SWAT STAKES OUT LA CENTER NEIGHBORHOOD

A Clark County regional SWAT team descended on a La Center suburb Jan. 16, responding to reports of a man holed up in a house with a rifle.

The suspect turned out to not be at home. He was arrested later at a store in Woodland on suspicion of felony assault with a weapon.

According to La Center police chief Tim Hopkin, a citizen reported just after 12:30 p.m. that John E. Jackson, 43, had kicked his father and brother out of his father's home at 614 E 6th St. at gunpoint.

Jackson then allegedly barricaded himself in the house and threatened to harm himself or anyone who approached.

Jackson, a longtime La Center resident, is known for his temper and violent past, Hopkin said.

SWAT teams took every precaution, Hopkin said, blocking off 6th St. and stationing snipers on neighboring rooftops. Officers used a bullhorn to call Jackson and set off a tear gas-type device which created smoke and a loud boom.

The incident was further complicated because Jackson is hearing impaired, Hopkin said. Police outside the home were not certain Jackson could hear their instructions to vacate the premises.

The SWAT team kept the home surrounded until after 4:30 p.m. when they received a report that the suspect was in a Woodland store. Clark County Sheriff's deputies reportedly responded and arrested Jackson who was unarmed and offered no resistance. Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputies assisted.

Hopkin said authorities learned later that Jackson had left the house soon after the altercation with his father and brother. Jackson had returned to the house briefly, but left when he saw police.

WORK PARTY, BARBECUE SET AT REFUGE

Work on the plankhouse project at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge will continue with a work party and volunteer-appreciation barbecue Sun., Jan. 25, 8:30 a.m., at the old shop on the River S Unit, S Hillhurst Road, Ridgefield.

The event was twice rescheduled.

Volunteers work on processing logs into planks, posts and other components.

Those interested in becoming volunteers are invited. No experience necessary. Dress for the weather, bring planers, mauls, hammers, drawknives, goggles, hearing protection, chainsaws and sturdy shoes and gloves.

Work parties will be moved from Sundays to Saturdays on Jan. 31.

Information, Virginia Parks, (503) 625-4377, Rebecca Young, 887-4106.

DEMOCRATS SET PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUS CONFABS

The Clark County Democratic Party will hold its precinct caucuses Sat., Feb. 7, 10 a.m., at various locations to select candidates for president of the United States.

Caucus organizer Dan Ogden Jr. of Vancouver said caucus meetings are held to select delegates to the county convention in April. Any democrat is invited to take part in the precinct caucus program.

Delegates selected at the caucus level, said Ogden, represent the opinions of those who take part in the caucuses. Thus, at each precinct, two delegates could support one presidential candidate and two another, if those participating in the caucus were split in that ratio. At least 15 percent of those participating must represent a candidate before that candidate will receive any delegates, said Ogden. Some delegates can be uncommitted at the county convention.

Delegates to the state convention in June are selected at the county convention, said Ogden, in somewhat the same fashion.

Ogden said 49 delegates to the national convention will be chosen at the state convention, with another 36 chosen after the state convention and including people such as the governor and other elected officials.

Resolutions to the county convention are also considered at the causus level.

Ogden said caucus organizers have worked to increase attendance by holding three training sessions and newsletter distribution.

Results of the caucus effort should be available by the afternoon of Feb. 7, said Ogden.

Republicans will meet

The Clark County Republican Party will hold presidential caucuses on Tues., March 9, at various locations including Battle Ground High School, according to caucus organizer Mike Gaston.

The Republicans will hold a county convention April 17 at Prairie High School.

Gaston said that, although Pres. Bush will likely be the choice of county republicans, "we will try to make it interesting."

Ogden can be reached at 254-8886, and Gaston at 574-0984.

EDITORIAL:

MORRIS CHAIRS 2004 BOARD

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Clark County commissioner Betty Sue Morris was elected Jan. 13 to chair the board of commissioners during 2004.

Morris took her seat between commissioners Craig Pridemore and Judie Stanton after they cast votes for her appointment.

Rotation of the chair position is an annual routine, said Morris. Commissioner Craig Pridemore chaired the board in 2003. Stanton was elected to the vice-chair position.

COUNTY SETTLES ACCIDENT CLAIM

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Clark County commissioners approved payment Jan. 13 of $40,000 to settle claims of a motorist whose vehicle was struck by a Sheriff's patrol car June 2, 2003.

A state Patrol report said deputy Doug Polson, 35, was responding to an emergency when the incident occurred.

Polson, eastbound on NE 76th St., struck a concrete median and veered into a parked 2003 Ford pickup occupied by Meghan Scheels, 24, and her four-year-old son.

The settlement of $40,000 includes payments of $30,000 to Scheels and $10,000 to her son, said County risk management specialist Ed Pavone.

The County will also pay about $33,000 for medical expenses incurred after the accident and auto damages, said Pavone.

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

It took six weeks of remodeling, a fall off a ladder, a bout with the flu, and a heart attack, but Music World owner Jim Detchman happily says his store is now moved and open for business.

Music World relocated in early December from the Battle Ground Plaza shopping center to 502 E Main St., Battle Ground.

The move took two days with the help of about 15 friends, family members and employees working around the clock, Detchman said.

The pressure and pace of the move took its toll, Detchman said. While painting, he fell six feet off a ladder and sprained his hand. Chest pains later landed him in the hospital for five days with what was diagnosed as a mild heart attack.

Now the store is moved and he has recovered, he said. He has even planned a vacation.

"We're really happy with the new location," Detchman said. "We really like Old Town. We're getting more walk-in traffic than the old location, and people seem to be finding us."

With 5,000 square feet, the new store is more than double the size of the previous location. The previous store had five studio rooms for instrument practice while the new store has 10 rooms upstairs and one handicap-accessible room downstairs.

Customers will see expanded instrument offerings. Detchman sells and rents a full line of school band instruments as well as several types of guitars, banjos, ukeleles, sheet music, keyboards, amplifiers and music accessories. Each fall, Music World rents about 1,000 instruments.

Lessons are offered upstairs, mostly during afternoons, for all band instruments, guitar, percussion, piano and violin. A voice teacher is currently sought.

Detchman taught music in the Battle Ground School District for 30 years, spending most of his time at Pleasant Valley Middle School. When he retired in 1999 he intended to relax and go fishing, but when the store came up for sale in spring 2000, he took the chance.

Music World was previously owned by the late Don Cammack who began the store about 10 years earlier inside the Battle Ground Hi-School Pharmacy building.

Today, Music World employs five full-time and two part-time workers plus multiple adjunct teachers. A new sales representative will be added soon.

Music World also sells and services instruments for more than 50 schools in southwest Washington. Small "branch locations" of the store are established in Hi-School Pharmacies in Scappoose, St. Helens and Silverton, OR, and in Woodland to serve band students.

Detchman hopes to expand school services, extend hours, continue to build up stock, and fill the practice studios in the future. Currently, studios are at about two-thirds capacity, which was part of the plan--to have room to grow.

Detchman's daughter, Jodi Goughnour, is becoming a co-owner of the store. Plans call for her to assume the reins when Detchman retires.

Store hours are Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Parking is available behind and in front of the store.

Contact Music World at 687-1768.

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Battle Ground city council members unanimously selected John Idsinga to serve the city as mayor for another term. They were also united in electing Sandra Barnes as deputy mayor.

The vote came on the heels of a swearing-in ceremony Jan. 12 for Idsinga, Barnes and newcomer Chris Regan, conducted by city clerk Anna Bocchi.

"Thank you very much for that vote of confidence," Idsinga said to his fellow councilors. He also congratulated Barnes and welcomed Regan on board before launching into city business.

City manager Eric Holmes presented the council with an overview of 2004 plans for city core services.

Holmes said the presentation depicts goals consistent with the council's priorities as listed in the 2003 and current budget.

Plans in 2004 for city management are to maintain a community relations program, develop a human resources program and increase pursuit of new economic development strategies.

Planning department staff will finish the city's Comprehensive Plan for the state- mandated Growth Management Act and update master plans for sewer, water, drainage, parks and fire facilities.

Finance department staff will revise the utility rate and development fee structures to reflect the new Comprehensive Plan and facility master plan, as well as change to a Government Accounting Standards Board.

Two new patrol officers and another office staff person come under Public Safety goals, as does completing the design for a new police station, adding two police vehicles, a radar trailer and a new fire engine.

An in-house engineering program will be developed to work with transportation projects such as completing the design and construction of a new intersection and signal at Onsdorff Blvd. and SR-503.

City officials also intend to complete grant-funded work on E Main St., participate in the design process for a proposed NE 219th St. interchange at I-5, and compete for a grant to begin the design to fix S Parkway Ave.

In addition to pursuing a voter-approved parks bond, city officials will continue working to expand water and sewer capacity.

Holmes told council members that staff will prepare and present an economic development strategy for approval this year which will include "identifying and prioritizing strategic" land annexations and infrastructure investments.

Staff will also work with the Chamber of Commerce and an economic development group to recruit and keep businesses in the city. Part of that plan is to target certain businesses for recruitment, Holmes said.

"Battle Ground has deficits in restaurants, retail and industrial," Holmes said.

"That's a lot of information to process," council member Alex Reinhold said when Holmes finished.

Idsinga said contemplating the year ahead is overwhelming.

"This is a big year ahead of us," he said. "There's no place to go but up. There's a lot of hard work for council and staff, but we will succeed."

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

The race for Battle Ground Citizen of the Year and Business Person of the Year has been narrowed to three nominees in each category by a committee selected by Chamber of Commerce officials.

Citizen of the Year finalists are Rich and Trish Rubin, Bev Brissler and Barb Evans. Businessperson of the Year finalists are Battle Ground city manager Eric Holmes, Steve Irby of Irby's Fine Cigars and More, and Kevin Morse of Elite Collision.

Citizen of the Year selection is based upon community service, volunteerism and leadership, primarily in Battle Ground.

The Rubins have worked on the rose float project for several years, including work on a fireworks booth which funds the float program. They also volunteer with the North County Community Food Bank and are active in the Harvest Days community celebration.

Barbara Evans has served as Walk & Knock food drive coordinator, volunteered with the food bank, served on the rose float committee for 12 years, volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce in various activities, and is active with the Boys Scouts of America organization. She has been a volunteer at a primary school for 21 years.

Bev Brissler serves on the Harvest Days committee and other Chamber of Commerce committees, serves on the Chamber Board of Directors and Economic Development Committee, and is a rose float court judge. She volunteers with the Rock Solid Teen Center. Through the General Federation of Women's Club, Brissler works on a crime prevention program, literacy project and other programs.

The chosen businessperson must own or operate a business within the 98604 zip code area. Selection is based on recent expansion, remodeling or construction, appearance, promotion, involvement in business or professional organizations, respect from other business people, work on projects that benefit other businesses, and customer service practices.

Holmes has managed Battle Ground city government through a period of growth. He oversees public safety, transportation issues including the W Main Street reconstruction project, utilities and facilities, and park development. He manages a $50 million budget and 68 employees.

Irby has expanded and moved his cigar shop to become a full-service restaurant in the city's old town area, remodeling a former restaurant and bar into an inviting gathering place for area residents. Irby is active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Old Town Battle Ground Merchants group, and the state Restaurant Association.

Morse heads the new Elite Collision Center on W Main Street, a business opened in the last year. Morse managed the permitting and construction of the new business which expands employment in the city. Art Morse Auto Repair, Quik Lube and Elite Collision Center now employ 25 full-time people. Staff training and certification are priorities at the Morse businesses.

According to Terri Tweedell, Chamber of Commerce executive director, nomination forms have been sent to outside agencies for final decisions.

Winners will be announced at the 32nd annual Recognition Banquet Sat., Feb. 7, 6 p.m., at the Cedars Golf Club, 15001 NE 181st St., Brush Prairie. Tickets are $28 each, and the public is welcome. To make reservations, call Tweedell at 687-1510.

COUNTY HIKES BURGLAR ALARM COSTS

New rules mandate annual fees, false alarm charges

Bill Myers, staff reporter

After hearing what false alarms cost taxpayers, the Clark County commissioners approved new fees Jan. 13 for burglary and fire alarms, and stiffer penalties for false alarms.

Clark County Sheriff's commander Tony Barnes said deputies responded to 3,484 alarm calls in 2002. The report said 96 percent of the alarms were false and cost taxpayers about $163,000.

In a request for tougher alarm rules, Sheriff Garry Lucas said it takes more than one full-time deputy to respond to false alarms.

The new ordinance, patterned after a Vancouver city code, requires alarm owners to pay a $20 annual alarm registration fee. There is an exception for economically disadvantaged persons defined as those eligible for federally- funded food stamps. The previous ordinance required an annual permit at no cost.

Barnes said deputies won't begin to enforce new ordinance requirements until April 15. This will allow citizens and businesses time to register alarm systems and learn to operate them.

Stiffer penalties for false alarms

Stiffer false alarm penalties are contained in the new ordinance.

Previous rules forgave two false alarms within 12 months. New language mandates a $50 civil penalty for a first false alarm response to an alarm site in a 12-month period. The penalty may be waived if the alarm owner agrees in writing to take responsibility for his/her system and states the corrective action taken.

Additional rules escalate penalties to $100, $150, $200, $250 and $300 for subsequent false alarm responses within a 12-month period.

The Sheriff's Office may waive a fine if mechanical failure triggered an alarm.

Most false alarms are caused by user errors or causes within the control of alarm owners, said Barnes.

Frequent causes are owners forgetting to turn alarms off, pets moving through alarm sensor beams in a home, and sensors reacting to drapes that move when heat comes on, Barnes said.

Lucas estimates yearly registration fees will generate about $147,500 (for 7,375 alarm systems), with annual fines adding another $75,000 to $90,000.

Lucas said changes, including a "more aggressive" fine structure, are supported by the Neighborhood Presidents Coalition, Business and Security Managers Group, Alarm Advisory Board and Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association.

Pending additional budget analyses, commissioners shelved a request by Lucas to authorize a full-time deputy position and an additional one-half time accounting specialist to administer the alarm program.

The County currently contracts with the City of Vancouver Alarm Center to monitor and administer provisions of the County Alarm Ordinance.

Starting Feb. 2, permits can be obtained at the Sheriff's Office, 707 W 13th St., Vancouver. Registration forms can be obtained at any Sheriff's Precinct and returned or mailed to the Sheriff's Office.

Barnes can be reached at 397-2281.

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

About 30 citizens gathered Jan. 14 to offer input on a bond proposal to build new schools in the Battle Ground School District.

Citizens divided into three groups to ask questions and clarify points about the recommendation.

Citizens inquired about timelines for construction, if the recommendation meets area growth needs, and why only two schools will be initially built if the bond passes.

District officials and bond committee members were on hand to answer questions.

Bond info

School board members voted Dec. 16 to accept a recommendation to present a $55 million bond to area voters May 18.

If passed, the state will contribute another $35 million to the project. To receive state funds, a district must have students in portables. Battle Ground currently has 104 portables which house some 2,200 students. The District educates nearly 12,000 students overall.

From October 1992 to October 2003, enrollment in the Battle Ground District increased by 3,677 students, or 47.5 percent.

According to the District's 2003 Capital Facility Plan, nine of the District's schools are currently over capacity--Captain Strong Elementary, Chief Umtuch Primary, Glenwood Heights Primary, Maple Grove Primary and Middle, Amboy Middle, Lewisville Middle, Pleasant Valley Middle and Summit View Alternative.

Under capacity are Pleasant Valley Primary, Yacolt Primary, Laurin Middle, Battle Ground High and Prairie High. Overall, the District is currently over capacity by more than 1,400 students.

By law, bonds cannot be used for general expenses such as teacher salaries and classroom supplies. Bonds can be spent to build new schools, purchase property, modernize buildings, add classrooms or other space to existing buildings and repair major school building components such as roofs and heating systems.

Members of the 18-member bond committee worked to develop a conservative recommendation, they said, aiming to keep the overall bond rate around the $50 million mark.

In Battle Ground's recommendation, money will be spent to build two new K-8 schools, purchase land for a future high school near Amboy, replace the lower building at Amboy Middle School, remodel Laurin Middle School, do a site study and remodel the campus containing Lewisville Middle, Captain Strong Elementary and Chief Umtuch Primary schools, redo the track, roof and auditorium at Prairie High School, and build a new drama addition and renovate the stadium at Battle Ground High School.

If the bond passes, the first K-8 school is expected to open fall 2006, the second will open fall 2007 and work on a new high school will begin after 2012.

School locations were not formalized as part of the bond committee's recommendation. The District will likely build schools on property currently owned or under review, said District spokesperson Kelly Keister.

The District owns property at NE 199th St. and NE 72nd Ave. called Mint fields, and is negotiating to buy land at the north end of NW 20th Ave., known as the Cresap property. What will it cost?

Battle Ground voters currently pay 68 cents per $1,000 assessed value on their property for a bond passed in 1993.

That bond was used to remodel and add space to Battle Ground and Prairie high schools and Yacolt Primary schools. An addition was also built at Captain Strong Elementary and several portables were purchased.

If the new bond is approved, the rate will climb to $1.23-$1.33 per $1,000, depending on how the bonds are sold, said assistant superintendent Lynn Hicks.

On a $200,000 house, instead of paying $136 annually, the rate will be about $246-$266 annually, or from $11 to $20-$22 monthly.

Compared to the rest of the county, Battle Ground voters appear to have been getting off easy for the past several years. Only Ridgefield voters currently pay a lower bond rate than Battle Ground at 59 cents per $1,000, according to statistics from the Educational Service District 112.

Highest bond rates in the county for 2003 are Hockinson residents at $2.81, Camas at $2.50, Evergreen at $2.05 and Washougal at $2.49.

If the new bond passes, Battle Ground voters will still find themselves at the lower end of the county compared to other jurisdictions. La Center residents pay $1.99 and Vancouver $2.01.

For more information or any questions about the bond, contact Kelly Keister at 904-1233, or 885-5300, or Shonny Bria, 885-5302.

SAM KIM NAMED NEW BG SCHOOLS CHAIR

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Sam Kim was elected chairman of the Battle Ground School Board Jan. 13, replacing three-year chairman Frederick Striker.

Striker is still on the Board.

Mark Pelletier was elected vice-chair for 2004, replacing Kim who was previously vice-chair. Board members annually nominate and elect the positions among themselves.

Kim, 44, works as a research and development project manager for Hewlett Packard, managing a team of software engineers. He has worked there for the past 14 years.

Kim graduated from Centralia High School in 1978 and received a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in chemical engineering.

For five years he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy.

Following military service, he returned to the University of Washington and completed a master degree in business administration in 1990. He is currently working on an additional master's degree in management of technology from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kim, an eight year Board member, said he will use his role as chairman to further the District's interest-based approach to decision-making and development, specifically to help maximize student learning. He is also keen on collaborating with all District stakeholders to benefit area schools. Kim and his wife, Robyn, have twin boys in seventh grade at Laurin Middle School.

A Brush Prairie resident, Kim can be contacted at home, 896-7119, or by e-mail: bgschoolboard@yahoo.com

HIGH SCHOOL MAY BE WOODLAND'S NEXT BIG PROJECT

by Michelle Kapitanovich

The Woodland School Board may soon be asked to authorize a bond issue for a new district high school.

At its Jan. 14 meeting, the board directed superintendent Bill Hundley to return with a recommendation on the matter. It is likely Hundley will make his recommendation at one of the board's February gatherings.

Immediately after the meeting, Hundley said he was still mulling over what he would bring to the board.

"In the broadest, most general terms, I'm inclined to take them a proposal to build a new high school," he said.

The need for a new high school is driven by climbing enrollment figures, which show no indication of leveling off. The District has 2,020 students, almost 200 more than three years ago. Several pending housing developments will bring even more children, Hundley said.

The new high school, forecast to cost about $34 million, would encompass 140,000 square feet and accommodate 900 students.

Hundley said he is considering whether to add an auditorium and stadium to the proposal, which would add another $5 million to the cost.

The District qualifies for $7.5 million in state matching funds and has another $1 million it could dedicate to the construction, Hundley said.

The last bond issue built a new intermediate school, which opened in September 1998. District residents are still paying off the debt at about $1.90 per $1,000 of assessed valuation on property. If a high school bond proposal is approved by voters, the bond issue debt would increase to about $3.70 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, Hundley estimated.

"I'd say we have a critical need," Hundley said. "Not because the schools are falling down but because we are growing so rapidly, we don't have space for the kids."

Woodland's middle school and high school are 5 to 10 percent over capacity, Hundley said. Five portables have been added to accommodate students there.

Meanwhile, Woodland Primary has 10 portables at its site. The district will need to purchase more portables for next year.

"There is no room at the inn," Hundley said. "By building a high school and using our current high school/middle school for a middle school, we solve both our elementary and high school problems for several years."

A citizens' committee examing the issue identified a new high school as the best alternative. Their decision was echoed by residents who attended recent focus group meetings.

High school schedule

Parents of youngsters in grades 8-11 are invited to a meeting on Mon., Jan. 26, to learn more about possible schedule changes at Woodland High School.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the high school's auditorium.

An alternative schedule is being eyed for next year because of proposed changes to the district's graduation requirements. The school board will likely consider those changes at a Feb. 25 meeting.

High school principal John Shoup said revisions are spurred by "our school improvement plan. As we looked at our data, we determined we were not where we wanted to be in relation to state test scores. We needed to do something significant to change what we're doing."

The high school currently runs on a five-period day. Students attend three periods each day that run for 84-90 minutes each and last for one semester. The other two class periods are 45 minutes long and typically continue throughout the entire year. Under this model, students receive about 127 hours of instruction per credit and can earn eight credits per year, or 32 credits during their high school career.

With the six-period day being considered, students would attend six classes, each about 57 minutes long. Most core classes, such as English, math, science and social studies, would continue throughout the year.

Under a six-period model, students would receive about 171 hours of instruction per credit. They could earn up to six credits a year or up to 24 during four years.

The state requires 19 credits to graduate.

Snow days

To make up days missed for inclement weather, students will now attend school on Fri., Jan. 30, Fri., Feb. 13, and Fri., March 12. All were snow days built into the district calendar. Another day will also be added to the end of the school year, making the last day of class in the Woodland School District June 17.

MAYOR SAYS BG HAD "AWESOME YEAR"

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

About 100 business people and citizens attended the annual State of the City address at Cedars Golf Club Jan. 15 when Battle Ground mayor John Idsinga looked to the past and toward the future.

The event was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

"The city is doing great," Idsinga said. "It's been an awesome year."

Idsinga said the city's success is because of corporate and private citizens, city staff who carry out council members' visions, city crews who keep the city running and the council itself.

"Change is the only constant," he said about the last year. "It's amazing what one year can do."

Idsinga said there were 519 new housing starts which added 1,653 new citizens for a total population of 13,669--more than a 13 percent increase this year. That makes Battle Ground the third fastest growing city of its size in the state, he said.

Battle Ground is a model of how things should be done, he said, such as in public safety, transportation, parks, utilities and facilities, including the acquisition of city hall. Plans for the new year are to provide the police department with two new officers and two patrol cars, and get the ball rolling on a design for a new police department building. Money has also been set aside to purchase a new fire truck for $350,000, in keeping with the public's concerns about safety, Idsinga said.

The completion of improvements on W Main St. and NE 199th St. will help pave the way for economic development, he said. Plans are to improve roads and the old town area on E Main St. from N Parkway to NE Grace Ave.

Idsinga also looked ahead to the proposed and "fully funded" I-5 interchange at NE 219th St., which may be in operation by 2009. The project is funded through a state gas tax.

"We need another $15 million to build that leg [from the interchange into Battle Ground]," he said. "We hope that comes sooner than later."

Sewer capacity is currently one of the "toughest issues to deal with, and expensive," he said.

Plans for Battle Ground's portion of phase four of the Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment plant are underway, but city staff are looking into alternatives, Idsinga said. One option is for the city to operate its own plant.

Water availability is no longer a problem that plagues residents, Idsinga said. Last year, construction began on a 2 million gallon water reservoir which will more than double the city's storage capacity. More than two miles of water line were replaced as well, he said, and three miles added through development which also added about "five lane miles" of streets.

Planning for the future includes sustaining a new building department begun last year, completing the city's comprehensive plan for growth, and sticking to the 50-year vision to spread south and west.

"This is the way we want to do things," Idsinga said. "We'll have our capital facilities plan in place by April."

Idsinga said he is pleased with economic development in the city last year and wants to see a marked increase.

More than 260 businesses were licensed--a 50 percent increase, he said. In addition, 58,610 square feet of commercial construction took place.

"Our role is to foster an atmosphere where small business can flourish," Idsinga said. "Remember small and large businesses together create jobs."

Idsinga promised continued efficient and fiscally sound government.

"We do run a tight, hard-working ship," he said, noting that the city still has the lowest property tax rate for the 12th consecutive year in Clark County at $9.37 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Idsinga said estimates on city growth are at about 1,000 per year for the next five years, following the current trend.

"We need to manage growth and maintain our identity while building new and respecting existing neighborhoods," he said. "We value our environment and we'll keep investing in the historic downtown area."

"We will also continue to partner with the community to invest in parks and recreation, remain financially sustainable and continue with a professionally managed government," Idsinga added. "But it's all about jobs. The key to economic development is transportation. We will remain focused on that."

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Glenwood Heights Primary School custodian Dee Skillings may have saved secretary Sue Nelson's life Dec. 19 when she choked on an apple in early morning hours before school began.

Skillings performed the Heimlich maneuver on Nelson, dislodging a stuck piece of fruit which blocked Nelson's windpipe and constricted her airflow.

Nelson had arrived at school about 6:30 a.m. to finish some projects on the last day of classes before Christmas break. Students normally arrive by 8:20 a.m., staff by 7:50 a.m.

The day was also "pajama dress-up day" at the 700 student, K-4 school, so Nelson was attired true to form.

As Nelson snacked on an apple, a piece became stuck and "couldn't go up and couldn't go down," she said. She wheezed and gasped.

Nelson knew an assistant secretary always arrived early, but that was perhaps 30 minutes away. She thought maybe another teacher was in the building somewhere, or certainly the custodian, but he might be out cleaning a portable.

Nelson began to run down the halls in search of someone.

"All I could think was, `Please don't let me die in the hallways in my pajamas,'" Nelson said. "`They'll think I live here.'"

Fortunately, Skillings had arrived about 6 a.m. as usual and was cleaning a staff rest room about 100 yards down the hallway from Nelson.

Skillings heard a strange sound before he saw anyone.

"When I heard her I thought it was the air conditioner," Skillings said. "Then I saw her and I knew right away something was wrong."

Skillings had taken CPR and first aid classes. He has worked 15 years as a custodian and eight years prior as a bus driver, but this was the first time he had performed the Heimlich maneuver.

"It did the job," Skillings said.

Nelson said she was "very thankful," for Skillings, and also that he stayed "very cool and calm" during the experience.

Nelson has worked 26 years in the Battle Ground School District, the last 12 at Glenwood. She has performed the Heimlich twice on students during her career.

COMMISSIONERS ADOPT GROWTH PLAN

[Land added back to BG]

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Clark County commissioners adopted a version of the update to the County's 20-year Comprehensive Growth Management Plan Jan. 14, a document that designates how and where communities will grow.

Details will not be final until the end of this week, but preliminary indications show more land added to Battle Ground.

City calculations show some 7,500 acres being added to Battle Ground's urban growth boundary. The added land is situated mostly to the northwest, west and southwest of the city's current boundary.

County Commissioner Betty Sue Morris said two reasons existed for the additions: first, because the County "simply cannot take on more responsibility for people in unincorporated areas with its current tax structure," and second, because larger employment centers are anticipated at the Ridgefield I/5 junction and in Battle Ground, so traffic patterns will change for the better with the additions. People can hopefully work closer to where they live thereby reducing commutes to Portland, she said..

Battle Ground city leaders lauded the news. For months they had been in negotiations with County officials over boundaries as the update went through several revisions. One change saw some 1,700 acres stripped from one of the city's proposals, which could have meant as many as 5,400 fewer jobs.

The commissioners' adoption, however, gave Battle Ground similar figures to a proposal the city had sent in as part of their environmental review.

"We're happy," said Battle Ground mayor John Idsinga. "[The commissioners' plan] is back to where we started."

At one point in the negotiations, the commissioners wanted city officials to agree to a "no net loss" plan--essentially to promise to never rezone industrial land within city limits to some other use, or if that happened, to make up the loss by zoning the same amount of land for industrial use somewhere else in the city.

The idea did not sit well with Battle Ground officials, who thought County officials were interfering with city business, they said.

Morris and Idsinga said the no net loss plan did not figure into the commissioners' final decision.

Questions with overall plan

Causing some furor over the past several months is the ratio of jobs to job-producing lands as proposed in various versions of the plan.

With the commissioners' adoption, the new practice throughout Clark County will be to encourage industries which produce a higher number of jobs per acre.

In 1994, when the county's comprehensive plan was first adopted, proposals were made to provide 10,644 acres of job-producing lands--lands designated for commercial and industrial use. Those lands were set to produce some 44,000 jobs.

The County planning commission's proposal, which the commissioners worked from to adopt their version, designated roughly the same amount of job-producing lands--10,141 acres--yet called for the land to produce as many as 77,000 jobs.

Numbers in the commissioner's version are not yet final, yet the adopted plan will see roughly the same ratio of jobs to job-producing lands as in a recent recommendation made by County planning commission members, said County commissioner Betty Sue Morris.

County planner Jose Alvarez said one thought behind the higher yield is to encourage more job creation on the north side of the Columbia River. If more jobs are available in southwest Washington, commutes to Portland will be minimized, thus solving some of the area's transportation problems.

Pat Lee, director of Long Range Planning for the County, said a greater jobs/lands ratio has been observed in the area over the past 10 years as more traditional manufacturing jobs have given way to office/professional jobs. One example is the Columbia Tech Center off NE 164th Ave. near Orchards.

However, figures such as these worry community leaders such as John McKibbin, chairman of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and a former County commissioner.

McKibbin believes that one of the final versions of the County plans does not provide enough jobs.

McKibbin said the area needs 67,000 more jobs "at very least" than present numbers show. Higher numbers could create a ratio of two people per job in Clark County, the same ratio as the Portland metro area experiences today. Currently, the County has one job for every three residents.

McKibbin is also skeptical of the higher jobs to land ratio proposed in the current update. He called for commissioners to set a six month moratorium on the update process in part to run the plan through the Vacant Buildable Lands Model--the tool used to see where more land could be available.

McKibbin believes building the retail and commercial side of the area economy is part of the solution as it produces "the best revenue for government services [in the form of] retail sales tax." The update has worried some city leaders as well.

Ridgefield city manager Randy Bombardier said although a County-wide goal has been proposed to produce 9 jobs per acre, Ridgefield may only produce 6-7 jobs per acre. The new Dollar Tree regional distribution facility at the I-5 junction will yield about 2.5 jobs per acre.

Idsinga said he agreed with McKibbin's theories that more land for jobs is needed county- wide. He called Bombardier's figures of 6-7 jobs per acre are realistic for Battle Ground as well.

LA CENTER CLERK/TREASURER RETIRES

Bill Myers, staff reporter

La Center city clerk/treasurer Janice Fillman announced Jan. 14 that she will retire.

Fillman, who plans to leave city employment Jan. 30, began working for La Center 13 years ago.

Before joining the city, Fillman worked seven years as a La Center Elementary School secretary, and spent six years writing and editing for the Lewis River News in Woodland.

In a letter announcing her resignation, Fillman wrote that she watched La Center grow from a town of 400 people to a city of 1,885 citizens. Fillman said sh was honored to work with mayors, council members, co-workers and commission members.

An open house to honor Fillman is scheduled for Wed., Jan. 28, 5 p.m., at the La Center Community Center. Information telephone number is 263-2782.

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Newcomers to La Center might pay a lot more for sewer connections as soon as February.

After hearing sewer rate proposals from Clark Public Utilities Jan. 14, city council members in a split vote favored increasing current system development (hookup) charges of $2,000 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) to $5,547 per ERU.

Higher hook up costs without a higher monthly rate forces reliance solely on continued population growth of 5 percent yearly to fund $4.6 million of major renovations at the utility treatment plant in La Center. Renovations are targeted for completion in April.

The hookup hike would keep monthly residential and commercial sewer charges at current rates of $22.50 per ERU for non-seniors and $20.25 per ERU for seniors.

Utility water services director Doug Quinn said proposed monthly rates should be stable for at least three years.

Council member Richard Curtis said he wants to prevent seniors with fixed incomes from paying higher monthly service charges.

Council member Dale Smith said he is more comfortable with a compromise proposal, to charge $4,320 per ERU for system development charges, and regular monthly rates of $27.38 and a senior rate of $24.64.

Quinn said the council's preference will be reviewed by utility directors who may suggest other options.

"We hope to be able to implement new rates by Feb. 10," said Quinn.

No odor problems

Asked by Curtis if the new treatment plant will smell, Quinn said design engineers do not anticipate odor problems.

The plant is located within sniffing distance of a new city park and amphitheater area.

OBITS:

JOSEPH MILLER

Joseph P. Miller, 73, died Jan. 16, 2004 in Woodland.

Miller was born May 19, 1930 in Worcester, MA, attended school in Worcester, worked as a pipe fitter in steel manufacturing, and lived in Woodland the past five years.

Miller served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He enjoyed traveling, gardening and woodworking.

Survivors include widow Marie Miller, at home in Woodland, sons Joseph Miller and Timothy Miller, both of Massachusetts, daughters Patti Miller of Massachusetts, Sandra McCumsey and Linda Stout, both of Oregon, and Nancy Hammerschmith of Woodland, brothers John Miller, James Miller and Paul Miller, all of Massachusetts, sisters Muriel Uppstrom, Barbara Adams and Marsha Bisceglia, all of Massachusetts, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at a later date, with the Woodland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

JANET NAVARRA

Janet Lee (Braun) Navarra, 60, died Jan. 15, 2004 in Battle Ground.

Navarra was born Aug. 16, 1943 in Rockford, IL, worked as a seamstress for Jantzen, and lived in Clark County for 19 years.

Navarra enjoyed quilting, craftwork, knitting, crocheting, making jams and jellies, fishing, shopping for craft items, and gambling.

Survivors include widower Mitch Navarra, at home, daughters Laura Bull of Illinois, Shelly Urbina of Nevada, Rhonda Beaty of Battle Ground, Brenda Lockie of California and Brandy Jo Green of Vancouver, step-daughters Latricia Boone of Battle Ground, and Carolyn Boone, Chrystie Navarra and Charity Navarra, all of Oregon, sons Timothy Beaty and David Beaty Jr., both of Iowa, step-sons Richard Boone of Battle Ground and Tristan Navarra of Oregon, sister Nancy Hartsock of Illinois, brothers Terry Braun of Battle Ground and Larry Braun of Illinois, and more than 19 grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Sat., Jan. 24, 4 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

SHERYL BEACHELL

Sheryl (Orthmeyer) Beachell, 54, died Jan. 12, 2004 in Battle Ground.

Beachell was born Jan. 22, 1949 in Vancouver, and lived her entire life in Clark County.

Beachell graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1967. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and friends. She loved the coast and liked parties and shooting pool.

Survivors include daughters Christine Orthmeyer of Vancouver and Athena Jones of Alaska, sisters Kathy Edgar of Vancouver and Debby Crumrine of Battle Ground. brothers Craig Orthmeyer of Longview, and three grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Wed., Jan. 21, 2 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

JANICE THOMPSON

Janice Pearl (Golden) Thompson, 66, died Jan. 16, 2004 in Battle Ground.

Thompson was born June 14, 1937 in Vancouver, worked as a cook, and lived in Clark County for 60 years, last at Battle Ground.

Thompson enjoyed crocheting, reading romance novels and playing bingo. She also enjoyed visiting, going to Fatty Patty's restaurant, singing and being with her friends and family.

Survivors include daughter Mary Mikel Laidlaw of Vancouver, sons Mica Lee Thompson, Mark Lin Thompson and Joseph Denis Manning, all of Battle Ground, sister Mikel "Susie" Marie Burns of Colville, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Celebration of life services will be held Sat., Jan. 24, noon, at the Eagles Hall, SE 1st St. and Clark Ave., Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

Mae Violet (Fransen) Foell, 87, died Jan. 14, 2003 in Battle Ground.

Foell was born May 22, 1916 in Hazelton, ND, and lived in Clark County for 33 years, five years in Battle Ground.

Foell enjoyed crocheting, knitting, gardening, feeding hummingbirds and playing cards.

Foell was preceded in death by her husband, George Foell, in 1994. Survivors include sons Austin Foell of Vancouver and Harold Foell of Battle Ground, sisters Eunice Juhalo of Oregon and Grace Regal of Minnesota, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Sat., Jan. 24, 2 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

SHIRLEY UNGER

Shirley Louise (Baker) Unger, 75, died Jan. 11, 2004 in Camas.

Unger was born June 15, 1928 in Seaside, OR, and lived in Clark County for 37 years.

Unger was involved with the Columbia Old Time Strings organization. She enjoyed gardening, dancing, photography and playing pinochle. She loved music, trips to the beach, going to Hawaii and spending time with her family.

Unger was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Unger, in 1990, and daughter Diane Boadwine in 1994. Survivors include daughters Cathie Rissman of Monroe and Suzie Robinson of Vancouver, sons Michael Smith, Mark Hill and Tony Unger, all of Vancouver, and Lanny Hill of Camas, sisters Jeannie Holden and Nancy Craw, both of Oregon, brother Steve Sinclair of Oregon, 17 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and companion Alvin Bethje.

Committal was at Wilson Bridge Cemetery, Vancouver, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

PATRICK LETCHER

Patrick Harold Letcher, 73, died Jan. 11, 2004 in Vancouver.

Letcher was born May 31, 1930 in Minot, ND, worked in maintenance for the U.S. Forest Service, and lived in Cowlitz County for 32 years at Ariel, and Clark County for five years.

Letcher served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He attended Pleasant Valley Church in Cougar. He was formerly employed at the International Paper Mill in Chelatchie Prairie. He was a fan of the Portland Trailblazers. He enjoyed cribbage, hunting, fishing, playing pool, gardening and reading the Bible.

Letcher was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta Letcher, in 2001. Survivors include step-son Gary Stinnet of Ohio, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Committal was at Yale Cemetery, Ariel, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

CHARLES HOWELL

Memorial services for Charles Howell will be held Sat., Jan. 24, 11:30 a.m., at Mt. Valley Grange in Amboy.

Services had been scheduled for Mt. View Cemetery.

Howell died Dec. 4, 2003 in Lakewood. He had lived in Clark County 1970-1994. He had worked in logging and driving a school bus.

The Pulles McKee Funeral Home, Tacoma, is in charge of arrangements.

GLADYS MARTINSEN

Gladys L. (Hedges) Martinsen, 97, died Jan. 12, 2004 in La Center.

Martinsen was born March 10, 1906 in Kackley, Kansas, and lived in Toledo for 69 years before moving to La Center two months ago.

Martinsen studied at Concordia College in Kansas. She worked as a clerk at the Toledo Post Office for several years, and was the secretary of the Toledo Cemetery. Survivors include son Donald Martinsen of Toledo, daughters Shirley Reed of La Center and Beverly Meadors of Maple Valley, sister Inez Hamerly of Olympia, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel, Toledo, was in charge of arrangements.

JUANITA ARIONUS

Juanita Rae (Gruber) Arionus, 77, died Jan. 20, 2004 in Vancouver.

Arionus was born April 26, 1926 at home in Vancouver, and lived her entire life in Clark County.

Arionus attended Chelatchie Valley School and graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1944. She worked for the Kaiser Company at the Vancouver Shipyards in the tool supply office.

Arionus served as Girl Scout leader and was active in PTA. She later worked for the Nabisco Company in Portland.

Arionus enjoyed country music, flower gardening, sewing, and her pets, especially her cat Spooky. She also enjoyed dancing, playing the piano and guitar, playing pinochle, bowling, traveling and camping in an RV. In later years, she enjoyed watching television, especially reruns of All in the Family. She entertained others with her yodeling and speaking in pig latin.

Arionus was preceded in death by sister Yvonne Worthington in 1994. Survivors include widower Art Arionus of Vancouver, daughters Gail Miller of Sammamish and LInda Wood of Amboy, sister Sharon Rembges of Illinois, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Donations are suggested to the Salvation Army. Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.