NOT GUILTY PLEA ENTERED FOR SERGEANT KILLING

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Robin T. Schreiber, 43, pleaded not guilty Oct. 7 to the murder of Clark County Sheriff Sgt. Brad Crawford July 30.

The plea, before Superior Court judge Roger Bennett, was entered 69 days after the incident. Schreiber had waived his right to a speedy arraignment, and was dropped by attorney Steven Thayer in mid-August.

Attorney Tom Phelan has taken the case.

A jury trial date was set for Dec. 6, but may be rescheduled as attorneys work on the first degree aggravated murder charge which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

The charge also qualifies for the death sentence, said prosecuting attorney Art Curtis who has 30 days to file for that punishment after Schreiber entered his plea.

During the Oct. 7 appearance, judge Bennett granted Schreiber's request to let his 15-year-old daughter visit him while being held in the Clark County jail without bail.

The youth's grandmother will accompany her because juveniles are not allowed to visit on their own.

Schreiber is accused of purposely ramming his full-size Ford pick-up truck into the driver's side of Crawford's patrol car. The sergeant died two hours later after being taken by Life Flight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

Police were responding to a 911 call that reported a suicidal, armed man at his home in Brush Prairie.

Crawford was blocking a hairpin turn in the quiet neighborhood during an evacuation, keeping people out of the area.

Schreiber reportedly crawled across his front porch on his knees with a rifle in his hand, jumped into the truck, drove across a pasture to get to the street, and then accelerated the truck into the patrol car.

Crawford left behind a wife, five children and two grandchildren.

Phelan has death penalty experience

In 1985, Phelan took a first degree aggravated murder case for Fargher Lake resident, 18-year-old Clark Hazen--a case that rocked north Clark County.

Hazen spent the day smoking marijuana and watching pornographic movies before going to his father's friend's house with a loaded handgun.

Hazen's intent was to kill the daughter, 27-year-old Donna Russell, and have sexual relations with her because he didn't want to fight.

During the course of the crime, Russell's father, Shirley "Curly" Russell, 65, came home unexpectedly and Hazen killed him as well.

Hazen was charged with first degree aggravated murder with a death penalty punishment.

In a tearful plea at that time, Phelan addressed jurors and said, "We know Clark's going to die in prison. The only question that remains is when. Who's going to decide, you or God?"

After six hours deliberation, a jury found him guilty and sentenced the then 19-year-old to death row at the Washington State Prison in Walla Walla.

In May 1988, Hazen hung himself with bedsheets tied into a noose around his neck, and died.

OBITS:

EDITORIAL:

EDITORIAL:

VOLCANO EXPLOSION NOT IMMINENT

Mountain re-invents itself with new dome

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Although Mount St. Helens is still grumbling and venting steam and ash, U.S. Geological Survey scientists say a "big" eruption is no longer imminent.

Late in the afternoon on Oct. 6, the alert level warning of an imminent event was downgraded from level three, the highest, to level two, which is a volcano advisory.

A steam and ash eruption Oct. 5 about 9:15 a.m. was the largest in a series of events since the mountain re-awakened on Sept. 23 with a string of continuous, shallow earthquakes under the dome in the heart of the crater.

The Oct. 5 event came in two parts and lasted about 45 minutes.

The explosion began with steam venting from a new gash in the 20-year-old, 500-foot deep glacier which rings the south part of the dome. About 10 minutes later, ash billowed and rolled, soaring about 13,000 feet high.

Winds from the south urged the gray column north to Randle, a community about 20 air miles from the volcano.

Ash lightly coated surfaces, and school children were kept inside and given filter masks and wet paper towels.

After the eruption, earthquake activity lessened.

Scientists believe the continuous shaking is caused by new magma rising to the surface, pulverizing an old magma plug that was in the way. Ash clouds are pulverized magma.

Tests on the ash that was expelled Oct. 5 show it likely came from old, hardened magma, scientists said. There was no evidence of fresh magma in it.

Jake Lowenstern, a geologist with the Geological Survey, said now that liquid rock has made a path to the surface, "you could think of it in a way that the skids are greased." Earthquakes have lessened because the path is clearer.

A new, 300-foot tall dome, which grows daily, is being pushed into the crater by rising magma. The old dome has been displaced several hundred feet, and the glacier has buckled and shows several new cracks and at least three new vents, scientists said, the latest which formed overnight Oct. 6.

After the Oct. 5 event, a boiling pool of melted glacier in the crater formed. Scientists detected carbon dioxide gases in it, which signifies the presence of new magma.

Sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gases, also agents in new magma, were detected around the crater floor.

After heavy rainfall Oct. 6, lahars, or mud flows, spilled out of the crater and onto Pumice Plain on the north side, scientists said. The flows traveled a short distance toward Spirit Lake and the North Fork of the Toutle River.

"Magma is at a very shallow level," scientists said Oct. 7.

Activity will continue, "big one" not likely

U.S. Geological Survey scientist Willie Scott said the episode of unrest and eruption is not done yet, and that activity could quickly accelerate to the point of eruptions.

Lowenstern said the Oct. 5 event was not a "big eruption," and that people need to get used to the idea that this kind of activity will continue.

"People have to get that [big eruption idea] out of their minds," he said. "Bigger and bigger" events may occur as steam blasts widen crater vents.

But there's not necessarily going to be a "big one" that creates risk to life and property, he said.

New magma may reach the surface and ooze into the crater, or break apart the dome in a pyroclastic flow which may or may not be confined to the crater walls, scientists said.

The old crater dome is weakened and fragmented by continuous earthquake activity and sustained harmonic tremors lasting from 25-50 minutes each, scientists said.

In fact, the 50-minute harmonic tremor that took place Oct. 2, and the shallow earthquakes and steam venting that followed, urged the U.S. Department of Interior to issue a warning of imminent eruption that day.

Scientists said the activity followed the pattern of the devastating May 1980 blast. They called for an evacuation within a 5-mile radius of the mountain.

Adventure seekers at Johnston Ridge Observatory were escorted out of the area to Coldwater Ridge Visitors Center, about 8.5 miles away, which is considered a safe distance, scientists said.

Dome building shows signs of slowing

After the Oct. 5 venting of steam and ash, earthquakes lessened and became stable at about one or two per minute, with magnitudes of about 1.5 scientists said.

Previous earthquakes were in the 2-3 magnitude range, happening about three to four per minute.

The recent lack of earthquake and rockfall activity suggests that the deformation and uplift of the old dome and the glacier are slowing, scientists said. Weak steam emissions continue.

Changes in the level of unrest are similar to dome building eruptions in 1980-1986, scientists said. Episodic changes in the level of unrest over periods of days, weeks or months are possible, hence the downgrade to level two.

However, scientists warn, escalation of unrest and perhaps an eruption could occur suddenly with little or no warning, without time to raise the alert level before a hazardous event begins.

"We have to warn people that the volcano is in a state now where we could go into accelerating unrest or eruption quite quickly," Lowenstern said.

Standby for ash problems is underway

National lung disease expert Dr. Sonia Buist studied the effects of volcanic ash on loggers who worked in the Mount St. Helens area after the 1980 eruption.

After a 4-year study, Buist found that volcanic ash is irritating but not toxic, and does not pose long-term health problems.

"The lungs will heal themselves," she said.

As for coming into contact with ash in the event of an emission that drifts southward, Buist advised people to take the same precautions they would on a heavy air pollution day.

Buist described volcanic ash as pulverized mountain that contains ground glass with jagged edges. When in the lungs or airways, it can cause irritation which results in wheezing or phlegm.

As for vehicle owners, Northwest Automotive Trade Sales Association officials said dealing with volcanic ash requires special precautions.

"There are a lot of current vehicle owners who may not know what drivers faced during the Mount St. Helens eruptions of the 1980s," said Barbara Rutherford Crest, executive director.

Dry ash won't immediately harm the paint finish on a vehicle, she said, but it can be abrasive and acidic, so it's a good idea to remove it from the exterior surface soon.

If a vehicle can't be garaged or covered, rinsing once daily is recommended, Rutherford Crest said. Rubbing or brushing the ash off can scratch the finish.

When traveling on ashy roads, drivers should increase stopping distances and slow down because ash can be slippery, especially when wet, she said.

Ash will also likely clog air and cabin filters. Filters should be checked often and replaced as needed, she said.

A full windshield washer fluid reservoir is also necessary to keep the windshield clear in areas where there is blowing ash, she said.

The Clark County Health Department has issued the following advice:

** Stay indoors to minimize exposure, especially those with respiratory ailments.

** In a medical emergency, call 911.

** Avoid vigorous outdoor activity.

** Keep adequate supplies and medications on hand to sustain for several days.

** Keep doors and windows closed.

** When outside, use dust masks and eye protection. If dust masks are not handy or don't fit well over children, use a wet handkerchief.

** Minimize travel, it can be hazardous to people and cars. If one has to drive, use headlights, clean windows and have enough windshield wiper fluid ready.

** Remove outdoor clothing before entering a building.

** Wash vegetables and fruit thoroughly before eating.

** Keep pets inside as much as possible.

** Provide fresh water for livestock.

For more information, call 397-8215.

Closures in effect

Gifford Pinchot National Forest officials have issued the following road and trail closures:

** Ape Cave near Cougar south of the mountain.

** Mt. Margaret back country north of Spirit Lake and east of Coldwater Lake.

** Climbing above 4,800 feet is prohibited.

** Lava Canyon Recreation area and Windy Ridge.

** Loowit, Truman, Willow, Lava Canyon, Ptarmigan, Independence Pass, Ape Canyon, Blue Lake, Toutle, Sheep Canyon, Hummock, Birth of Lakes and Harmony trails closed as of Oct. 7.

** Forest Road 81 between Kalama Horse Camp and Cougar Snow Park and Forest Road 83 at the snow park.

** Trailheads north of Forest Roads 81 and 83.

** SR-504 at the Coldwater Ridge Visitor's Center intersection to Johnston Ridge Observatory.

** Forest Road 99 at milepost 10 at Cascade Peaks.

** Forest Road 8303 at Trail of Two Forests.

All existing climbing permits are canceled and no new ones are being issued.

For more information about closures, contact the Gifford Pinchot National Forest at 891-5001.

VOLCANO LEAVES INDELIBLE MEMORIES

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

A common question in Clark County the last few weeks has been, "Where were you when St. Helens blew?"

Several people have vivid memories of where they were and what they were doing Sunday morning on May 18, 1980.

The day Mount St. Helens self-destructed, Bob Bertsch, then chief of the Battle Ground Fire Department, was digging clams with his wife on Copalis Beach north of Aberdeen.

"We heard it," Bertsch said. "It was like a bomb going off. Some guy, he was kinda goofy, came running through camp hollering `The mountain blew! The mountain blew!' So we checked with the office. The person inside said it had, and that I-5 was closed at the Toutle River."

The couple figured "we'd better get out of here," and began a journey home that took several hours.

Because the interstate was dissected at the Toutle, those on the north side had to find alternative ways to the south.

The Bertschs and hundreds of other vehicles traversed windy roads through Raymond, Naselle and out to Longview. Pulling a trailer made the trip even slower.

Once home, Bertsch worked in the following days cleaning up ash with his crew and citizen volunteers. Although ash didn't fall the day the mountain blew, there were a few pre-eruption dustings and "one good shot" of 3-4 inches on Main St. after the event, Bertsch said.

The fire department supplied masks for people's faces, and firefighters shoveled ash off the flat roof of the fire station because the weight of the stuff, especially when wet, was heavy enough to make it collapse.

Firemen also hosed off the Little League fields so children could play ball.

Streets were closed while ash was hosed off and removed. Once, as a joke to lighten the mood, the firemen threaded a hose through then Lt. (now chief) Ron Johnson's patrol car which blocked main St. crosswise, Bertsch said.

Bank managers Mike Cochran of First Independent and Brooks Owen of Northwest National, remember signs posted asking people to remove their masks while doing business inside, "for obvious reasons," said Owen. "We wanted to see who was coming into the bank."

People had a sense of humor about it and there were no problems, the men said. After a few days, people stopped wearing the filters altogether.

Both men remember dealing with messy ash which coated cars, roads, decks, roofs, gutters and more.

Cochran said he watched the mountain steam from his home in Salmon Creek in the aftermath. What was worse about the following days was "ash rain" that was like dripping mud.

Frank DeShirlia, former mayor who was a city council member at the time of the volcanic burst, said he walked out of a coffee shop that morning and saw a big, black cloud with lightning in it. He remembers being thankful it went northeast.

After that, it was dealing with the mess.

"We virtually hand-washed every street by hand," he said. "The whole community got involved---they were pulling hoses, offering food and drink or the use of restrooms--I was very impressed."

"The community felt a real sense of ownership of Battle Ground then," he said.

DeShirlia also told of then- mayor Everett Eaton helping to "pull hose" although the man was in his 60s.

Former volunteer firefighter Jerry Nies remembered Eaton helping too.

One firefighter duty is to "protect the hose," Nies said, by carrying, not dragging it. Hoses have a cotton-based cover and if dragged on the ground can rip easily. Battle Ground's hoses were pretty old at the time, he remembered.

Crews were getting weary of picking up the heavy hose and crossing from one side of the street to the other.

Eaton must have been tired, too. He hooked the hose to his car's bumper and dragged it down the street with firefighters chasing after him yelling "Stop!" Nies said.

"Bob Bertsch raised hell at the next council meeting," Nies said. "The city council voted to give us all new hoses."

Some citizens relied on firefighters to help. Ash coated a senior citizen complex parking lot and sidewalks which made it hard for residents to get around.

So Nies and his young adult son took a fire hose to the complex.

The son hooked the hose to the hydrant. Nies stood ready and told him to turn it on.

"Well, he didn't thread it right," Nies said. "The hose fell off, and a stream of water 1 1/2 inches in diameter hit dead-center on a senior citizens' door--which wasn't shut all the way."

Nies sprinted to the apartment and found the rush of water had rearranged some chairs and a table and chased the resident into the kitchen.

"She thought the world had come to an end," Nies said.

"It was a crazy time, no doubt about it," he said.

A graphic recollection comes from Scott Galster, a firefighter/mechanic for Fire District 12.

Galster was 14 and living at the family farm in Randle, about 20 air miles from the volcano.

At 14 years old, he enjoyed riding his dirt bike with friends as far as they could go toward the mountain.

The morning of the blast, he was getting ready to go again "as far, as close as we could" to the mountain, he said.

But when he went outside, things didn't seem right. He heard rumbling. There was a stiff wind blowing from the south and several pine boughs littered the yard.

"We didn't have any pine trees nearby," he said.

Galster and his family went into the pasture and could see the ash plume rising and coming toward them. The sky rained 1/4-inch pebbles and pelted the family.

"I saw a Cessna in front of that big black cloud," Galster said. "It looked like that little airplane was towing the cloud."

The family ran into the house and within minutes everything turned "pitch black." For four to five hours it was pretty gloomy, he said.

People stranded on the road found the Galster farm at an intersection near the house. They were all welcomed inside.

"We met a lot of people," Galster said.

Everyone listened to the radio, but for some reason, the announcer seemed to not believe the mountain blew, Galster said, only stating that they were hearing rumors.

The next day, 6 inches of dry ash greeted everyone. Galster remembered thinking "this must be what the moon looks like."

The family chose "the worst car that was okay to drive" and went to a store to load up on groceries.

White Pass High School was let out early for the year when the military took over the building, he said.

On the farm, roofs on 10 buildings had to be replaced because acid from the ash destroyed them, he said, and all the driveways had to be re-graveled.

Rain was the worst. Muddy ash fell from the sky sometimes or turned the ash into clay that stuck to everything. The only thing ash was good for was the garden.

"We rototilled it under," Galster said. "We had a good garden the next year."

While the Cessna outran the cloud, Yacolt fire chief Tom McDowell helped evacuate the Cougar area.

McDowell was sleeping, he said, when the explosion happened. His wife, who was out getting a newspaper, woke him up when she returned.

"Then I went to work," he said.

Before the eruption, the road was closed at Jack's Restaurant on SR-503 near Cougar. After the eruption, the line was pulled back to Yale Bridge.

While Galster's family hid from the racing cloud, Louise Tucker, then Louise Allworth, worked outside at "the old mill" on Allworth Rd.

"I saw a black cloud billow behind Bell Mountain," she said, "but didn't think too much about it. You can't see Mount St. Helens from there."

"We had a late lunch and that's when we found out it happened," Tucker said. "So we hopped in the car with the kids and went to watch it from Andy Hanson's hill north of Battle Ground Lake."

As they watched, the cloud developed its own weather system with lightning, she said.

"I couldn't believe it was really happening." she said.

Although that first day everything went northeast, ash from smaller eruptions over time made its way to the family home.

"Ash rain was the worst," she said, but the gritty stuff also ruined windshields and chainsaws.

It also flattened several miles of forest and obliterated everything in its path.

Brooks Owen got to see the destruction first-hand a few days after the big blast.

A bank customer was a commercial pilot who also flew bi-planes. He took Owen and his son on separate rides to see the damage that had been wreaked.

Owen described it as "Jaw-dropping. I thought about the power of nature and the helplessness of mankind."

BG WINS GRADUATION RATE APPEAL

The Battle Ground School District won its dispute with state officials last week, proving that the District graduated 68.8 percent of students within four years of enrollment ending in the 2002-2003 school year.

The successful appeal resulted in a determination that the District made "Adequate Yearly Progress" in all performance categories of the most recent round of state tests.

State officials had previously calculated Battle Ground's graduation rate as 60.9 percent, using data the District had supplied on annual P210 reports.

But District officials said they supplied better data on drop out rates, name changes, and typographical and data errors, bumping up the graduation rate to 68.8 percent.

Battle Ground appealed the state's graduation rate calculation in August, shortly after results of the annual Washington Assessment of Student Learning test were released.

Pete Bylsma, director of research, evaluation and accountability with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, said Battle Ground was not alone in appealing its graduation rate calculation.

Bylsma said Federal Way, White Salmon and Highline also filed successful appeals.

Bruce Kelley, director of school improvement with the Battle Ground School District, said state officials used estimates of graduate rates based on P210 report data. They made assumptions, he said, about graduation rates based in part on drop out figures for sophomores and juniors.

The District appeal used actual data, not estimates, said Kelley.

Kelley also suggested that state officials based their estimates on original P210 reports that had subsequently been updated, but the updates may have been overlooked, he said.

The statewide high school graduation rate is 66 percent, said Bylsma.

All districts are working toward a graduation rate of 85 percent by 2014. Bylsma said school districts will be asked to improve each year until that goal is reached.

Kelly Keister, spokesperson for Battle Ground schools, said the district has implemented a new mentoring program at both Battle Ground and Prairie high schools for new students who need additional help.

The mentoring program is designed to help students be successful in their high school educations, she said.

Bruce Kelley said all high school freshmen are given a placement test in reading and math, and that added help is given to certain students.

Summit View High School, the District's alternative high school, has a graduation rate of 14.7 percent, according to state officials. Kelley said Summit View attracts students who have educational or behavioral problems in other schools, but who want to graduate. They may not complete the program in four years, he said, and are therefore considered "unsuccessful" in state graduation rate calculations even though they eventually graduate.

Summit View also has students who want to graduate early, said Kelley.

Enrollment at Summit View is about 275 students, about half of whom transfer in from other school districts.

Bylsma said state officials offer help to school districts increase their graduation rates.

State officials had said that Battle Ground's appeal was filed after the Sept. 7 appeal deadline. They later announced that the appeal was filed on Aug. 23.

Official records unchanged

Despite Battle Ground's successful appeal, it's official graduation rate for 2003 will remain 60.9 percent in state records, said Bylsma, including data displayed on the state's official website.

Bylsma said state officials want to retain one methodology for calculating graduation rates. "This is the method we are using," said Bylsma. "We want to keep the same methodology."

"It's out policy decision not to upgrade the numbers," said Bylsma.

Bylsma said if they changed Battle Ground's rate in their records, "Everybody would want to do it." If numerous districts appealed test results, "they'd nickel and dime us to death all the time."

Bylsma said Battle Ground's method of calculating its graduation rate using actual data was "very laborious." He described Kelley's use of actual graduation figures instead of the state estimating technique as "an alternate method," while conceding that Battle Ground's method was "more accurate."

As a result, Battle Ground's official rate stands at 60.9 percent. To make "Adequate Yearly Progress" next year, Battle Ground's graduate rate must reach 61.9 percent.

Kim Schmanke of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction said 300 appeals were filed in August-September this year by districts and schools across the state. She did not know how many of those appeals involved the graduation rate issue.

CURTIS, BROKAW DEFINE THEIR DIFFERENCES

An early morning debate between Richard Curtis and Pam Brokaw, candidates for the state House of Representatives from the 18th legislative district, further defined differences between the two who seek to replace Tom Mielke in the state legislature.

Democrat Pam Brokaw, an employee of the city of Vancouver, and Republican Richard Curtis, a firefighter who serves on the La Center city council, fielded questions from moderator Marvin Case of The Reflector and from the audience.

Initiative 892, expansion of non-tribal gambling

Brokaw said she opposes I-892 as an unreliable funding stream for the state. "I do not favor an expansion of gambling," said Brokaw, noting that the measure is opposed by many people and groups.

"But we must do all we can to help La Center cardrooms and to level the playing field," said Brokaw, who was not specific on what that might entail.

Curtis said he favors passage of I-892 as an issue of "fundamental fairness."

Curtis said gambling is not going away, noting the prevalence of card rooms and bingo parlors.

"I-892 signals that there is a fundamental fairness issue," said Curtis, who said he chairs the charity committee created by La Center cardrooms.

Storedahl gravel mining

Curtis said he supports the Storedahl application to expand its gravel mining work near the East Fork of the Lewis River.

"Storedahl offered a $10 bond to clean up" the area, said Curtis. "I fish on the East Fork."

Curtis said failure to approve the Storedahl application would be a detriment to the river and to the community of La Center downstream.

Storedahl has followed the law in gaining approvals, said Curtis. "We can't be arbitrary about which laws we follow."

Brokaw said a decision should be based on "what's best for the East Fork" and fish habitat. "I see so many red flags associated with this project," said Brokaw. "It's a precedent-setting application with dueling experts. Let's make darn sure we're not going to harm the aquifer. Let's tread lightly."

"We've had six years of treading lightly," said Curtis in rebuttal.

Abortion, gay marriage

Brokaw said she supports abortion and gay marriage.

"I support the right to privacy, individual rights and freedom of choice," said Brokaw.

Brokaw said she would uphold current state law which defines marriage as one man, one woman, but opposes that rule. She said she supports same sex unions, and the rights of such unions to raise children.

Curtis said he opposes both abortion and gay marriage.

Because of his background in medicine, said Curtis, "I have a hard time supporting killing babies. It makes me sick to my stomach."

Curtis said he could support early term abortion if the health of the mother is in jeopardy, but others "it's murder," he said.

Transportation funding

Curtis said existing funding for transportation should be put to better use before new taxes are considered. He questioned the expenditure of 20 percent of transportation funding for state ferries which are use by 1 percent of the population.

Curtis said a gas tax is multiplied many times over by increasing the price of trucking for bread, milk and other products.

Brokaw cited traffic jams in Woodland and Cowlitz County as the need for continued transportation funding. "We have a huge safety issue on SR-14," she said.

"What is the gas tax plan," said Brokaw. "Show me the plan."

"We're taxed enough," countered Curtis. "Government is too big."

Sixty percent vote rule

Both candidates supported a public vote on changing the 60 percent majority requirement for school levy and bond elections. Curtis argued that such a vote should be in November, not another time during the year.

Brokaw said the timing of a vote should be explored with school districts.

Curtis said public schools cost $9,400 per student per year, compared to about $3,000 for private schools. He called for an audit of educational funding.

Labor and Industries premiums

Curtis said high premiums for Labor and Industries' insurance put people out of work. "Washington has one of the most expensive L&I systems in the U.S.," said Curtis. He suggested privatization.

State insurance mandates

Curtis said the state should only require a basic health insurance plan with hospitalization, emergency room service and wellness care. People should be able to selected other options.

"I support a review of all mandates," said Curtis, with targeted extraction of those that are not necessary."

"We need to put citizens first," said Brokaw. "California has looked at caps."

WINEBERG FIELDS WILL GO FOR THREE MORE YEARS

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Long-standing ball fields in Orchards will be used for three more years before area sports organizations switch to new fields in Hockinson.

Officials from Clark County Public Works and Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation have reached an agreement with the owners of Wineberg Park, located east of NE 131st Ave., off Fourth Plain Blvd. to rent the fields for $40,000 annually.

The fields have been used for baseball since 1952. About 600 athletes with Evergreen Little League currently use the fields each season.

A new location was sought because property owners Ellen Leigh and Donna Jensen, sisters, desired to sell the property. Public Works Department director Pete Capell said buying the fields was not an option because the 11-acre site is too small for area sports field needs in the long run.

A new 241-acre site called China Ditch located south of NE 119th St and west of NE 172nd Ave. in Hockinson has been purchased by the County and Parks department and is set for development.

In addition to ball fields, trails, a dog park and options for school use are being considered for the site, Capell said. A master plan is yet to be developed.

The rental agreement for Wineberg Park will fill the void before China Ditch can be used, Capell said.

Parks Department manager Dan George said lands around the Wineberg property are poised for significant development. The property is zoned light industrial.

Wineberg fields have previously been used at no charge, George said, with ball clubs paying taxes and some maintenance costs. Under the new agreement, half the lease money will come from the Parks Department and half from Evergreen Little League.

The leasing arrangement will be more cost-effective than constructing temporary ball fields on a temporary replacement site, George said.

SEABROOK, ZARELLI FACE OFF IN BG

Incumbent senator charges recent mailer "lies"

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Two district 18 senate candidates, democrat challenger Dave Seabrook and incumbent republican senator Joe Zarelli, debated issues at an Oct. 6 face-off in Battle Ground.

"We need leaders we can trust to do the right things," said Seabrook.

"When I say I'll do something, I do it," said Zarelli. "Check my voting record."

Zarelli said a recent mailer from the Seabrook campaign lied about his senate voting record.

The mailer said SB 5404, a bill supported by Zarelli, cut 40,000 children off the state's basic health plan.

Zarelli said the bill cut no children from the plan. The bill asked families to pay $5 or $10 monthly premiums and asked people to verify that they qualified for coverage. Thousands of people who apparently didn't qualify suddenly dropped the plan, said Zarelli.

The mailer also alleged that Zarelli opposed SB 5903, described by the mailer as a bill that reduced costs of prescription drugs for seniors.

However, that bill deals with the Department of Corrections and has nothing to do with prescription drugs, said Zarelli.

In a follow-up interview after the debate, Seabrook said errors were made when the mailer was created.

The mailer should have referenced SB 5904. He also said wording should have explained that Zarelli, who voted for the bill, opposed an amendment that would have created a larger pool and more buying power for seniors.

Seabrook said that he should have checked the mailer more closely before it went out.

"It was a mistake and I am responsibile for it," he said.

Zarelli, contacted after Seabrook's admission, said, "The mailer is especially misleading because I supported not one, but two bills in 2003 that helped lower health costs for seniors."

Zarelli said Seabrook's reference to an amendment is an attempt to cloud the fact that the mailer is untruthful. Several amendments to bills are defeated because they are costly and proposed for purely political reasons, he said.

"Lies from the Seabrook campaign about my voting record go to the heart of the trust issue," said Zarelli.

Candidates were asked if the state Business and Occupation (B&O) tax should be eliminated. The tax is applied on business gross receipts and generates about $2 billion for the state each year.

Taxing gross receipts is unfair, and B&O tax breaks would help new businesses keep jobs in communities, Seabrook said.

Zarelli said the B&O tax, with property and sales taxes, is one of three major revenue generators in the state.

If B&O revenues are eliminated, an income tax would be needed to replace the revenue, and, "I oppose an income tax," said Zarelli.

Seabrook said revenue could increase by eliminating tax breaks for companies that hire and fire employees overseas.

Both candidates said they oppose Initiative 892 which would expand gaming to non-tribal areas.

Seabrook said card rooms in La Center should be allowed "a level playing field" with tribal gaming. La Center citizens are telling him they are not being heard, said Seabrook.

Zarelli said the problem is jurisdictional and caused by contracts between the governor and tribes. He said he and other legislators wrote Clark County commissioners on behalf of La Center citizens.

"I also paid two visits to the governor, who would not listen," said Zarelli. "We need a governor who understands that private businesses pay the bills."

Health care costs

Health care costs are driven by technology, longer life spans, and huge profits for drug and insurance companies, said Seabrook.

Seabrook said alternative treatments, such as chiropractic care, could help reduce health care costs.

Zarelli said health insurance rates are pressured by state mandates that force private carriers to provide coverage offered by the state's basic health care plan. He said efforts by him and other Republicans to get flexibility for small business owners have been resisted in Olympia.

Zarelli said he favors tort reform--the only way to improve health care costs is to cut costs.

"It's a huge issue and also a problem for businesses," he said.

Seabrook said all cost drivers need to be looked at. There is a question as to impacts of lawsuits on health care costs, he said.

Seabrook believes medical errors contribute to the problem. Insurance companies that sell malpractice coverage also count on returns from stock market investments. When investments don't materialize, the companies raise malpractice rates, he said.

Zarelli said large insurance companies are not providing most malpractice policies. Most policies come from doctor-sponsored co-ops that are just trying to break even.

"It's a partisan issue," said Zarelli. "Trial lawyers own the other side of the aisle."

Seabrook said he is frustrated by partisan bickering.

Both candidates said they oppose Proposition 884, which would increased sales taxes by 1 percent to provide more school funding.

Both said the tax would hurt area small businesses by causing more citizens to shop in sales-tax-free Oregon.

Zarelli said legislators keep hearing that schools can't be successful without more money, but the answer isn't always about money.

The proposition would place accountability for more than $1 billion in the hands of a committee--and bypass oversight by elected officials, Zarelli said.

Seabrook said there is a school funding problem, with less funding coming from the state, special education needs and teachers paying more for health insurance costs.

The candidates had opposing views about the Constitutional requirement for a 60 percent majority to pass school and bond levies.

Seabrook said citizens should be allowed to vote on a change to a simple majority rule.

Zarelli said crafters of the Constitution wanted to protect taxpayers by requiring a greater public mandate for some tax increases. The super majority rule keeps governments grounded and forces schools to justify positions for more funds.

BGHS PROGRAM RECYCLES FORMAL ATTIRE

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Parents and students often consider the cost of outfitting a girl for a formal event.

The dress: at least $150. Shoes: about $50. Accessories such as jewelry and purses: easily $75. Hair, fingernails, makeup: more than $100.

"It can cost up to $500 no problem," said Sarah Hornsveld, a junior at Battle Ground High School.

With four formals annually--homecoming, prom, winter ball and tolo--and a new outfit needed for each, the annual price of formal attire can cost as much as a good used car.

A new student-initiated program can help.

Becca's Closet is a formal attire exchange program now operating at Battle Ground High School.

Donations of used formal wear are stocked at the school and loaned to girls seeking a less expensive alternative.

The program is geared toward low-income students, but no questions are asked, said Hornsveld, who helped organize the program with students Lydia Syncock, Kristin Harris and Allie Kornfeind.

Program advisor Toni Kessler, who teaches fashion design and merchandizing at the school, said the program makes a lot of sense.

"We have kids who say they can't go to a dance because they can't afford it," Kessler said. "This gives everyone a chance."

Hornsveld heard about the idea after watching a news show about a student in Florida who began a similar program, then died in a car accident shortly thereafter. The program is named in her honor.

Other schools nationwide have begun Becca's Closet programs, but as far as Hornsveld knows, this is the first in Washington.

About 30 dresses are in the Battle Ground program so far and are loaned library-style, with returns due when an event is over.

Students would like to see the roster increase to about 100 gowns, and then give out the dresses with no returns required. Accessories and shoes are also collected. The students have asked area businesses to donate hair, fingernail and storage services.

The loan service works anonymously, with names of borrowing students kept quiet, Kornfeind said, but no one seems worried even if names were known.

"There's no negative stigma to wearing a borrowed dress," Kornfeind said. "It's the practical thing to do. Why not borrow? By the time you're in your 20s, you'll have five or six formal dresses that you'll never wear again."

Donations from area residents are being sought, such as accessories, shoes and gowns in good condition, any size or style. Out-of-style gowns are also welcome to be worn for theme dances.

For more information, contact Toni Kessler, 885-6565.

TWO ORCHARDS SCHOOLS SET FOR REPLACEMENT

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Two schools in Orchards will soon be replaced as part of a $244 million bond effort passed May 2002 by Evergreen School District voters.

A K-5 campus will be built on property adjoining the current Orchards Elementary School, located at 7000 NE 117th Ave. The new school will be about 500 feet west of the current school building.

Students will stay in the existing building until the new school is built, said District facilities director Reg Martinson. Afterward, the current school and property will be sold.

Orchards Elementary was built in 1928 with part of the school built in 1953.

The new school will have a capacity for about 650 students and is expected to be full on opening. No portables are scheduled to be on site when it opens in winter 2005, but space is allotted as more students come to the school, Martinson said.

The new building will look similar to two of the District's other new schools--York Elementary, located at 9301 NE 152nd Ave., and Columbia Valley Elementary, located at 17500 SE Sequoia Circle.

Martinson said new school designs are based on prototypes. By using the same basic design more than once rather than creating a new school from scratch, the District saves money.

The new Orchards Elementary is estimated to cost $8.8 million, or about $129 per square foot, Martinson said.

At 61,650 square feet, the new school will dwarf the existing 38,000 square foot structure. The school will feature a two-story design, which saves room on the 13- acre site for more athletic fields, parking and green space, Martinson said.

The school will feature a commons area where the gym and cafeteria are separated by a retractable wall. Classes can be taught in the gym while other students eat lunch. When the wall is retracted, the whole school can meet for assemblies.

Covington also set to go

Built in 1961, Covington Middle School is also set to be demolished and replaced.

Covington, a grades 6-8 school, is located southeast of Five Corners at 11200 NE Rosewood Rd., Orchards.

The new structure will be constructed on the existing football fields. Students and staff will move in winter 2005. Afterward, the old structure will be demolished.

Students will use other schools' athletic facilities until new ones can be constructed, Martinson said.

The new middle school is estimated to cost $17.7 million. Capacity is about 890 students. The 113,000 square foot school will be full when it opens. No portables are planned as yet, Martinson said.

A track open to community members will be situated at the middle school. Walking paths will encompass both the new middle and elementary schools.

Martinson said the cost of demolishing Covington and Orchards schools is slightly higher than complete renovations of the two structures, but will save taxpayers money in the long run.

Extensive renovations would need to be made to each school's internal infrastructures, Martinson said. New schools will be better configured around today's educational practices.

For example, Martinson said, central rooms will be created to be used by six adjoining classrooms. Amenities such as sinks and mobile computer labs will be shared, saving money and improving space efficiency.

Evergreen is in the middle of seven major capital facilities projects as part of its bond effort.

In addition to projects at Orchards Elementary and Covington Middle school, Cascade Middle School was replaced and Columbia Elementary School opened this fall. A new high school, located at SE 1st and SE 202nd Ave., will open in fall 2007. Evergreen High School will be remodeled by 2007. Another elementary school will be built at a site yet to be determined.

BG THEATER PROJECT INTERRUPTS WATER AT SCHOOLS, HOMES

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Water at Maple Grove schools and surrounding homes was shut off Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., after work done on the Battle Ground Cinema complex on the corner of NE 199th St and SR-503 interrupted services.

According to Battle Ground public works director Sam Adams, a water line that didn't have a valve attached was affected. A cap was leaking, so water to the area was shut off to isolate the line.

Ten portable classrooms were affected at Maple Grove schools, said District spokesperson Kelly Keister. Portable water was brought in, along with sanitation units for students and staff.

Mike Collum, spokesperson for LCG Pence Construction, said a new isolation valve was installed as soon as the leak was discovered. Cement needed to harden before pipes could be re-pressurized and water turned back on.

Keister was unsure who would pick up the tab for providing water and sanitation facilities at the schools.

Adams said the city does not guarantee water services.

Collum said he couldn't comment on costs until further investigation.

VIETNAM MEMORIAL GARDEN GROWS

New names added, garden party volunteers sought

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Officials of the Veterans Administration added 83 names of veterans Sept. 17 to bricks in the Vietnam War Memorial Garden, located at 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver.

Honoring veterans of the Vietnam era at the Garden is easy and pleasurable for visitors.

People stroll on paths through lawns, Douglas fir and bamboo trees, rhododendrons, and ground coverings symbolic of southeast Asia.

Pathways lead to a plaza where inlaid bricks bear names of Vietnam era veterans. Several are north county citizens, such as Battle Ground dentist Leslie Cotton and Yacolt pastor James Strano.

Engraved bricks are added at the garden plaza each year on POW/MIA Day, the third Friday of September. Of 900 bricks in the plaza, 575 now bear names.

Construction of the Memorial Garden at the Vancouver Campus of the Department of Veterans Affairs was funded between 1989 and 2001 by donations totaling $350,000 from Gustave and Lore Baak.

The Baaks were born in Germany and became American citizens after emigrating to the U.S. They lived in America during the Vietnam era, and visited the Vietnam War Memorial after its construction. Both wanted to do something to honor those from the Northwest who served.

Gustave Baak died in 1982, and Lore returned to Germany to be with family members. Proud of her U.S. citizenship, she worked with U.S. Consulate and Veterans Administration officials to make the Memorial Garden possible. It was dedicated Nov. 15, 2002.

"The defense of one's home nation is a heroic goal and these young men and women who engage in the fight for freedom without any resistance and hesitation are in need of special attention," said Baak.

The Memorial Garden honors Vietnam Era veterans who served in any military branch.

Engraved bricks may be purchased with a tax deductible donation of $40. Applications are available at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Telephone 696-4061, ext. 33360.

Garden clean up slated

Basic maintenance is performed by Veterans Administration workers, but volunteers are asked to help with periodic garden work, said Murphy.

A garden work party is set for Sat., Oct. 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Volunteers are asked to contact Murphy at the above number.

CLARK COLLEGE HISTORY RECALLED

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Three Ridgefield residents who attended Clark College during the 1930s shared memories Sept. 29 with other former classmates and college president Dr. Wayne Branch.

Bud and Jean Watzig

Schwarz, who married a few years after graduation, and Dollie Johnson Beers were members of the class of 1937.

All started Clark College in September 1935 during what is known now as the Great Depression. The two-year old school was housed in a brick building at 100 W. 13th St., Vancouver, now the location of the Hidden House Restaurant.

"There were about 60 students in the whole school and everyone knew each other," said Bud Schwarz. The college is now attended by 12,600 students.

Bud Schwarz said he was on the student council and helped select the penguin as the school mascot. He said the Admiral Byrd expeditions and Kool cigarette advertisements convinced students that the penguin would be a great mascot.

Schwarz said he suggested the school colors, blue and gray, at a student council meeting.

Jean Schwarz said the college had great teachers and was "a lot of fun." She said she began dating Bud after inviting him to a Tolo dance (dances when women would invite men) at the Covington House on north Main St.

Dolly Johnson Beers graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1935 and received a Clark College scholarship.

"It was a marvelous experience," said Beers. She said classes of about 15 students allowed teachers to give students close attention.

After graduating from Clark in 1937, Jean Watzig worked as a dental assistant while Bud Schwarz completed bachelor studies at the University of Washington. He graduated in 1940. He and Jean married in the same year.

Bud Schwarz worked briefly for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and entered the U.S. Army after World War II started. He served as an anti-aircraft artillery officer in the Pacific.

Bud Schwarz worked for many years as assistant engineer for Clark County. He and his Jean, both 88, moved to Ridgefield 10 years ago. They have 4 grown children, 12 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren with another "on the way."

After three semesters at Clark College, Beers transferred to Central Washington State College.

Beers began a teaching career after graduating from Central Washington. She taught grades 4, 5 and 6 for several years in small western Washington communities, including La Center. Her late husband, Paul, did road construction work. She retired from the La Center district in 1980.

Beers has four living children. Two children are deceased. She has 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

KALAMA STREET FAIR DRAWS SHOPPERS

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A steady stream of treasure-hunters visited the Kalama Market and Antique Street Fair Oct. 2 in Kalama.

Visitors to the historic

downtown Kalama antique district shopped at vendor and store displays, paused for refreshments and enjoyed keyboard renditions of popular music by 13-year-old Mac Potts.

Kalama Chamber of Com-

merce president John Macielewicz said the street fair will be a monthly event next year on the first Saturdays in June through October.

The Kalama Saturday Market and Street Fair ia sponsored by the Chamber, Port of Kalama and area businesses. The fair opened for the first time Sat., Sept. 4.

ORCUTT, BEECHER DISAGREE ON ISSUES

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Incumbent 18th District representative Republican Ed Orcutt and his challenger Brian Beecher, a Democrat, don't see eye-to-eye on key issues.

The candidates said fundamental differences exist between them.

Orcutt, 40, a consulting forester for Niemi Forestry Co., was appointed to fill John Pennington's vacated legislative post in 2002. He supports using tax incentives without strict accountability measures to attract companies, thus jobs, to southwest Washington.

In an age of out-sourcing, tax incentives attract companies to the U.S., said Orcutt. Without incentives, more jobs will go overseas.

Beecher, a 25-year-old Washougal city council member, said employers getting such tax breaks need to be held accountable for producing jobs.

Orcutt said holding employers accountable forces them to provide confidential information that might damage them.

Information provided to a state agency becomes public information that any competitor could obtain, said Orcutt.

Orcutt said few employers would invest $2 million to locate in Washington knowing a state agency could suddenly remove a tax incentive that convinced them to move here.

Orcutt said tort reform, with liability caps of about $350,000 for pain and suffering, would reduce health care costs.

Caps would significantly reduce liability insurance premiums paid by physicians and other employers, said Orcutt. Employers could use the savings to buy health insurance on more employees.

Beecher said he agrees with senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards who has said caps on liability suits would not significantly alter health care costs.

Beecher said he could support a tort system with categories of negligence, with lower awards for minor slip-ups, and higher awards when justified. A review board could be established to disqualify frivolous suits.

Whatever happens to tort reform, insurance companies must be at the table--not just attorneys and doctors, Beecher said.

Health care costs could be reduced for several citizens if small business owners could purchase health insurance for employees through the state employee insurance pool, Beecher said. Larger groups pay less, and this approach would lower premium costs for small business owners.

Citizens should be allowed to acquire drugs from Canada, or from the state, which could buy bulk quantities and pass along savings, he said.

If elected, Orcutt will work to improve the state economy by attracting businesses, he said. He will strive to reduce costs of managing state trust lands in order to free up more funding for K-12 public schools.

Beecher, a community services officer at Washington State University, said that if elected he will work to expand University services in Clark County, bringing more services to more students.

Beecher said he will also work to widen SR-14 and eliminate dangerous signals between Camas and Washougal.

WAADEVIG, BENTON SET APART BY ISSUES

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Voters won't find many fuzzy lines dividing positions of District 19 senate candidates Don Benton and Paul Waadevig on most major campaign issues.

Democrat Waadevig, a market consultant, is in his second political race. He lost a race two years ago, running as a Republican, for a 19th District (Longview) legislative post.

Waadevig was raised in the Longview area and has law and masters degrees from Boston University. He now lives with his wife in Vancouver.

Benton, a Republican twice elected to the senate in 1996 and 2000, graduated from Concordia University. He owns a consulting firm and lives in Vancouver with his wife and four children.

Waadevig said he is concerned about "how we're growing and why."

"Portland growth is being shoved at us, and counties, including Cowlitz and others not subject to the Growth Management Act," said Waadevig. "We must plan for what is coming."

Growth planning in Clark County will effect growth realities and unintended consequences in Cowlitz County, said Waadevig.

Coordination of growth plans at county levels must be done by the state to make growth fit together in a coherent fashion, he said.

Waadevig said he and Benton are both fiscal conservatives. He believes he is worthy of the senate seat because he won't accept simple solutions to problems and has a long range vision of the future. Benton, he said, lacks vision.

Benton said he is a long-term resident and business owner in Clark County who has signed the front of a pay check, "something my opponent has not done."

The bottom line is experience, said Benton.

"I have a record and voters know I will do the right things," he said.

Waadevig favors planning now for light rail which will take 10-15 years to build.

Benton said light rail is cost-effective only in high density population centers. Light rail development would swallow all transportation funds.

An opponent of charter schools, Waadevig would like to see voters given a chance to repeal the super-majority rule for public school levies and bonds.

Benton said he voted for charter schools because "we must try alternatives to public schools where 30 percent of ninth graders are not completing high school."

The super majority rule is in place to protect property owners, said Benton. More than 90 percent of levies and bonds are passed in Washington. Problems exist only where trust or good communication is lacking between a school district and community.

Waadevig said high-occupancy vehicle lanes should be used to encourage car-pooling.

The special lanes don't solve problems, said Benton. They punish people who can't participate in a carpool because they work at small businesses.

Waadevig favors a comprehensive strategy to overhaul the tort system, but wonders if liability caps on pain and suffering settlements would be a magic bullet. Caps based on a sliding scale might be appropriate.

A review board should scrutinize claims and eliminate those that are not warranted, Waadevig said. A "three strikes and you're out" rule for attorneys could add risk to filing frivolous lawsuits.

Benton said tort reform is "a very complicated issue." He agreed that a comprehensive study is needed to determine how best to ease malpractice insurance costs for doctors.

Medical review boards and "three strike" programs seem to be part of the solution, Benton said. Even builders are being hurt by the cost of liability insurance.

RECOUNT CHANGES LITTLE

A machine recount of the 17th District primary election voting between Ilene Ferrell and Pat Campbell altered the final count but did not change the results.

Both Ferrell and Campbell are Democrats who sought a position in the state legislature.

The recount gave Ferrell 4,191 votes, a loss of two votes from the official final tally. Campbell ended up with 4,276, a loss of five votes.

Campbell won by 85 votes after the recount, a margin of about one percent.

Clark County Elections supervisor Tim Likness said seven ballots were not located in the recount, but could have been found if necessary.

Likness said Ferrell asked for, and paid for, the recount.

Elections officials automatically recount races in which candidates are separated by no more than one half of one percent.

In this case, Ferrell and Campbell were separated by slightly over two percent.

Ferrell paid about $1,500, or 15 cents per vote, for the machine recount. A manual recount costs 25 cents per vote, said Likness.

OPEN HOUSE SET ON C-TRAN TAX PLAN

A public open house is set for Mon., Oct. 18, for explanation of a plan to maintain C-TRAN bus service with a sales tax increase.

The open house will take place at Battle Ground High School, 300 W Main St., Battle Ground, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

C-TRAN officials have proposed an additional sales tax of three-tenths of one percent to be used to maintain countywide bus service, add new service, build a 99th St. transit center, serve the new Legacy Hospital and Washington State University, and provide added serve to Battle Ground.

The new tax would double C-TRAN's present sales tax revenues from about $12.9 million to about $26 million per year.

If rejected, the total number of fixed routes would be reduced from 27 to 15, and all weekend service would end.

Weekday service hours would be shortened to 5 a.m.-8 p.m.

Routes eliminated would be 76, 78, 105, 114, 157, 164, 173, 177 and 190. And service would be reduced on routes 4, 17, 25, 30, 32, 37 and 80. The Camas-area dial-a-ride program would also end.

The service cuts would be phased in.

C-TRAN spokesman Scott Patterson said the C-TRAN has considered a second election should the first fail, but no such decision has been made.

"It is important that we provide the public with as much factual information as possible so they're able to make an informed decision about their public transportation system this November," said Lynne Griffith, C-TRAN executive director.

Other open houses are planned for Wed., Oct. 13, 5:30 p.m., at the Hazel dell Sewer District, 8000 NE 52nd Court, Vancouver; Thurs., Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m., at the Camas Police Station, 2100 NE 3rd Ave., Camas; Sat., and Oct. 23, 10 a.m., at the Jim Parsley Center, 2901 Falk Road, Vancouver.

C-TRAN provided 6.91 million passenger trips in 22003, operating 27 routes throughout Clark County and the Portland downtown area. C-TRAN also offers C-VAN paratransit service, van pools, and carpool matching services.

Information, Scott Patterson, 408-0891.

VOTERS WILL FACE FIVE BALLOT MEASURES ON NOV. 2

Five ballot measures on a range of topics will be decided by voters in the Nov. 2 general election.

The measures deal with gambling, taxes, hazardous waste, elections and charter schools.

Initiative 872: Primary elections

Initiative 872 would allow voters to select among all candidates during a primary election.

Following court orders, Washington voters were required to select partisan or non-partisan ballots in the Sept. 14 primary election. Those who chose a Democrat ballot, for example, could not vote for any Republicans, and vice versa.

Initiative 872 would allow voters to cast ballots for candidates of any party, and to switch parties, much like primary voting had been in Washington until this year.

The top two vote-getters would advance to the general election, even if they are of the same party.

Initiative 884: Sales tax hike

Initiative 884 would increase the retail sales tax by 1 percent and dedicate the money for educational purposes.

Proceeds from the added tax would be used for smaller classes, salary increases for teachers and other school district employees, expanded college enrollments and other educational purposes.

Supporters of Initiative 884 submitted 321,932 signatures. State officials determined that 249,948 signatures were valid, 52,214 more than the required minimum.

Initiative 892: Expanded gambling

Initiative 892 would authorize additional electronic scratch ticket gambling machines to reduce property taxes.

The measure would authorize licensed, non-tribal gambling establishments to operate the same type and number of machines as tribal governments. Proceeds from the added gambling, estimated at $200-400 million per year, would be used to reduce property taxes.

Referendum 55: Charter schools

Referendum 55 would authorize charter schools.

A charter school is a public school operating independently from school boards. Charter schools must admit educationally disadvantaged students. Enrollment may be limited based on only age and grade level.

The state legislature authorized charter schools in March 2004. Referendum 55, if rejected, would reverse that authorization. A vote to reject Referendum 55 is a vote to reject charter schools.

Washington voters have turned down charter schools in 1996 and 2000.

Initiative 297

Initiative 297 would establish requirements for regulating mixed radioactive and non-radioactive hazardous substance sites as the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

The Initiative would set standards for cleanup, prohibit waste disposal in unlined soil trenches, and require cleanup of tank leaks. Permits would not allow adding more wastes until existing contamination is cleaned up.

In addition to the five ballot measure on the Nov. 2 ballot, 37 other initiatives filed with the Secretary of State did not qualify for the ballot.

Ballot measures not qualifying for the ballot would have reduced property taxes, redefined violent sex crimes, limited the salaries of public officials, abolished the Department of Ecology, added exemptions to sales taxes, limited credit card interest, raised the smoking age to 21, provided bonus compensation for teachers, created an income tax, eliminated various taxes, repealed seat belt requirements, restricted HOV lanes, prohibited smoking in public places, and terminated light-rail projects.

LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES EXCHANGE VIEWS

Twelve candidates for the state legislature from the 17th and 18th legislative districts traded barbs and answered questions during an Oct. 7 meeting of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce.

All four candidates for Clark County commissioner also took part in the three-hour meeting, moderated by Scott Collard.

All 12 legislative candidates expressed opposition to Initiative 884, a proposed 1 cent addition to the sales tax that would be earmarked for education.

If approved, the initiative would fund higher teacher salaries, smaller classrooms, higher education scholarships and other education programs.

The 12 candidates split down party lines on the proposed sales tax increase for C-TRAN, with Democrats supporting the tax hikes and Republicans opposing.

Republicans Don Benton and Joe Zarelli suggested an increase in fares to help fund the transit system. Zarelli said C-TRAN fares are among the lowest in the nation.

Zarelli also suggested that financial aid be given to seniors, disabled and low income people, but that some C-TRAN riders could afford to pay more.

Democrat Deb Wallace said that if the tax measure fails, C-TRAN officials should not immediately cut services, but rather redistribute available reserves to continue the current level of operations.

All candidates were asked what it is about government that makes the least sense.

Brian Beecher: Too much partisan politics.

Ed Orcutt: Lack of communication between departments.

Richard Curtis: Raising taxes in an adverse economic period; excessive regulations.

Pam Brokaw: Not putting citizens first.

Dave Seabrook: Ineffective connection with the people. People do not feel they are part of the process.

Joe Zarelli: Government should help people solve problems.

Roy Rhine: Insufficient community-level contact.

Deb Wallace: Lack of performance standards in all departments.

Jim Dunn: Decisionmaking should take place at the local level.

Pat Campbell: Prisoners should be treated rather than incarcerated.

Paul Waadevig: Government is too big to respond to change. Need smaller bureaucracy.

Don Benton: Raising taxes on people who are unemployed. Government levies fines rather than helps people solve problems.

Some candidates called for revisions in the Business and Occupations tax, including higher plateaus to exempt smaller businesses.

Zarelli took credit for balancing the state budget last session without a tax increase. Zarelli chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Dunn suggested the B&O tax is really an income tax and therefore unconstitutional.

Rhine said the B&O tax was a reason he went out of the home building business. Rhine is now a state trooper.

The candidates also split along party lines on the issue of changing the 60 vote requirement for school levies and bonds, with Republicans preferring the 60 percent margin now part of the state Constitution, and Democrats supporting a reduction to 50 percent.

Benton said the matter has been voted on seven times and affirmed each time.

Zarelli stated 98 percent of school levies and bonds pass statewide, while Battle Ground and Evergreen face continual voter rejection.

Zarelli suggested that a 50 percent margin might be appropriate for levies, while maintaining the 60 percent margin for capital construction measures.

Rhine agreed with Zarelli on lowering the plateau to 50 percent for levies only.