Testimonials
Mielke Better Leader
Letters to the Editor, Camas-Washougal Post-Record
Oct. 21, 2008
In the 2005 county commissioner election, I believe Mielke would have won if the Cowlitz casino developer David Barnett and his wife had not funneled $100,000 through the out of state PAC, Progressive Majority. This PAC unloaded $ 86,000 worth of misleading mailers against Mielke, about six mailers in a 2 week period just prior to the election. Before this junk mail tsunami, the candidates each raised about $ 200,000 and were evenly matched. The casino mogul’s role was not public information until well after the election.
Voters can better inform themselves by comparisons on the issues in print and public debates. I’ve attended these debates and also watched them at www.cvtv.org ,available anytime online. Mielke responded to the questions with specific solutions on the issues in contrast to his opponent who repeatedly failed to answer questions clearly. Mielke explained that our county growth plan has to match the actual growth rate in order to insure adequate roads, sewers, services and space for businesses. His opponent favored strict limits on growth in rural areas and more regulation of what property owners are permitted to do with their land. If annexation into a city is proposed in Hazel Dell, Mielke clearly supports a vote on it. His opponent did not.
As for the casino? Mielke states that the mitigation the tribe plans to counter the expected negative effects don’t begin to address the real impacts to our community. (Columbian 10-6-2008) His democrat opponent is vague about the level of mitigation that the county might accept. State tribes have pumped more than $600,000 in campaign contributions into the state Democratic Party since 2004. (Seattle PI June 12, 2008)
Mielke’s experience includes 17 years work for Washington Water and Power Company in Spokane, combat service in Vietnam, and ownership of a transportation company in Clark County for 18 years that employed 35. Mielke’s 4 terms as State Representative included committee work on Transportation, Local Government, Land Use, Criminal Justice, Financial Institutions, Insurance, Technology and Telecommunications and prepared him for facing these same issues at the county level. Why gamble a vote on vague “answers” and more government control? Instead, a vote for the proven leadership Mielke offers is what our county needs.
- Margaret Tweet
Camas, WA
“Tom and I worked together successfully for the citizens of Clark County on many important issues while he was in the State Legislature. It is because of that relationship and experience that I am lead to believe that Tom will be an excellent County Commissioner for all the people of Clark County.”
- Joe Zarelli, Senator
“Tom was a recognized leader in the State Legislature for eight years where we worked on many issues together. I strongly support him for Count Commissioner, and I look forward to working with Tom in county government.”
- Marc Boldt
Clark County Commissioner
“Having served with Tom in the State Legislature, I have seen firsthand how Tom always puts the citizens BEFORE government. Whether it was writing legislation or helping a constituent deal with state government, Tom always defended citizens’ rights and protected taxpayers. I have no doubt he would do the same as your county commissioner.”
- Rep. Ed Orcutt
“As a City Councilmember for La Center, I got to know Tom while he was in the State Legislature. As a strong advocate for the people of Clark County, he was easy to work with on issues of local concern. He NEVER forgot who he was representing and NEVER compromised his principles.”
- Dale Smith
Former La Center City Council
“Tom never gave up. He worked like a bulldog for two years and completely rewrote a law that allowed my business to survive!”
- Willis Christean
“We can’t wait another four years to get the job done. Tom can get the job done now!”
- Ed Uselmann
