To pass the Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration in Washington County, we need at least three county commissioners on our side - three votes out of five.  We still have a ways to go before reaching this goal, but I'm happy to report that the campaign just scored a big victory, by winning the support of Commissioner Dick Schouten.  I received an email from Commissioner Schouten today, indicating that he would support the Declaration in a vote.  He also provided me with the emails of the three Washington County commissioners whom I had previously been unable to contact directly.  Though the campaign still has to win at least two more votes, this is a major step.  We now have an allie in the Board of Commissioners.  And hopefully, the fact that the Cool Counties Declaration is taken seriously by one member of the Board will make the others more willing to step forward.

Now, it is up to us to pressure the remaining members of the Board of Commissioners to support the Cool Counties Declaration.  Tomorrow, if all goes according to plan, I will be give attendees of the newly-established Forest Grove Peace Vigil the opportunity to directly email members of the Board of Commissioners, and encourage them to support the Declaration.  I think it is only a matter of time until we win this one; we just have to keep the pressure on.

-Nick