I share Liz Pike’s sadness regarding the recent announcement of curtailing operations at the Georgia-Pacific paper mill in Camas. Jobs like these with decent wages and benefits are pretty hard to come by. In my opinion, her recent statement expanding on these feelings shows her to be reactionary and unqualified for public office.
The single largest factor in the reduction of operations in Camas is most likely the drop in demand for the office paper made there, as Georgia-Pacific stated. If the other contributing factor is imported paper, as labor leaders contend, she doesn’t mention either as a possibility. Instead, it’s got to be the pesky “extreme” environmental standards we have here in Washington, and actually laments losing this work to Louisiana “where the business climate is more favorable.” I don’t think anybody in their right mind wants this area to become like industrial Louisiana.
Her overall tone was so confrontational, I doubt she has the skill and vision to build coalitions, and be the leader we need and deserve in Clark County. Let’s move Clark County forward, and when election time comes around next year, make sure we elect a true leader to the council chair position. It’s clear to me Pike is not that person.
