Cheers: To education. According to WalletHub, Washington is one of the most educated states in the nation. In a survey using metrics such as academic attainment and quality of schools, our state ranked ninth on the list that was led by Massachusetts, Maryland and Vermont. Colorado, at No. 4, was the only other Western state in the Top 10.
Having an educated workforce is essential to attracting and developing the type of companies that have driven Washington’s economy for several decades. In order to retain our leadership position in high-tech and other innovative industries, it is important to highlight the benefits of pursuing post-secondary training.
Jeers: To influenza. Flu season is in full swing locally, with Clark County Public Health reporting a positivity rate of 37.34 percent among those tested during the final week of January. Anything higher than 10 percent is considered elevated flu activity, and Clark County’s rate exceeded those recorded for Washington, Oregon or nationally.
“We’re hoping that pushing out the information will help people stay aware of what’s happening to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy,” Public Health spokesperson Marissa Armstrong said. The best way to maintain health is to receive a flu vaccine, particularly if you have underlying conditions that make influenza particularly dangerous. In January, nine deaths in Clark County were attributed to the flu, and officials report an increase in the rate of hospitalizations.
Cheers … perhaps: To the Clark County Council. The council tentatively has agreed to allocate $4.85 million to the city of Vancouver to help fund a large homeless shelter. The key word in “tentatively,” because the payment depends on the legality of the decision and whether the money is available.
Indeed, the spending of public funds must adhere to legal parameters. And the county should not spend money it doesn’t have. But the issue has lingered for nearly a year, meaning those questions should have been answered already. Regardless, the decision to share funds for an important community benefit is a step — perhaps — in the right direction.
Sad: The death of Bill Turlay. The former Vancouver City Council member has died at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of thoughtful work for the city. As a fiscal conservative, Turlay often provided a necessary dissenting voice on the council. When Turlay took office in 2011, the city was facing $177 million in debt; when he left office in 2019, the debt was $67 million.
“He was a great man. He was a man unafraid to hold back,” City Councilor Bart Hansen said. “He stood for what he believed in. You may not agree with him, but you always knew where you stood. And he had the ability to compromise. There was always a path to ‘yes.’ ”
Cheers: To rallying for rescuers. The public has come to the aid of the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue operation. After the organization had equipment stolen in December, a GoFundMe account raised close to $74,000 from nearly 1,000 donors.
“We exist to rescue people when they need us most, but in our time of need, the community really rescued us, and we’ll never forget that,” one of the group’s leaders said. “It made my head spin. The community didn’t just step up, but they rallied around us in a way that none of us expected.” Cheers go the search and rescue team — and to the members of the public who appreciate their work.
