of Women Voters of Clark County is pleased that all three candidates seeking to become the mayor of Washougal in the Aug. 3 primary have signed the League's fair-campaign pledge. By doing so, they have agreed to focus on the issues and their qualifications as well as to avoid unfair attacks on opponents and distortions or misrepresentations of fact as they campaign. Despite this positive start, we are witnessing a negative turn in this race. The supporter of one candidate claims her candidate's signs are being removed and blocked by a competitor's signs. Meanwhile, the competitor has contacted the League to say 100 of his signs, including a large billboard-sized sign, have been removed. That all of the candidates pledged to conduct themselves in an upright and honest manner makes us conclude that this behavior must be that of overly zealous supporters whose actions are without the knowledge or support of the candidates. For those who aren't aware, this type of behavior is illegal under state law: "A person who removes or defaces lawfully placed political advertising including yard signs or billboards without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor," reads the RCW 29A.84.040. Furthermore, each sign that is defaced or removed represents a separate violation. The 101-year-old nonpartisan League is dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy. We believe that all of us - voters, the candidates, and the community as a whole - are better served when candidates emphasize their qualifications, present their plans in a thoughtful and positive manner, and conduct themselves ethically. As the introduction to our pledge states, we believe "every candidate for public office has an obligation to serve and uphold basic principles of decency, honesty and fair play in order that, after a vigorously contested but fairly conducted campaign, citizens may exercise their constitutional right to a free and informed choice. Public office is a public trust. To see which candidates in all the races in Clark County have signed the League pledge, visit the League's website at lwvclarkcounty.org. Nancy Halvorson, chair of the League of Women Voters of Clark County Fair Campaign Watch Committee, Vancouver

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