Letter: It’s time for Vancouver to choose change



Area resident Michael Jelineo offers his support for change in the city of Vancouver

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

Let’s be extremely clear: we do not need another four years of Mayor Anne McEnerny‑Ogle presiding over the city of Vancouver, expanding her influence over the county and surrounding small cities. Enough is enough. It’s time for this community to come together, unify, and demand real change in this elected office.

Michael Jelino
Michael Jelineo

That’s why I am proudly showing my support for Justin Forsman in his run for Mayor of Vancouver. Forsman represents exactly what this city needs — a fresh start, a needed change, a beacon of hope. People in Vancouver are tired of endless talk with no results. We want to see the homelessness crisis addressed and solved. We don’t want tolls draining our wallets. We don’t want light rail shoved into our city against the will of the people.

Let’s also be honest about the political reality. The CCRP supposedly put forward two candidates to challenge Mayor Anne, but neither followed through. Justin Forsman, seeing the need, stepped up at the last minute and filed to run. Some people might not like how he entered the race, but this election is not about personal preferences — it’s about the future of Vancouver, our county, and our neighboring communities.

We cannot allow someone to win by default. We cannot sit back in silence and claim we don’t support him either. If we want change, then we must act like it. That means standing behind Justin Forsman, spreading the word, and helping him fight for this city.

If you believe Vancouver deserves better, please consider donating to his campaign and making your voice heard. Visit his GiveSendGo page at https://tinyurl.com/forsmanformayor.

Change will not come by wishing for it. It will come when we stand together and demand it. Let’s make it happen

Michael Jelineo
Vancouver


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9 Comments

  1. Amanda

    All for change and bettering our community… however,I didn’t read anything in the article about what Justin Forsman plans to do to make any changes… you ask for our money to promote someone with no platform other than getting out the current Mayor?! Seems very irresponsible and not a great way to start a campaign. Show us how the path forward will look like.

    Reply
    1. Susan

      Agreed, Amanda… if Forsman is serious, he better be getting the word out, and often, about what he wants to do other than unseat Mayor annie. If this election is nothing more than voting on name-recognition, then annie will easily win. If this election is about WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE, then he might have a chance.

      As much as I utterly despise annie, Forsman is currently in the “also ran” category. He has a bit of an image problem, at present. Just sayin’.

      So, Forsman… just what are you going to do, in specific terms? Tell us about how you want to clean up the homelessness. Tell us how you will reverse the policy of taking away traffic lanes on otherwise perfectly good roads. Tell us how you will bring the IBR program into compliance with the majority who don’t want the choo-choo train. Tell us how you will see that city streets are better maintained, including teaching the public-works dept. how 5″ sunken manhole covers in the tire-travel lanes should all be flush with the street. I, and others, are waiting for reasons to support you.

      Reply
      1. Wynn

        Excellent letter Mike!
        Dear Susan and Amanda, Forsman has written many letters in this online newspaper. When someone like Mike, writes an endorsement letter he doesn’t have to write the platform.  Justin has already done that. Forsman has many sources online, besides Facebook. You have many options to check and research. Have you read Letter: ‘The public has allowed this to happen’Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
        in: Letters To The EditorOpinion by Wynn Grcich
         
        Go to the Farmer’s Market on the weekends and meet Forsman in the free speech area. Talk to him. Take a bunch of his campaign cards with specific goals on them. Hand them out in your neighborhood if he is your candidate. Tell him your concerns.
        I have already handed out 300 cards myself and I am handicapped.
         
        His cards say, “Help him root out corruption, Fight for Clean Water, Stop Excessive taxes, and save our streets. Make the government work for you! He will fight for accountability in government, reduce parking fees, No Sanctuary city policies. He supports NO tolls. Constitutional rights and Medical Freedom. “
         
        I think that is a good start.
         
        Invite Forsman to your club meetings, senior living care homes, create a townhall at recreation rooms for the community to hear him speak.
        Election just don’t happen by themselves. He needs community effort to make it work. Carry the cards in your car or purse.  Give them out where ever you go.
         
        If you want to vote for name recognition on a sign, you already know Mayor Anne’s name. We have many evil people in this city destroying and tearing Justin’s signs down. Get one of his signs for your inside home window.
         
        Do you want change? The people have to participate, donate and be foot soldiers for Forsman. He is willing to do the work, are you? He spent a lot of his own money to start this campaign.
         
        It takes a strong person to try to fix a 44-million-dollar debt. Where would you two start? Stamps just went up. What have you done for him to save on postage? This is why we need Precinct Officers spreading the word. Justin knows many are hurting for money and barely making ends meet. Your time and volunteerism are the greatest asset you can contribute.
         
        Vancouver’s problems are NOT going to be fixed overnight.
        If everyone donated something, have faith and pray Forsman can win this fight and Vancouver will be on the mend!
         
        You Tube: Fluoride Deception Mini Documentary water…
        Don Haze, 14 years ago
         
        Mayor Anne and council voted last summer to purchase $844,000 worth of sodium fluoride “China’s air pollution for your water without letting you vote to be medicated with poison. 

        Reply
  2. Bob Link

    The voters need to know what the future mayor plans in regard to sales taxes, property taxes, light rail, tolls, parking, and of course the “homeless situation”.

    Reply
    1. JUSTIN FORSMAN

      Justin Forsman – Candidate for Mayor of Vancouver, WA

      Thank you Bob. These are exactly the issues I am running to fix. Vancouver residents deserve honest answers and real solutions, not political double talk.

      ✔ Sales Taxes and Property Taxes – I will work to stop any new tax increases and fight to lower property taxes by ending wasteful spending and restructuring how our city handles its finances. We must live within our means and protect working families.

      Light Rail and Tolls – I oppose tolls and I oppose light rail being forced into Vancouver. It is expensive, unsafe, and brings more problems than it solves. We need a third bridge and better traffic solutions, not Portland-style congestion.

      Parking – I support expanded public parking downtown and in residential areas. We must make it easier for people to access local businesses and prevent aggressive enforcement and fees that hurt our community.

      Homelessness – I will take a strong and compassionate approach. No more encampments in parks or near homes. I will focus on rehabilitation, job reintegration, and restoring public safety. If someone refuses help, they cannot remain on public property.

      You deserve a mayor who will fight for lower taxes, safer streets, and leadership that works for the people. That is exactly what I am offering.

      Justin Forsman for Mayor

      Reply
      1. Susan

        Your stance, please, on the “safe streets” or whatever you call it? You know, the policy the city is using to remove car lanes from multi-lane roads?

        And city street maintenance… surfacing, and sunken manhole covers? We have very poor street surfaces for the size of city that Vancouver represents. This town couldn’t install a manhole cover flush with the street if its life depended on it!

        Reply

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