There is a lot to talk about in Camas.

I enjoy civil discourse, rational conversation, and measured responses.

As you consider me for City Council, here are some thoughts I want to share.

Communication …

… is a huge problem for the City. One only needs to look at the Pool Bond that failed with 90% of the voters against it. Clearly the Mayor and the Council did not “hear” what the citizens wanted. They only listened to a select vocal group or themselves. If you went to one of the public forums you saw it in action. Or perhaps you went to one of the public hearings on the tree ordinance. It was clear that the Council was blindsided and staff had not communicated.

Have you ever needed to call the City about something and wonder where to start? There is no guidance, just a phone number. There’s the Mayor’s office and the City Administrator's office but they can’t do everything.

What about the website you say? It was outdated and poorly utilized for years. Remember the blue font on black backgrounds? Or trying to find the trash pickup schedule? Good news the City said, we have a new site coming. They even had people preview it (I was one of them). Guess what? All they did was take the same set up and put it on new backgrounds. It is a completely unfriendly mess. And there are no guidelines for the different departments on how to use it.

Now we have “Engage” or ask the Mayor a question. Another example of the City making us go to them for information instead of them getting it to us. They were surprised that no one is using it...but did you know that to use it you must register and create a login and password? Just to get information from the City? Oh and you have to give them a bunch of other information too. The City turned it to their benefit, not the citizens. Ridiculous!

The City has an automated calling system available to them but they don’t use it. The last time I received a call was to tell me that my trash day was going to be late. The call came three days after the regular services day...

Finally we have a Communications Director. It doesn’t appear that they are setting policies or guidelines or best practices. It seems all the City wants them to do is make press releases. That’s not what this position should be doing.

Stability …

… should concern us too. By the end of 2021, we will have had 5 different Mayors in three years. We will have had three City Administrators in the same time period. Why is this? 

Our form of Government really needs to be reconsidered. We have what is called a “strong mayor” form of government. The Mayor is the CEO of the City and has broad powers to do many things without the Council's input or approval. Like hire or fire the City Administrator. Or enter into agreements with other agencies.

When we were a city of only a few thousand people it was probably fine as it might have been part time.

Now that we are a city of 25,000 people it doesn’t seem to be working.

All surrounding cities of any size have gone to the Council/Manager form of government. Clark County too. It is now a job that requires full time work and attention and a professional competency.

Growth …

… is on everyone’s mind. We live in a very desirable place and others want to come here too. We can’t stop growth but we can manage it and we can do it in a way that helps us keep the feel and quality of life we all enjoy.

Where the rubber meets the road. Down to brass tacks. Wisdom equals knowledge plus experience.

It’s okay if you don’t know what a City Council representative did … in the past. But today -> and for tomorrow -> consider learning more about what role this position plays in the Camas community.

It seems there is often confusion on what a City Councilor does in a city with our form of government. We elect two from each of the three voting wards and one “at large”. They each serve staggered four-year terms.

In Camas, they are legislators, much like a small version of Congress. They do not have judicial powers and they do not have executive powers which in Camas are reserved for the Mayor.

What are some examples?

• Reviewing and adopting the budget and adopting policies including city code and regulations are just two examples.

• Setting the long term vision or plan is another. Remember though that the City Administrator runs the City at the direction of the Mayor. The Council has no direct control over the Mayor or the Mayor’s powers.

• Note: In Washington, school districts are separate entities and do not follow city boundaries. That means the Camas City Council has no say of the Camas School District policies or decisions.