C-Tran’s board of directors on Tuesday recommended that Gov. Chris Gregoire appoint veteran Vancouver city councilor Jeanne Stewart to the Columbia River Crossing’s Project Sponsors Council.
Stewart was nominated by fellow C-Tran board member Tom Mielke, a Clark County commissioner.
A spokesman for the governor indicated Stewart’s appointment isn’t a foregone conclusion.
“We’re going to make sure it is a thorough and diligent process,” spokesman Viet Shelton said. “We want to make sure we get the right people on the council. Input is fine, and we’ll certainly take the recommendation under consideration as we go through and review possible candidates.”
Stewart has criticized the proposed light rail alignment in Vancouver, and has strongly opposed tolling the new bridge.
She also has been sharply critical of a recent letter in which four members of the sponsors council declared the crossing is “unacceptable” as currently designed. The letter was signed by Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, Portland Mayor Sam Adams, Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart and Metro council President David Bragdon.