Councilmember Cherish DesRochers has officially announced her campaign for re-election to Position No. 6 on the Battle Ground City Council.
A lifelong local and past deputy mayor, DesRochers has served on the council since her appointment in 2016. She was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021.
“Battle Ground has been my home since 1990. I care deeply about this city — its people, its future and its unique identity,” DesRochers said in a news release.
She said her platform will focus on smart, sustainable growth, revitalizing Old Town, fiscal responsibility, public safety and maintaining low taxes without sacrificing city services.
In a followup statement, DesRochers explained that a turning point in her decision to run again was the city’s improved financial position and recent leadership changes.
“After the long recovery from the 2008 recession and then the passage of the fire annexation, the city is finally in a position where we can work on projects our citizens have been asking for,” she said. “We’ve paid down our major debts and are now basically debt-free, which puts us in a strong financial position to invest directly in our community. ”
She added that new city staff leadership gave her a renewed sense of direction.
“With a new city manager and new police chiefs in place, there’s a fresh sense of direction and accountability,” she said. “That leadership shift, along with the opportunity to work collaboratively toward the goals we’ve set, confirmed my decision to run for re-election.”
DesRochers currently serves on the Budget Committee, Ethics Committee and the LEOFF 1 Disability Board. She also holds both a certificate and Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities.
One of the accomplishments she highlights from her time in office is the Utility Rate Reduction Program for Seniors with Low Income.
“Currently, the program is helping 54 seniors by cutting their utility bills by 25%, which goes a long way for folks on a fixed income,” she said. “These are longtime taxpayers who’ve supported our community for years, and it feels good to be able to give something back.”
Information about the program is available at https://www.cityofbg.org/801/Rate-Reduction-for-Seniors-with-Low-Inco.
DesRochers also pointed to the city’s follow-through on its promise to reduce the utility tax after the fire annexation as a meaningful achievement.
“As promised, we lowered the utility tax, giving some relief back to our residents,” she said. “With the added financial flexibility, we also began addressing long-requested community priorities — like investing more in street maintenance and improving our parks.”
Revitalizing Old Town Battle Ground on Main Street is another effort DesRochers said she’s passionate about.
“Revitalizing Old Town is something I’ve been strongly supportive of, and completing the study was an important first step in setting the vision for what’s ahead,” she said. “The plan includes practical improvements like addressing parking needs — something we’ve consistently heard from residents and businesses.”
Outside of council work, DesRochers founded Food with Friends, a volunteer-run nonprofit that began in 2016. She said the idea grew from handing out sack lunches and turned into a broader mission to support people experiencing homelessness.
“The inspiration came from the friendships I formed on the streets — seeing how much consistent support and compassion could really mean,” she said.
She later co-created the Shower Outreach Project with Jamie Spinelli to improve access to hygiene services. That program was recently donated to Living Hope Church to continue its work.
Looking ahead, DesRochers said the city faces challenges around managing growth, expanding infrastructure and housing options, and ensuring public safety services keep pace.
“I plan to continue supporting thoughtful, forward-looking policies that prioritize community needs while keeping Battle Ground a place we’re all proud to call home,” she said.
The candidate filing period for positions on the Clark County ballot, including Battle Ground City Council, runs from May 5 to May 9, 2025. Readers can learn more about her campaign at cherishforbgwa.com or by emailing info@cherishforb gwa.com.
