Former Clark County Councilor Gary Medvigy offers his support for Leslie Lewallen in her bid to return to the Camas City Council
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
I had 15 years in elected public service, as a superior court judge, former chair of the Clark County Council and Regional Transportation Council (as well as retiring as a General Officer in the US Army). Local hyper-partisan narratives on social platforms, can mislead and become a disservice to the voting community. Please vote, but only after your own personal research, passing on blatant partisan attacks. Local Clark County office holders are non partisan.
‘Nextdoor’ comments regarding library support provide an example. Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries have a very successful and solid capital budgeting process. Local government considering that model shows fiscal responsibility. Each of the counties and cities that participate in this regional governance have been appreciative of the new libraries built, older libraries remodeled and ongoing operation and maintenance of the many community brick and mortar facilities FVRL provides. After six years of reviewing their budgets I remain impressed with FVRL’s budgets for future and current planning of the regional community’s capital library needs. It is a cost efficient, successful use of precious and limited taxpayer funding.
It would be irresponsible for a city or county council member to not consider a regional funding model. Yet, one commenter in particular claims , as fact, that to use due diligence in exploring funding options is to not support the library. Just the opposite is true.
Whether fire, ambulance or library services, funding is a constant challenge that regional approaches can provide the taxpayer with the most service per tax dollar. Collaborative work between the cities and county is essential to provide the most service for the least amount of available tax revenue.
Experience matters when it comes to governance challenges at the local level. On issues of restoration of Lacamas Lake, homeless response, public safety, regional transportation issues, and yes, libraries, I have seen Leslie Lewallen stand out for her pragmatic and collaborative approach. She works hard to look for the best solutions and she has the experience to find them.
Good governance means coming prepared, asking the right questions and being bold and not afraid to ask those tough questions. It’s not always easy to do that. But, Leslie does exactly that.
Gary Medvigy
Clark County
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