The Reflector

Shonny Bria, superintendent of the Battle Ground School District, was not selected as superintendent of the Scottsdale Unified School District in Arizona, but is now a finalist for a superintendency in Fort Collins, CO.

Officials in Scottsdale selected Dr. John Baracy, superintendent of the Tempe, AZ Elementary School District, for the post.

Bria was one of six finalists for the Scottsdale position. Bria said her motivation for returning to Arizona is the retirement program that is more lucrative than the program in Washington.

Bria worked as an educator in Arizona for 25 years before taking the Battle Ground position in 1998.

Bria is now one of three finalists at the Poudre School District in Fort Collins, CO. She will be in Colorado to interview for that position April 19-20.

Poudre School District is about twice the size of the Battle Ground School District.

Bria said retirement benefits in Colorado are similar to those in Arizona. If she returned to Arizona, she could retire in three years at about $5,000 a month. Colorado recognizes a portion of her Arizona experience. Retiring in Colorado, said Bria, would result in a benefit of more than $4,000 a month.

But if she retires in Washington in three years, she would receive about $1,400 a month in retirement benefits. Bria is 56 years old.

Bria currently earns about $130,000 yearly in Battle Ground. The Poudre School District salary would be at least $160,000 plus benefits, said Bria.

If offered the Poudre job, said Bria, she would take it. She said she has no other active applications elsewhere. "There is nothing else available," she said.

One of the Scottsdale finalists said she "got a call from the search consultant" and was advised that she was not selected for the job. That was hours before the board officially met and voted unanimously for Baracy. The Baracy contract was ready for approval and signature at that meeting.

According to the Scottsdale Republic newspaper, the Scottsdale school board got into trouble for violating the state Open Meetings Law several years ago. Since then, the board receives training on the law annually.

Proposed changes to the traffic management plan for the Amphitheater at Clark County were given a dry run test April 11 when about 10,000 people and some 2,500 cars arrived at the venue for an Easter service.

County spokesman Steve Schulte said the test was "a good learning opportunity for traffic control personnel."

"They are refining their techniques," said Schulte, "in cone and sign placement. We need to time some things differently."

The test focused on moving traffic more quickly as it arrived at the Amphitheater; no special actions were taken during the period of departure.

The test included barricades at several intersections, and the routing of some detoured traffic onto Delfel Road.

Here are the changes included in the test and implemented during the 11 a.m.-1 p.m. arrival period:

** The two traffic signals on NE 179th St. at the I-5 ramps, as well as the signal on NE 179th St. at Delfel Road, were turned off at 11 a.m. Flaggers controlled these three locations during the two-hour test.

** Traffic southbound on NE 10th Ave. from the Duluth area was detoured at NE 199th St. and directed west on NE 199th St., south onto Delfel Road, then onto southbound I-5 or east or west on NE 179th St.

** Traffic eastbound on NW 179th St., NW 164th St., NW 184th St., NW 189th St., and NW 194th St. were detoured north onto NW 11th Ave., then east on NW 199th St. to Delfel Road, and south on Delfel to NE 179th St. Traffic was also allowed to go south on NW 11th Ave.

** Traffic westbound on NE 179th St. was detoured either south onto Union Road or north onto NE 10th Ave. as it approached I-5.

Traffic westbound on NE 179th St. destined for the Amphitheater was stopped occasionally to allow traffic southbound on Delfel Road to clear. Delfel Road traffic also had a free right turn lane toward the Amphitheater.

A public hearing on these detours will be held before the first Amphitheater event of the season. That public hearing could be held April 29 or May 6, he said.

A final decision on detours will be made jointly by Clark County and the state Department of Transportation after the public hearing, said Pete Capell, head of Clark County Public Works.

Capell said that motorists from areas north and east of the Amphitheater were advised by reader boards of Amphitheater events, and encouraged to take other routes before reaching a detour barricades.

Schulte said northbound traffic at 179th St. was periodically stopped at the off-ramp signal to allow traffic southbound on Delfel to clear. He did not know how long this maneuver lasted when it occurred, or whether traffic ever backed up to I-5 mainline.

Schulte said there was more traffic on Delfel than planners had hoped for, expecting warning signs to send traffic elsewhere.

"We hope to make it work with this arrangement," said Schulte of the Delfel diversions. "There are a number of additional diversions we could make."

Traffic exiting the Amphitheater following the Easter services traveled on NE 179th St. to the I-5 interchange. The departure period was 2:30-5 p.m. Traffic was not directed to leave to the west, although the westerly exit is under consideration during regular Amphitheater events.

A hearing on directing exiting traffic to the west is set for Thurs., April 22, 6:30 p.m., at the Public Services Building, 1300 Franklin, Vancouver.

In was spring break, and Hannah Schiermeister, 13, was cutting berry vines and brush at her grandfather's farm in La Center April 8 when she spotted a cougar lounging next to the barn about 30 feet away.

Hannah dropped her equipment and ran into the barn as the cougar departed into brush.

Terrified, Hannah remained in the barn a few minutes, then made a dash for her grandfather's house located 300-400 feet up a hill.

Hannah described the cougar as dwarfing the family's 80-pound Newfoundland Rottweiler. She said the animal was light brown to white in color, with a tail about six feet long. She surmised that the animal was a female because its stomach hung close to the ground.

Hannah's father, Larry Schiermeister, suspects the cougar of killing five cats at the farm over a two month period.

Last fall, said Schiermeister, a mother cougar and two cubs were observed in a neighbor's driveway.

"We need to get the state out there," said Schiermeister. "This is getting out of control."

State wildlife officials said a cougar had been sighted earlier in the week on NW 23rd Ave., not far from the Schiermeister farm.

Schiermeister said the family's two beautiful, red cats that were raised from babies were among those lost. Schiermeister said coyotes also visit his father's farm, located at 36415 NW 21st Ave., La Center. He described the coyotes as bold, coming near the farm house during daylight hours.

Lloyd Schiermeister said he saw a coyote fighting with his Blue Healer dog and tearing the Healer's shoulder. Schiermeister said stitches were required to close the wound.

"I'm afraid to have my kids out of my sight," said Larry Schiermeister. "I don't let them go into the woods on foot."

Randy Bombardier, former Ridgefield city manager, has notified city officials that he wants a public hearing about his recent firing.

Bombardier's contract was terminated after a March 11 executive session where council members unanimously chose to suspend his duties immediately with termination effective April 11, unless Bombardier filed for an appeal before then.

A request for a public hearing was filed April 2 on Bombardier's behalf by attorneys Gregory Ferguson and Robert Dunbabin.

In late January, council members hired attorney Eileen Lawrence to conduct an internal investigation regarding allegations of Bombardier's conduct during a state investigation into reported environmental crimes.

After the investigation, Lawrence's allegations include incompetency, dereliction of duty and dishonesty and discourteous treatment of the public or fellow employees. Those reported findings exempt the city from paying him any severance package, according to Bombardier's contract.

In the April 2 letter to city clerk Kay Kammer, Bombardier's attorneys asked for a public hearing about the city's decision to remove him from the position and deny severance pay.

Bombardier also wants the city to pay for his legal fees, and asked for a copy of the city's official accusations against him.

George Fox, interim city manager, said he is working with Bombardier and attorneys to negotiate a settlement and avoid a public hearing.

A public hearing would entail witnesses for both sides, and disclosure of the council's specific grounds for dismissal.

Town council members approved an ordinance March 15 that will mandate on-site inspections at least once every two years. Some systems may require annual inspections.

The ordinance will require owners of on-site systems to pay a monthly fee of $3.50 for system inspections.

Fees, which will be on water bills, won't start until the end of this year, said utility water services manager Doug Quinn. By then, workers contracted by the utility will have installed risers and ports on most systems in Yacolt to facilitate inspections.

Septic system owners who do not provide easements to utility workers are required by the ordinance to hire licensed inspectors to conduct inspections. They and owners of aerobic treatment units will not be required to pay monthly fees.

Town clerk Brenda Finnegan said licensed inspectors charge $80-$90 for system inspections.

The ordinance requires an interlocal agreement between Yacolt, Clark Public Utilities and the Clark County Health Department.

The utility will select licensed inspectors to perform inspections on its behalf.

If on-site system problems are identified, the Health Department will notify the property owner in writing of remedial action required. Property owners will be given 15-90 days, depending on the degree of health risk, to fix problems.

The ordinance provides for a fine of up to $1,000 for failure to have inspections on schedule or failure to correct an on-site wastewater system problem.

Utility water quality manager Steve Prather said the aquifer that provides water to five community wells in Yacolt is only about 30 feet deep during rainy seasons.

In the early 1990s, the town had a history of elevated nitrate levels. Prather said current nitrate levels of 2 to 3 milligrams per liter are well below the 10 milligram maximum allowed in public drinking water by federal Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

Seven Battle Ground park areas await voter decision on construction or remodeling and maintenance.

The special election will be by mail only; April 27 is the deadline for voting. Non-city residents cannot vote on the matter.

Signs at each park are now in place, asking citizens to decide what the future holds for the sites.

Voters will face two separate ballot measures. One is a 20-year, $7.6 million bond for parks improvements at 45 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, and the other is 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property for a maintenance and operations levy.

Of okayed, the maintenance levy would produce about $360,000 the first year and increase by 1 percent over the next 20 years.

If both measures are approved, 95 cents per $1,000 will be tacked on to property taxes.

City officials say the average home price in Battle Ground is $141,000. Combining both measures would cost property owners about $132 annually, or $11 per month.

If the park improvement portion passes, city officials will kick in another $4.4 million in existing revenue, bringing the total to be spent on parks to $12 million.

The separate maintenance portion is crucial, say city officials, because there is no dedicated money to operate and maintain parks. Funds currently come out of general tax income which is used for other services such as police and fire.

The levy would provide stable income for park maintenance and cannot be used for anything else by state law, officials said.

Senior and disabled citizens with set income levels may qualify for an exemption to the levy, city officials said. Contact the Clark County Department of Assessment at 397-2391.

** Remy Property, an 80-acre, mostly wetland parcel on SW 20th Ave., could be developed for $4.3 million with parking lots, trails, baseball diamonds, skateboard/soccer areas, restrooms, concession stands, playground equipment, benches, lighting, bleachers and dugouts;

** Fairgrounds Park, located on the far end of E Main St., would see $2.6 million in improvements. Plans are to put in a pavilion, stage, restrooms, better parking and access, a play set, town commons and entry plaza fountain;

** Florence Robison Park on NW 9th St. off NW 20th Ave. would receive $10,000 for site furnishings such as benches and trash receptacles;

** Gardner Oaks Park, which is located directly north of a proposed fitness center on SR-503 and Rasmussen Blvd., would get $155,000 for a paved loop trail, gravel paths and site development;

** Hidden Glen Park in a neighborhood about five blocks south of E Main St. near S Parkway Ave. would receive about $116,800 for a paved pathway extension, play equipment, benches and site development costs; and

** Kiwanis Park, located at SW 2nd St. and SW 3rd Ave., would receive about $657,800 for play field upgrades, restroom improvements, an extra basketball court, walkway lighting, a playground upgrade, paved loop path and site development costs.

For more information about projects, call the Public Works Department at 342-5070 or visit the city's website at www.cityofbg.org

Members of the Battle Ground Police Officers Association entered into mediation last month with city administrators because they can't agree on terms of a new police contract.

Although spokespersons from both groups began talks more than one year ago, discussions recently fizzled regarding an agreement for a new, 3-year police contract.

Labor Union attorneys are working with both sides, said deputy city manager Dennis Osborn, who represents Battle Ground with city manager Eric Holmes.

Association president officer Keith Thompson and Det. Mike Molzahn represent the officers.

According to Osborn, the officers' current contract expires Dec. 31, 2004. But if an agreement is not reached by then, officers will remain under contract with current conditions such as salary and benefits, until a new agreement is reached.

If the groups cannot agree, the matter goes into arbitration where an official outside Battle Ground government will work to resolve the matter.

After nearly one year of working without a contract from Jan. 1, 2001, an agreement between city officials and officers was reached before going into arbitration in December 2002.

Thompson, who was president at that time as well, later said the problems boiled down to money.

The officers believed they were paid less than comparable wages in other departments, he said at that time.

In order to reach an agreement, officers gave up incentives for longevity and education, Thompson said then, and added they would "try again next time."

In the contract set to expire, officers receive about 30 percent of their salary and 100 percent paid benefits in addition to wages, said Osborn.

$43,043 for a 5-year officer, Osborn said. Annual pay increases for cost-of-living were 5 percent in 2001 and 2002, and 3.5 percent in 2003.

Sergeants are paid 15 percent more than the highest paid police officer, or $60,000 as of 2003.

Wages do not reflect increases of up to 3 percent for meeting physical fitness criteria established by police chief Ron Johnson, and if an officer is fluent in Russian or Spanish.

In addition, officers are paid overtime when called to cover a shift while another officer is on sick leave or at training, or during city events such as Harvest Days, a four-day community festival in July.

Last year, $58,000 in overtime was budgeted, and $54,992 spent. This year, with the hiring of two officers pending, $65,000 is budgeted for overtime.

Details regarding new contract requests under negotiation are not available to the public, Osborn said.

Thompson and Molzahn declined to comment about the mediation, contract terms under discussion and an expected time-frame for settlement.

"We're working on ironing out the differences between the city's proposed package, and the [police] union's counter proposal," Osborn said.

Another change in sewer hook-up requirements may bring a few family-style, "sit-down" restaurant to Battle Ground.

Nearly two years ago, city officials changed rules for non-residential sewer hook-up fees in an effort to entice industrial development.

At that time, they chose to give a break to business owners that need 100 or more connections to the sewer by giving them two options: they could "buy into" the system with a one-time System Development Charge of about $2,000 per connection and pay monthly rates, or they could lease sewer space via a monthly surcharge at higher rates without paying a Development Charge.

In a recent meeting, council members changed the rules again by lowering minimum hookups to 10 for businesses to be eligible for options.

Council members approved the newer, business-friendly conditions in part to bring "sit-down" restaurants to Battle Ground, which has several fast-food eateries.

The change is needed, said city planner Dennis Osborn, because up-front costs for the Development Charge are prohibitive for businesses that need under 100 connections, such as "sit-down" restaurants.

At $2,068 per connection, the Development Charge can be out of reach, officials said. Businesses that need 50 hookups would pay $103,400 before opening to customers. A business that needs 10 connections would pay $20,680.

Holmes said the reason there are so many fast-food restaurants and not "sit-down" eateries in the city is because patron volume allows businesses to recover up-front costs faster.

For example: a business with 10 sewer connections could buy sewer space for $20,680 and pay monthly rates of about $322. Over the first year in business, which is often the hardest, that owner will have paid $24,551 to use the sewer.

With the lease option, business owners would pay $495 per month, or $5,942 per year "into perpetuity," or until they decide they can afford to pay the Development Charge at whatever rate it is at that point, said Osborn. A that time, their month rate would decline.

"After 10 years, they would reach the `break even' point," Osborn said. "Their lease could go on forever. That's up to their discretion as to where they want to go."

Council member Bill Ganley said he is in favor of the idea because it is based on use.

"We're not losing any money," he said. "This is a win-win situation for everybody. We can create jobs and maintain control over our connections."

Pre-teens, teenagers and even women in their 40s and 50s often look for help when told they can expect a child within the year, said Renee Wooten, center director for the newly-opened Battle Ground Pregnancy Resource Center.

"More than anything else, we want people to know we are here for them, no matter what they decide," Wooten said.

The Center, sister to Vancouver's Pregnancy Resource Center, offers alternatives to abortion, supports education and provides supplies, counseling and referrals to anyone who walks in the door, Wooten said.

The non-profit group is an affiliate of Care Net, a national Christian network of pregnancy care centers that provide practical help, counseling and positive alternatives to women and unborn children.

The Battle Ground Center, located above S & R Floorcovering in Dollars Corner, is the brainchild of Sharon Smith, a Camas resident who has volunteered 20 years at pregnancy centers.

Smith served as interim director when plans took off in February last year, then handed the reins over to Wooten when the course was set.

Wooten said she volunteered after reading about Smith's plans for the north Clark County area in The Reflector last year.

The Center occupies an entire upstairs floor leased to them by Shirley and Randy Radtke who own the home improvement store. Other staff are client services customer Jeanne Rubino and nurse manager Sandi Dykes.

"We took this place from ground zero," Wooten said. "There was nothing but two-by-fours."

The upstairs space was "gutted," and needed flooring, sheetrock, paint, furnishings and more. Today, about half is finished. Materials are donated and the Radtkes supply labor.

There is office space, a counseling room and a Mommy Store packed with new or slightly used items for expectant moms to shop in with "mommy bucks" earned through an Earn While You Learn program.

For every visit, every video watched and every worksheet completed, clients earn script to spend on anything they'd like in the store, Wooten said.

The space is full of children's clothing sizes 0-4T, maternity clothes, diapers, wipes, layettes, strollers, blankets, food and anything else in excellent condition that has been donated.

"We don't take anything that looks like it's been used," Wooten said, "because a lot of these people have nothing. They work hard for their `mommy bucks' and should be rewarded with nice things to choose from."

Educational videos include what to expect in each trimester of pregnancy, child care, maternity care, baby safety and self-esteem.

Free prenatal vitamins are handed out, courtesy of Hi- School Pharmacy stores who provided them at cost to the organization.

Wooten expects the rest of the building to be finished in about three months, and one room will hold the Center's prize possession--a donated ultrasound machine, the only one for pre-natal care in the Battle Ground area.

"That's important," Wooten said. "When a pregnancy test is positive, we offer an ultrasound. Once they see that little beating heart, they understand what's really going on."

The Center also offers information about sexually transmitted diseases, abstinence, domestic violence, the Women Infants and Children program, post-abortion counseling, Christianity and more.

"We're a ministry," Wooten said. "We want to break cycles and educate as much as we can. In the meantime, we share about a relationship with God. But if they're not interested, that's fine. We're still here for them."

Staff also never turns away someone who is "abortion-minded," Wooten said. Women are given "accurate information about pregnancy and abortion," and are asked if they would mind someone keeping in touch with them.

"We tell them if you decide to do this [abortion] and it troubles you later, we're still here," Wooten said. "Sometimes post-abortion trauma sets in years afterward."

Wooten said she understands that not everyone has the same views as pro-life advocates.

"But even with our differences, we can help the women in our community who are facing a crisis," she said. "Some people we see are victims of incest, rape and domestic violence. Some as young as 12 years old and up to 50."

Not every client is a woman alone, Wooten said. Classes are offered for moms and dads on practical tips about childbirth, care of newborns, child care issues and parenting skills.

"Our total mission is changing hearts and lives," Wooten said. "I think that's fabulous."

Volunteers are always needed, she said. Some areas people can help are peer counseling, Earn While You Learn counselors, receptionist, Mommy Store assistants, bulk mailing and church representatives.

Donations of time and materials can be arranged by calling the Center at 687-8943 during business hours Mon., Wed., and Fri., 1-5 p.m. Hours will increase with clientele, Wooten said.

Check donations can be made out to Battle Ground Pregnancy Resource Center, c/o Vancouver Pregnancy Resource Center, 2128 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661.

A grand opening ceremony is set for Wed., April 21, 5-8 p.m., at the Center, 7216 NE 219th St., Dollars Corner. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

A spring fundraiser is also set for Fri., May 14, 7 p.m., at the Clark County Square Dance Center, 10713 NE 117th Ave., Brush Prairie. Tickets are $25 per person or $200 per table for an evening of live music, entertainment by a comedian, hors d'oeuvres and refreshments. Call 687-8943 for more information.

Some Ridgefield residents received an anonymous letter in mail receptacles last week.

The writer of the one-page, single-spaced letter depicts their version of Ridgefield's past, present and future in strong opinions.

References to the Port of Ridgefield and their "cronies," a "big-shot Colorado land development company," a "hoodwinked" public and "crooks" stand out in the letter.

The writer bemoans the loss of a nice, small town with a sense of community, modest taxes and utility rates, strong property values, good schools and livability.

The writer accuses the "big-shot Colorado company" of orchestrating a smear campaign with media against the city which made the "city look like a fiasco," and working with the Port of Ridgefield to "sneakily" oust former city council members to create a "more inviting" new council to fix zoning problems.

By 2003, the "Colorado company and cronies at Port of Ridgefield succeeded at getting two pro-growth council members elected," said the writer. "Finally the crooks have their `more inviting' council."

The writer also states the interim city manager, George Fox, is working under the Port's "marching orders to replace staff with lackeys who will gut Ridgefield's land-use plan and slacken development regulations," and that the "public was hoodwinked into thinking the Port is fixing what was never broke."

Fox replaced former city manager Randy Bombardier whose contract was recently terminated under allegations of wrongdoing and incompetence. The writer said Ridgefield is laid waste by development, "intolerable" traffic and bad schools.

"Junction land speculators and Port cronies reap huge profits and leave town," the writer prophesies. "Colorado developer moves on to destroy another community. Old timers talk about what a great place Ridgefield used to be."

No one seems to know, or will admit to knowing, who sent the letter, but opinions abound.

Port commissioner Joe Melroy appeared to vacillate between amusement and annoyance.

Melroy did not receive a letter, nor did any other Port commissioner. He believes recipients were hand-picked, and he spoke with a few people who did get the letter.

"They were mailed in regular envelopes from Portland," Melroy said. "They were hand-stamped, not machine mailed. I think somebody picked and choosed."

Copies were made and handed around, Melroy said, so even those who didn't receive the letter in the mail got to see a copy, mostly out of amusement and curiosity, according to Melroy.

"There's no signature on it, so who cares?" Melroy said. "I think they have little respect for their own opinion if they're not willing to put their name on it. It's not a true statement."

"It looks like it was done on a home computer," he added. "It's so funny it deserves a response. Whoever wrote it doesn't have a talent for writing."

Former planning commission and council member Mike Hefflin agrees with Melroy about some of the wording, but not the sentiment behind the letter.

"In general terms I agree [with the writer], and I have long believed some of the same things," Heflin said. "But it's a little over the top. `Crooks' goes a little too far."

Hefflin said to his knowledge he hadn't received one, but added that he also gets mail at a post office box which he hadn't checked yet.

Someone forwarded the letter to him, he said, adding that he didn't know who distributed it.

Hefflin agreed with the letter's "general thrust," saying he knows that there are some people with the same sentiment.

"There are outside influences having general influences over the goings-on of the city," he said. "It makes me feel a little better that someone else out there sees that, even if it is only a handful who believe that what's going on isn't in the best interests of the city."

Hefflin also believes part of the effort behind the letter is a warning about handing over the wastewater treatment plant to an outside entity to serve the junction area.

Fox, a contracted financial adviser with the Port, appeared composed about the allegations, including the accusation that he is a Port tool, and has never worked with cities.

"What motivates someone to do this kind of thing is fear," he said. "This person seems very fearful and is a fearmonger."

"Ridgefield's future is rosy, not nasty," Fox said. "We're on the right path, not my path. We're on the path the city council's set out. My job is to give affect to the polices set forth by the city to allow growth plans adopted by the council and simply manage the process."

"You can't stand in the way of growth," Fox said. "I think the person that wrote this is fearful about the future and letting fear drive this thing. We won't let fear paralyze Ridgefield."

"Here's what I think," Fox said. "[The writer] said `what Ridgefield used to be.' I see a time 10 years from now when the old-timers will sit down with the new-timers and talk about what a great place Ridgefield is. We'll deal positively with this by doing what's correct and legal."

Tom Hill, owner of the Stinky Tom's Company, started a septic system cleaning business in 1997 after a bad experience with a drain pipe cleaner.

"When the repairman charged me for things he never did, I decided to give him some competition," said Hill.

It was a second career for Hill. Before entering the septic system cleaning business, he worked for 20 years as a machine operator at Crown Zellerbach Paper Company. Before joining Crown Zellerbach, he completed U.S. Army service and a two-year business course at college.

Hill's first septic system service work was as an apprentice. For about one year, he worked for another contractor, learning to pump various types of septic systems.

Working alone in Clark and Cowlitz counties, Hill travels to septic tank inspection and/or cleaning appointments in a pumper/tank truck. The truck is equipped with a pump, several feet of hose, tools, a ladder and a 13.5-horsepower pump motor.

"The biggest hazard isn't working on septic systems," said Hill. "Driving is more dangerous because of impatient drivers who pass on blind curves."

Hill always lets people pass if it's safe because any driver could be a current or future customer, he said.

"A happy customer will tell a few other people, but one unhappy customer will tell 10 other people," he said.

Each year, Hill takes classes to maintain his license with the Clark County Health Department as a Septic System Pumper.

The Department requires inspections of residential septic systems every four years. Yearly inspections are required of non-residential systems.

When Hill inspects a septic system, he checks the drainfield for damage or surfacing sewage.

Using a steel pole with a hoe-like attachment, Hill measures solids and scum in the septic tank. Measurements tell him if pumping is required because scum is too close to outlet baffles.

Hill will recommend pumping if he believes solids will escape from a septic tank in less than four years when the next inspection is due.

When solids overflow, they can quickly clog a drainfield or cause sewage back-ups into homes. Repairing a drainfield can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars.

Before completing an inspection, Hill checks septic system components, pumps, screens, floats and alarm systems. In Clark County, he completes a Health Department inspection form.

A Health Department septic tank maintenance brochure warns homeowners to avoid putting materials that resist decomposition into septic systems.

Those materials include sanitary napkins, coffee grounds, cooking fat, bones, disposable diapers and cigarette butts.

The brochure also says frequent use of a garbage disposal will strengthen wastewater and cause more frequent pumping of a tank.

Chemicals, drain cleaners and septic tank additives are also problems, especially for the environment, said Hill.

Hill's greatest cleaning challenge was at a home occupied by a family with six daughters. The system hadn't been pumped for at least 20 years, and contained large quantities of hair and bleach.

Despite reocurring picket signs, construction at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital is on pace to meet a scheduled completion of summer 2005.

Project manager J.B. Hall of general contractor Skanska USA Building Inc. from Beaverton, OR, said about one-third of the 220-bed medical complex at NE 20th Ave. and NE 139th St. is completed.

Picketing organized last November by Operating Engineers Local 701 a subcontractor at the project, has slowed but not derailed the construction timetable. Picketing was aimed at the Nutter Corporation, a subcontractor at the project.

Jim Anderson, head organizer for the union, said picketers at the site as recently as April 2 are protesting lower than "area standard" wages and benefits provided to Nutter employees.

Workers recently completed paving a parking lot and are now widening NE 139th St. in front of the complex.

Steel workers are completing structural work on a seven-story, 1,400 car parking garage, and on an 85,000 square-feet medical office building. They have secured about 150,000 square feet of metal deck at the hospital site.

Legacy spokesperson Maggie Huffman said about 275 workers are currently on the job with five cranes doing the heavy lifting.

Hall said workers will install structures made of translucent blocks and containing light fixtures to provide illumination in front of the hospital complex.

Marble from Turkey and granite from Africa will be used to finish front portions of the hospital, said Hall.

Complex owner Legacy Health System is an Oregon non-profit, tax-exempt corporation with nearly 7,000 full and part-time employees.

The facility at Salmon Creek, expected to cost $220 million, will become the seventh hospital owned by Legacy Health System.

Yacolt town council members approved a cat license ordinance at an April 5 public hearing.

New rules make it unlawful to keep or maintain a cat over eight weeks old without acquiring a license.

The ordinance will be enforced after council members appoint a Cat Control Agent, said town clerk/treasurer Brenda Finnegan. The Agent will likely be Clark County Animal Protection and Control.

Cats kept in licensed kennels, pet shops, veterinarian clinics, grooming parlors or an official custodial facility are exempt from the licensing requirement.

License fees are $5 for neutered or spayed cats, and $15 for cats able to breed.

Licenses are valid from the date of issuance until Dec. 31 of the same year. The annual fee will be waived for one year on neutered or spayed cats licensed for the first time.

Rules give owners 30 days to apply for licenses for newly acquired cats, cats brought into town and cats reaching the age of eight weeks.

Licenses for cats under six months old are free. In such cases, the license will be valid until the cat becomes six months old, then the owner must pay a fee.

The ordinance requires that applications for licenses contain name, address, telephone number of owner or custodian of the cat; name, age, breed, color, sex, distinguishing features and markings of the cat, and whether the cat has been neutered or spayed; and certificates from a veterinarian verifying rabies immunization (except for cats under six months old) and neutering or spaying.

The ordinance makes it unlawful for an owner or custodian to allow his/her cat to be at large without permission on another citizens' private property within Yacolt.

The ordinance gives a designated Cat Control Agent authority to enter private property, but not houses, to enforce the ordinance without consent of an owner.

The Agent will be authorized to issue a Notice of Civil Violation and an Order to Abate for violations.

Fines for having an unlicensed cat are $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense and $100 for a third offense within any 12-month period.

The ordinance also allows a fine of up to $1,000 and/or a jail term not to exceed one year for those who ignore infraction notices or orders to abate.

In adopting a cat licensing ordinance, Yacolt stands alone among area municipalities. Clark County requires cat licenses in unincorporated areas, but feline licenses are not required in Battle Ground, La Center, Ridgefield and Woodland.

Council member Debbie Smith said the council action was prompted by citizens and council members wanting to control an unusual cat population while keeping healthy animals away from others with diseases.

The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs has refused to extend the deadline for comments on a request from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe for federal trust status on land near La Center.

Tribal leaders asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs in March to process an application to the U.S. Department of the Interior asking that 151 acres west of I-5 on NW 319th St. be held in trust.

The application was submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs after tribal leaders executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Clark County commissioners. The MOU outlines fees for County services should tribal leaders develop the land.

In the application for trust status, tribal leaders said gaming facilities would be developed on the land.

In February, Tribal spokesman Dave Barnett said that the application would name gaming as a proposed use because gaming would require the most rigorous environmental evaluation. He insisted that tribal leaders remained undecided about how to use the land.

After receiving the Tribe's application for trust status and a request that the land be designated as an "initial reservation," Indian Affairs officials allowed state and county officials 30 days, from March 12 to April 12, to submit comments.

On April 2, the County commissioners submitted comments to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In their letter, commissioners asked officials to extend the comment period by 30 days to allow more time for responses from community leaders and citizens.

Another April 2 letter from County attorney Curt Wyrick repeated the request for an extension.

In a firm, two paragraph letter to Wyrick, Bureau of Indian Affairs regional director Gerald Ben said his office had received "requested information and comments" in a letter from the County.

"Therefore, there is no reason to extend the period for response by the County," said Ben.

Ben said the comment period applied only to the County and State and did not apply to others.

"We will continue to accept citizen comments," said Ben. Comments will be collected and evaluated in the Portland office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs become part of the record until approval or denial of the Cowlitz application.

In their comments on the tribal application for trust status, County commissioners said "sharp differences" between County and tribal plans "underscore the need for a thorough analysis of potential impacts on the surrounding community."

The commissioners said a casino would not be in harmony with state and local planning, would prematurely convert rural and agricultural land to commercial uses, and would compromise efforts to alleviate an acute shortage of family-age jobs in northern reaches of the County.

Commissioners said they had no notice until March 12 that tribal leaders were requesting "initial reservation" status.

Designation of the land as the Tribe's "initial reservation" would prevent the Governor from having the final decision on gaming at the site.

"By changing the application to request initial reservation status, it appears that the Governor's concurrence is being eliminated," wrote the commissioners.

In their letter, the commissioners said federal law requires the Secretary of the Interior to consult with "appropriate state and local officials" to determine whether a casino would not be detrimental to the surrounding community.

"The economic impact on the city of La Center is a serious matter that has yet to be addressed," wrote the commissioners.

The commissioners didn't comment on specific environmental impacts and said they expect Bureau officials to release an environmental assessment with a separate comment period.

Ben said the Bureau's environmental specialist June Boyington could have an environmental assessment completed within days.

Kirsten Kendrick, spokesperson for Governor Gary Locke, said Locke did not correspond with officials of the Bureau of Indian Affairs about potential impacts of a trust status application from the Cowlitz Tribe. Locke has always relied on Indian Affairs officials in such cases, said Kendrick.

A Woodland reserve police officer will face assault and harassment charges April 29 in Clark County District Court.

According to information obtained from the Vancouver city attorney's office through the Freedom of Information Act, Woodland reserve officer Ryan Patrick Wilson, 24, 2616 NE 84th Ave., Vancouver, applied pepper spray to three youths during an altercation August 5, 2003 near his home.

Wilson is also charged with harassment in connection with alleged threats made to one of the spray victims.

According to Vancouver police records, Wilson told officers at the scene that he used pepper spray on an adult who threatened him as Wilson was removing his wife from the scene of a brawl in the couple's front yard.

Police reportedly were told that airborne spray particles reached other victims.

Former Woodland police chief Grover Laseke said Wilson graduated from the Police Academy in winter 2002. Laseke said the Vancouver charges stem from an off-duty incident in front of Wilson's home.

Laseke said Wilson was suspended after the incident pending an internal investigation by the Woodland Police Department. Laseke said results of that investigation convinced him that charges against Wilson were not justified.

She holds out a bouquet of dandelions and purple vincas she's just picked for a visitor--a small offering of hospitality that appears to run naturally in her family's roots.

"These are for you," she says. Her voice is quiet, shy and secure at the same time.

Lamb's full name is Lamb Yukon Rose Pilgrim. She was born in northern Canada en route to her family's home high in Alaska's Wrangell Mountains.

Lamb is one of 17 musical family members who comprise the Pilgrim Minstrels, a bluegrass-gospel group who will perform Sun., April 18, 7 p.m., at the Old Liberty Theater, 113 N Main Ave., Ridgefield.

They've been described as a 21st century Carter Family. Their sound is simple and soulful, self-taught but melodically tight.

Battle Ground resident Chuck Cushman, who is billeting the group while they're in town, calls their music "remarkable and exhilarating, a taste of something really special."

"Frankly, they're terrific musicians," Cushman said. "An opportunity to hear a group like this doesn't come along every day."

Eight family members will perform in Ridgefield. The others are at home on their 420-acre, privately-owned property inside the 13 million acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

The Pilgrim family truly lives the wilderness life--it's not an act. None of the family's 15 children ages 1-28 have ever lived in a city.

Currently, all family members live on the same property. None of the older children are married yet. They're not opposed to it, they said, but courtship is "a bit difficult" because of the remoteness of where they live.

In addition, no one actively seeks to leave the family structure, they said. They love where they live and what they do.

When weather permits, the Pilgrim family operates a hunting, fishing and photography guide service.

The family also raises sheep, bees, horses and various barnyard animals. They make soap and spin wool. They can weld, fix machinery, work leather, frame and build homes. They shoot black powder rifles. They own a radio which receives sparse reception late at night. None of the children have ever watched television.

Mostly, they live by being self-sufficient, explained the family patriarch, Papa Pilgrim, whose birth name is Robert Hale. Papa started to go by the last name "Pilgrim" about 25 years ago after a spiritual conversion experience that changed his life, he said.

When asked to explain his faith he simply holds out his Bible. He changed his name when he became a Christian because he wanted to be known by a new identity, he said.

Children are named for biblical references: Jonathan, Hosanna, Elishaba, Jerusalem, David, Moses, Joseph, Job, Noah, Abraham, Israel, Joshua, Bethlehem, Lamb and Psalms.

"We're not some strange religion," Papa said. "I was searching for the meaning of life for years. When I found it, it's like a beautiful flower that doesn't fade away."

The older Pilgrim family boys sport rambling beards and wear hillbilly-style hats. Girls wear dresses and don't wear makeup. The girls don't shake men's hands.

But the family says they're not opposed to technology if it suits them. They're proficient with digital cameras and computers. They zoom around on snowmachines in Alaska, power their home with a generator, and use a radio phone to contact the outside world.

The children speak with an intelligence that shows savvy and discernment. Family members say no one ever fights.

"Some people judge us because they don't like big families or because we live in an isolated location," said Joshua, 23. "But I think, compared with most people my age, I have a lot of skills."

Joshua is an accomplished horseman and just finished welding a bridge in a small town before the trip to this area.

The family first picked up musical instruments about seven years ago after attending a bluegrass festival. On the ride back, they stopped at pawnshops and each bought instruments. They picked names out of a hat to see who would play which instrument.

When they first played together it sounded like "fingers across a blackboard," they said.

They've come a long way since then. They've performed at a variety of shows and folk fests in Alaska. Sometimes they go to hospitals and retirement centers and play for people, letting patients and residents hold the smallest children. They've seen stroke patients move for the first time when their music is played. Pawnshop instruments have long since been replaced.

The family seldom tours outside of Alaska. They're in Battle Ground because Abraham, 9, tore off one of his fingers in a generator accident. Three family members flew to Portland and Doernbecker Children's Hospital in an attempt to re-attach the finger. Five other children came down by van to drive them back up.

Doctors in Alaska told Abraham the only recourse was amputating the finger's stump completely to the palm of the hand, Papa said, but family members prayed and believed more could be done.

Dr. Juliana Hansen, chief of reconstructive surgery at Oregon Health and Science University, led a team of nine surgeons to repair the hand, Papa said.

For reservations or more information about the concert, contact 687-2505. Tickets are $12.

Learn more about the family at: www.pilgrimfamily.com For guide services, contact the family in Alaska, (907) 554-4473.

For compact discs, contact Chuck Cushman at 687-2656, ccushman@landrights.org or P.O. Box 400, Battle Ground, WA 98604.

The cities and counties of southwest Washington will soon receive refunds from the Southwest Clean Air Agency ranging from $659 for the city of Cathlamet to $213,405 for Clark County.

The refunds come from a building reserve account which agency officials had accumulated while board members debated the alternatives of renting larger space or building an office structure.

The board previously decided to continue renting space rather than construct a building.

On April 1, the Agency's board of directors decided to refund the balance of the building fund to cities and counties.

The fund had reached about $874,000 in June 2003, with the addition of about $104,000 per year in the last two years. The board approved the use of about $230,000 from the fund for depreciation reserve ($85,000) and a vacation, sick leave account ($145,000).

The remaining balance--$659,362--will be refunded to cities and counties in a ratio to their annual assessments.

Among those set to receive refunds are Clark County ($213,405), Vancouver ($181,060), Battle Ground ($12,989), Cowlitz County ($48,397), La Center ($2,175), Ridgefield ($2,637), Yacolt ($1,318), Woodland ($4,813), and Kalama ($2,307).

The Clean Air Agency operates with an annual budget of about $1.4 million, buoyed recently by special projects involving air quality in the Columbia River Gorge and conversion of school buses to diesel fuel.

The agency recently moved into larger quarters at 11815 NE 99th St., Vancouver, adding about 1,100 square feet and pushing the rent and utility expenses up from about $57,953 per year at a previous location to about $93,700.

Bob Elliott, executive director of the Clean Air Agency, said assessments paid by cities and counties represent about 12 percent of the Agency's budget.

Revenues also come from fees on industries (45%), grants (22%), and other sources.

Elliott said that the Agency has about $2.1 million in the bank at present, including the intended refund amount.

The Board of Directors of the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council voted 9-4 April 6 to discontinue the practice of allowing alternates to take the place of absent board members.

The issue arose last year when the state legislature decided that members of the legislature should be recognized as ex officio, non-voting members of the Transportation Council (RTC).

Under RTC by-laws, board members could designate an alternate to participate when they do not attend.

State Rep. Tom Mielke said he had opposed allowing alternates for any board members, believing, he said, that those appointed to serve should show up.

But conforming to the rules, Mielke appointed Paul Edgar, a private citizen, to represent him at board meetings when he cannot attend.

After considerable debate at the board's March 2 meeting, Edgar was seated at the table.

Some board members objected, arguing that alternates should be official staff members of those absent. Among those objecting were board members Royce Pollard, Craig Pridemore and Bill Ganley. At its April 6 meeting, the board considered changes to its by-laws that would have limited alternates to being either elected officials or staff members of elected officials. Discontinuing the practice of using alternates was also a proposed change.

Those dissenting in the 8-4 decision to ban alternates were Ganley, a member of the Battle Ground city council, Brian Beecher of Washougal, Bob Talent of Skamania County, and Larry Paulson, an alternate for Arch Miller.

"I win and I lose," said Mielke. "I lose in so far as I can't have representation during the legislative session."

"I have a problem with unelected people having votes, even from out of state," added Mielke.

Benton said he had opposed the use of alternates. Benton went farther, arguing that board members who are not elected officials should not be allowed to vote. "Only elected people should vote," said Benton.

"I'm glad they eliminated all alternates," said Benton. "They were going to eliminate alternates just for us (members of the legislature)."

"But they'll just wait until January or February when we're not there (during the legislative session) to extend the HOV lane," said Benton, "or make other important decisions."

"There is no accountability to citizens if you have non-elected people voting," added Benton.

Ganley said he represents Battle Ground, Yacolt, Ridgefield and La Center on the RTC board. He supports the use of alternates.

"If I couldn't make it (to a meeting), no one could vote," said Ganley, leaving the small cities unrepresented. "We fight and scratch for everything we get."

Ganley said alternates, if allowed, should be elected officials or staff members, not members of the public. He said the C-Tran board allows the use of alternates.

Democrat Jon Dieter has announced his candidacy for Cowlitz County commissioner from District 1, which includes Woodland and Kalama.

Dieter, a Democrat, ran for commissioner two years ago, losing to Republican Jeff Rasmussen. He has since moved from Castle Rock to Kelso.

Dieter, 48, served eight years on the Castle Rock school board. "That experience was very good, very positive, said Dieter. "I would love to serve on a wider level."

Dieter said he is motivated to run for commissioner because "it's in my blood to want to make a difference."

Dieter said he would work to lower the unemployment rate in Cowlitz County which currently stands at about 10 percent. "I'd like to see a change in our local economy," said Dieter. "We've been hurting for a long time."

Dieter proposed to use government incentives to attract businesses with family-wage jobs. "The county can play a greater role in opening doors to the arrival of family-wage jobs," he said. He cited tax and property incentives as ways to attract business.

"I'd focus energy on working in cooperation with cities, ports and the economic development council, working together," said Dieter.

Dieter said he would bring integrity and trust to county government. He said the lack of integrity in government has led to a growing public distrust of government.

Twice voters have turned down a tax to pay for a new jail, said Dieter, and yet the commissioners found the money to build it anyway.

Dieter said he would conduct public forums on issues such as the jail, led by a neutral person, to "find out what the public will buy into."

Dieter said the jail proposal went from $30 million to $19 million to now $9-11 million. He said the construction of juvenile hall went through the same process--voters turned it down but it was built anyway.

Dieter said people conclude that government will do what it wants even if voters turn down projects.

Dieter said the public should generate proposals not the government. "Citizens should try to sell issues to citizens," said Dieter, who wants to involve the public in proposals and decisionmaking.

Dieter said he is leaning toward allowing the Woodland School District to assess impact fees. "I'm very open to that," said Dieter, who added he wants to study the issue further.

"I want to see something resolved in that area, to find out what it would take to get the players together."

Dieter will challenge incumbent Democrat commissioner Bill Lehning in the primary election. He said Kathleen Johnson, another Democrat, will likely also be in the primary field.

Smith was born Jan. 6, 1965 in Yuba City, CA, worked as a long-haul truck driver, and owned and operated Pioneer Glass and Wood in Ridgefield for three years.

Smith enjoyed woodworking, cabinetry, cooking, baking, four-wheeling, trips to the mountains and to the beach, and travel. He had been in every state of the continental United States except Maine.

Survivors include wife of seven years, Tracey, at home, mother Nancy Smith of Klamath Falls, OR, father Russell Smith of Klamath Falls, OR, sister Janna Bradley of California, mother-in-law and father-in-law Marian and Bob Burch of Colorado, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Southwest, P.O. Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668.

Pylkki was born Oct. 1, 1916 in Minneapolis, MN, worked as a cheesemaker at Standard Dairy, and lived in Battle Ground for three years.

Pylkki enjoyed farming. He had served as chief of the Battle Ground Fire Department. He had worked as manager of the Battle Ground cheese factory. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include sons James Pylkki of Portland and John Pylkki of Vancouver, daughter Debra Aubeuf of Vancouver, brother Henry Pylkki of Oregon, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Graveside services will be held Wed., April 14, 2 p.m., at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Vancouver, with Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.

Rose was born May 7, 1918 in Ruskin, British Columbia, Canada, worked as a licensed practical nurse for 18 years, and lived in Clark County for 57 years.

Rose was a member of the Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene for 40 years where she taught Sunday School. She was also a member of the Pekin Ferry grange. She enjoyed travel, cooking, family gatherings, holidays and her grandchildren.

Rose was preceded in death by son Wesley Lowrey in 2004, brother Lester Howe, sister Florence Weathers, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Survivors include husband John Rose, at home, daughters Cleona McMahon of Seaview and Annette Ezetta of Vancouver, sons Kenny Bond of Battle Ground and John Rose of Spokane, sister Selata Charlton of Vancouver, 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Fri., April 16, 11 a.m., at Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene, Ridgefield, with committal following at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Vancouver.

Krebser was born April 2, 1921 in Saginaw, OR, and lived in Clark County for 63 years.

Krebser was a past member of St. Mary of Guadalupe Catholic Church. She loved Mariners baseball, watching games on television, playing cards, bingo and crossword. She was an avid reader and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Krebser was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Krebser, in 1976. Survivors include daughter Diane Swindell of Vancouver, brother Delmer Benston of Oregon, three grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Committal was at St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery, Ridgefield, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

Smith was born Jan. 6, 1965 in Yuba City, CA, worked as a long-haul truck driver, and owned and operated Pioneer Glass and Wood in Ridgefield for three years.

Smith enjoyed woodworking, cabinetry, cooking, baking, four-wheeling, trips to the mountains and to the beach, and travel. He had been in every state of the continental United States except Maine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Southwest, P.O. Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668.

Cates was born May 30, 1940 in Vancouver, grew up in the Yacolt area, and graduated from Woodland High School in 1958. She moved to Longview about seven years ago.

Cates enjoyed bingo, traveling, oil painting, sewing, canning, and going to the beach. She was a very out-going person.

Survivors include husband Clark Cates, sons Willie Cates and Joe Boerste, both of Woodland, daughters Sandra Ottosen and Clystie Wallen, both of Castle Rock, and Shirley Cates of Woodland, brothers Frank "Bud" Boerste of Kelso, Lewis Boerste of Spokane and Jimmy Boerste of Cathlamet, sisters Rosemary Gibson of Spokane, Elizabeth Effinger of Tokeland and Joanne Bozarth of Port Angeles, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.