Inaugural Gorge Commission economic vitality committee elects chair after divided roll call

The Columbia River Gorge Commission’s newly formed Economic Vitality Committee elected Commissioner Litware as chair and Commissioner Brennan Bissell as vice chair after competing nominations and a sequence of roll-call votes during the committee’s inaugural meeting.

The vote capped a tense discussion about leadership and public advocacy. Commissioner Robert Liberty nominated Commissioner Litware for chair; a later motion, moved by Chair Michael Mills and seconded by Commissioner Robert Liberty, proposed a slate naming Commissioner Litware chair and Commissioner Brennan Bissell vice chair. The committee used roll-call voting to resolve competing nominations.

The contest reflected underlying friction among members about public criticism and internal collaboration. Commissioner Liberty said he could not support Brennan Bissell’s candidacy because he felt his positions had been misrepresented publicly: "My concern is that my views have been misrepresented to the Skamania County Commission by you, Commissioner Brennan Bissell, unfairly, inappropriately," he said. Brennan Bissell responded directly and apologized for any offense while defending her approach to advocacy for scenic-area residents: "If I offended your sensibilities, commissioner Liberty, I apologize… I am a representative of the people who live in the National Scenic Area and who live in Skamania County."

During the roll call on Commissioner Litware’s nomination, the clerk recorded three yes votes and two abstentions, which the chair treated as sufficient to appoint Commissioner Litware as committee chair. A separate roll call on Commission Brennan Bissell’s nomination for chair recorded two yes votes, two no votes and an abstention; staff and the chair interpreted the sequence of votes to mean that Commissioner Litware would serve as chair and Commissioner Brennan Bissell would accept the vice-chair position.

Committee members described the chair role as a management and liaison position: run committee meetings, coordinate with staff on agendas, and report back to the full Commission. Chair Michael Mills framed the motion as a practical way to staff and lead the committee’s next steps. "It's really taking responsibility to work with the staff and then run these meetings and be in good communications with all the members," Mills said.

The committee moved quickly from the election to organizational matters. After the outcome, Commissioner Brennan Bissell accepted the vice chair nomination: "I'll accept that nomination," she said. Staff then affirmed they would work with the new chair and vice chair to develop a work plan for subsequent meetings.

The vote concluded formal action at the meeting. The committee will next convene with leadership in place to craft a work plan that prioritizes topics for study and public outreach.