After discussing, councilors decide to pause a decision on the proposal for ‘a couple of months’
Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today
It didn’t take newly elected Councilor Wil Fuentes much time to garner some significant attention from observers of the Clark County Council.
Prior to Tuesday’s council meeting, the first of the new year, Fuentes (District 3) and fellow councilor Matt Little (District 4) were sworn-in to their positions on the council. At Wednesday’s Council Time meeting, Fuentes raised more than a few eyebrows when he suggested the invocation be removed from County Council meetings. Fuentes later added that he believed the councilors should also consider removing the Pledge of Allegiance, although after a discussion he later appeared to rescind that idea.
“The invocation,’’ Fuentes said. “I’d like to consider removing it from these council meetings as I don’t believe that it’s necessary. I just don’t believe that we should be mixing business with religious prayers or anything like that.’’
Councilor Michelle Belkot then pointed out that “the Pledge of Allegiance includes some God.’’
“We should probably be considering removing that as well,’’ Fuentes answered.
“That’s part of the American Pledge of Allegiance,’’ Belkot replied. “And we’re all Americans.’’
“For the sake of time and to be more efficient and to ensure that we’re here to conduct business, I don’t believe that these two items need to be part of the council meetings,’’ Fuentes said.
The councilors discussed the potential removal of the invocation from council meetings, with opinions divided on its necessity and appropriateness. Belkot and other councilors pointed out that invocations are common in council meetings and often non-denominational, with moments of silence being an alternative.
Councilor Glen Yung suggested deferring the decision for a few months to allow new councilors to experience the process and provide input. Councilor Matt Little and others expressed openness to alternatives such as land acknowledgments or general reflections while emphasizing inclusivity and sensitivity to diverse beliefs.
County Manager Kathleen Otto noted that the invocation is not restricted to prayers and can include various forms of reflection, but it has predominantly been prayers due to community preferences. Councilors agreed to explore practices in nearby jurisdictions and consider broader outreach to ensure inclusivity. A resolution on the invocation process will be shared with councilors for review. Otto said that staff will limit their research to local practices and bring findings back for further discussion.
The council decided to revisit the topic after reviewing additional information, emphasizing a need for transparency, inclusivity, and public input before making any changes.
Also read:
- Signatures filed for initiatives on parental rights, blocking trans athletes from girls’ sports
Supporters of two initiatives on parental rights and transgender participation in girls’ sports filed signatures Friday, moving the measures closer to consideration by Washington lawmakers. - Vancouver Police investigate shooting
Vancouver Police are investigating a fatal shooting reported early Jan. 3 outside the Off-Ramp Sports Bar on Northeast 112th Avenue. - Vancouver Police release critical incident video from Dec. 28 officer-involved shooting
Vancouver Police Department released a Critical Incident Video related to a December 28 officer-involved shooting while the Office of Independent Investigations continues its review. - Opinion: Transit agencies need accountability not increased state subsidy
Charles Prestrud argues that Washington transit agencies face rising costs and declining ridership due to governance structures that lack public accountability. - Letter: ‘For years, American foreign policy too often felt like a blank check’
Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi argues that the 2025 National Security Strategy marks a long-overdue shift toward clearer priorities, shared responsibility, and interest-based American leadership. - POLL: Are you better off than you were a year ago?
This week’s poll asks readers to reflect on their personal financial situation and whether they feel better off than they were a year ago as economic conditions continue to shift. - Opinion: Does tailgating cause speeding?
Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl examines whether tailgating contributes to speeding and explains why following too closely increases crash risk with little benefit.
I see Wil is showing us what he really thinks of God & County and bringing his Hillsboro values to Clark County
If Wil gets away with this, he won’t stop there.
We have already seen evil float through Clark County.
Clark County council has blood on their hands from coercing people to take the clotting jabs. How do they sleep at night knowing people died from their advice? The health board council said last year, “There was No Mandates in Clark County.” Later after the fact. What did we just live through?
This new man thinks he can change a long-time tradition. Does he think he has a better idea than the majority of people since the birth of this nation? Why did he choose to get into politics?
Communist don’t like prayer or belief in God. That is Common knowledge.
Watch out!
Do nothing and don’t speak up; you let it happen!
Great, another woke “progressive” moves to Washington so he can screw it up as bad as Oregon. No thanks.
A masked LBGQ mom at the Battleground city council meeting asked not to pray. Do the leftist all come out at once with their personal culture changing agendas?
Keep invocation and pledge of allegiance.
Seems important to pray for those in authority, at the local, state, and federal level as the decisions made by them touch every area of life, either for better or worse. Pleas for wisdom, guidance, and help from above need not be a formal part of a meeting to make a tremendous impact on our county for good.
So.
The US Senate and House have no problem with an invocation.
The STATE Senate and House have no problem with an invocation.
But this fringe-leftist does?
Tell you what Willie: you find it so intolerable to listen to an invocation and the Pledge?
Feel free to resign and take your Stalinist attitude with you.
Mao would be proud of the struggle session Chair Sue put on new Councilor Little. This happened later in the discussion about removing invocation and prayer… https://youtu.be/yUa5Jot-8ec
Is it not a requirement that when taking a role of authority in government work that one submits to a pledge of allegiance when assuming that authority in order to voice and ensure that the applicant will adhere to, comply with all laws, policies, traditions in addition to adequately representing their constituents….listening to Councilor Fuentes state he wants to avert tradition sounds like so much “Monkey Business.” And the notion that he purports to creating inclusivity belays the true definition of inclusive, which for his edification means including “ALL.” He was not voted into office to create a an Eiffel Tower made of toothpicks, but to represent his constituency within his district. Including all is a simple concept that works and certainly doesn’t require tearing down.
No, it isn’t.
I don’t mind an invocation at all. I would like to see a Rabbi or Iman do it once in awhile
Disrict 3….hmmmm. Wonder what they all think of their little Nazi Socialist now? If, this is how he is going to start his first 5 minutes…he is going to be a POS to try and work with. People like him have no middle ground. Wake up Will. You are in America. Not wherever it is you want this to be. And yes, I am pissed.