Clark County Council District 2 will feature new face

Rick Bannan / [email protected]

At least two hopefuls have publicly declared their intent to run for outgoing Clark County Councilor Julie Olson’s seat within the November election.

The district’s boundaries, which lastly obtained approval after months of deliberation, feature a lot of the suburbs north of Vancouver metropolis limits west of state Route 503.

As of press deadline for The Reflector’s May 18 version, Michelle Belkot and Chartisha Roberts each introduced they might file for Olson’s district 2 seat. Olson introduced her resolution to not run on April 25, in response to The Columbian.

In a marketing campaign announcement, Belkot mentioned she is “a transparent front-runner” for the place, going by the slogan of “change is overdue for district 2.”

Belkot will concentrate on homelessness, a difficulty her marketing campaign mentioned is “turning Clark County into Portland,” in response to her announcement.

“Prioritizing public security, having well-trained and pretty compensated deputies, together with discovering actual options to our transportation and site visitors points, places Clark County residents first,” her announcement learn. “Portland politicians or bloated authorities initiatives that simply need to broaden mild rail usually are not priorities for Clark County.”

Belkot’s announcement references her run for Vancouver Public Schools Board of Directors final 12 months, during which she was defeated by Sandra Zavala-Ortega.

“Michelle is able to put her college board run within the Vancouver college district to work and get elected this 12 months so she will be able to restore the ‘individuals’s voice’ again to the county council,” the announcement acknowledged.

The announcement famous Belkot is a 24-year Navy veteran. It cited she has an “consideration to element” that she would use to search out solutions for points like housing costs, taxes, and normal reduction in the course of the present financial inflation.

“As your consultant, I’m dedicated to resolving issues in an effort to attenuate the adverse pandemic impacts from the final two years. If elected, I will be an moral, clear, and all the time a community-based member of the Clark County Council,” the announcement acknowledged. “I’ve proudly served our nation and now I’d respect the chance to serve my county.”

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Belkot will face Roberts, who additionally sought the VPS seat final 12 months. Roberts misplaced within the main, garnering about 22.4% of the August vote.

In her announcement, Roberts confused her skilled expertise in human assets and administration, in addition to her connection to district 2 and Clark County.

“Clark County is my dwelling. It’s the place I dwell, work and lift my son,” Roberts mentioned within the announcement.

Roberts mentioned her expertise, most not too long ago as a program coordinator and recruiter for Legacy Health, would deliver “considerate, well-reasoned decision-making to the council.”

In the announcement, Roberts mentioned she desires to bolster public well being, tackle homelessness and enhance inexpensive housing, in addition to make “sensible” choices on land use.

During her college board marketing campaign, Roberts mentioned voters needed “to see one thing totally different in elected management.”

“They need leaders who’re dedicated to trustworthy collaboration, who put partisanship apart, and roll up their sleeves to get issues finished for the group,” Roberts acknowledged within the launch. “That is strictly how I will symbolize district 2, and the way I will serve the whole county as soon as I’m elected.”

Those who file for the district 2 seat will additionally be a part of district 1 and district 5 in main elections on Aug. 2. The prime two from these contests will go on to the general election on Nov. 8.