A veteran of state politics is seeking to return to elected office at the county level, facing off against a political newcomer in the race for the newest county council seat.
During a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Clark County, Don Benton took questions alongside Sue Marshall about county issues to see who will replace Richard Rylander for Clark County Council District 5’s seat.
Rylander, who was appointed to the position following the resignation of former district 5 seatholder Eileen Quiring, was eliminated by Benton and Marshall during the August primary election.
The district the candidates will serve was created following an amendment to the county’s home rule charter that was approved by Clark County voters last year. The move changed what was once an at-large seat to one that represents a geographic area, like the other four districts.
That area encompasses the bulk of North Clark County. It includes the cities of Battle Ground, Ridgefield and La Center as well as the town of Yacolt.
‘Overdue’ representation
Marshall said the recent change to make county council positions nonpartisan spurred her to run for the district 5 seat.
“I haven’t been involved in partisan politics, and I don’t think it’s helpful in making local decisions and solving problems,” Marshall said.
Marshall, a Ridgefield family farm manager, said she has served on the county’s Clean Water Commission as well as the Clark Conservation District board. She said her primary issues are balanced land use planning, public safety and affordable housing.
Benton, a former Washington State Senator and head of the Selective Service Administration under former president Donald Trump, said he wants to use his experience to represent those who live in the district.
“It’s long overdue to treat our northern neighbors in the county with fairness,” Benton said.
Benton said private property rights have been ignored in the county, which is something he seeks to rectify. He said Clark County has not used the state Growth Management Act (GMA) to its potential to meet the needs of balancing a rural lifestyle with the need for more housing.
“The negative effect of this is to force the younger population out of the country and into the city,” Benton said.
The county will undergo its periodic review of its Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, which is based off of the GMA, next year.
Marshall said it is most important to look at public participation first. She does not believe the community had the chance to weigh in on the potential changes.
“The comprehensive plan is intended to be the community’s vision,” Marshall said.
Marshall, who has been an activist for land use issues which included a leadership role with the Friends of Clark County group, is a proponent for protections on agricultural uses on rural land.
“The ‘balanced’ approach is often in the eye of the beholder,” Marshall said.
Regarding roads, and how the county funds them, Benton said arterial roads such as Padden Parkway or Northeast 117th Avenue are a priority.
“County arterials are critical to getting around and through this county without wasting additional gas, creating additional impact on our environment from the fumes. We want to keep things moving,” Benton said.
Outside of the county funding scope, Benton said he outright opposes tolling to help replace the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River.
“You’ve already paid for the roads once … in your taxes. I think it’s extremely unfair to ask for you to pay for them twice,” Benton said.
Marshall noted tolling was identified as an important funding component to the I-5 bridge by the groups who signed off on the ultimate plan. She referenced the failed Columbia River Crossing project, which was scrapped due to Washington’s unwillingness to put forth funds.
“We cannot afford to have the process blow up again as it did 10 years ago, and then have to wait an additional decade before there’s a replacement of the I-5 bridge,” Marshall said.
Specifically for county funds, Marshall said maintaining existing roads is a priority, especially when considering expected growth.
“We need to make sure that we are not building without the available resources for the road infrastructure,” Marshall said.
Communication with the public
Both candidates voiced issues with the county’s current communication with the public. Marshall noted how she wrote letters to the county that went unanswered.
“I think it’s a sign of respect to respond to communications that come in,” Marshall said.
She said providing notice for development projects or county work has been a serious issue, especially in North Clark County where properties are more spread out.
Benton said he and Marshall attended many meetings where an apparent lack of communication was a major issue raised among members of the public.
“We’ve got to do a better job of communicating with our existing citizens in terms of what is planned for their area,” Benton said.
One way to increase that communication would be through regular newsletters, he said.
“When I was in the Legislature, we had newsletters. They don’t have them here (in Clark County government) and I think they should,” Benton said.
Candidates were also asked what they respected about each other.
“Actually, I don’t know Don Benton very well, I just know what I’ve read in the papers,” Marshall said.
She said a level of respect needs to be maintained among the councilors in order to rectify the current council’s tendency to devolve into partisan quarrels.
“Everybody needs to respect each other to really participate in a civil governing process,” Marshall said. “We need to listen to each other. We need to not ascribe motives. That creates a more safe environment for the public to participate in decision-making.”
Benton said he respects Marshall, who is a mother, for stepping up to run for public office.
“We desperately need good people to step forward and serve our communities,” Benton said.
He agreed that whoever gets elected needs to be professional in their actions as a councilor.
“We have to create an atmosphere of mutual respect, whether we agree or disagree,” Benton said. “We have to be willing to listen to everyone’s ideas so that we can craft the best solution for the challenges that we face in the future.”
The two candidates will join dozens of others who are running for positions in this year’s general election. The deadline to submit ballots is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
