Months ago, Larry Patella came up with the catchy slogan that Vancouver voters will "remember in November."

The persistent city hall critic insisted that voters would punish Mayor Royce Pollard and other city council incumbents for backing the special events center and the human rights commission. ...

... "And when we go astray, they certainly let us know." Which is precisely what voters did Tuesday in shooting down the proposed human rights commission by a margin almost as wide as Pollard's lopsided win.

... The mayor, along with [Jeanne] Harris and Jollota, had voted for the commission. There had been speculation the issue, plus the council's support for the $62.7 million events center-convention center project, would drag down Pollard and open the door for Councilwoman Jeanne Lipton to seize his gavel. ...

Jeanne Stewart, who won the only open seat on the seven-member council, said the bottom line is voters "were not satisfied with the opponents enough to make a change."

"If they don't know enough about an opponent, it isn't likely they are going to punch that person's name," she said. ...

... While voters shunned Lipton, they turned to Stewart, a soft- spoken woman who has criticized the council for insulating itself from different viewpoints.

LifePac Commentary

October 2005

Clark County Commissioners unanimously approved forming a Clark County/ Vancouver City Human Rights Commission of nine non-elected appointees, dubbed the “thought cops”. The commission was to provide mediation, education and referrals for approximately $200,000 taxpayer dollars every two years. These services duplicated similar state services.

Their duties would've included proposing additional anti-discrimination laws, subject to only one public hearing and city council vote. Citizens were concerned about private speech regulated by a non-elected body. In addition, early drafts included penalties for non-compliant speech as determined by the “thought cops”. Framers of the commission were all enthusiastic supporters.

Voters reject “thought cops”

Ordinance M-3557 to establish the commission was also adopted by the Vancouver City Council (6-1) in July 2001, despite strong citizen opposition. Jeanne Harris supported the thought cops. Over 5,000 Vancouver residents responded and signed the first successful referendum petition ever, to put the appointed commission to a vote. There is no power of referendum in the county. Vancouver citizens voted soundly against the “thought cops” commission in November 2001, and it was rescinded by both the city of Vancouver and Clark County.

Original proposal for the Local Human Rights Commission, Nov. 20, 2000: “Human rights ordinances adopted by the County and City will ensure that consequences are present should an offender fail to comply with the administrative decisions of the HRC or its hearing examiner(s). Remedies will include civil penalties and/or criminal penalties in cases that do not attain resolution through mediation.”

Jeanne Harris (D)- District 2
"In the past, I have helped the mayor appoint a representative from the city
of Vancouver on the library board. I looked for someone who understood the
role of the library and the constitutional rights the library represents,
and someone who is fair minded. The nation’s first amendment should not be
ignored and so I look for problem solvers and someone who understands today’s technology. I have personally suggested, in order to avoid accidental viewing, a
separate room with enough visual access to control unwanted behavior-one
person at a time, checked in and out, no printer, time limit. You want to
look at pornography at the library-here are the rules."
For the complete responses to all questions, pick up a SpringHill Review at
local restaurants, coffee shops, and bookstores or by paid subscription
892-1178 to order.

2004 Pro Abortion Women's Political Caucus Endorsement	2004 Election Information	2004 Women's Political Caucus Agenda
Candidate's Website

Voters reject “thought cops”

Primary Endorsements