I worked hard to get Jack elected the first time because he was from Cascade Park and I worked even harder to get him defeated. It is a shame that he is once again in office.

Vancouver needs more people like Mrs Rutherford.

However, in this case, Kilmer has been quoted accurately. The interview was taped and researched for validity before I wrote this.

http://www.military-money-matters.com/val-kilmer-esquire-response.html

http://www.military-money-matters.com/val-kilmer-responds.html

If you wish to defend the indefensible, that’s your right, but Kilmer is quoted accurately and as I said, he can rot in hell for all I care.

It would have been more admirable of him to sincerely apologize when this first leaked out, not cry like a little titty baby that he was misquoted.

I am flattered that you check on what I write on a regular basis. I’m sure we won’t always agree, but as Americans, enjoy the freedom to disagree without fear of retribution.

Although all of the candidates I backed did not win, over all I am pleased with the elections.

If there is anything going on in Battle Ground that you would like the rest of the county to know about, fell free to drop me a line and I’ll post it.

Now, let’s all pull together and get this county back on track.

Thanks for stopping in.

In Battle Ground, this was an interesting election season with a lot of things happening that I had never seen before and hope will never see again. I’m glad so grateful for the people who vote and those who take time to express thoughts, both positive and negative, as to what the City needs to do.

I think after the election is finalized there will come a time of great discomfort because things happened in these races that need to be talked about and than a time of healing followed by a lot of preparation for when the economy turns back around.

At this point I am really looking forward to another term of service next to Mrs. Walters, we don’t always agree but I know in my heart she is doing what she thinks is best for the people of our city.

I’m disappointed to see that you feel the need to make up facts to support your beliefs.

Here are the real facts:

I was not on Council when the Hilton was approved. I was on Council when the sports arena/convention center was proposed. And I was the only Council member asking the hard questions – check the Columbian articles from that time (“Only Burkman has shown any inclination to ask tough questions, to challenge city officials”). I refused to support the project until I was shown a financial project that worked and was based on reasonable assumptions, such as attendance and usage, and that the partners were financially stable. That project was never approved and I never gave it my support. The Hilton project was proposed after I left Council.

I was never on both the City Council and Library Board at the same time. I finished my Council term on Dec 31, 2001 and joined the Library Board in 2003.

The library policy of no viewing of internet filtering, and the subsequent use of filters to implement the policy occurred because of my leadership – check the Columbian articles at that time. I not only led the change, I certainly voted for the change. And I took this action while running for Legislature. Many Democrats walked away from my campaign and voted against me because of my role and actions. It likely cost me the election, but I am willing to take the consequences of doing the right thing.

I encourage you to look at past Columbian articles that contain my name. Along with many articles stating my positions on the convention center, you will find I, with Moeller, called for a moratorium on Mill Plain – definitely a position not supported by anyone else on Council. You’ll see the article that quoted me saying I wouldn’t take the Council salary increase – the only Councilmember to do that. There are numerous other examples.

I never said, “You are not smart enough to understand how to run a city.” or anything like that to anyone. I don’t talk to people that way – ever.

To list every unit and every location would take a book.

But, as I said, this was to say thanks to all who didn’t get to the “hot spots” but served and performed as expected.

For me personally, after 18 months in Viet Nam, I was sent to Germany where for 3 years we flew along the fenced borders between West and East Germany and Czechoslovakia. Being in helicopters, I was fortunate enough to come back in every night unless we were in the field.

I was there during the Munich Olympics in 1972 and as the Baider-Meinhoff Gang reactivated in opposition to the west.

We lost several people during the Cold War who do not merit the medals others received, but their loss is none the less important to us all as a nation.

Thank you for your service and rest assured, all who served merit that thanks.

Thanks again for posting this.