Battle Ground resident Josh Wilde scrutinizes Battle Ground School Board candidate Chris Grewell
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
Campaigns built on promises of trust and accountability should model those values in practice. In a recent letter to Clark County Today, James Townley endorsed Chris Grewell for the Battle Ground School Board, arguing that the district needs new leadership. Mr. Townley claimed that Mr. Grewell would “strive to put schools back on the path toward academic excellence rather than lowering standards” and “offer a trustworthy and efficient handling of financial resources.”
Several recent letters of support have praised Mr. Grewell’s project management background and financial acumen. His official statement in the Washington Voters’ Pamphlet cites many of these same qualities and emphasizes a campaign “committed to truth, responsibility, and excellence.” Given these claims, it was surprising to see Mr. Grewell listed by the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) among candidates who failed to file accurate and timely financial reports as required by law.
I am not an expert, but based on the reports currently available, it appears that Mr. Grewell has reported only two high-dollar donations of $1,200 each and just $10 in total campaign expenses. Could this be accurate? Who is financing this campaign? Where is the money going? If I were a donor, I would have questions. As a voter, I am concerned that this raises the very issues his supporters warned against: a “lowering of standards” and a potentially “[un]trustworthy and [in]efficient handling of financial resources.”
For comparison, none of the other candidates for the Battle Ground School Board appear on the PDC’s noncompliance list. Their filings each appear to include detailed disclosures of donors and itemized expenditures, as required. Whether the apparent discrepancies in Mr. Grewell’s reports result from an honest mistake or a lack of transparency, shouldn’t we expect better from a campaign centered on “executive management,” “fiscal discipline,” and “accountability”?
At this point, the evidence does not seem to match the campaign rhetoric.
Josh Wilde
Battle Ground
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