Election results - Clark County , WA

As far as elections go, you win some, you lose some. About 50% of the voting went my way. My way, meaning, I got 50% of what I wanted by participating as a voter.

Which brings me to the main subject at hand. Where were the voters? What an abysmal turnout! I get passing on a referendum here and a council position there - especially if you don't know anything about it or the person running. I passed on a couple issues. I wasn't confident enough to vote one way or the other. However, there was plenty to understand. So I ask you - and you know who you are - why didn't you vote?

Camas- let's pick on you. For a year, your neighborhoods, your papers and your mailboxes were littered with propaganda regarding the election for mayor. This hot race sparked media interest beyond your town's borders. However, only 3667 Camas voters were moved enough to check their mail-in ballot for the candidate of choice. (By the way, I didn't get to vote for the Camas mayor because I live in neighboring Washougal, but I believe the best person won - congratulations Paul Dennis!)

Approximately 18,000 people live in Camas. Where were they on voting day? Did everyone go fishing? Is the price of a $ .41 stamp too much? Did you lose your way to the ballot box?

I want to know what it will take to motivate people to vote. I want to know why they don't.

It's just a scratch

I was at one of those crazy intersections where the light changes too quickly for everyone to clear the intersection. I got clear, but this kid in a red pickup truck made a dash, trying to make it across before the red - well, he overestimated his speed. I saw him coming and I knew exactly what was going to happen.

Yep. Right into me. We pulled over which gave the looky loos some fodder. Luckily, all my van got was a small scratch and some rubber bumper residue. The kid was shook up. All politeness and not a little bit scared. So I said, "Hey. We were lucky. You were lucky. You know what to do from now on." And that was that. It felt good not to be one of those folks looking for a reason to sue somebody. It felt good to give a kid a break - especially since I think it will take some time for him to get over the shock. Hopefully it will be a wakeup call and someday, maybe he'll Pay It Forward and give someone else a break.

In a situation like the one I just experienced, if we all put a bumper scratch into perspective, maybe society could get a little bit nicer. And maybe insurance can get a little bit cheaper...one can hope.

A Goof Proofer goes to the Ukraine

Have you ever had a trip planned and even though you are still two weeks from leaving, you start developing short-timers syndrome? That's what I've got right now. I am ready to get on that plane and go!

I'm so excited about an upcoming project, I just have to share it with you.

I am a member of The Jewish Business Network located in Vancouver, WA. Besides being a network of business people developing business relationships, the JBN works hard to provide support to our local Jewish families and our extended family in Odessa, Ukraine. Which leads me to The Project...

As a representative of the JBN, this Goof Proofer is heading for the Ukraine to visit the 'Good Family' orphanage located in Odessa. I've traveled before in Europe, but this is the farthest East that I've ever traveled. I'm leaving this month with a colleague, another member of our Network. Our mission is to meet the administrators and children who work and live in the orphanage. The purpose is to learn about the operation, determine needs and bring home multimedia materials which will be compiled for a presentation.

This presentation, by the way, will be given at the JBN's annual fund raising event - a Monte Carlo night on February 9th. Anyone interested in attending the event should log on here for more information.

Look for a later posting where I promise to tell you all about the trip. I bet you're quaking in your boots with excitement...