WINNERS NAMED IN REFLECTOR COOKIE CONTEST

Karla Matson's Raspberry Almond Thumbprint cookies claimed first place Dec. 3 in the drop cookie category of a holiday cookie contest sponsored by The Reflector.

Matson also won second place in the cut out cookie category with her snowman cut outs.

Matson, a La Center resident, will receive prizes of $25 and $15 for her efforts.

Another baker, Sally Anne Du Pree of La Center, also claimed two prizes.

Judging the 38 contest entries were Fran Gillette who has authored several cookbooks, Debbie Gage who teaches home economics at Battle Ground High School, and Bob Peck who is a retired teacher and 4-H cooking club leader.

In the drop cookie category, Arlane Laws of Battle Ground took second place with gingersnaps she said she has been baking since 1967, and Jackie Koskiniemi of Battle Ground won third with a raspberry and almond shortbread thumbprint cookie which she said were a big hit with her family.

Among entries in the no-bake category, Joanne Vaughn of Battle Ground took first place with Peanut Butter Balls made from a recipe in an old version of Better Homes and Gardens cookbook; Sally Anne DuPree of La Center won second place with Christmas Windows using a recipe given by a friend whose mother made them every year; and Melanie Kennedy of Battle Ground took third with Oatmeal Fudge Cookies which she said her family has enjoyed for years.

In the cut out category, Jodi Rust of Ridgefield won first place with her sour cream cut out cookies which her mother made when she was a child; second place went to Matson's Snowman cut outs which she said have been a family favorite for many Christmases; and the third place prize went to Sally Anne Dupree for her Scottish Short Bread cookies, using a recipe from the 1800s given to her by a friend from Canada. The cookie has only four ingredients--plus chocolate.

The Reflector offered prizes of $25, $15 and $10 in each of the three categories, and promised to publish first place winning recipes.

The North County Community Food Bank would not accept the cookies based on rules governing home-prepared food. Most of the entered cookies were frozen and will be served at The Reflector's holiday party Dec. 11.

C-TRAN BOARD TO VOTE ON SERVICE CUTS

The C-TRAN board of directors is scheduled to vote on a plan to cut service during a meeting set for Tues., Dec. 14, 5:15 p.m., at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

C-TRAN spokesman Scott Patterson said the location of the meeting was moved to allow for a larger audience, even though no public comments will be taken.

C-TRAN officials announced earlier this year that service reductions would be implemented if a tax increase measure on the Nov. 2 ballot failed. Voters rejected the sales tax increase with a 54 percent "no" vote.

The announced service reduction plan calls for cuts to be phased in starting in January 2005, then later in 2005, and finally in January 2006.

Planned cuts include a shorter service day and an end to service on weekends. Some 14 routes would be discontinued, including service to Battle Ground and to downtown Portland.

The cuts would reduce C-TRAN employment by about 160 people.

Public testimony at a Nov. 16 hearing was largely against the service cut plan, with about 100 people and 400 written comments explaining the adverse impacts of the proposed cuts.

C-TRAN board member Bill Ganley said the board and staff will meet with legal counsel Dec. 11 to evaluate ballot statements about cuts. Ganley said the agency may be legally bound to make cuts previously announced with the ballot measure.

Ganley said his preference is to proceed with the phased-in cuts as planned, and then to put the tax measure back on the ballot.

Ganley said the C-TRAN board will conduct an all-day workshop on Sat., Dec. 11, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., a part of which will be the executive session.

"We will review all the materials, do a fare study, look at how maybe we can put this back on the ballot, discuss capital facilities and if we can postpone cuts by using reserves," said Ganley.

Ganley said the city of Vancouver may seek relocation of C-TRAN's transit center, a move that would cost C-TRAN $4-14 million.

The defeated sales tax increase of three-tenths of one percent would have raised about $13 million per year. C-TRAN officials have also discussed fare increases.

State Rep. Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver) urged the C-TRAN board to use its reserves to lessen the blow of service cuts.

Wallace spoke at the Nov. 16 public hearing. "It's amazing to me that we're even having this conversation," said Wallace. "You are fortunate to have a reserve for rainy days. I urge you to prioritize service over capital facilities improvements."

C-TRAN board member Betty Sue Morris responded to Wallace, saying "I understand that choice really, really well, because we're the ones that are going to have to make that choice."

Wallace noted that C-TRAN has about $60 million in reserves that could be used to forestall cuts.

Some people at the Nov. 16 public hearing accused C-TRAN officials of being spiteful about the tax failure.

One Vancouver man said, "it's a combination of sour grapes and ineptitude." A Battle Ground woman said the service cuts are vindictive.

Lynne Griffith, C-TRAN executive director, told board members that fares would need to be increased five-fold to stave off cuts. That would add up to about $5 per ride or $10 per round-trip, she said.

Patterson said a five-fold rate hike for people commuting to Portland would push fares passed the cost of parking in Portland and would likely result in a decline in ridership.

The Dec. 11 C-TRAN board workshop will be held at the Fisher's Landing Transit Center, 3510 SE 164th Ave., Vancouver. It is open to the public but no public comments will be taken.

At the workshop, the board will consider a recent fare analysis, review 2005 capital projects plan, and service boundaries and study election results.

LA CENTER PROPOSES 3.5 MILLION BUDGET

Budget plans expansion studies, sets salaries for council members at $200

Bill Myers, staff reporter

City of La Center officials showcased a $3.5 million operating budget at a Nov. 23 public hearing.

Gambling and pull-tab taxes from four card rooms continue to be the city's largest revenue source.

Gaming tax revenue in 2005 is projected at $3.2 million, with $822,654 aimed at the city's general fund for operating expenses.

Other gaming tax revenue, about $2.4 million, will join the city's reserve account, valued at about $16 million, and invested mostly in bonds or treasury instruments.

City officials say reserves will pay development and infrastructure costs related to future city expansions, including a job-producing development at La Center and Timmen Rd. The budget targets $60,000 for planning costs at the site.

The city council recently approved spending up to $50,000 to determine the feasibility of building a waste-water treatment plant to serve the NW 319th St. and I-5 junction area.

The 2005 budget also earmarks $160,000 for an economic development plan east of the junction.

Citizen George Miller asked what would happen if Clark County commissioners refused to approve development by the city on that land near the junction that is currently under county jurisdiction.

Council member and newly elected state representative Richard Curtis said, "If there are roadblocks, our goal is to find a way around them."

Mayor Jim Irish said county officials appear willing to work with city officials to develop a sub-area plan for an industrial reserve.

Other major revenue sources include property and sales taxes. Property taxes are projected at $200,259, up about 1 percent from 2004.

Capital projects planned in 2005 include improvement of the 4th St. and Pacific Ave. intersection, and developing plans to improve downtown areas.

General Fund operating expenditures are projected

at $1.69 million, up 18 percent, with sharp increases planned in legal or consulting services and building or planning fees.

Budget proposes 50 percent stipend boost for mayor, council members

The budget proposes payment of $200 monthly for city council members. Previously, they worked without compensation.

Approving the budget would hike the mayor's stipend from $3,600 to $5,400 annually--an increase from $300 to $450 monthly.

Irish said Association of Washington Cities information was used to arrive at the change in his and new city council members' stipends.

The city of Woodland, similar to La Center, does not employ a city manager. Woodland pays its mayor $9,600 per year, and city council members $150 per month plus $25 for attending meetings. At least two meetings are scheduled each month.

Battle Ground, with a city manager, pays its mayor $450 per month and city council members $300 per month. They meet three times monthly.

Ridgefield, another city with a full-time city manager, pays its mayor and council members to attend meetings. The mayor receives $100 for attending each regular council meeting (twice monthly), and $60 per "other" meeting such as work sessions.

Under a new ordinance, the two newest Ridgefield council members are paid $50 to attend meetings and given another $50 for each "other" meeting. The two serving under an older ordinance are paid $50 per meeting, and not reimbursed for time in "other" meetings.

The 2005 La Center budget forecasts $797,574 for staff salaries in 2005, up 12.7 percent from 2004. Most increases will come from full-time additions to police and public works departments.

Salary increases for department heads are projected at 5-6.7 percent, with increases based on achievements of performance standards, said city clerk/treasurer Suzanne Levis.

Department head salaries are currently $65,029 for chief of police, $67,164 for the public works director and $60,900 for the city clerk/treasurer.

Salary increases from 2.5-9.4 percent are projected for other city employees.

Irish said an ordinance will be crafted for budget approval at the Wed., Dec. 8 council meeting which starts at 7 p.m. in city hall, 214 E 4th St. Copies of the proposed budget are available at city hall.

UTILITY AGREEMENT BOOSTS FISH, RECREATION, SAFETY

Accord by PacifiCorp and Cowlitz PUD sets stage for federal relicensing

Bill Myers, staff reporter

At a signing ceremony Nov. 30, officials from PacifiCorp and the Cowlitz Public Utility District committed $309 million to wildlife, recreation and safety in the Lewis River Valley.

Lauded by utility, environmental and tribal officials, and blessed by Native American prayer chants, the accord was signed by 29 utility, public and tribal officials and concerned citizens.

The agreement is a necessary prelude to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of applications by the utilities for 50-year relicensing agreements to operate hydropower facilities at dams along the Lewis River.

Signers included federal and state officials, officials of Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties, officials of the city of Woodland. leaders of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the Yakima Nation, members of environmental groups and Lewis River citizens-at-large.

Under the accord, PacifiCorp pledges about $290 million and Cowlitz PUD about $19 million over the next 50 years to enhance fish, wildlife, recreation cultural and flood management throughout the river system.

Restoration of salmon to 174 miles of river and streams currently blocked to migrating fish is a centerpiece of the agreement, say utility officials.

PacifiCorp spokesman David Kvamme said reintroduction of adult salmon will start about one year after licensing in the upper Swift Reservoir where 117 miles of habitat are available.

Adult hatchery fish, migrating back from the sea, will be trapped and trucked from below Merwin Dam.

Surface collectors, to be built at Swift Reservoir within four years of licensing, would trap young fish that could then be transported back downstream.

Swift Reservoir results will determine if similar systems should be developed at Yale Lake or Lake Merwin.

Other fish and wildlife measures in the accord include bull trout, elk and other habitat enhancements.

Recreational facilities and fees

The agreement requires PacifiCorp and/or Cowlitz PUD to maintain and improve area roads and campgrounds, and build new trails, day use facilities with restrooms and campgrounds.

PacifiCorp officials executed a separate fee agreement with the city of Woodland, area citizens, Cowlitz-Skamania Fire District 7 and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The accord lists dates and hours of operation at area parks and recreation centers. Unless arranged in the future through a collaborative or arbitration process, no fees will be charged for day use or boat launching at recreation facilities.

A parking fee of $3 per vehicle at all facilities except Lake Merwin Park will be charged by the utility. At Merwin, there will be a $1 parking fee per vehicle.

The accord contains improved flood management, with revised high runoff procedures to ease flooding possibilities.

PacifiCorp agreed to an improved flood warning system highlighted by improved telephone procedures and installation of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio transmitter at Davis Peak.

Woodland citizen and citizen-at-large representative Noel Johnson said the agreement is "beneficial to the entire community."

The agreement provides a "great balance" between power needs, fish, flood control and recreation, said Woodland Chamber of Commerce representative Darlene Johnson.

Fish First representative Jim Malinowski said the accord will increase hatchery outputs at PacifiCorp hatcheries and help to get vital nutrients back in long-neglected streams in the upper Lewis River system.

GOVERNMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN EIS

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) announcement Dec. 1 lists several governmental organizations invited to participate in preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to casino development plans of the Cowlitz Tribe.

BIA officials invited participation by the National Indian Gaming Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clark County, cities of La Center and Ridgefield, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Areas of environmental concern identified thus far for analysis in the environmental study include land and water resources, air quality, living and cultural resources, socioeconomic conditions, traffic and transportation, land use, public utilities and services, noise, lighting, hazardous materials, environmental justice (no unfair treatment of low-income, minority or Indian populations), and visual resources/aesthetics.

NOMINATIONS ARE IN FOR BG NOTABLE PEOPLE

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Eight Battle Ground area residents and business people are nominees for the 2004 Citizen and Business Person of the Year award.

The annual honors, sponsored by the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce, highlight community service, volunteerism and being a good influence in the city.

Nominees for Citizen of the Year are Chuck and Esther Kessinger, LaDonna LaPosa, Bob and Nancy Peck, Rich and Trish Rubin, and Alex Reinhold.

Business person of the Year nominees are Mike Buentemeier, manager of Fred Meyer; Mary Ann Haggerty, owner of Alder Creek Veterinary Clinic; Skip Ogden, owner of Dan's Tractor; and Mike Williams, manager of Wilco.

The chosen business person will have been a good influence in the city's business climate through image, reputation, activities, promotions, growth and participation in business organizations.

The business must also be a credit to the community through its expansion, remodeling, general appearance and upkeep, as well as customer service, said Chamber executive director Terri Tweedell.

The honored citizen will have volunteered for the last three years at some community service with volunteerism in and around Battle Ground.

In early January, the nominees will be narrowed to three in each category. The winner will be announced at a banquet to be held Sat., Feb. 5, 7 p.m., at the Cedars, 15001 NE 181st St., Brush Prairie.

Selection this year is different, said Tweedell.

In the past, business and citizen of the year winners were narrowed to three by a committee, then forwarded it to the Camas and Vancouver chambers of commerce to choose the winner.

This time, last year's citizen and business person of the year will narrow the list with three board members. From there, board members will choose the winner in each category.

"The board thought it was more appropriate to keep [the choosing] at home," Tweedell said, adding that it also wasn't fair to ask those awarded for volunteerism to put in yet more hours to volunteer."

Live entertainment will be available and dinner will be served. Cheri Perry, a distinguished Toastmaster and owner of Total Merchant Concepts of Vancouver, will be the guest speaker.

Reservations for the gala can be made by calling 687-1510. The cost is $28 per person or $56 per couple.

MIELKE MULLS OPTIONS IN POLITICKING

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Tom Mielke is keeping his options for the future open, and is not ruling out any opportunities.

Mielke, a Battle Ground Republican and former state representative from the 18th District, was unsuccessful in his bid for Clark County commissioner last month, losing to Democrat Betty Sue Morris in a close election.

"I may take a vacation," he said. "In my eight years as a legislator, I didn't take a vacation."

Although he's made no decision, Mielke is looking at the possibility of running for the county commission seat recently vacated by Craig Pridemore in his win for state representative from District 49.

Commissioners Morris and Judie Stanton will appoint someone to fill that vacancy for one year, but a special election will be held next year.

One drawback is that Mielke would have to move from Battle Ground to Vancouver to be eligible to challenge the appointed commissioner.

"It's not completely out of the question," Mielke said. "There are so many things I've been offered informally, but I have my heart set on Clark County."

Mielke has advocated at the state level for a change in the law to allow county commissioners to be elected by the voters of the districts in which they live.

Under the current system, candidates run in the primary in their separate districts, but they must run countywide in the general election, said County auditor Greg Kimsey.

"The people in north county don't have a representative," Mielke said. "Betty Sue was elected by the people of Vancouver. She was basically elected by an area she doesn't represent."

Mielke said that for several years, he has tried to get the state Legislature to change election rules, but Democrats prevailed.

"I was stopped by the House," he said. "The Democrats know they can't win without Vancouver."

Mielke is also not ruling out running for Morris's seat again.

"If Betty Sue does not complete her term--and she may not--I would run for her seat," he said.

Another option remaining open is a possible appointment under Republican Dino Rossi, who was recently named governor-elect but faces a possible hand recount.

"I might seek an appointment," Mielke said.

Finally, Mielke may become a "watchdog" for the interests of north county voters.

"I may sit and watch," he said. "I want to stay active. As a watchdog I can keep the public aware of what to do."

CITIZENS AIR CONCERNS ABOUT CASINO

Testimonies at scoping hearing cite economy, river, traffic issues

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A parade of citizens aired concerns to federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officials at a Dec. 1 hearing about a proposed tribal casino at I-5 and NW 319th St. near La Center.

Several who marched to the podium at Hudson's Bay High School predicted that water run-off from the project would pollute the East Fork of the Lewis River, that the casino would devastate area businesses, and that traffic would choke the interstate freeways.

Hearings examiner June Boynton of the Portland BIA office conducted the hearing to identify issues that will need attention in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The environmental study augments applications by Cowlitz Indian tribal leaders to have 151 acres of land at the junction designated as an "initial reservation" and taken into trust by the U.S. Department of Interior. Federal approvals would pave the way for gaming at the site.

Tribal members, with financial support from the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, want to build a casino at the site, with hotel, convention center, restaurants, and retail development.

The environmental study, funded by the Cowlitz Tribe, is under direction of the Portland BIA office.

BIA officials recently contracted Analytical Environmental Services, a Sacramento, CA firm, to complete the study.

Poor soil drainage

Ridgefield residents Greg and Susan Gilbert said soil at the proposed site won't absorb much water. Runoff from buildings and parking lots would flow downhill and enter the East Fork of the Lewis River, they said.

During heavy rains, accelerated runoff could wash out earth supporting I-5, creating not just a regional, but a major national transportation problem, said Greg Gilbert.

La Center mayor James Irish said the tribal project could have devastating impacts to La Center.

Ridgefield resident Alvin Alexanderson asked if the BIA could trump state and county land use laws. If so, this means land use laws can be over-ridden by Indian desires, he said.

La Center resident Kamie Biehl, an outspoken opponent of the tribal proposal and chairperson of Stand Up for Clark County Citizens, said the proposed development will interfere with ecology with negative impacts to fish and wildlife habitat, cause excessive traffic, increase crime and hurt the area economy.

"It's almost 100 percent detrimental," she said.

Richard Dyrland, a retired hydrologist who has worked to restore fisheries in area streams, said run off from the casino project will degrade the East Fork and harm fish.

"Few profit, but many are hurt by gambling," said Ridgefield citizen Tom Richards.

Richards said card rooms in La Center help support the town, but a tribal casino will not pay taxes, or strengthen society, youths or the river environment.

"Are we that stupid?" he asked.

Outgoing state representative Tom Mielke (R-18th District) said a Clark County Memorandum of Understanding with the Cowlitz Tribe is already outdated because of recent announcements about the massive nature of the proposed project.

A convention center at the site could cause a convention center planned in Vancouver to fail, with taxpayers left with a $6 million bill, said Mielke.

The casino/retail development would hurt nearby communities that are struggling financially, he added.

Steve Burdick, manager of economic development services for the city of Vancouver, said socio/economic effects of the casino on Vancouver would be negative.

Ray Springer, an industrial appraiser, said the casino project could put 75,000 more vehicles per day on area freeways.

"This will paralyze I-5 which is already over capacity," Springer said.

Clogged highways will cause businesses to move from Portland and Vancouver areas with job elimination, prevent ambulances from getting to hospitals, and create more smog and air pollution. Springer added that property values will plummet as a consequence.

Some citizens said the tribe should build its casino near Toledo where it has historical roots.

Some support for project

Testimony supporting the casino project came from out-of-area tribal members and some area citizens.

Tribal council member Dave Barnett said some tribal members present at the hearing descended from ancestors who lived in the Portland/Vancouver area.

"This is a very important place for our people," said Barnett.

Tribal leaders have said they hope to be able to mitigate any negative financial effects on La Center and card rooms in that city.

Ridgefield resident Elizabeth Madrigal said she believes real estate values will go up, not down, if a casino is built. She said trees could be planted to increase ground absorption rates at the development site.

"This is a county that likes development," said Ridgefield resident Jerry Johnson.

La Center citizens opposed card rooms until they "got a little take," said Johnson. "Now they don't want to lose them."

The casino would be a good development, said Johnson.

Final word on flawed map

Clark College student Nick Miller, a La Center area resident, was last to speak.

Miller displayed an area map provided by Analytical Environmental Services as part of a handout package at the hearing.

The map, taken from a Microsoft Streets and Trips, 2004 website, showed a "project site" located in what appeared to be the middle of an unsettled expanse near I-5. The map, which did show an obscure Walnut Grove community south of Hazel Dell, did not show the cities of La Center or Ridgefield.

Miller said the map doesn't show the communities near the proposed casino site.

"Is this what we can expect from you in the future?" Miller asked BIA officials. "This is pure garbage."

Written record open until Dec. 13

Written comments on the scoping process will be accepted through Dec. 13. Comments should be mailed to Stanley Speaks, Regional Director, Northwest Regional Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97f232.

BIA officials will prepare a plan (scoping report) for the Environmental Impact Statement sometime in the first quarter of next year. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for public review and comment, probably in the second half of 2005.

STOREDAHL APPEAL PUBLIC MEETING SET

Appeals of the Clark County land use hearings examiner decision to allow a rezone of property belonging to the Storedahl gravel and mine company in the Daybreak area will be considered Thurs., Feb. 3, 10 a.m., Public Service Center, sixth floor, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

Commissioners are expected to make a decision at this meeting regarding application appeals.

The application, if upheld, would allow surface mining activities to resume at Storedahl's site near the East Fork Lewis River north of Daybreak Park.

Written comments pertaining to three appeals already filed are welcome until 5 p.m. Fri., Dec. 17. Direct comments to commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA, 98666.

Commissioners will not receive any additional testimony, oral or written, at the February meeting.

For more information, contact Clark County Planning and Development Review Division, 397-2375, ext. 4898.

PARENTS SUE BG SCHOOLS OVER FIELD TRIP

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

A decision to keep an eighth grade student home from a field trip to Washington, D.C. in April 2004 has led to a lawsuit against the Battle Ground School District, the school board and superintendent Shonny Bria.

Parents Jeffery and Heather Barton of Battle Ground brought the suit to Clark County Superior Court Nov. 24 on behalf of their son. They claim the District violated civil rights while inflicting emotional distress on their child.

The Bartons are seeking $100,000 in damages and want to stop field trips District-wide until different policies are established that guarantee students equal access to trips.

Tacoma attorney Bill Coats, acting on behalf of the District, claims the suit is misdirected because the annual five-day trip is a private activity and not a District event.

The event is contracted by an outside travel agency, EF Explore America, in Massachusetts.

District records show policies are in place that govern field trips, excursions and outdoor education.

Suit documents examined

In suit documents drafted by Vancouver attorney Lou Byrd, Jr., the Bartons claim the District denied their son "a tremendous educational experience."

The Barton's other child, a daughter, participated in the same field trip in April 2001. The Bartons described the positive effects of the trip upon their daughter as "life altering."

According to suit documents, the matter regarding the Barton's son began in October 2003 when the principal at Pleasant Valley Middle School informed the family the boy could not go on the field trip because he was considered irresponsible.

When Heather Barton phoned the principal to find out more, she was informed that two teachers acting as chaperons on the trip had made the decision based on the Barton's son's reputation.

The two teachers had allegedly never had the son in a class, but were advised by other teachers that the boy had past disciplinary problems.

Allegedly, two years earlier when the son was in sixth grade, a teacher whose classroom was next to the one the son was in had developed a negative opinion. The decision to deny the student from the field trip was allegedly based on this earlier opinion.

Other meetings were allegedly set up between the parents and school representatives, but the matter was not resolved.

In a recent interview, Heather Barton said she and her husband were never completely informed as to the actual basis for the denial, nor what the specific situation two years ago was about.

"It was a vague excuse," Barton said. "We never got a straight answer."

District's response

On behalf of the superintendent and the school board, District spokesperson Kelly Keister referred all questions about the case to documents filed by the District's attorney.

By telephone, Coats said that regardless of the allegations, the suit is poorly aimed because of the nature of the trip.

Although the travel agency used District personnel to chaperon the trip, the event is not taxpayer funded and is therefore not a District activity.

Coats provided documents that state the District is not responsible for providing supervision, paying the cost of the trip, or insuring the activity.

Teachers going on the trip are instructed not to use class time or meet with students about the trip during the school day, Coats said, other than incidental conversations that may arise in the normal course of a day.

Coats said teachers and travel agency personnel are allowed to meet on District premises to plan the trip the same as a variety of other community groups and private activities that relate to students.

The bottom line, wrote Coats in a Nov. 7 letter to Byrd, is that the District and its staff did not make the decision on whether the Barton's son would be allowed to participate in the trip.

Where does responsibility lie?

When asked why Byrd filed suit against the District and not against the travel agency or chaperons who made the decision, Byrd called the District's position "a sham."

"The chaperons were school employees," Byrd said. "They didn't make their decisions in their living rooms. The travel agency had no decision-making responsibility in this. They wouldn't know a student from Adam."

According to Lori van Dam, representative for EF Explore America, the travel company makes agreements with parents, not school districts.

"Parents are our customers," van Dam said. "A school district doesn't sign up for a trip."

EF Explore America provides tour oversight and trip logistics. Selection of who goes and who doesn't on a trip is left up to trip organizers, van Dam said.

Trip organizers declined comment because of the on-going legal issues surrounding the matter.

Heather Barton acknowledged that her son, now 15 and a high school freshman, has had discipline problems in the past. He was suspended for fighting twice in sixth grade. But her son was not in trouble last year in eighth grade, the year of the trip, she said. He's also received some citizenship awards.

"Behavior can change over two years in the life of a child," Barton said. "He's not perfect, but not a bad kid either. He's showing progress."

Barton said she volunteered to go as a chaperon on the trip along with her son. She contends that because school e-mail addresses and phone numbers were used on trip informational brochures, and class time is used to discuss the trip, it is a District responsibility.

Barton and her husband hope the District establishes a clearer list of specific criteria for how students are selected for the trip.

"There's simply too many tie-ins with the school," Barton said when asked why the District was named in the suit.

Coats agreed that there are tie-ins with the school, but tie-ins are not the same as a school function. He compared the situation to how a church group renting a school gym might select players for a basketball team. Coaches for the team may work as teachers and have knowledge about a player based on school activity.

"Teachers made this decision as private citizens contracted with an outside agency," Coats said. "In a private undertaking people have a right to associate with whomever they wish. Put it the other way around--if the District stepped in and started telling private companies they had to take this kid or that kid on a trip, we'd be overstepping our bounds."

Parent Dan Kaiser has a daughter who went on the April 2004 trip and said he was happy chaperons screened applicants, even by reputation. Once, while coaching baseball at Concordia University he had to send three students home from a trip to Idaho, which proved "a huge hassle for everybody."

"As a parent, I'd hate to have something happen on my daughter's trip that would jeopardize the experience," Kaiser said. "I know the chaperons [on the Washington, DC, trip]. They wouldn't deny a kid a trip unless there was a definite reason for it."

According to District policy documents provided by Keister, events such as the Washington, D.C. trip are privately arranged because they "involve high costs, complex travel arrangements, possible conflicts, concern over adequate supervision and student safety controls, [and] safe methods for early return of students who may be ill or misbehaving."

District documents state that, by privately contracting the trips, the arrangement allows for parents and chaperons to contract with the travel company, and for "the District not to be a party to student travel."

Requests to solicit students for privately arranged trips require Board approval, said a District representative, and all trips involving students are assessed beforehand for risk.

No date has been established for the next round of legal proceedings.

DRIVE-BY "MOONING" ENDS IN COLLISION

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Motorists on I-5 southbound near Ridgefield at 6:15 a.m. Dec. 2 got an "eyeful," and two men ended up with citations from the State Patrol--one for indecent exposure, and the other for aiding and abetting that indecent exposure.

Several complaints from drivers began to pour into State Patrol dispatch about a man hanging his bare rear-end out the passenger window of a white Acura.

Trooper Garvin March said at one point, four motorists attempted to box the Acura in, but the driver nearly caused an accident with a semi-truck, so they backed off.

One witness continued following the Acura toward downtown Vancouver and into backed-up rush hour traffic north of the I-5 bridge, where March waited at the Main St. off-ramp.

March pulled in behind the driver, Dwayne Crandall, 20, Vancouver, and activated his emergency lights.

March reported that Crandall was watching him and not paying attention to traffic when Crandall plowed without braking into the back of a 2004 Dodge driven by Cassie Martin of Vancouver.

After making sure no one was injured, March did a routine pat-down of the passenger, Nathan Allen McClain, 22, of Portland. Allen's pants fell to mid-thigh, March reported. After hitching them back up, McClain was placed in the back of the patrol car.

The witness, who stayed at the scene, reportedly told March that while driving, Crandall often reached over and spanked McClain in full view of other drivers.

The witness said that if the duo didn't get the response they wanted, Crandall would swerve his vehicle into another lane and or at other vehicles to get attention. At times, the two men allegedly made obscene gestures as well.

March said both men admitted to the allegations. They were cited and released, with court dates set.

Crandall was cited for aiding and abetting indecent exposure and reckless driving. McClain was cited for indecent exposure and not wearing a seat belt.

PRAIRIE GRAD WILL SING ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Anna Lynch, a 1992 graduate of Prairie High School, will perform with her band, Scissor Sisters, on nationwide television Sat., Dec. 11.

The performance will be on Saturday Night Live, a program that begins at 11:30 p.m. on NBC.

Lynch, 30, is the only woman in the 5-member band which includes leader Jake Shears, Del Marquis, Baby Daddy and Paddy Boom. Lynch sings under the name Ana Matronic.

The band performs disco music. Recent productions include the boisterous Take Your Mama, and Lovers in the Back Seat. Other tunes include Filthy/Gorgeous and Return to Oz, which is described as a song which poignantly addresses crystal meth addiction in New York's gay community.

The band has performed on other national television shows, including the Conan O'Brien Show, and Regis and Kathy Lee.

Anna Lynch is the daughter of Sherry Lynch and step-daughter of Ron Ridnour, both of La Center. She was born in Portland, attended Pleasant Valley Middle School, and then Prairie High School where she took part in drama productions but did not sing.

Lynch attended Clark College and then joined an amateur group which performed at the Paris Theater in Portland where Lynch lip-synced.

She moved to San Francisco where she performed at clubs but still did not sing.

In 2000, Lynch moved to New York where she continued her unpaid club performances, including working as a human auctioneer, selling dating and escort services. "She's a fast talker," said her mother Sherry.

It wasn't until she moved to New York that she began to sing and took voice lessons.

Lynch met Jake Shears and Baby Daddy who had formed Scissor Sisters and played in area clubs.

The group added percussionist Patty Boom and guitarist Del Marquis, hired an agent, and were booked in England during 2001 and 2002.

Performances in Europe culminated in a sold-out performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Spin magazine described Scissor Sisters as a band to watch. The magazine writer said the band was so well received in London that "I'm surprised people weren't hurling themselves off the balcony. I've never seen such a wall of bliss."

In one performance, the Scissor Sisters opened for Elton John in London. The band also played in Russian and Greece. And they have opened for U2.

Lynch's mother Sherry described Anna as "flamboyant" and definitely not inhibited.

Sherry said Anna's older sister, Kate, took Japanese drum lessons, but otherwise the family was not involved in music. Anna's father is deceased.

Sherry said she once took Anna to obtain recordings of old time rock and roll music. Scissor Sisters now specializes in 1970s-1980s disco.

The band's next live performance is set for Jan. 7 in Seattle.

Sherry said her daughter has a serious boyfriend in New York. Lynch could not be reached in New York.

OBITS: