Comments on: Judge sides with Camas citizens

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 18:51:56 +0000

In reply to Mike Hamilton. Might make a good article, contact the reporter. Is this the Camas City Council? Camas owns and buys so much property!!

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 18:48:21 +0000

A 2013 Vancouver city initiative petition asked for a public vote on the use of city resources to pay for light rail. The petition was circulated for over a year, and some signers mistakenly signed more than once. The Clark County Elections Department struck down the first signature AND any duplicates, canceling 606 signatures, leaving the petition short just 32 signatures.
Undeterred, 75 citizens filed suit against defendants Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey and Clark County in Cowlitz County Superior Court. On April 17, 2013 the judge ruled in favor of citizens, the original signatures total was updated to 6,046, and the petition was certified since the number of signatures was sufficient when the original signatures were duly counted. Citizens presented the petition asking for a vote on the use of city resources for light rail to the Vancouver City Council. The Vancouver City Council majority ignored the people and voted 5-2 not to put the light rail question on the ballot. This past year, light rail was “chosen” by a few for a planned I-5 replacement bridge, in spite of 2 public votes against light rail in Clark County!
Kudos to this judge for examining the facts, and noting the change in requirements after the fact. Hopefully, the County Auditor/Elections department will now verify the signatures, and there will be enough valid signatures for Camas Referendum #1.

By: Mike Hamilton

Mike Hamilton — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 09:32:50 +0000

Thanks for an accurate article. And thanks to Judge Randall Krog for validating the petition process as a fundamental right of the people.
Why did this petition need forced into a courtroom? The City Council would have demonstrated wisdom if they had responded to the petition as it was presented- and it was gathered and then provided consistent with instructions given by the City.
Separate topic: The Council is attempting to condemn 2 acres of land from a willing seller for less than five percent of appraised value. Does the Council even qualify as a “willing buyer”?

By: Nike Ajax

Nike Ajax — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 03:57:25 +0000

And Kimsey was “overwhelmingly re-elected”. Wonder how that happened? Fortunately for the Cama people, at least ONE judge is honest.

By: John Ley

John Ley — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 03:10:12 +0000

Thank you Leah Anaya for this excellent report!

The people of Camas are excited to know that the Judge protected their right to put this on the ballot.