Pollard's Perspective

As we prepare to venture into a new year, I want to wish all my friends the very best in 2010!!!

We live in the greatest country in the world and are fortunate to reside in America’s Vancouver. 

While hard times may be with us for some time, pulling together we can continue to move ourselves, our families, and our community forward. 

As I have said before, I am not going away.  I look forward to the next adventure, and I hope you will join me in finding ways to help improve America’s Vancouver for future generations. 

Together we can make a difference!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 

 

Pollard statement to the press and to Vancouver - post election

Thank you for being here today.

Earlier today, I tried three times to call Tim Leavitt and wish him well on becoming the next Mayor of America’s Vancouver.  I wanted to pledge to him that I would help ensure that the transition is smooth to keep our city moving forward.

First I have some “thank you’s”.  I want to thank the citizens of Vancouver for electing me as their Mayor six times and for the opportunity to serve in that role for a total of 14 years.  It has been a great honor to be the Mayor of America’s Vancouver. 

I also want to thank my campaign staff, our volunteers, and my friends and family who worked so hard for me.  We ran a tough campaign – a campaign about truth and integrity. 

And I am obviously grateful to the thousands of citizens of this great City who voted for me last Tuesday.

This campaign has been one of the most competitive in our city’s history. We’ve had spirited debates on many issues, from job creation to helping our small businesses, to public safety, and to building a new bridge over the Columbia River.   This was a very difficult fight, but I’ve been in tougher fights in my life.  I’ve always come out stronger and ready to take on new challenges.  You know, life is full of opportunity and challenge, and I look forward to the future with excitement.

Losing an election is no fun.  I was certainly hoping for a different outcome.  But the voters have spoken and I both accept and respect their decision.

The past 14 years have been a wonderful time for me, and an exciting time to lead this great City.  During that time we’ve tripled in size, strengthened our neighborhoods, created positive economic change throughout and revitalized our downtown and waterfront along the way. 

We’ve done this with the great employees we have working for us in our community.

We’ve established relationships in the region, in Olympia and Washington DC with great result.  After years of hard work we’ve reached a shared regional vision for what is now known as the Columbia River Crossing project.  In short --- we’ve come a long way. Vancouver is no longer viewed as a suburb of Portland.

I came to Vancouver 24 years ago.. a soldier obeying orders and assigned to command the Vancouver Barracks.  I have come to love this City and its people more dearly than I could have ever imagined.  I will miss serving as Mayor and using that means to advance the interests of America’s Vancouver. 

I’ve served my country for 26 years and the City for 20.  And for me, this election may be over, but my service to the city I love so much is not.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur famously said that “Old soldier’s never die, they just fade away.”  Well, surely one day I will die.  But between now and then I have no intention of fading away. 

I wish this City and it’s leaders great success in the years ahead and once again I thank the people of this City for the honor they have given me to serve as the Mayor of America’s Vancouver.

God bless you all and God bless America.

Moving forward and joining together post Election Night

We are almost there.

November 3 will see the conclusion of months of campaigning. We will open a new chapter as we continue to move America's Vancouver forward.

This mayor's race has intensified the discussion of issues and that is a good thing. But lines have also been drawn. People have disagreed over whom best to support and many have campaigned vigorously and passionately for their candidate.

We are fortunate to live in a country where our voices can be heard. And many views have certainly been made clear over the months! On November 3, we will need to draw together as we roll up our sleeves and continue to work to bring jobs and prosperity to our community. And all views must be heard because there are many voices in our great City.

I look forward to opening a new chapter as your Mayor on November 3.

I strongly believe the ideas and the new voices that we've heard and the passion that has fueled both candidates' campaigns must be channeled toward the larger benefit of our community. I will work to do that.

Let's be serious

This has been a long campaign that has pitted two collegues against one another.

As you get ready to vote and cast your ballots, I ask that you very seriously look at both candidates' records on City Council and during the campaign.

Know I have stayed with the issues in my campaign and addressed facts...and only facts.

Unfortunately, my opponent has not. His campaign from the beginning has relied on divisive, deceptive politics. Many of us watched Tim as he rolled out one accusation after another, wondering who this person was and how he could so damage his reputation and record and work to do the same to mine. Over the months it has become clear he does not presently have the judgement to lead our City.

I have been straight with you.

I have brought jobs to our community and paved the way for new ones. Under my watch, the City of Vancouver has been carefully managed fiscally. We have reserves for catastrophes or emergencies, and we can pay our bills and provide key services. 

It hasn't been easy. There hasn't been any magic button. But through sheer hard work and strong relationships with business, the community and elected leaders locally, throughout our state and nationally, our City has fared better than many during this great recession. Clark County, for example, is facing a $12 million deficit, potentially more lay-offs and reduced services to its citizens. This is serious business that will impact us all.

I want you to know I am committed to strengthening our City's sound fiscal health. We will also help grow our economy and the economic health of our county through development of the waterfront, a new Interstate Bridge and working with local business to improve their interface with City services and ultimately their bottom line.  

I've taken my work seriously as your Mayor. I ask that you re-elect me so that together we can continue to move America's Vancouver forward.

 

 

Waterfront agreement means JOBS

Vancouver City Council Chambers were full last night.

People stepped forward to support the agreement that paves the way for development of the old Boise Cascade site into a thriving economic and recreational amenity for our region. I am proud of the City Council for the leadership it showed in supporting the agreement and this project.

I am proud, too, of the civic leaders who are willing to invest in our City's future. This community vision for our waterfront will result in dollars, jobs and business flowing into our City and our region. Councilmember Pat Jollota summed it up well when she talked about the leadership and the investment people have made in the past to move our City forward. Last night, our City Council walked in those shoes and did its job to keep America's Vancouver moving forward.

Thanks as well go to support from Ed Lynch and Ginger Metcalf of Identity Clark County, State Senator Craig Pridemore, Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart and a host of local business people--especially the local investors whose confidence in our community will change us for the better forever. Thanks, Steve, for saying the City Council is doing a good job!

Suffice to say it was a good night for Vancouver. Working together, we will move forward out of this miserable economy.

Keep Margaret in your thoughts

Please keep my wife Margaret in your thoughts today. We are excited that she is having some long-awaited surgery on one of her knee. I will be with her today at the hospital and am thankful for the excellent medical care she will be receiving here in Vancouver.

Two more weeks to go. Thanks for all your continued  support!

Royce

Beyond the rhetoric it's the people that matter

Sometimes the things that really count get lost in a political campaign.

As my opponent and I have gone toe to toe at debates, on television and out in the community, the one-liners and positioning can blur what's important---keeping our city safe and economically healthy for our citizens.

I'm committed to these basic principles and to being honest about where I stand and where we're headed. Managed carefully and with vision, we can continue to move our city forward. But everything we do needs to focus on our city, our citizens, and your prosperity.

I have come to believe that my opponent, however, has different priorities, and they are more about him than the people a mayor must serve.

Put simply, Tim Leavitt has not and is not being straight with you.

He says running government efficiently is a matter of prioritization. And yet when asked how the city should pay for services he suggests raising property taxes.

He says he is against bridge tolls but in the same breath says he will support tolls if the bridge project depends on them.

If my opponent had his way, we would not have a much needed fire station in east Vancouver -- nor would we be able to keep funding police and fire. All because he is incapable of taking a stand for you.

In easier financial times, the up and down, empty campaign rhetoric coming from a mayoral candidate might not be so deadly. But in these times, when our city's future and your families' and businesses' futures are in such a tough spot, none of us can afford to be misled or to be less than your mayor's number one priority.

I want you to know I am seeking a final term as your mayor precisely because of the unprecedented times we find ourselves in. It will take strong leadership to get us through the next four years, and I am committed to making the decisions necessary to do so. I can assure you my motivation will be the best interests of America's Vancouver.

Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to Election Night. There is much work to do on behalf of our city and I will be there for you.

Royce

Our support continues to grow with ballots arriving this week

In a word: VOTE

What a week...and it's only Tuesday!

We got a strong endorsement from The Columbian. The headline in the Sunday paper summed things up this way:

"Incumbent has solid record of achievement: Leavitt fails leadership test on voting record."

Commenting on the Vancouver Firefighters Union announcement that Leavitt missed voting in 16 elections in 10 years, The Columbian said of my opponent: "A statesmanlike leader would acknowledge the statistics, express regret and vow to correct the flaw." 

The Columbian went on to write: "But Leavitt, after voicing regret, launched into an attack on Pollard. "How does this sleazy maneuver help our struggling community today?" he asked. The answer: It exposes as delinquent the voting habits of a man who is courting Vancouver's voters, and reasonable voters don't see truth-telling as a sleazy maneuver at all." --- The Columbian, October 11, 2009

In addition to The Columbian endorsement, support continues to come from local leaders. I want to thank Congressman Brian Baird for his words of support for me at last night's meeting of the Clark County Democrats. This week you'll see State Representative Deb Wallace endorsing me in my campaign ad on cable television that started running on Monday.

In the next few weeks we will continue to work hard to earn your vote. To the many of you who have stopped me on the street or spent time with me at the door, thank you for your commitment to continuing to move Vancouver forward and for your promise to vote for me.

Thanks again to all of you. We won't rest until November 3 when the votes are in.

Royce

The campaign for mayor is a campaign for our city

I believe the campaign for mayor has been a good thing for our community because it has brought out many issues for voters to chew on.

And with each debate, blog, and news report, the differences between the two candidates have become clear.

I learn from all of you everyday as we talk at your doors, at public forums, one-on-one with our business owners, retirees and those of you that support my opponent.

Because even if we disagree, I know we do agree that the campaign for mayor is a campaign for our city.

We've talked about the need for more jobs, a new interstate bridge, strong public safety, support for local business, healthy neighborhoods and a responsive City Council.

I've heard what you've said and I firmly believe that working together we will move our city to a new prosperity.

The time to vote is near

Now I know this must be a difficult time for my opponent. Campaigns can be tough and he is in a tough fight attempting to explain his non-voting record.

As voters prepare to cast ballots next week, you have the choice of voting for a mayor who has brought jobs to our community, paved the way for major economic development, built the relationships needed to move us forward, and fought for America's Vancouver each day.

My opponent on the other hand, has struggled to make his case to you.  I believe he wants very much to be your mayor, but his scant record and absence of solutions is inadequate to earn your vote.  He has a lot to overcome and someday may do so.  But our city needs action and leadership now...not empty promises.

The ballots arrive next week.

 I ask for your vote for America's Vancouver.  

Royce

Professed agent of change merely talking the talk

It's easy to talk about all the things one would do if elected. Just turn on the television or fire up a social network. It's the politicians' favorite line these days. But Vancouver voters search for the "there there" and expect nothing less.

The truth is, as your Mayor, and working with you, we've been implementing positive change in our community that is revitalizing Vancouver and our region. Together, we have walked the talk.

And there is much more to do as we grow more jobs, support local business and bring new business and economic vitality to Vancouver.

Yes, we've done a lot working together---supporting much needed police and fire services to the east, laying the groundwork for a major expansion of jobs in partnership with SEH America and other firms, and growing our downtown as a community gathering place. We've stood up together and supported a transportation system that not only works for vehicles but supports recreation and access with trails and paths. We've advocated for a new bridge and been honest about that commitment.

We have done a lot. 

Together, we have actually brought positive change.

On the other hand, my opponent has mainly talked...and talked...and talked about what he is going to do. His record of talk, not action, in seven years on the City Council does not support taking a chance on his promises of leadership.

Let's keep walking the talk and moving our community forward with positive change. We have a long list of accomplishments to build on.

Next week, I'll be announcing a new effort and enlisting your help as we take the next step in moving our economy and local jobs to the next level.

A little less talk and a lot more action! Our City deserves nothing less.

 

Royce

When it comes to our citizens, you bet I'm tough on public safety

Some of you may have read the article in The Columbian today about the Vancouver Police Guild supporting my opponent.  What you didn't read in the newspaper was at that same time the Vancouver Firefighter's Union was holding a press conference endorsing me.

I urge all of you to  ask the The Columbian why they left out the firefighter endorsement.  Columbian readers deserve the full story and that just didn't happen in today's paper.  Whatever the reason, The Columbian ought to give the firefighters the same amount of ink.  It's the right thing to do. 

With regard to the police guild, yes, I did come out strong when I was asked about why I thought they endorsed my opponent.

It's true, I didn't pull any punches when the reporter asked the question.

But here's why:  I believe that no one group should control the leadership of this city.  And, the candidate slate endorsed by the guild would do just that.

Does any of this change my support for police and fire?

Absolutely not.  Know I will continue to support the public safety of our city and that includes strong police and fire services.  Our officers and firefighters have my respect and support. I have repeatedly voted to fund public safety.  My opponent, on the other hand, has voted to cut both police and fire repeatedly.  He may be promising otherwise but his voting record is clearly anti-public safety.

Help me get the word out that this election is about strong representation for all of you.

I'm running for Mayor because I love this City.  It is vital to have leadership that makes the tough decisions, tells the truth and stands up to authority on your behalf.  I get that and I know you will too when the ballots arrive.

Royce