Cheers: To a proposed performing arts center. Nonprofit group Southwest Washington Center for the Arts continues to make progress. The organization now is searching for a new executive director and a professional fundraiser, and longtime Executive Director Kathy McDonald said, “I’ve gotten us this far, but we need somebody with deep experience who can shepherd this through the whole process, all the way to the day we open our doors.”
After years of pursuing a performing arts center for downtown Vancouver, the organization now is focusing on the Columbia Palisades development at 192nd Avenue, north of Highway 14. Plans call for a $60 million facility funded entirely by donors, not taxpayers. Cheers are warranted for those working to enhance the region’s cultural and entertainment offerings.
Jeers: To the waterfront parking garage. Complaints about a recently opened parking garage at The Waterfront Vancouver continue to grow. Most recently, some motorists reported being stuck for up to two hours while trying to leave the facility following a Christmas Ships Parade. Some commenters on social media said a gate leading out of the garage was inoperable.
“I think this is a learning experience for our team,” said Jose Berganza, regional manager for the garage’s management company, ProPark. We hope so. Complaints about the garage have been rampant since it opened in August, and a quick fix is necessary. For the waterfront development to be successful, it must be easily accessible and inviting. A parking garage that is difficult to navigate works against those interests.
Cheers: To food donations. Approximately 2,000 volunteers throughout Clark County collected 210,000 pounds of nonperishable food for the 40th Walk & Knock, dubbed the nation’s largest one-day food drive. Walk & Knock President Justin Wood said: “The food is almost secondary. What’s most important is the amount of volunteers. The main reason we do Walk & Knock is to engage the community and get kids involved in community service.”
The number of volunteers has declined from 4,000 to 2,000 since the COVID pandemic, and Wood said pickups were missed at some residences. But the annual project remains a significant and valuable part of Clark County’s generous community. During this season of giving, Walk & Knock helps bring out the best in our region.
Jeers: To bungling criminals. As reported by The Olympian, a man in his 40s was arrested last week just minutes after robbing a bank branch in Grand Mound. The man apparently entered the bank and handed over a note demanding money. He then left the branch but left behind his identification. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office also received a description of the man’s vehicle, leading to his quick apprehension.
Jeers go to anybody who tries to rob a bank. Additional jeers go to comically inept robbers.
Cheers: To county candidates. A machine recount in the race for Clark County councilor from District 4 has resulted in no change of the results. The count confirmed that Matt Little defeated Joe Zimmerman by 49 votes out of 47,857 cast.
Most important, both candidates had waived the right to a hand recount of ballots, which would have been permissible because of the closeness of the election. Despite persistent rhetoric, machine counts are more accurate, quicker and less expensive than hand counts. Little and Zimmerman demonstrated faith in a system that is overseen by dedicated professionals.
