Cheers: To Ilani Casino Resort. As problems go, this was a good one to have, with the opening of the casino being greeted by overflow traffic that backed up Interstate 5 for miles. Don’t get us wrong, the traffic problems were annoying to casino visitors and, especially, to those trying to make their way north on the interstate. But we hope the casino provides jobs and attracts visitors to Clark County for years to come, and Monday’s opening was a good sign.
Ilani is expected to draw about 4.5 million visitors a year, with a large percentage of them coming from Portland or elsewhere on the south side of the Columbia River. The initial enthusiasm will dissipate somewhat, and casino officials will hopefully find some solutions for the traffic nightmare, but a successful opening suggests that Ilani will provide a boost for the local economy.
Jeers: To unnecessary legislation. Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey is on the side of logic in opposing Senate Bill 5472, which has been sent to Gov. Jay Inslee. The bill would require a minimum number of ballot drop boxes throughout the state.
Increasing access for voters is a worthy goal, but this attempt would have a minimal impact while creating costs for county auditors. As Kimsey noted, it would require a ballot box to be placed in, for example, Heisson, a tiny unincorporated community near Battle Ground, which has a ballot box. Kimsey also pointed out that Washington has vote-by-mail and that, “everyone has a ballot drop box; it’s called a mailbox.”
Cheers: To local law enforcement. A recent “Coffee With a Cop” event drew a small gathering of citizens while helping to humanize public servants who work to keep our community safe. The event, at the Andresen Road McDonald’s, provided residents with an opportunity to connect with police in a relaxed, informal manner.
Several local law enforcement agencies hold occasional meet-and-greet events that help to forge trust between officers and the community. Such events are important for creating trust between citizens and officers, who often engage only in stressful situations. The fact is that officers are members of the community, as well, and events such as “Coffee With a Cop” serve as important reminders of that.
Sad: To the death of Judge Vernon Schreiber. The jurist, who spent about three decades on the bench in Clark County District Court, died this week at the age of 74. Schreiber leaves behind a long legacy of service to his profession and his community, and his death generated an outpouring of fond memories from those who worked with him and those who stood before him in court.
Family friend Shirley Patterson-Wallace said: “It mattered not one’s social standing in life; Vern treated everyone with dignity.” In assessing judges, one rule of thumb is to look for the kind of person you would want a family member to stand before if they were to get in trouble. By many accounts that followed his passing, it is clear that Schreiber was just such an individual. His contributions to the community will be missed.
Cheers: To Paul Allen. The Microsoft co-founder has pledged $30 million to build a facility that will house homeless families in Seattle. Allen, a Seattle native who owns the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, is partnering with the city, which will provide $5 million for operations and maintenance.
Allen long has used his riches to generously support scientific explorations and charitable endeavors. The same can be said for fellow Microsoft pioneer Bill Gates. Washington has been fortunate to claim both men as natives and residents.
