Ridgefield resident Rob Anderson pleads with are voters to not sit this election out
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
Life can feel like a blur. Our nation faces one crisis after another — from the tragedy of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the disturbing reactions that followed, to Portland leaders insisting everything is “hunky-dory” while problems clearly persist. Even the “No Kings” protests reveal misplaced outrage in a country where the government is shut down because the minority party in one branch has chosen to stall it — hardly the sign of a president acting like a monarch.
With all this noise, it’s easy to feel small in the face of national turmoil. Many people become discouraged and disengaged from local issues — yet local action is exactly where citizens have the most power.
That’s why I’m urging you: don’t leave it to others — recommit to local engagement. And one of the most important local elections this year, which many haven’t heard much about, is for the Clark County Charter Review Commission.
Why charter review matters
The Charter Review Commission is critical because it shapes how Clark County operates. Think of the County Charter as our local constitution — it determines how county government functions, what authority elected officials have, and how tax dollars are managed.
If Democrat-recommended candidates regain control of the commission, they’ve already signaled plans to rinse and repeat failed amendments such as a DEI office, inserting a woke preamble, and imposing Ranked-Choice Voting — all divisive measures previously rejected by voters.
By contrast, many independent-minded and conservative candidates want to return Charter Review to the people by focusing on practical reforms that protect taxpayers and strengthen accountability. Their priorities include:
- Public safety: addressing the long-standing deputy funding shortage;
- Fiscal discipline: adopting a balanced-budget requirement to stop annual deficits now exceeding $17 million;
- Tax restraint: requiring a supermajority for future property-tax increases, since taxes should be a last resort, not a habit.
Other proposals aim to rebalance power between the County Manager and elected Council — ensuring accountability — and to make citizen initiatives easier to file, since Clark County’s thresholds are tougher than the state’s.
A clear choice for voters
Open your voter’s pamphlet and the contrast is clear. Many Democrat-backed candidates offer vague, feel-good statements that reveal little about their true intentions. In contrast, many of the Republican-supported candidates are transparent about their priorities: public safety, fiscal responsibility, and government accountability.
After attending multiple Charter events — both Democrat and Republican — I believe the following candidates best represent those values and are committed to restoring common sense to Clark County government:
District 1: Ann Donnelly
District 2: Brandon Erickson, Bob Runnells, Jim Foote
District 3: Jill Ross, Janet Gullberg, John Jay
District 4: Liz Cline, Janna Meyer, Kirk Van Gelder
District 5: Brad Benton, Duncan Hoss, Peter Silliman
Your vote, your voice
Clark County voters have a real opportunity to take back the Charter Review process and rebalance a system that has drifted away from accountability. Elect candidates who will prioritize you, your safety, and your financial well-being, not divisive ideological experiments.
Don’t sit this one out. Vote Charter Review that makes sense!
Rob Anderson
Ridgefield resident
Also read:
- Opinion: Fighting for affordability and protecting your rights
Rep. John Ley provides a legislative update focused on affordability, parental rights, healthcare costs, and major transportation challenges, including the IBR project. - Opinion: A Commie in Gotham CityLars Larson’s latest column criticizes Democratic victories across the nation, highlighting what he views as troubling trends in liberal politics from coast to coast.
- Bart Hansen gives election perspective from city councilor who was not on the ballotVancouver City Councilor Bart Hansen reflected on election night, expressing gratitude to candidates, support for Proposition 5, opposition to Charter Amendment No. 13, and a call for more open public communication.
- Preliminary results show voters rejecting Charter Amendment No. 13Preliminary results show Vancouver voters rejecting Charter Amendment No. 13, which proposed creating voting districts for City Council elections, with 14,800 voting no and 11,235 voting yes.
- Preliminary results show voter support for Vancouver Proposition 5, Police Services Levy
Preliminary results show Vancouver voters supporting Proposition 5, a police services levy expected to raise $6 million annually for six years to fund officers, equipment, and public safety improvements.
