Debra KalzLetter: ‘It was a love fest for the City of Vancouver without a true global perspective on the real issues addressed’Debra Kalz

Vancouver resident Debra Kalz responds to Monday’s State of the City Address by Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerby-Ogle

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

The peculiar thing was it was catered. There were slider sandwiches, charcuterie boards with fancy cheeses and desserts. What? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Tax dollars being spent frivolously I’d imagine.

Additionally, there were breakout forums after the address which was not noted in the Facebook posting of this and the facility of Furstenberg was just too small to accommodate so many people. It was packed. SRO

It was a love fest for the City of Vancouver without a true global perspective on the real issues addressed and it was all a feel good. Nothing about the horrible debt City of Vancouver is in. The development projects have no supportive infrastructure. No grocery stores, inadequate doctors and hospital facilities in Vancouver, inadequate schools and teacher load for all these new developments.

Police and Safety

Coming back with Prop 5, utilizing the same people who put together Prop 4. They apparently didn’t get the message.

One of the first things the mayor said was that the City of Vancouver police will not be assisting ICE with any illegal alien activity nor identifying people of their immigration status.

So, our mayor and police are now willingly violating federal law and are aiding and abetting illegal aliens within our city. They’re choosing which laws they will and will not abide by. I thought police were obligated to uphold the law!

City of Vancouver Projects

https://www.cityofvancouver.us/departments/economic-prosperity-housing/
5 minute cities being built. My question is (it’s all apartments) where’s the infrastructure needed for these? With only two hospitals in all of Clark County, we need at least two or three more to accommodate the huge growth they’re anticipating. What about schools, teachers, police, grocery stores? There are areas of Vancouver that are food deserts. You can see why the City wants to annex more of Clark County.

Homeless Emergency

Next, regarding the homeless crisis. She said there were something like 53 “unhoused” deaths in Vancouver last year. That’s not the full story actually. According to my research In 2024, “53 individuals experiencing homelessness died in Vancouver, WA, representing a 70% increase from the previous year, with 50% of these deaths attributed to overdose.” It’s not entirely because they were homeless.

She claims that the City listens to the citizens’ concerns about homelessness and yet how many years did it take to remove the tent city along the wall by the Elections office. And where did they go, and did they get assistance?
https://www.cityofvancouver.us/city-to-distribute-9-5-million-in-affordable-housing-fund-grants-in-2025-2/

Affordable Housing

Ridiculous expense for tiny homes paid by taxpayers. However, there are lower cost solutions. i.e.
Elon Musk is involved with affordable, prefabricated tiny homes, particularly those by Boxabl, with prices starting around $7,000 and aiming to make homeownership more accessible.

Here’s a more detailed look:

Affordable and Accessible Housing: Musk has expressed interest in making housing more affordable and accessible, particularly for those facing financial challenges.
Boxabl Partnership: He has been associated with Boxabl, a company that designs and manufactures prefabricated, modular homes, including tiny homes.
Tiny Home Features: These tiny homes are designed to be efficient and compact, offering a range of amenities in a small footprint.
Sustainability and Innovation: Musk’s involvement in these tiny homes aligns with his broader vision for sustainable and innovative technologies.
Examples of Tiny Homes: Boxabl Casita: A tiny home with smart design and modern amenities, priced around $50,000.
Tesla Tiny House: Musk has also been associated with a Tesla-branded tiny house, with prices starting around $7,000.
Modular Design: These tiny homes are often designed with a modular approach, allowing for easy assembly and potential expansion.

In Clark County, Washington, a new tiny home community for homeless individuals and families, like the one at Rose Village, costs around $200,000 per unit for construction and permits. The monthly rent, including utilities, is expected to be between $600 and $800.
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/tiny-homes-vancouver-homelessness/283-716fe40d-b605-4c6f-9d69-f8a526622a55#:~:text=I’mheretocelebrate,someoftheoperationcosts.

It never ends!

Debra Kalz