EDITORIAL: Cheers & Jeers: The arts; lack of transparency
May 10-Cheers: To a potential performing arts center. Friends of Center for the Arts, a local nonprofit, has released architectural renderings for a proposed center at Columbia Palisades in east Vancouver. "This is no longer a wish or a dream ..." one organizer said. "It's not a matter of 'if.' It's a matter of how quickly we can get this to fruition for Southwest Washington."
The proposal for an arts center north of Highway 14 at Southeast 192nd Avenue calls for a theater with 1,250 seats, a flexible smaller theater, an interactive arts space and a restaurant. As city officials simultaneously work on proposals for a downtown performing arts center, the efforts demonstrate Vancouver's movement toward being a vibrant, full-service city. The area's cultural community continues to enhance the lives of residents.
Jeers: To the city of Vancouver. Officials have agreed to pay $70,000 - plus attorney fees - for failing to fulfill public records requests relating to a police investigation. The situation stems from a lawsuit in an internal affairs complaint.
City officials say the case is ongoing, although a judge dismissed it with prejudice. But it seems that transparency from the start would have saved the city some headaches. The plaintiff said, "I am confident some of those documents do exist, but the documents I did receive strengthen my belief the city used a so-called 'independent' investigator to whitewash organizational wrongdoing."
Cheers ... and jeers: To political candidates. Through Thursday, with one day remaining in filing week, 47 candidates had entered races for 19 non-judicial positions in Southwest Washington. Nearly every race had at least two candidates, promising to present voters with thoughtful choices in the August primary and November general election.
Cheers go to all who decide to face the scrutiny that comes with running for public office. But some jeers are warranted for the fact that nine of those candidates are running for Congress - most with no experience in government. While grassroots movements occasionally result in a congressional seat (Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is one example), experience and name recognition typically are required to win high-profile positions. Learning to govern at the city, county or school board level is a more reasonable path to Congress.
Jeers: To ignoring human rights. A report from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights details lax standards at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. "We see that they're essentially acting as a lawless space, and now they've written a new contract saying, basically, they intend to continue to do so," one researcher said.
Internal records reveal more than 170 reported incidents of sexual abuse and assault at the facility over a 10-year period. Meanwhile, administrators have routinely prevented state investigators from entering the facility. While enforcement of immigration laws is necessary, such efforts should not ignore basic human rights for detainees.
Cheers: To a new park. Renaissance Pointe has opened along the Columbia River after a yearlong restoration effort. The small park has been dedicated to the memory of Clark County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jeremy Brown, who was killed in the line of duty in 2021.
"This place was part of his daily walk, his favorite spot on the river," said his wife, Jill Brown. Connecting with Renaissance Trail along the river, the park offers a peaceful spot to take in some of our region's natural splendor.
Unlock all stories. Stay informed.
Starting at just $1.99/week
Become a subscriber and get unlimited access to every story, plus our ePaper and app for seamless reading anywhere. Stay informed, support local journalism, and stay connected to your community.
Subscribe today
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.