Chair candidates weigh in on county’s relationships

County council election coverage

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o Relationship building

Chair candidates weigh in on county’s relationships

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The current Clark County council has faced criticism from those who say their politics have divided the county rather than united it.

Councilors David Madore and Tom Mielke in particular have been accused of pursuing ideological, partisan politics rather than focusing on supporting the county. This year, an attempt to withhold state funding from the Columbia River Economic Development Council for its advocating for improvements to the Interstate 5 interchange at Mill Plain Boulevard, as well as a decision to post the words “In God We Trust” in the county hearings room, has come under intense scrutiny.

Here’s what the candidates have to say about Clark County’s relationships.

Tom Mielke, Republican:

Mielke denied any responsibility in harming relationships between the county and other organizations.

“We don’t have the problem,” he said. “It’s the cities.”

Mielke also said the county has been used as the “deep pockets” by a number of organizations, paying more than its fair share on joint boards and organizations. Mielke, along with Madore, voted in 2013 to cut off dues to the Columbia River Economic Development Council due to its support for the Columbia River Crossing bridge project.

Jeanne Stewart, Republican:

Stewart listed rebuilding relationships among her top priorities in her chair race.

“We need to figure out what went wrong between the two biggest partners (Vancouver and Clark County) in the region,” said, Stewart, a former member of the Vancouver City Council. “Some of the tension is a natural product of two strong jurisdictions. Some is the product of personalities and actions on both parts.”

Stewart criticized Madore and Mielke, saying they are focused on their own desires rather than the needs of the county.

“My experience, increasingly, is that it is not a ‘we’ situation,” she said. “It’s: ‘I want.’ I fully recognize that by saying that, it will be on the tape, and there will be repercussions. It is the truth.”

David Madore, Republican:

Madore declined to respond to requests for an interview. Critics have called him a divisive force on the county council, as well as in his role on C-Tran’s board and the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council.

Marc Boldt, no party preference:

Among his greatest concerns, former GOP county commissioner Boldt lists “restoring the trust that has been lost in the last couple years.”

Boldt said the county council has effectively alienated cities and organizations with divisive politics, and said his experience chairing numerous boards will help him restore those relationships.

“We have a lack of trust with the other cities,” Boldt said. “I’m excited to change that.”

Mike Dalesandro, Democrat:

Dalesandro says he will be a “listener,” a “learner” and a “collaborator” as county chair.

“(The biggest issue) is changing the way the county conducts itself,” he said. “In order for us to move as a county, we need to have collaboration and successful leadership.”

The county has been distracted by ideological issues — such as posting “In God We Trust” in the hearings room, or Madore’s attempt to open union contract negotiations to the public — instead of county business, Dalesandro said.