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Camas, Government, News 
Camas City Council members appointed semiconductor executive Martin Elzingre to fill the Ward 2 council seat left vacant in early February after the unexpected resignation of Councilor Bonnie Carter.
The council and Mayor Steve Hogan interviewed six council applicants during a special meeting Tuesday evening. After deliberating privately for about 20 minutes, the council voted unanimously in favor of Elzingre, a vice president and general manager at Edwards Vacuum, a semiconductor technology company.
Elzingre, who joined the council interviews via Zoom, assured council members that, although he has a demanding job and he sits on a number of boards, including the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International board, he would make time to serve his constituents if appointed to the council.
“If you want something done, give it to a busy person,” Elzingre said.
Elzingre said he believes his business management background will help guide his time on the council.
“I have a very strong background in building teams,” Elzingre told the council. “I’ve been successful in building bridges among team members and finding common ground, finding balanced viewpoints that advance goals.”
Elzingre, who moved to Camas about nine years ago and ran unsuccessfully in 2021 for the council seat now held by Councilman Tim Hein, said he isn’t afraid to change his mind when presented with a compelling set of facts.
“I’m open to change, open to new data and open to changing my opinion,” Elzingre said. “I respect others’ opinions and seek to understand and listen.”
In his application to be appointed to the Ward 2 council seat, Elzingre said that, although his political experience is “virtually nonexistent,” his experience “building teams, managing complex interactions between disparate individuals is vast.”
He added that there is no political agenda behind his decision to apply for the vacant council seat.
“Some may apply for this position because they see some imminent looming crisis or perhaps have a specific agenda,” Elzingre said in his application. “Of course, I recognize and am familiar with the issues facing the city around education, taxes and demographics, but I do not think we are deep in crisis, nor do I have a specific agenda except to do my best to work with existing council members to achieve the best possible results for the city of Camas.”
Asked about some of the challenges facing Camas, Elzingre said he believes city officials must figure out how to grow the city in a sustainable way.
“How do we grow the city in a way that ensures younger families find it attractive to live here and provide the infrastructure necessary to support our way of life across all parts of the city?” Elzingre asked. “I think we need to attract more business to provide a broader tax base. We have to be transparent with our constituents to understand their priorities and fund them appropriately.”
The council also heard from retired law enforcement executive Colene Domenech; retired businessman Gary Gaskill; Alison Livett, a former math and physics educator with school board experience; Jim Roy, the senior vice president of Total Computer Solutions, Inc.; and Jill Walters, the former director of business retention and expansion for the Columbia River Economic Development Council.
Elzingre will begin his council term April 21 and serve through Nov. 5. To retain the council seat, Elzingre will need to win voters’ approval during the Aug. 5 primary election and Nov. 4 general election.
Elzingre, who joined the council interviews via Zoom, assured council members that, although he has a demanding job and he sits on a number of boards, including the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International board, he would make time to serve his constituents if appointed to the council.
“If you want something done, give it to a busy person,” Elzingre said.
Elzingre said he believes his business management background will help guide his time on the council.
“I have a very strong background in building teams,” Elzingre told the council. “I’ve been successful in building bridges among team members and finding common ground, finding balanced viewpoints that advance goals.”
Elzingre, who moved to Camas about nine years ago and ran unsuccessfully in 2021 for the council seat now held by Councilman Tim Hein, said he isn’t afraid to change his mind when presented with a compelling set of facts.
“I’m open to change, open to new data and open to changing my opinion,” Elzingre said. “I respect others’ opinions and seek to understand and listen.”
In his application to be appointed to the Ward 2 council seat, Elzingre said that, although his political experience is “virtually nonexistent,” his experience “building teams, managing complex interactions between disparate individuals is vast.”
He added that there is no political agenda behind his decision to apply for the vacant council seat.
“Some may apply for this position because they see some imminent looming crisis or perhaps have a specific agenda,” Elzingre said in his application. “Of course, I recognize and am familiar with the issues facing the city around education, taxes and demographics, but I do not think we are deep in crisis, nor do I have a specific agenda except to do my best to work with existing council members to achieve the best possible results for the city of Camas.”
Asked about some of the challenges facing Camas, Elzingre said he believes city officials must figure out how to grow the city in a sustainable way.
“How do we grow the city in a way that ensures younger families find it attractive to live here and provide the infrastructure necessary to support our way of life across all parts of the city?” Elzingre asked. “I think we need to attract more business to provide a broader tax base. We have to be transparent with our constituents to understand their priorities and fund them appropriately.”
The council also heard from retired law enforcement executive Colene Domenech; retired businessman Gary Gaskill; Alison Livett, a former math and physics educator with school board experience; Jim Roy, the senior vice president of Total Computer Solutions, Inc.; and Jill Walters, the former director of business retention and expansion for the Columbia River Economic Development Council.
Elzingre will begin his council term April 21 and serve through Nov. 5. To retain the council seat, Elzingre will need to win voters’ approval during the Aug. 5 primary election and Nov. 4 general election.
Kelly Moyer: 360-735-4674; [email protected]
