Rob Anderson says the public must demand that county officials correct their unlawful actions and work transparently with investigators
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Clark County residents deserve transparency — yet what we are seeing from our county leadership is the opposite.
For several months, a Skamania County Sheriff’s Office detective attempted to interview four Clark County Councilors — Sue Marshall, Wil Fuentes, Glen Yung, and Matt Little — as well as County Manager Kathleen Otto. All five refused to participate in the investigation. Not one agreed to be interviewed. The only person who cooperated was Councilor Michelle Belkot — the very councilor who was illegally removed from the C-TRAN Board.
According to the detective’s report, “I have not received any further correspondence …” from the County Council’s office after repeated attempts to schedule interviews. That is not transparency. That is stonewalling.
And now we know why.
The investigation concluded that Clark County officials broke the law in multiple ways when they orchestrated the surprise March 12 removal of Councilor Belkot. The findings are stunning:
- They violated the Open Public Meetings Act — which makes the votes null and void.
- They violated the Clark County Home Rule Charter by bypassing the County Manager, who alone has authority over board appointments.
- The detective found evidence of a “secret vote” — indicating the matter was pre-planned outside public view.
- The County Manager may have committed Official Misconduct (RCW 9A.80.010) by failing to perform required duties.
- The detective recommended reinstating Belkot immediately and removing Fuentes from the C-Tran Board.
This wasn’t just a procedural mistake — the report calls it a hasty, unauthorized, and unlawful maneuver. And when law enforcement tried to investigate, these officials simply refused to cooperate.
If any ordinary citizen ignored a request from a law enforcement investigator, they’d face consequences. But these elected officials apparently think they are exempt from accountability.
Even more alarming: these actions directly impacted decisions involving hundreds of millions — even billions — in potential future light rail funding. Residents were denied their right to notice, their right to participate, and their right to transparent governance.
This cannot be allowed to stand.
Clark County residents — regardless of political views — should be united in demanding honesty and accountability from elected leaders. No councilor, no chair, and no county manager should be above the law.
The Skamania investigation makes the path forward clear:
Belkot should be reinstated, and the county must fully cooperate with the ongoing inquiries.
The County Council needs to hear from you. Demand they correct their unlawful actions and work transparently with investigators.
👉 Click here to contact the County Council and demand accountability:
[https://sendfox.com/lp/1w40o6]
Rob Anderson
Ridgefield resident
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A Sheriff’s officer has issued a report stating that, in his opinion, the five individuals mentioned have broken the law. All well and good. You know, with your AI law degree, that there are police reports written every day that go no further than the police officer who wrote them. Have you heard from a prosecutor who is willing to investigate the accusations from this cop? If so, who is this person, and what jurisdiction do they work in?
May I suggest that you watch reruns of Law and Order to bone up on your AI law degree? Every show started with: In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups. The police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.
“If any ordinary citizen ignored a request from a law enforcement investigator, they’d face consequences. But these elected officials apparently think they are exempt from accountability.”
Are you using your AI law degree again, Mr. Anderson? The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution essentially states that American citizens do not have to speak voluntarily to any law enforcement agent about any matter related to any action they may or may not have taken.
“Clark County residents — regardless of political views — should be united in demanding honesty and accountability from elected leaders. No councilor, no chair, and no county manager should be above the law.”
Have you ever, in any fashion, said this about Mr. Ley and his convictions for election fraud as a current state legislator?
I can see you aren’t taking your second election loss well. I hope you can recover. I’ll be praying for you.
As a public servant, refusing to cooperate with other public servants investigating your actions while serving the public ought to be respected & treated with seriousness.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I appreciate the Thanksgiving greeting. Hearing from The Clark County Republican’s water boy/equipment manager means a lot.
Yes, I’ve taken a couple of losses lately. While I was on the field in the game, you seem to be on the sidelines knowing in your heart that you could be in the game. But your lot in political life seems to be holding Mrs. Belkot’s purse and doing what the big players direct you to do.
Try not to overeat tomorrow, the team will need you at your best, in the role you excel at supporting the players.
These kinds of attacks on me will only give you an ulcer and it doesn’t bother me because you’re way off base. I led a Celebration of Life service for a friend last week and he was 4 yrs younger than me. Life is short, you should think different about getting so nasty.
If you have substantive concerns and thoughts, let’s hear them. Shoot, I’ll even buy you coffee. But if you just want to be insulting, that only hurts you.
Rise up Philip!