Martyn Butler to challenge Mark Boldt for County Commissioner

[Chief]

Martyn Butler is a self-proclaimed Conservative who supports the Casino and likes light rail. I['ve read a few of his letters to the editor and he seems to be a level-headed guy. The paper says he's a transplant from Oregon since 1995, and he has experience serving on several school boards over there.

I'm curious to hear what kind of light rail Mr. Butler's brand of Conservatism supports here in Clark County and how he would pay for it.

Sounds like we may have a fairly good Primary this time around, and I will look forward to hearing what Mr. Butler has to say on many issues here in the County in the near future. If he stands up a website, I'll link that here at Clarkblog.

[Waterbuffalo]

When you get that linky hand, I'd like to get a read on it.

[Chief]

Google his name WB, and you'll pop up with a few of his letters to the editor. He's operated on the fringe of the right wing here in Vancouver for a while...

[Waterbuffalo]

I'll be doing more research.. :-)

Also looks like Benton has an opponent as well.. Looks quite interesting FINALLY for the 17th District.

[Chief]

If anyone knows how to get ahold of Mr. Butler, or his Campaign, please let me know, and I will attempt to get his views on a few subjects here in the County...

[Chief]

Bumping to the top...still in search for anything pertaining to Mr. Butler's Campaign. I still have not located so much as a MySpace page for him, so if anyone knows of some way to get ahold of him, please let us know...

8)

[Waterbuffalo]

Not even an article from the local paper? :-)

When Martyn Butler criticized an anti-casino spokesman for saying casino managers would recruit overseas for workers, Commissioner Steve Stuart wondered if the agreement should have provisions about English as a second language classes.

“You have to read between the lines with people,” Stuart explained after Tuesday’s hearing.

From: http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/04/04162008_County-wraps-up-hearings-on-casino-agreement.cfm/

[Chief]

yah...he's been something of a local commentator here in Vancouver for some years, and has written a number of letters to the editor, and addressed City Council a number of times. That does not constitute a campaign...

I'm not sure how seriously to take this guy, as anyone who is running even half-heartedly is smart enough to have a website up, or will...

[Waterbuffalo]

How many of them Don't? I think Tom Meilke doesn't?

Didn't see one for Marc Boldt?

Am I in the shadows not seeing them via google?

[Chief]

I think about half of the candidates who are running have individual websites up right now WB.

If you find one I've missed, let me know and I'll add the hotlink to the sidebar.

[Waterbuffalo]

If I see one you haven't found, I'll be sure to mention it. You have been faster than I getting them up.

[mojoesmom]

Here is the artice from the Reflector back is March, Martyn's phone number was listed. I have talked to Martyn he is taking this very seriously.

Butler will challenge Boldt for commissioner post
Martyn Butler, who supports a proposed Cowlitz tribal casino near La Center, has announced that he will seek election to the post of Clark County commissioner from the east county district.
Butler will challenge fellow Republican and incumbent Marc Boldt.
Butler said a tribal casino would bring about 3,000 jobs to the area.
“The casino is a win-win opportunity for the citizens of Clark County,” said Butler. “The benefits are many. Not only will jobs be created, but vendors will be able to have new markets for their products and services.”
Butler said officials should pursue an agreement with the Cowlitz Tribe to protect taxpayers and gain revenues in lieu of taxes.
“We’ve got to have good faith on both sides,” said Butler of a possible agreement with the Tribe.
Butler suggested that a new agreement with the Tribe be prepared with public hearings and a very public process.
“I think the Tribe will work well with us,” said Butler. “One thing you’ll find about me is I like to move on, not sit around and chew the fat.”
Butler said opposition to the casino is due in part to religion and that “some people just don’t like gambling.” But he said that the majority of citizens would support the casino if it were put to a vote. He said, despite claims that casino jobs would be minimum wage, his research showed that casino workers would start at $28,000 plus benefits.
Butler said he doesn’t understand why the Citizen Against Reservation Shopping group opposes the project. He said convention centers and hotels in both Vancouver and the new casino would gain business.
Butler works in a commercial printing business, commuting each day from Vancouver to west Portland. He previously served for 10 years on a school board that consolidated with the Hillsboro, OR district. He also owned a printing business in Colorado. He is a three-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a firefighter in the Sequoia National Park. He and his wife, Penelope, have a daughter, Molly Butler, and son Marty Butler, plus two grandchildren.
Third bridge a good idea
Butler said he supports the construction of a third bridge over the Columbia River rather than the rebuilding of the existing structures. He said he expects continuing population growth. He said people come to Clark County for less expensive housing while working jobs in Portland. He said $4 a gallon gas hasn’t slowed the volume of commuters.
Butler said light rail can be added to the existing I-5 bridges or by reconstruction of a nearby railroad bridge. He said light rail could extend to Clark College without area citizens being taxed for construction. He supports a vote on a sales tax increase for operation of light rail. “The people will have spoken,” said Butler.
Butler said he commutes to his Portland job about 6-6:30 a.m. without delay, but traffic bogs down northbound in the afternoon, he said.
Butler said seniors and retired people are against light rail. “People are really tired of taxes,” he said. He cited the proposed trail along the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad as an expensive project that taxpayers may not support.
Butler said it is the duty of local government to attract business, perhaps by offering incentives. “We don’t do enough to protect small businesses,” he said.
Butler, 68, holds a degree in graphics from the University of Kansas at Pittsburg, KS.
Butler can be reached at 696-8568.

[Chief]

Please urge him to put up a website mojoesmom, if even a basic blogspot. I'll hot link his site here as well, as soon as he does. In the meantime, if he wants to send any written pieces here, I will be glad to publish them at Clarkblog.org.

I've read a couple of his letters to the editor too, and he's definitely got some good ideas that are worth talking about.

[Waterbuffalo]

And those blogspots take about 5 minutes to get an account. If Martyn needs any ideas, have him take a look at Tim Leavitts site.

That is basically just a blogspot site..

[Chief]

Exactly right WB, I should have mentioned that too.

In this day and age, I cannot image why anyone would run for office and not have their own website up and running. That way you don't have to rely on the columbian to print anything for you, no flyers to print either, unless they are to advertise the website.

It's a cheap way to control your message, and get your exact words on the street.

Of course, once you have that site you need someone competent to maintain it, which is a lesson the CCRP has still not learned...

::)