Cheers: To keeping drivers focused. Police in Washington have started enforcing a new law that cracks down on distracted driving. After a six-month grace period in which warnings typically were issued, officers now are handing out fines for drivers caught paying attention to their phone while behind the wheel. The ticket for a first infraction is $136; a second violation will cost $234.
Statistics and common sense tell us there is a need to crack down on drivers who are not paying attention to the road. The practice is dangerous to both the driver in question and to others around them. While they’re at it, we also encourage law enforcement officers in Clark County to crack down on scofflaws who register their vehicles in Oregon but reside in Washington.
Jeers: To excessive pageantry. We’re not really sure whether this is a new trend or we simply missed it in the past, but it is becoming common for politicians to partake in multiple swearing-in ceremonies. New Vancouver mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and incoming city councilor Linda Glover are among those taking the oath of office more than once as government entities take shape for the new year.
There might be some bureaucratic necessity behind this, but it strikes us as excessive. McEnerny-Ogle was sworn in on New Year’s Day and Glover on Thursday, yet both will take the oath again on Monday. While it’s not clear how much adoration a civic leader requires, perhaps Vancouver should be lauded for its restraint: Seattle’s new mayor ceremonially took the oath of office five times in one day in November.
Cheers: To The Uptown. The upscale 167-unit apartment complex at McLoughlin Boulevard and Washington Street is slated to open in the near future, adding some high-end residences within walking distance of both the uptown area and downtown Vancouver.
There has been much discussion in recent years about the need for affordable housing in the region, and that need remains. But we would be remiss to ignore the need for a variety of housing near the city’s core. Increasing density and providing for residents of all income levels will add vibrancy to Vancouver.
Jeers: To gas-pump angst. As of Jan. 1, residents in some rural Oregon counties are now allowed to pump their own gas. For a state that long has been one of only two to prohibit self-serve gas, this has created consternation in some circles. As one respondent on Facebook wrote, “I’ve lived in this state all my life and I REFUSE to pump my own gas. … I will literally park at the pump and wait until someone pumps my gas.” Um, good luck with that.
To our Oregon friends, we offer a word of advice: It’s really not that difficult. Residents in most states have been filling their tanks for years without succumbing to gas fumes or lighting themselves on fire. As one respondent wrote with a bit of snark: “FEAR NOT OREGON!!! I’ve decided to move to Oregon to open a school to teach people how to pump their gas.” He or she must be a Washington resident.
Cheers: To Ashlyn Graves. The daughter of Stacey and Michael Graves arrived at 12:54 a.m. on New Year’s Day, becoming the first Clark County baby of 2018.
Judging by recent birth rates for the county, Ashlyn will be one of about 6,000 babies born in Clark County this year. And mother Stacey has high hopes as Ashlyn joins four siblings: “Just that she would grow to be a compassionate person, with empathy and love and generosity.”
