Planning commissioner to challenge Zandamela for B.G. council seat

Battle Ground Planning Commission Chairman Adrian Cortes has announced he will challenge City Councilman Paul Zandamela in the November election.

Cortes lost a close race for a council seat in 2009. He was defeated by Councilman Alex Reinhold.

In addition to serving on the planning commission, Cortes also serves on the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce board, Arc of Clark County board and Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation Commission. He is a Rotary of Battle Ground member.

Cortes said the city must promote individuals and groups that encompass pro-business and pro-economic development philosophies.

Cortes said he does not support levying new user fees or user tolls on existing parks, nor does he support radically extreme ideas such as reorganizing and outsourcing police and fire departments. Levying new, non-voter-approved taxes are not the solution to managing the city’s budget, he said.

Seats held by Zandamela and Councilmen Phil Haberthur and Chris Regan are up for grabs this November.