Ridgefield School District Broke State Law in Levy Campaign – PDC Confirms Violations
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has confirmed that Ridgefield School District officials violated Washington state law during their recent levy campaign. This isn’t speculation—it’s now officially on record.
After I filed complaints earlier this year, the PDC conducted a thorough review and issued a formal written warning to the district. The violations center around illegal use of public resources to promote levy measures (Propositions 12 and 13), and officials' coordination with a private campaign group, Citizens for Ridgefield.
Let’s break it down:
- District Officials Used Their Positions to Promote a Private Campaign Committee: At the November 19, 2024 board meeting, Superintendent Jenny Rodriquez and Board President Bret Jones actively endorsed Citizens for Ridgefield and encouraged the public to join and volunteer—clear electioneering using public facilities.
- The Superintendent Published a Promotional Op-Ed: In February 2025, the week before election day, Superintendent Rodriquez used her official title and district resources to publish an op-ed in The Reflector newspaper thanking voters for their "continued support." According to the PDC, this went beyond factual communication and violated campaign conduct rules.
- These Were Not First-Time Offenses: The PDC noted the district has prior violations of the same law—RCW 42.17A.555. These aren’t accidents; they’re repeated, knowing violations by trained officials.
- Public Resources Were Used to Influence an Election: The law is clear—public agencies cannot use taxpayer-funded facilities, time, or platforms to sway elections. Yet RSD did exactly that.
- The Impact Was Real: The Reflector op-ed, the board’s promotional meeting comments, and their active collaboration with Citizens for Ridgefield almost certainly helped the levies pass.
The PDC has now formally warned the district, and stated future violations may result in enforcement actions.
This is not about opposing schools—this is about holding public officials accountable and ensuring transparency in elections. Voters deserve accurate information, not taxpayer-funded promotion disguised as “fact-sharing.”
Now, I don't think a "written warning" is justice, especially considering this isn't RSD's first violation. There should be accountability because breaking the law to saddle citizens with more taxes shouldn't be happening.
Let’s stay vigilant and demand fairness
Clark County Councilors Want to Move Lawsuit to Clark County Courts
On April 17, 2025, Pacifica Law Group—the Seattle firm hired by the Councilors at taxpayer expense—filed a motion for a change of venue with the Skamania Superior Court. They want to move the lawsuit to Clark County... hmmm, I wonder why?
Maybe it's because they prefer judges and court staff whose budgets they control to be the ones deciding their fate.
The Change of Venue hearing is scheduled for the same date and time as the Preliminary Injunction hearing—May 1, 2025.
Stay tuned...
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ICYMI: County Hires Seattle's Pacifica Law Group to Defend Their Illegal Actions—At Taxpayer Expense, Of Course
Yesterday, just a few hours before the C-Tran meeting, I finally received a response from the County regarding my lawsuit. First, you should know that last week, the four councilors—Marshall, Jung, Fuentes, and Little—voted four separate times (once for each of them) to have the County cover their legal defense costs and provide indemnification.
What does that mean? It means that if fines or penalties are imposed due to their unauthorized or illegal actions, taxpayers are stuck footing the bill.
So, with that in mind, guess what they did? They hired Pacifica Law Group—Attorney General Nick Brown’s former law firm and one of Seattle’s most expensive—to handle their defense. (Shouldn’t be a shock to anyone.)
Some might ask, why pursue this if it's costing taxpayers more? Because there’s no other means of enforcement. I tried to name them individually because the OPMA clearly states that they are personally responsible for violations and any resulting fines.
If a citizen doesn’t step up, file a lawsuit, and push this forward, nothing happens. Officials will continue breaking the law and excluding the public from major decisions.
As a result, I thought it best to move tomorrow's hearing (April 17) to May 1 to give more time to prepare... much prayers and support would be appreciated.
ICYMI: Mayor Anne Is Top 5 Vancouver Donor Of Wil Fuentes
Mayor Anne Contributed $1,000 To Wil Fuentes Last Year, Now She Wants Him To Vote To Save Her Light Rail Project
Why was Wil Fuentes chosen and how can Mayor Anne brag about Wil Fuentes backing her up to save Light Rail? Maybe because Mayor Anne paid Wil... $1,000, to be exact. Last year, Mayor Anne contributed $1,000 to Wil Fuentes.
I wonder what Wil had to promise to gain her support? Hmmmm
Also, don't you think Wil Fuentes should recuse himself from a vote that supports one of his biggest individual contributors of his campaign?
In a recent public records request, it was found that Chair Sue Marshall was in direct communications with Mayor Anne... and texted her that Wil Fuentes was installed in the C-Tran Board to replace Belkot. Wonder if Mayor Anne requested Wil Fuentes?
Inquiring minds want to know...
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"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" - Heb 13:5-6
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Charter Review Commission - Do You Want To Help Shape Clark County For The Next 10 Years? Time IS RUNNING OUT... Filing Week Is Coming Up Fast
The Home Rule Charter: Our "County Constitution"
The Home Rule Charter is often referred to as our "County Constitution." While there are some advantages to having a Charter—Clark County being one of only seven counties in Washington State with one—there are also significant downsides, and ours has many.
Earlier this year, Greg Kimsey boasted about writing much of the Charter, which explains why it empowers many executive branch positions while stripping power from the people (the legislative branch). Unfortunately, the first Charter Review Commission served as a puppet for administrative elites and proposed several terrible amendments, including:
- A "woke" preamble (failed)
- Creating a DEI office (tried twice, failed twice)
- Allowing elected executive branch officials to appoint their successors, even if they committed a felony or were being removed from office (passed)
- Restricting initiative and referendum rights (one passed, two failed)
- Ranked Choice Voting (failed)
- Eliminating the Chair position (held by Eileen Quiring-O’Brien), which conveniently redistricted three Republican Councilors into the same district (passed)
- Adding phony non-partisan titles for County officials (passed) - Newsflash: This doesn’t magically remove politics from political positions. Instead, it gives voters less information and allows candidates to deceive voters.
What is the Charter Review Commission?
The Home Rule Charter requires review by a 15-member elected Charter Review Commission. Three members are elected from each of the five County Councilor districts. Under the Charter, the next election for commission members will take place in November 2025.
Here’s the relevant section from the Charter regarding the Commission:
Section 9.1: Charter Review Commission
- Election and Period of Office
- Five years after the adoption of this Charter and at least every five years thereafter, the council shall facilitate the election of a Charter Review Commission. The commission will consist of fifteen members, elected on a nonpartisan basis, with three representatives from each council district.
- Candidates shall file during the regular candidate filing period and pay a $25 filing fee.
- No primary will be held for this election. The election shall occur during the November general election.
- The member receiving the most votes shall convene the commission.
- The term of office for commission members shall be two years or until the commission concludes its work, whichever occurs sooner.
- Meetings may take place at appropriate times and locations within Clark County. Public notice of each meeting must be provided in a countywide newspaper and posted on the county’s website at least 14 days in advance.
- Vacancies
- Vacancies on the commission must be filled by the remaining members within 30 calendar days after the chair declares a vacancy. Notice must be provided to residents of the affected district within 10 days of the declaration. The selected replacement must reside in the district where the vacancy occurs and be approved by a simple majority vote of the commission.
- Financial Support
- Commission members shall serve without salary but will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The County Council must provide the commission with necessary resources, facilities, and funding to fulfill its purpose effectively.
Interested in Becoming a Charter Commissioner?
If you’re interested in serving as a Charter Commissioner, please click the button below to send me an email with your name, address, and district. I’ll send you more information!
Since there are no primaries for Charter Commissioners, it’s crucial to identify and support the three best candidates from each district. Coordination is essential to avoid splitting votes, as happened last time.
Quick Facts About the Charter Review Commission:
- Serious Responsibility: This is an opportunity to bring much-needed reforms to Clark County.
- Term of Office: Two years or until the commission’s work concludes, whichever comes first.
- Representation: Only three commissioners will be elected from each of the five County Council districts. [Click HERE to find your district.]
- Commitment: Be prepared for at least two meetings per month, with the potential for more during busy periods.
- Election Timing: Commissioners will be elected in the November 2025 general election (no primary election).
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