BG FLOAT WINS AGAIN

The Battle Ground entry in the 2004 Portland Rose Festival parade earned the Golden Rose Award, the highest award given in the under 35-foot category.

The float is a project of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce.

The Battle Ground float depicted the community's 50 consecutive years of participation in the Portland parade.

Float project co-chairs Bill and Louise Tucker rode on the float in a replica horse and buggy. Battle Ground's first float in the parade in 1955 was a real horse and buggy.

This year's float also contained a large movie camera displaying a movie reel with images of past floats.

Also riding the float were princesses Jessica Acheson, Katrina Griffith and Laura Maxwell, students at Battle Ground High School, and Courtney Taylor, a student at Prairie High School.

The Battle Ground High School band followed the Battle Ground float, under the direction of Greg McKelvey. The Battle Ground band was judged second best among out-of-Oregon schools with 99 or fewer musicians.

Louise Tucker expressed gratitude to all those who assisted in creating the float, noting that more volunteers gave consistently of their time to create the winning entry.

The horse, for example, was a replica of the 1955 parade horse. It was carved out of styrofoam by sculptor Austin Barton, then covered with dried and crushed madrona bark.

The horse moved up and down as the float proceeded along the 4.2 mile parade route. The wheels on the buggy turned as well.

This is the seventh and final year that Bill and Louise Tucker will head the float project, giving way to Don and Marlene Brown.

The float project is paid for with the sale of fireworks at the Fourth of July, sale of Rose Festival pins, quilt raffle parade-day flower sale, and donations. This year's float cost about $15,000, of which about $3,500 went for flowers.

TALKING BIRD HOME ON BLUEBERRY HILL

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Huey, a talking raven, might have descended from an ancestor quoted by 19th Century poet Edgar Allen Poe.

A 23-year-old chatterbox who matches word-for-word what he hears, Huey is at home on Blueberry Hill, on a blueberry farm in the Lewis River Valley east of Woodland.

Huey's owner, Rosemary Bosch, affectionately calls her raven her "dirty old bird." But she betrays a love for the sharp-beaked creature with terms of endearment as Huey softly nips her fingers as they caress his feathers.

Rosemary's son, Steve, found Huey peeping in a forest more than 22 years ago near a Yacolt logging job. Apparently thrown from a nest in a felled tree, Huey was alone and frightened, easy-prey for jays or other predators.

Steve Bosch took the bird to his home and cared for it. He brought the raven to his parents and younger siblings at Blueberry Hill several months later.

Rosemary Bosch, with her late husband Frank and three children still at home, accepted Huey as a family pet. "Huey loved the children and tried to enter the house with them," said Rosemary Bosch.

Family members sitting at dinner watched as the raven flapped against and pecked at a screen door that opened from outside into the kitchen.

Rosemary Bosch said her husband would leave the table, rush to door and shout, "Get out of here!"

Huey always flapped away. For days on end, the raven tried to peck his way into the home at dinner time. On each occasion, Frank would chase him, shouting, "Get out of here!"

A few weeks later, as the bird tried pecking through the screen door, Frank Bosch left the table. When he had taken a few steps toward Huey, the raven screamed, "Get out of here!"

Huey was never tied or confined. He tried to leave home only once, said Rosemary Bosch. The children were rolling an auto tire around the yard and it frightened him, she said.

Huey ran and flew. He disappeared for several days, said Rosemary. One morning, he reappeared, disheveled and looking like he went through a wind tunnel, sitting quietly in his cages, she said.

"Whatever his experience, it must have been pretty rough because he never left again," she said.

Rosemary loved gardening and would spend hours tending her blueberries. Frank would take telephone calls at the home and call for her. "Rosemary---telephooone," he would croon.

Huey soon echoed the words and tone. "His voice sounded exactly like Frank's voice and I would often come from a garden to take false alarm telephone calls," said Rosemary Bosch.

Soon, Huey learned and vocalized a more emphatic, demanding call, "Come here right now."

As years passed following the death of Frank Bosch, the raven's voice began to change. He now sounds like Rosemary.

"Here kitty, here kitty," called Huey recently.

Rosemary Bosch said her neutered house cat which she owned and loved for years disappeared several days ago. Huey enjoyed the cat and always called out when he saw it. "Here kitty, here kitty," came a plaintive voice from Huey's open cage near the garage.

Huey now mimicks barking dogs, and sounds exactly like them, said Rosemary.

As Rosemary, intent on driving to town, walks to her car, her feathered friend always quips in a lively, happy voice, "Here we go! Here we go!"

Knowing Huey is special enough. But hearing about an amazing friendship between animal lovers and their talking bird adds more meaning than ever to "nevermore," and to a curious volume of forgotten lore and the rapping, tapping at a chamber door.

STUDENTS ACCUSE BG TEACHER OF MOLESTING

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

A 53-year-old male elementary school teacher in the Battle Ground School District faces eight counts of first degree child molestation. Thomas Henry Moody, 15413 NE Beebe Rd., Battle Ground, is a fifth grade teacher at Captain Strong Elementary School in Battle Ground. He is on paid administrative leave pending Superior Court's findings, said Kelly Keister, Battle Ground School District spokesperson.

If convicted on all eight counts, Moody faces a minimum sentence of about 16 years in prison.

On March 3, five girls ages 10 and 11, all students in Moody's class, told principal Laurie Sundby that Moody had inappropriately touched them several times, said a court affidavit.

On March 4, Moody was put on administrative leave. Child Protective Services (CPS) and law enforcement were contacted, Keister said.

County County Sheriff's Office investigators found there were also accusations of the same kind of fondling of female students made in 2002 and 1998.

The alleged May 1998 incident involved two fourth grade female students at Maple Grove Middle School in Battle Ground. A report was forwarded to CPS from then principal Steve Lien, but not reported to the police.

Moody was suspended until the end of the school year, Kesiter said.

A police report was not filed, and no follow-up made regarding the CPS report because of the advice of a prosecuting attorney and investigator that there was insufficient evidence for discipline, Keister said.

The May 2002 incident went unreported entirely, Keister said, because no one at the District level knew about it.

A student reportedly complained to her parents about Moody's unwanted touching. A meeting with the student, her father, then principal Cindy Larson and Moody took place, the document states.

Moody reportedly apologized and said that the girl misunderstood his actions. Larson wrote a letter to him after the meeting stating that several girls had told her of inappropriate contact by him.

In the letter, Larson said he is not to touch any female student, and that children are reaching an age where it is risky for any staff member to touch a student in a way that may be misinterpreted, the court document states.

According to Keister, Larson placed the letter, signed in acknowledgement by Moody and the assistant principal, in Moody's file in her office. She resigned two weeks later without mentioning the accusations or letter to anyone.

Keister believes the resignation is unrelated.

The most recent accusations of touching are similar to what was documented in 1998 and 2002.

In the affidavit filed by prosecuting attorney Wendy Hanson for the Child Abuse Intervention Center, eight girls testified Moody touched them in similar areas and in similar ways.

Hanson wrote that Moody would call girls to his desk, put his arm around them, rub the small of their backs, rub their buttocks and place his hand near the top of and just under breasts. Two girls said he would slip his hand inside their overalls to rub his hand over their buttocks.

Girls' testimonies report seeing Moody touch other girls in the same manner, Hanson wrote.

One girl said Moody started putting his hand on "more gross spots," that he has touched her buttocks more times than she can count and that "he does it all the time," Hanson wrote.

The girl reportedly said Moody sent her a note once that asked if she wanted him to stop touching her, and she threw it away. He also reportedly asked her to go on a fishing trip with him and his brother.

Three girls are returning students to Moody's class, because Moody moved from teaching fourth grade last year to fifth grade this year, Keister said.

Incidents happened both years, Hanson wrote.

District Superintendent Shonny Bria said, "There are opportunities with the school psychologist and counseling services available to any student needing support."

Bria also thanked District patrons for supporting a levy that allows for counseling services to be paid for.

"Events of the last few days are disheartening to all of us," she said. "Our fundamental interest is in providing a superior education in a safe, secure, environment."

Moody began his career with the District in 1976 as a physical education teacher at Pleasant Valley Middle School. He tranferred to Maple Grove in 1981 as a fourth grade teacher, and to Captain Strong in 2001.

EX-MANAGER, PAINTER FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Randy Bombardier, former Ridgefield city manager, and Eben Drake of Drake's Quality Painting in Vancouver, are facing criminal charges for their reported roles in removing lead-based paint off city hall the wrong way in June 2002.

Charges were filed by the state Attorney General June 8 in Clark County Superior Court.

Drake will make a first appearance June 24; Bombardier will appear June 28.

Bombardier is accused of gross misdemeanor for allegedly authorizing the removal of the paint in an unsafe manner. He faces a maximum one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.

Drake faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail and/or a $10,000 fine for allegedly violating the state Water Pollution Control Act.

Gerd Hattwig, chief criminal investigator for the State Department of Ecology, alleges that Bombardier knew the paint on the front of city hall contained lead, yet did not tell Drake or two other contractors who responded to a call for bids for repainting the outside of the building.

Hattwig said Drake did his own "field test" which showed some lead, yet used orbital sanders anyway which created an "immense cloud of dust" that saturated outside and inside city hall.

Drake is also accused of pressure washing paint off the building, causing "hundreds of thousands of paint chips to fly everywhere," on the sidewalk, in the middle of the street, down a city gutter and into the storm drainage system into Lake River.

Recently contacted at home, Bombardier said, "I don't have a criminal defense attorney, so I can't say too much."

Bombardier said he told Drake there were some things to be concerned about, but that Drake said incidental contact with lead paint in conjunction with repainting is not the same as removal of lead paint.

Bombardier said he will contest the charges, and that "I perceive some people are trying to preserve their keisters in all this."

Investigation called a "ruse"

Bombardier was suspended and then fired by council members in March for dereliction of duty and incompetence, among other reasons. He accepted an $85,000 severance package in April.

Two days before his March 11 suspension, Bombardier wrote a memo to mayor Gladys Doriot, calling the investigation a "ruse" from Ecology officials to intimidate council members into thinking there was a case against him.

In the memo, Bombardier asked for the city to pay the attorney fees he'd accumulated while he was being investigated for reportedly violating "whistleblower" laws on employees who reported the lead-paint removal issue. He needed the money, he said, so he could afford to send his son to Cambridge University in Great Britain this summer.

"Whether or not you will shortly come under the scrutiny of Federal Agents may in fact rely upon what you do from this point forward," he wrote. "The investigation may be limited to the coercion that has taken place to date. That is up to you."

Bombardier also said he had filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, about an abuse of power by Ridgefield police chief Bruce Hall, Hattwig and Environmental Protection agent Dan O'Malley for "improper conduct and procedure" leading to a violation of his rights and breach of employment.

Computer tampering reported

Before he was fired, and while he was under investigation for alleged wrongdoing, Bombardier said someone broke into his office and tampered with his city-owned lap-top computer and "dumped" files, Hattwig wrote.

Bombardier reportedly made the accusation the afternoon before a Feb. 26 council meeting to Ridgefield Sgt. Randy Ostrander and Doriot. However, he refused to file a report or turn over the computer, the document states.

In the council meeting that evening, Bombardier brought it up again, then said he didn't want to talk about it anymore, because the matter was "criminal in nature" and there may have been a trespass violation, although he didn't file a police report, according to meeting minutes.

When contacted recently, Bombardier said his computer had some glitches which may or may not have been a result of tampering. He didn't report it to the police because he considered chief Hall to be a prime suspect, he said.

After his suspension March 11, police immediately went into his office and confiscated the computer and several discs at Hattwig's request and turned them over to the Vancouver Police Department to look for evidence of trespass, recovery of deleted files, programs and Internet history records.

The forensic report from Vancouver states only one user account with one password was set up on the computer. Two e-mail addresses with passwords were found which belonged to Bombardier.

According to the report, there was no evidence of tampering, that the computer had been compromised or the office broken into.

However, the report states Bombardier's computer was used to access several Internet sites including Ecology and other government sites, job searches, online dating and thousands of pornographic sites regarding teenagers, fantasy men, movies, pictures and audio.

The forensics report done by investigator Maggi Holbrook showed Bombardier's computer was used to access sites mostly on weekends, with one pornography session lasting about four hours.

Hattwig wrote that several city records, documents and audio council meeting tapes later identified as potential sources of evidence were found to be missing. Some of those were recovered on the computer.

As a result of the findings, new policies are in the making at city hall.

Interim city manager George Fox said there were no guidelines in place regarding personal use of city property prior to this issue. New rules will limit phone and computer use for personal matters.

Bombardier said he doesn't possess the missing council meeting tapes.

"To insinuate I have those tapes is flat out perjury," he said. "I've been the fall guy in this."

"I'm disappointed," said Bombardier. "I believe I'll be vindicated in the end."

HOCKINSON SUPER RESIGNED

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Hockinson School District superintendent Barry Gourley has resigned and will move to Lincoln, NE.

The Hockinson School Board formally accepted his resignation during a June 3 meeting.

Gourley said that his wife, Susan, now superintendent of Puyallup schools, has been named superintendent of the Lincoln schools.

Gourley will look at several opportunities in Lincoln, he said.

"I think it will be a nice area," he said. "The people are friendly. The Midwest is a nice place."

As superintendent over the past three years, Gourley has overseen school construction projects. Under his administration, the district built a high school that opened only last fall.

"Hockinson has been an excellent place to work," Gourley said. "We've built a brand new high school, remodeled the middle school, and built a new shop and district office.

"The school board--they're wonderful people," he added. "We have strong leadership and a supportive community."

School board president Erik Mattson said board members will hire an interim superintendent for the 2004-2005 year.

Mattson praised Gourley's work in Hockinson.

"He's been very good for Hockinson," Mattson said. "We were just beginning our high school project. He had previous construction project experience. We were looking for someone to help us in this phase, and he was very effective in pulling together the pieces."

Gourley's leadership style offered the four school principals an opportunity to share in decision-making as well, Mattson said.

"It's been a shared leadership role," he said. "That has helped to unify our district."

Gourley will leave the District at the end of July.

HISTORIC BLUE STAR MEMORIAL REDEDICATED

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Sixty years ago American and British troops landed on Normandy and began the march through France, fighting their way to victory in World War II.

The same year, 1944, the garden clubs in New Jersey began placing Blue Star Memorial Highway signs along designated roads in the state to memorialize those Americans who were fighting in Europe and Asia.

Soon afterward, Washington state dedicated its first Blue Star Memorial Highway on Highway 99 in Hazel Dell.

The years of wind and weather have taken their toll on the bronze sign. The state Federation of Garden Clubs recently decided to renovate the marker.

A rededication of the Blue Star Memorial marker hosted by the garden clubs will take place Wed., June 16, 4:15-5:15 p.m., at the historic Covington House, on the corner of NE 42nd Ave. and Main St. The rededication is open to the public. An open house 3:30-5:30 p.m. will be part of the ceremony.

Susan Feigion, a member of the Vancouveria Garden Club and an organizer of the rededication, said the memorial now honors those who served in all American wars.

Phyllis Danielson, state garden club president, and Dorothy Dwyer, assistant Blue Star Memorial marker chair, will speak at the event.

The Fort Vancouver Bagpipers will provide music and Gayle Pimm, former post commander of the Salmon Creek American Legion Post 176, will also speak.

After the sign is once again placed in the front yard of the Covington House, garden clubs will landscape the marker.

EMOTIONS HIGH AT MEMORIAL DEDICATION

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

A veteran with no legs sitting in a wheelchair proudly sporting a baseball cap with his military unit's emblems displayed, and a nurse who served in Vietnam openly wept as a wreath was laid at the base of a military monument dedicated May 31 in Amboy.

Carol Raines attended the event with her husband, Dave, and about 300 other area residents at a dedication ceremony in Territorial Days Park. Dave Raines served as Airman 1st Class in the Air Force from 1954-1962 at a radar site in Alaska.

Air Force, Army, Marine and Naval personnel who fought in World War II and the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq wars were introduced.

Female high school ROTC cadets in "sharp, blue uniforms" presented the colors, three young soldiers fired six rounds from rifles, and one lone bagpiper played taps which drifted hauntingly over the valley, Raines said.

Most touching, said Raines, was the flight of an American Bald Eagle over the ceremony before two Air National Guard jets screeched overhead in a fly-by.

The monument is a 5-foot tall black marble obelisk from Northwood Park Cemetery and Mausoleum in Vancouver.

The obelisk, located near the flagpole at the park entrance, is engraved with emblems of the American Legion and all Armed Forces branches including the Merchant Marines.

Engraved on the face of the monument are the words, "Honoring men and women who have and are now serving our nation."

For Raines, the most moving moment came after the ceremony when the jets flew overhead.

"Out in the field was a young man and a little boy folding an American flag," she said. "When the jets flew by, he waved the flag high over his head and called `hi! hi!' That was really something."

NEWS

ACCUSED BG MURDERER PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Although Matthew Denni reportedly confessed to police that he murdered his wife, he pleaded not guilty June 10 to Superior Court judge Barbara Johnson.

Johnson set a trial date of Aug. 2 with a comment to Tom LaDouceur, Denni's court-appointed attorney, that the date may change.

"I anticipate that a case of this nature may take longer than 60 days to prepare," she said. "This is an initial date."

First to appear on the June 10 docket, Denni entered the court room in an orange jumpsuit reserved for accused felons.

Handcuffed with wrists in front, his chains from manacles around his ankles chattered as he shuffled to stand before the bench.

Before being called up, Denni sat stiffly and stone-faced. He occasionally bowed his head slightly, closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He didn't look to the left or right except when he spoke briefly with his attorney before being called up.

Denni faces charges of premeditated first degree murder which carries a minimum penalty of 25 years in prison.

An Army reservist out of the Portland base, Denni is accused of murdering his wife of seven years, Kimberly Faye Denni, after an argument March 18 in their apartment at 1911 SE 1st Place, Battle Ground.

Police reports state Denni confessed to shooting her once with a 9mm handgun he purchased at a pawn shop a few weeks prior to the incident.

Kim Denni died from the shot which entered near her left jawbone and exited out the right side by her ear.

Denni reportedly told police he crammed her body into a military footlocker, padlocked it, wrapped the box in plastic and put it in the back of her van on the property where they resided with their 7-year-old daughter.

Denni reportedly told friends and family he didn't know where she was, but that she kept in contact with him every couple of weeks.

At one point he reportedly buried her in the yard after telling his landlord/neighbor the bad smell in the box in the van came from rotting meat.

Not long after, Denni reported dug the box up and buried an identical one with rotting garbage in its place. He put the locker with his wife in it back into the van.

Acting on a tip from the neighbor who "put two and two together" about the missing person and bad smell, the Battle Ground Police Department obtained a search warrant, said chief Ron Johnson.

Kim Denni's decomposing body was found in the van May 28. Denni was arrested at a church camp celebrating Memorial Day on May 29 and taken to jail.

Marcus Brotherton , staff reporters

It's not every day that four elected officials lambaste a regional governing body for making a decision.

But that's what happened June 10 when Educational Service District 112 Regional Committee members denied a parent-initiated request to switch property boundaries from the Battle Ground to the Hockinson school districts.

Sen. Don Benton [R-Brush Prairie] said Committee members displayed "a complete ignorance" of their legal responsibility.

Sen. Joseph Zarelli [R-Battle Ground] said he "didn't see anything fair or impartial about the process."

Rep. Tom Mielke [R-Battle Ground] accused the Committee for "having their minds made up ahead of time."

Rep. Marc Boldt [R-Brush Prairie] called the process "just plain wrong."

The petition is the second time a group of property owners who live on the border of the two districts have requested the switch.

Eighteen out of 19 families who live near Risto Rd. and NE 199th St. have tried for almost two years to be in the Hockinson School District. Homes are currently in the Battle Ground district, but the line is hazy, say petitioners. Some were told by realtors they were in Hockinson when they moved in.

The property owners' case is one of the first in the state to fall under new laws which allow petitioners to appeal a loss directly to the state board of education.

The petitioners are led by parents John and Jennifer Zora. Jennifer Zora helped change the law to allow certain types of appeals when the request was originally denied.

Petitioners say an appeal to the state is now planned. Vancouver attorney Keith Hirokawa is representing the group.

The group says the matter comes down to having a choice where their children attend school.

Six out of 12 children in the petitioner's area currently attend Hockinson schools on boundary exceptions. But boundary exceptions are not always guaranteed, say school officials, particularly when schools are full.

One concern, say the petitioners, is having older children accepted in a school on boundary exceptions, but having younger siblings denied.

The petitioners also want to be in the Hockinson district because of shorter bus rides, smaller class sizes and improved school performance, they said.

Officials for the non-elected Regional Committee made their decision based on the belief that area taxpayers will benefit more from current boundary configurations. Chairing the committee is former Vancouver mayor Bruce Hagensen.

"We don't change boundaries willy nilly," Hagensen said. "And we don't change boundaries simply because parents want to."

One fear is that boundary transfers will become overly easy to obtain, Hagensen said, and residents will transfer back and forth depending on whatever school district looks promising.

Battle Ground School District officials also opposed the territory transfer, believing not enough significant difference is present between the two districts to warrant a change.

Hockinson School Board members voted to not take a position.

Hockinson Board member Greg Gospe, speaking as a private citizen, said he supported the transfer because "it is the right thing to do."

HOCKINSON FOOTBALL WILL SEE FIRST YEAR OF PLAY

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

The citizens of Hockinson have proven the theory of cooperation by raising enough money from individuals and businesses to buy equipment to field a football team next fall.

When the Hockinson Hawks play their first home game, they'll kick off on the new Nautilus Field, named for the company that gave $35,000 to the team.

Erik Mattson, president of the Hockinson School Board, called the Nautilus donation "extremely generous. I was surprised at the amount."

Gregg Hammann, Nautilus chairman and chief executive officer, said the school district was "very generous to name a field after us."

Commenting on his company's donation, Hammann said, "We saw this as a chance to help some students and help a young school that's trying to get its feet on the ground."

"It feels good to do the right thing," he said. "Our employees are excited about this. We have a number of employees who live out that way and they are very excited."

The creation of a football team at the year-old high school was truly a grass-roots effort, Mattson said.

"The community has had a high interest in a football program," Mattson said, "but they're very expensive to start up. Financially, [the board] was not in a position to offer all the sports that people would like to see offered."

When they found out that a football program was very expensive, several people, led by Doug McGuire and Mike Shears, got busy.

"They both made a tremendous effort," Mattson said. "They moved mountains and got corporations to donate."

The students also got busy.

McGuire said his son, Kyle, an eighth grader, put together a petition for the middle school students to sign.

"He took it to the school board, and they said, `yes,' but there was no money," McGuire said.

Nautilus was not the only business to contribute to the sports program. GI Joe's gave $5,000 as well. CTS Language Link donated $1,000, and Sun Country Homes gave a basketball rebounding machine.

This year, only ninth and 10th graders have attended the new high school. Next year the 11th grade will be added and by 2005-2006, the high school will have students in all four grades, Mattson said.

Mattson said the entire school effort has had widespread community support.

"The school district has partnered with other organizations," he said. "We try to encourage partnerships."

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Site excavation on the Gardner Center in Battle Ground will commence with a ceremony sometime during the wek of July 6 on the corner of SR-503 and NE 199th St., on the lot west of Maple Grove Primary School.

Under the direction of Elie Kassab of Prestige Development of Vancouver, the cinema/retail complex will begin to take shape with completion expected by April 2005.

The cinema itself will be nearly 18,000 square feet with eight screens.

The $10 million, 11-acre development will include two or three restaurants, other cafes, sandwich shops and a possible video arcade. Kassab declined to provide tenant business names until contracts are signed.

Kassab said Applebee's, Boston's Gourmet Pizza, Pizza Schmizza, a bank, gelato ice cream and coffee house, Cold Stone Creamery, Baskin Robbins, Rose's Deli and Subway sandwich shops have all expressed interest.

Whatever is chosen would fill about 58,000 square feet of the mixed-use retail and commercial space at the site.

Life-sized bronze artwork, some with fountain features, will be dispersed throughout, created by area artist Jim Demetro.

According to Kassab, "there is a great need" for family service businesses in Battle Ground.

Kassab said the 2003 population exceeded 38,000 within a 5-mile radius, 96,000 in a 7-mile radius, and more than 259,000 within 10 miles of the Center.

Construction of the cinema building is expected to begin in August and finish by March 2005. Other buildings are slated to open by late April 2005.

COUNCIL REJECTS DRAFT OF BG POLICE HEADQUARTERS

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

It's literally back to the drawing board for a design of the new Public Safety Center for the Battle Ground Police Department.

In a June 7 meeting, five of seven council members rejected a preliminary design of a new building that was to house police and court operations.

Council member Bill Ganley was the only reluctant voice, although at the end of the discussion he voted to approve re-drawing the design to exclude court accommodations.

Council member Mike Ciraulo was absent.

Ganley had wanted the Public Safety Center to house all of the city's legal dealings, including the court.

At present, municipal court, which hears cases from Ridgefield and La Center as well as Battle Ground, meets in the council chambers on the second floor of city hall once weekly and one night monthly.

Ganley said he is concerned about prisoners being escorted through city hall into the court, passing by businesses that lease space in the building and their customers.

Ganley said he has heard complaints about the smell of those prisoners as well as others waiting their turn in court who stand outside and smoke and litter.

City manager Eric Holmes said staff is not aware of any complaints.

The proposed design submitted by Lombard-Conrad Architects, P.A. could force the police into cramped quarters in as little as 20 years or sooner if the court system is given space in the building, city officials said.

The courtroom, jury chambers, offices, extra restrooms and lobby take up about one-fourth of the 16,000 square foot building, and are all upstairs.

The concern is that the two-story building can't be expanded later because of site restrictions, city officials said.

Where the court meets now is more than adequate, officials argued.

State-of-the-art equipment installed in the council chamber is also used by the court. There is seating for about 150 people, and parking outside is adequate, although the lot is "packed" on court days, Holmes said.

The proposed courtroom would be smaller, the city would have to spend about $100,000 more for needed equipment, and there wouldn't be enough parking for officers' personal vehicles and patrol cars in addition to handling added court staff and patrons, Holmes said.

If the court were to be left in place, officers, sergeants, clerks and community service officers would be "jammed" into inadequate spaces right off the bat without any room for storage and files, said police chief Ron Johnson.

Johnson said his vision is that the first floor be used for citizen contact with officers and services, and the second floor for administrative staff and functions such as a training room.

In the current proposal, the courtroom would double as a training room which could produce time conflicts.

Mayor John Idsinga went toe-to-toe with Ganley.

"[The court] uses council chambers one day a week and one night a month," he said. "As our population doubles, that only means they'd use it two days a week and two nights a month."

"The police station will need more room as we grow," he added. "In 35 years, we will still not have used up all this space [in city hall]. In 20 years, the police station will run out of room with this plan."

Holmes said it makes more fiscal sense to keep the court in city hall because the largest cycle of growth is in the police department with one officer added for every 1,000 people.

Council member Alex Reinhold said he doesn't think the court should move into a new building if it doesn't have to.

"Coming from a guy who hates toting around a refrigerator and couch, I think moving is a lot of extra work for no reason," he said. "Why move if you don't have to?"

Council members Lisa Walters agreed.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," she said.

Ganley said he was giving a "reluctant yes" to redrawing the design without the court system.

"This is not a waffle," he said. "I'd feel more comfortable with staff looking into what other cities do, but I give my approval to move forward."

The building is expected to cost about $2.6 million on city-owned land behind the current police/fire complex at 505 SW 1 St.

RIDGEFIELD CITY HALL SAFE TO OCCUPY

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

"It's safe to come in," said Kay Kammer, Ridgefield city clerk and chief financial officer. "We're open for business."

After being closed since April 30 and operating out of cramped quarters in the building department located in an alley about one-half block from city hall, Ridgefield city functions are getting back to normal.

Interim city manager George Fox said "the doors are wide open," and quipped about airing out the new paint smell. The building was closed when "extremely" high levels of lead paint dust were found in several areas of the building, including the air vents, and thousands of lead paint chips were discovered littering the crawl space under the building.

Lead-based paint was reportedly removed improperly two years ago under the direction of former city manager Randy Bombardier. Criminal charges were filed against him and the painter, Eben Drake, by the state attorney general June 8 for their roles in the matter.

Bombardier's contract was suspended March 11 by council members with his termination effective April 11 for dereliction of duty, incompetence and other accusations.

Global Pacific Environmental Incorporated was hired to remove all traces of lead from the building. An environmental hygienist okayed occupancy the first week of June, Fox said.

In addition to removing lead dust and replacing duct work in the ventilation system, an upstairs storage area, some floors, shelves and walls above picture ledges in the lobby were encapsulated, Fox said.

Lead-based paint was found on those areas and painted over by a certified, licensed contractor that deals in lead-based paint to prevent further lead exposure to citizens and employees, Fox said.

Next steps include working with Ecology officials "in voluntary compliance" to clean up the debris left by lead-based paint chips that floated down a storm drain on Pioneer St. in front of city hall and into Lake River, Fox said. Several hundred of those chips are still embedded in mud in that area and stuck in the culvert. Fox expects that clean-up to begin in July.

The cost to clean city hall was $23,800. The cost to continue clean-up is unknown at this time, said Kammer. Bids to remove the paint properly two years ago were about $45,000. Bombardier was paid $85,000 in a severance package in May.

BIA WILL WEIGH ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF CASINO

Tribe and La Center may negotiate

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) official said June 9 that economic effects of tribal gaming on nearby communities are considered as part of an environmental review.

George Skibine of the BIA Office of Indian Gaming Management in Washington, D.C., fielded questions and heard bitter denouncements of his agency's Portland office at a La Center city council workshop attended by about 300 citizens.

City attorney Dan Kearns said Skibine came to La Center at the request of congressman Brian Baird.

Baird and other legislators were asked for help last month as city leaders sought support for extending a BIA public comment period on a tribal Environmental Assessment on property at I-5 and NW 319th St. Early this year, tribal leaders declared an intent to conduct gaming and applied for trust status on 151 acres at the site.

Skibine said a 30-day extension was granted after Baird's request was received. A new deadline for comments to the Portland office of the BIA is set for June 16.

During the workshop, Skibine said officials in the Portland office of BIA "won't be the decision makers." He said officials in the Washington, D.C. office will make the final decision, a process that will take one, two or more years.

Several citizens, including La Center mayor James Irish, said Indian gaming would wreak havoc on a La Center tax base dependent on city cardrooms.

Irish said a recent study determined that revenues would drop by 61 percent upon full build-out of the tribal property.

Woodland Chamber of Commerce member Darlene Johnson said tribal gaming and full development of other tribal-owned businesses would wreck the Woodland economy to the north.

Sandra Swanson, a Yakima citizen and member of Star Alliance, a citizens coalition opposing off-reservation Indian gaming, posed the question, "If economic impact is truly a concern, why would you allow slot machines in (Indian) casinos when they are not allowed in other businesses?"

Skibine didn't respond.

Residents near the East Fork of the Lewis River said development of a casino and related businesses would cause destructive runoff to the river, pose risks to fish and wildlife populations, and create noise and traffic.

Most citizens said officials should require tribal leaders to obtain an Environmental Impact Statement, a more thorough study of environmental impacts, before granting trust status.

Off and on reservations

Gaming on "off-reservation" land is not permitted where it will have an adverse effect on a human environment, said Skibane.

Skibine said tribal leaders asked that land near La Center be designated "initial reservation." To accomplish this, they must prove historical, cultural and geographic ties to the land, he said.

Gaming is alllowed on an "initial reservation" without approval by a state governor, said Skibine.

Ridgefield attorney Alvin Alexanderson said the Tribe's Environmental Assessment describes only a 6.5 acre development.

"No one pays $20 million for 151 acres just to develop 6.5 of them," he said.

Alexanderson said a letter he wrote to the Portland BIA office was in the Tribe's hands within days or even hours, but he wasn't allowed to see the record. The Cowlitz application is "stained by deception," Alexanderson said.

Other citizens also found fault with Portland BIA officials.

"I only wish the Portland BIA people were here so they could understand the rules," said Samantha Hatch.

Kamie Biehl said she was told by officers at the Portland office that community detriment would not be an issue.

"Public disclosure was not forthcoming," said Kamie Biehl.

Talks coming?

Some citizens at the workshop said tribal leaders refuse to discuss issues.

Susan Gilbert, chairperson of a 1,000-plus member Paradise Point Neighborhood Association, said tribal leaders canceled a scheduled meeting. "Our relationship is now adversarial," said Gilbert.

Council member Dale Smith said, "The Tribe has told [city leaders] that they don't have to address our concerns."

Tribal council member David Barnett said, "We've tried. We're more than willing to discuss any and all impacts."

Council member Richard Curtis said, "Whittlesey (Dennis Whittlesey, Cowlitz Tribe attorney) said the tribe is not willing to discuss financial impacts."

"Anything is on the table," said Barnett.

"Today it is?" asked Curtis.

"If this is an opportunity to start real dialogue, we welcome the chance," said Barnett.

Curtis said the city council approved a letter earlier that day proposing negotiations with tribal leaders.

Skibine said when a project is approved, the government issues a 30-day notice in the Federal Register to allow time for opponents to challenge the decision with a lawsuit.

"It happens fairly frequently," Skibine said.

TWO LA CENTER PLANNERS RESIGN

Bill Myers, staff reporter

La Center mayor James Irish said June 9 that two planning commissioners submitted notices of resignation.

Madi Deotsch, a commissioner since 1997 whose term expires October 2007, said she enjoyed the experience and wants to allow others to participate. She will stay at her post until a replacement is found.

Bob Fleischmann, on the planning board since 1997, said he is moving away from the city and resigned effective July 13. Fleischmann's term expires in March 2007.

Adults living in La Center or within the city's urban growth boundary may apply

for unexpired terms of the commissioners.

Letters may be sent attention James Irish, 214 E 4th St., La Center, WA 98629.

CHELATCHIE TRAIN PLIES NEW ROUTE

Weekend trips roll from Yacolt to Basket Flats

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Delayed by vandals who wrecked train property at an engine house, the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad began weekend trips June 5 along the scenic East Fork of the Lewis River.

Station master Joan Reed-Nickerson said tourist rides depart the Yacolt station at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m.., and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Trains journey south to Moulton Falls, then across the East Fork of the Lewis River east to Basket Flats. Trains stop each way at Moulton Falls County Park where travelers can picnic, hike nature trails and view a picturesque falls area.

Rides north to Chelatchie Prairie are not available this summer because of track maintenance.

The new Basket Flats route became operational after replacements of more than 800 ties, addition of ballast, switch work and tree and brush removal.

The new line extends trips three miles past Moulton Falls, across the river on a rail bridge and through a forest to the Clark County trailhead near Lucia Falls on Basket Flat Rd.

Fares are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $6 for youths and free for children age four and under.

Special events scheduled this year include a BBQ trip July 24, a train robbery/BBQ trip Aug. 21, a fish fry trip Sept. 11, and fall foliage trips on every Saturday during September.

A Headless Horseman trip is set for Oct. 30-31. Christmas Tree trips will run Nov. 27-28, Dec. 4-5, and Dec. 11-12. Santa will be at the station for children Dec. 18-19.

Information by telephone is at 686-3559 and on website at www.chelatchieprairierr.org

STOREDAHL LAWYER: PUBLIC INTEREST "IRRELEVANT"

Hearings Examiner to weigh river mining issues

Bill Myers, staff reporter

An attorney for the J.L. Storedahl & Sons gravel mining company said June 1 that laws, not popular public interest, should govern gravel mining on the East Fork of the Lewis River.

The attorney's assertion came at a third public hearing before a Clark County hearings examiner who will decide if a re-zoning request should be approved to allow more gravel mining downstream from Daybreak Park.

Olympia attorney Sandy Mackey told hearings examiner Daniel Kearns that a Shorelines Master Plan and Clark County zoning laws must govern the decision.

Public interest in a park or other uses on the river is "absolutely irrelevant" and not a legal material fact, said Mackey.

The lawyer cited earlier court decisions and said a history of mining at the site since 1971 gives his client a right to mine at the site with reasonable rules.

Federal agencies have approved the mining proposal.

Mackey said claims by opponents that his client caused pollution and failed to follow reclamation rules were false. In several years of operation, the mining company was never fined or lost a permit, said Mackey.

Mining operations do not cause river channel migration or harm fish as contended by opponents, said Mackey.

Redmond scientist Dudley Reiser said mining didn't cause a scarcity of chum salmon in the river. The fish are rare in the entire Columbia basin, said Reiser.

Reiser dismissed claims by opponents of the adverse effects of mining sediments to spawning areas. Fish counts plummeted in recent years not just downstream from the mining area, but upstream to Daybreak Park as well, said Reiser.

Claims by mining opponents that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreed to help fund fish restoration projects on the river are not true, he said.

Opponents say flooding a threat

Mining foes insisted the mine operator did not and cannot prevent damage to fish habitat during floods.

Opponents say flood waters breach mine areas and bury downstream spawning beds with mining fines and loosened silt.

Conservationists who oppose the mining proposal say byproducts of mining and loosened silt settle in a river channel, filling holes and pockets where migrating fish can rest and find safety.

Adding materials to a river bottom forces the river to widen and become more shallow. Opponents contend shallow water is warmer and allows more predators, a deadly one-two punch for salmonid populations.

49th District state senator Don Carlson (R-Vancouver) said he is concerned about damage done by mining. He asked Kearns to require a bond from the mining company to restore habitat damage if mining pits are flooded.

Yacolt citizen Richard Kennon said an investment by county taxpayers of $18 million in East Fork restoration projects will be at risk if more mining is allowed.

Ridgefield citizen Craig Lynch said he floated the river during the 1996 flood. Mine pits were breached and the entire mine area "crashed," he said.

Lynch said similar floods are recorded about every 12 years. He said there were 60 pairs of spawning steelhead below the mine pits before the flood, and none after.

Several volunteer groups are trying to restore the river, said Lynch, but volunteerism will dwindle if more mining is permitted.

Bill Bakke, director of the Native Fish Society in Oregon, blamed mining for higher water temperatures that kill fish.

Baz Stevens said Kimball Storedahl declined to negotiate with Friends of the East Fork, even when they wanted to pay future mining profits as an incentive to stop mining.

Friends of the East Fork attorney David McDonald, using aerial photographs of the mine site, said "We're trying to fix something that is really bad--something that should be fixed before tearing up the remaining valley floor."

McDonald said all but one state Department of Natural Resources official spoke against the Storedahl request for expansion.

McDonald said the mining company repeatedly failed to keep sediments from the river.

Re-zoning would be inconsistent with a County comprehensive plan which designates agricultural land in the area as having long-term commercial significance, said McDonald.

Mining is incompatible with adjacent land uses and hundreds of letters from area citizens oppose it, said McDonald.

McDonald said the hearings examiner must weigh the commercial value of coho salmon against gravel. One coho has a commercial value of $250, and a ton of gravel is worth $7, said McDonald.

"Why trade off an area that should be protected when gravel is so plentiful elsewhere?" asked McDonald.

State archaeologist cites concerns

There may be more than gravel in the ground at the mining site.

In a June 1 letter to County project manager Josh Warner, assistant state archaeologist Stephenie Kramer of the state Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation said the mining site likely contains items of archaeological interest.

Kramer said artifacts were recovered during a 1998 survey that were never recorded with her office.

Kramer requested an archaeological site inventory. She said the project area should be surveyed and concerned Indian tribes contacted.

Kearns will accept written rebuttals until June 18.

A decision by Kearns will be final unless appealed to County commissioners.

FEDS DEDICATE WEATHER STATION

Transmitter sends 24/7 weather info and wake-up signals

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A federal transmitter on Davis Peak east of Woodland could save lives in the Lewis River Valley.

The device sends signals about weather all day every day. When lives are at stake because of flooding or other emergencies, the device can transmit a noise loud enough to awaken sleepers.

Federal officials dedicated the transmitter in a June 11 ceremony at Camp Murray. It was installed last November in a joint effort of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and PacifiCorp, a utility licensed to draw hydropower from Lewis River dams.

The transmitter constantly sends NOAA weather reports and information about Lewis River depths.

The transmitter will send a loud alarm to properly set weather radio receivers in the dead of night to warn of flood or other life-threatening emergencies, said National Weather Service spokesman Tyee Wilde.

Weather radio receivers capable of receiving the signals are available at Radio Shack stores and other electronics outlets.

Radio Shack units start at $29.95

Woodland Radio Shack franchise owner Dale Hammerly said his store at 1227-M Atlantic Ave. carries several weather radio models which range in price from $29.95 to $79.99.

All can operate on batteries. All provide the emergency alarm option.

Installation of Woodland and Olympia-area transmitters completed a NOAA goal to bring 95 percent of Washington residents within range of NOAA transmitters.

Woodland resident Noel Johnson, who campaigned for a warning system, said he is glad the transmitter is now within range of Lewis Valley residents. Johnson represented citizens during Lewis River relicensing activities.

EAST FORK MAKES FEDERAL CLEAN-UP LIST

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Plans are in the works to clean up the East Fork of the Lewis River.

The "dirt" is caused by higher temperatures that affect the health of fish and cause the growth of fecal coliform bacteria.

For salmon, ideal water temperatures should not rise above 64 or 65 degrees.

The first step in the clean-up process is an opportunity for the public to express opinions and concerns about the river, said Dave Howard with the state Department of Ecology in Vancouver.

The East Fork has joined several others nationwide on the Environmental Protection Agency's list of contaminated rivers, known as the 303d list. Clean-up of listed rivers must be completed by 2013.

Howard said the process of deciding just what must be done to clean the East Fork will be discussed at the local level with such groups as the Soil Conservation Service, Clark Public Utilities, Clark County officials and others.

Before County groups can begin their work, Ecology officials must undertake a study to learn where along the East Fork pollution is at its worst.

Measuring devices will be placed this summer at several points along the river, Howard said.

A technical report will be issued at the end of two years, he said, "and we'll go from there."

The studies will help the state agency learn possible sources of pollution, which can range from a lack of shade trees along the bank to dumping untreated or partly-treated sewage.

"Rural development and timber harvest may have removed shade and caused changes in the flow of the river that would affect the temperature," Howard said.

An increase in paved areas also affect river temperature especially during hot months, he said.

"There is not as much cool flow into the stream in August," he said.

Other pollutants could include poorly functioning residential septic tanks along the river and agricultural waste.

Howard believes that when all the information from the river study is available, "people will buy into" the restoration plans.

The deadline for public comment is Thurs., June 24. Comments should be directed to Ron McBride, department of ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.

Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to

rmcb461@ecy.wa.gov, or by phoning 360-407-6469.

The East Fork of the Lewis River is one of nine rivers designated for study beginning this year.

BGHS COACH FACES CHARGES

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Aaron Donnelle Chiles, 38, 510 NE Fargo St., Portland, will appear in Battle Ground Municipal Court Thurs., June 24 on charges of intentional assault of a human by touching/hugging.

Chiles, an assistant coach at Battle Ground High School on a supplemental contract, is accused by an 18-year-old student of unwanted touching.

A police report states the student claims Chiles rubbed her inner thighs near her groin area and slipped his hand under her shorts to feel her buttocks when the two were working out in a school gym the evening of May 25. The gym is open to the public during certain times.

Chiles is also accused of grabbing the student from behind in a hug in such a manner that she could feel he was sexually aroused.

In a statement to Det. Mike Molzahn, Chiles said he was just checking to see if she was wearing "panties." He reportedly said the hug was a wrestling move, and that what the student felt was a cell phone and keys in the front pocket of his shorts.

If convicted, Chiles faces up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine for the gross misdemeanor.

Chiles, also a fitness trainer, was told to not come onto the school grounds pending the investigation results, and his supplemental contract was not renewed, said District spokesperson Kelly Keister. A contract of that nature is temporary, for a specific purpose, time and season.

Chiles was employed for three school years as assistant wrestling coach 1999-2000, and 2002-2004.

MORRIS WILL RUN FOR THIRD TERM AS COMMISSIONER

Betty Sue Morris (D-Vancouver) has announced that she will seek a third term as Clark County commissioner, representing the mid and north county district.

Morris will be challenged by state Rep. Tom Mielke (R-Battle Ground) who previously announced his intention to seek the post.

"My time on the board has been productive and rewarding," said Morris, "but there's so much more to do."

Morris, 62, said expanding employment, solving congestion problems, and providing more ball fields and parks will be her top priorities over the next four years if she is reelected.

Morris also said she wants to work for operational improvements in county government.

Morris said 5-10 percent annual job growth would be a meritable objective over the next few years, and would provide alternatives to those who commute to Portland for employment.

"We need to grow the kinds of jobs people go to Portland for now," said Morris, citing health care as one such category of work. She noted the pending construction of the new Legacy hospital at Salmon Creek as one such employer.

Morris said the county needs more land for commercial and industrial purposes which would require future amendments to the county's land use plan.

Revisions to the plan currently underway are to be adopted by August, she said.

Schools have reduced their play fields, said Morris in calling for the construction of more ball fields. "We have land and money to build (ball fields) but we can't maintain them."

Morris said agreements will be sought with little league and other clubs on the maintenance of county-constructed ball fields.

Activation of the county-owned Chelatchie Prairie Railroad for both freight and passengers is also on Morris' agenda.

Morris said county officials are preparing for the possible passage of a property tax-cutting initiative slated for the November general election ballot.

Two budgets will be prepared, said Morris, reflecting the operation of county government with and without the possible tax cut.

If the tax cut takes place, the county will lose not only $8 million in road funds, but also grants that are predicated on have the local matching money, said Morris.

Morris said the county's Public Works department may be the best in the nation. "But there's never a department that can't do better," she said, adding there is "room for improvement" in community development.

Morris said the Public Works construction budget has increased 10-fold while not adding any employees.

Morris said the three commissioners get along well, "except on land use issues."

"We've built more road and parks than any board in decades," said Morris. "We consolidated services into a new Public Service Center that is paying for itself in saved rents. We remodeled the county courthouse to make it more efficient, and by 2005 the Clark County Fairgrounds will have a new exposition center. And we didn't raise anyone's taxes to do it."

Morris said she is proud of her role in salmon recovery. "Clark County is a recognized leader in the state on this issue," said Morris. "We're finding ways to restore fish runs and still keep our economy vigorous."

Morris can be reached at 397-2232, 608-5213, 576-9119.

Betty Sue Morris has reported campaign contributions of $23,720 since April as she seeks reelection to her position as Clark County commissioner.

Challenger Tom Mielke has received $6,535 so far as the election season gets underway. Mielke, a Battle Ground Republican, will give up his seat in the state House of Representatives to challenge Morris, who has served as county commissioner for about eight years.

Mielke has received contributions from officials of casinos in La Center, including Jeff Kassel ($100), George Teeny ($600), and Jo England ($600). Mielke's average contribution so far is $284.

Morris has received money from several real estate companies and developers, including movie theater builder Elie Kassab ($250), Amphitheater consultant Chris Crowley ($250), developer Bill Huyette ($500), and Renaissance Development Corporation of West Linn, OR, a home building company ($1,000).

Morris has also received donations from county consultant Bill Dygert and P.A.C. #48 of Washington, which represents electricians ($1,000).

Waste Connections donated $1,500 to the Morris campaign, and Waste Connections vice president Eric Merrill donated $250.

Camas Meadows Golf Club has donated $1,000 to the Morris campaign.

Donations to the Morris' campaign have averaged $245.

Mielke said he is planning a campaign budget of $80,000, which will be used for direct mail, outdoor signs, and radio and television advertising.

Morris said she will spend about $60,000 during the campaign.

Mielke said he would welcome public forums involving the two candidates as the campaign proceeds.

Mielke can be reached at 608-6201, and Morris at 608-5213.

Contributions to political campaigns can be viewed on the internet at

pdc.wa.gov/viewreports

A letter in the June 9 issue of The Reflector from J. Pritchard offered a solution to traffic problems at the Amphitheater at Clark County.

One sentence in Pritchard's letter should have read: "Along with having an on- ramp directly from the Amphitheater across Delfel onto I-5 going southbound, spend the money and put an overpass for the northbound traffic where the 179th St. sign is at the exit, across I-5 and into the Amphitheater at Delfel."

A word was left out of that sentence and The Reflector regrets the error.

OBITS:

ELSIE HALDEMAN

Elsie Irene (Nelson) Haldeman, 83, died June 8, 2004 in Vancouver.

Haldeman was born Sept. 27, 1920 in Hockinson, and lived her entire life in the Vancouver and Hockinson areas.

Haldeman had worked for the Federal Highway Administration as a clerk/typist where she gained the knickname "Mother Goose" for her caring and helping attitude toward others.

Haldeman had been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Vancouver.

Survivors include widower Lewis Haldeman, at home in Vancouver, daughters Joanne Frederick of California and Jill Cawley of Woodland, grandsons Jay and Michael Frederick and Alex Cawley, brother Milton Nelson of Vancouver, and sister Mae Kingston of Oregon.

The Vancouver Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

ANNA ADAMS

Anna Mary Iwalani (Scott) Adams, 59, died June 10, 2004 in Battle Ground.

Adams was born June 24, 1944 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and lived in Clark County for 18 months.

Adams enjoyed fishing, bowling and gambling. She loved sports and had coached Little League in California. The Oakland Raiders was her favorite team. She also enjoyed being a foster parent for many years. She liked swimming and the ocean, and was proud of her Hawaiian heritage.

Adams was preceded in death by her husband, Max Adams, in 1997. Survivors include daughter Missy Hernandez of Colorado, sons Alex Mahikoa of Battle Ground and Daniel Mahikoa of Georgia, step-daughters Tammie Dunn and Jayne Lawrence, both of California, step-son Tim Adams of California, sisters June Mensen and Viola Wick, both of Wisconsin, brother Erye Scott Jr. of Nevada, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorial services will be held Fri., June 18, 6:30 p.m., at Jehovah's Witnesses Battle Ground Kingdom Hall, 33209 Lewisville Highway, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

DONALD WILLIAMS

Donald Edward Williams, 89, died June 12, 2004 in Battle Ground.

Williams was born May 31, 1915 in Dollars Corner, drove a bus for the Battle Ground School District, and lived in Clark County his entire life.

Williams had also worked as a farmer.

Williams was a member of U.F.K.B.&S. Lodge. He was grand noble in his Odd Fellows Lodge, and president of a senior nutrition program. He enjoyed digging clams, tinkering in his shop, welding and anything mechanical. He liked to visit with people who stopped by, and would fix things for them at no charge. He loved to drill wells and made a well drilling machine from parts.

Williams was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Williams, in 2003. Survivors include sons Ken Williams of Yacolt, Larry Williams of Amboy and Ted Williams of Battle Ground, nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Tues., June 22, 11 a.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground, with burial at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Layne's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

RETHA SWIFT

Retha Mae Swift, 74, died June 12, 2004 in Yacolt.

Swift was born Dec. 13, 1929 in Stillwater, OK, and lived in Clark County for 38 years.

Swift was a member of the Yacolt Evangelical Free Church. She enjoyed painting, flower gardening, the outdoors, clam digging and camping. She was a master cook and a good seamstress. She loved playing with her grandchildren. She loved her faith, family, friends and flowers.

Survivors include husband Charles Swift, daughters Elois Stager and Alexis Loupe, both of Spokane, sons Christopher Swift of Oregon and Stephen Swift of Yacolt, sisters Lucille Grisham of Arkansas, Reva Wilson of California and Lorena Homestead of Olympia, and 11 grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Sat., June 19, 10 a.m., at Mt. View Cemetery, 38813 NE 119th Ave., Amboy, with memorial services the same day at 2:30 p.m. at Yacolt Evangelical Free Church, 509 W Cushman St., Yacolt. The casket will be open Fri., June. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

KENNETH SCHAER

Kenneth Christian Schaer, 53, died June 6, 2004, in La Center.

Schaer was born Sept. 22, 1950 in Longview, grew up in Mulino, OR, and moved to La Center in 1980. He worked as a truck driver and retired in 2003.

Schaer enjoyed playing with his grandchildren, working in the garden, collecting fine wine, and being with family and friends.

Schaer was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Schaer. Survivors include widow Marsha Schaer of La Center, daughters Stacia Butler of Vancouver and Kimberly Elston of La Center, mother Bonnie Collins of Oregon, sisters Kate Chavez of Colorado, and Laurie Notos, Jody Coleman and Sharon Johnson, all of Oregon, brothers Fred Schaer and Kevin Collins, both of Oregon, grandmother Dolores Frichette of Portland, four grandchildren and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering will be held Sat., June 19, 1 p.m., at the family home in La Center, with Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.