In a current dispute with the Clark County Republican organization, I tend to support Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey, a longtime GOP precinct committee officer, not because I agree with his position on the charter (I voted against the charter) but because he has a long history of fairness. Since becoming auditor, Kimsey has forthrightly (and at times courageously) maintained his GOP affiliation. Periodically over more than a decade, he has been entrusted by the Clark GOP to chair contentious party meetings because of his firm impartiality. Past history does not, however, make him immune from criticism now.
The occasion for this discussion is a Nov. 4 letter from the Clark GOP asking Clark County Prosecutor Tony Golik to investigate whether Kimsey misused his position under the county regulation on “use of public office or agency facilities in campaigns (RCW 42.17A.555),” in preparing the Voters’ Pamphlet description of the charter and using pages from the Voters’ Pamphlet to advocate for the successful passage of the charter.
I hope Golik will quickly determine whether Kimsey’s activities crossed the line. From my perspective as former chair, I suggest that Clark GOP focus on building upon our substantial successes, learning from our unsuccessful efforts, thanking our candidates and volunteers, unifying the party, and building our relationship with the community.
Ann T. Donnelly
Vancouver
