La Center resident Justine Stimmel says Charter Review Commission candidate Peter Silliman ‘believes in policies that serve everyone’
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
I’m writing to express my enthusiastic support for my neighbor, Peter Silliman, as a candidate for the Clark County Charter Review Commission. Peter is not only a thoughtful and principled individual, but also someone who brings deep integrity, a strong sense of civic responsibility, and a collaborative spirit to everything he does. His candidacy offers a rare combination of experience, common sense, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of our community.
Peter Silliman is someone who truly lives his values. He’s spent his life in Clark County—55 years and counting — raised in La Center, married to his high school sweetheart, raising his family on 10 acres of land, homeschooling his children, and running a local business. He’s deeply rooted here, and it shows in everything he does.
Peter isn’t running for office out of ambition, he’s running out of commitment. Commitment to the people of Clark County. He wants to make sure our county government is accountable, transparent, and responsive to the voters. As someone who served on the original Charter Board and worked two years in the County Councilor’s office, Peter understands both how the system works and where it needs to improve. He has always been principled, practical, and professional — treating every person with fairness and respect.
One of the biggest issues Peter is focused on is public safety. As a resident and mother, I share his concerns. Clark County is severely understaffed when it comes to law enforcement. The national standard is 2.8 officers per 1,000 residents. Washington State is last in the nation with just 1.24 — and unincorporated Clark County is shockingly lower at 0.64. That’s less than all our nearby cities: Ridgefield, Camas, Vancouver, Washougal, and Battle Ground. This means slower response times, increased crime risk, and added pressure on our already stretched deputies.
Peter believes, and I agree, that we must do better. Our Sheriff has stated we need 15 new deputies every year for the next six years just to catch up. Peter is calling for a Charter amendment that makes it clear: providing adequate law enforcement is the paramount duty of county government. That’s the kind of leadership we need, someone who won’t just talk about the problem, but will work toward real, lasting solutions.
Peter also supports protecting homeowners from unnecessary property tax increases, promoting fiscal responsibility, and restoring balance to the legislative branch of our county government. He believes in policies that serve everyone — not just a few — and wants to ensure Clark County remains a safe, thriving place for future generations.
As someone who knows Peter personally, I can vouch for his integrity, his work ethic, and his heart for this community. He’s not a politician— he’s a neighbor, a father, a husband, and a servant-leader. I trust him to represent us well on the Charter Review Commission, and I encourage my fellow residents to vote for Peter Silliman.
Justine Stimmel
La Center resident
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