STATE, FEDERAL PROBES REACH LA CENTER CARD ROOMS

Officials allege bookmaking, immigration violations

Bill Myers, Heidi Wallenborn

Five adults were arrested Dec. 8 for alleged illegal gambling by state Gambling Commission agents after interviews of employees and patrons at two La Center casinos.

Those arrested were released Dec. 9 pending receipt and review by Clark County prosecutors of state evidence.

State Gambling Commission spokesperson Neal Nunamaker said the release involved a paperwork issue. He expects formal charges will be filed at a later date.

The arrests followed executions of search warrants at Vancouver homes and interviews of New Phoenix and Last Frontier card room employees and patrons by state Gambling Commission agents.

Searches resulted in seizures of records and about $35,000 in cash, said Nunamaker.

State Gambling Commission investigators began looking into alleged bookmaking by card room employees last year after noting evidence of sports betting at the casinos, said a Gambling Commission report.

Not authorized by card rooms

Nunamaker said New Phoenix and Last Frontier casino management did not authorize bookmaking, and have fully cooperated with the investigation. Bookmaking was done both in and away from the casinos.

During the probe, agents posing as regular patrons of casinos placed wagers totaling more than $63,000 on professional basketball and football games.

What makes bookkeeping illegal in the state is charging money--a commission--to place a bet. Charges, often 10 percent of a bet, are referred to as "vigorish," or "vig."

The probe began last year when one undercover agent posed as a regular casino patron and placed 76 bets totaling $17,400.

No arrests were made at that time because Commission officials suspected there was a larger organization operating the betting.

Other agents were brought in an wagers made on professional basketball and football games throughout the year, officials said.

During last year's professional basketball season, agents placed 64 bets in excess of $11,000, the report said.

When the professional football season opened in September this year, agents wagered about $35,000 and had to pay a vig on their losses, the report stated.

State officials say the investigation could result in upwards of 30 people facing charges of first degree professional gambling, a felony which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine. Even those who place bets with bookmakers can be charged.

State officials say agents are looking at financial and telephone records of suspects as the investigation continues.

"Operation Pit Boss"

In a parallel, unrelated probe, U.S. Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted interviews at the card rooms as part of a probe into an illegal immigration scam in western Washington.

The probe was dubbed "Operation Pit Boss" by federal agents because a number of alleged conspirators were connected through casinos.

Six indicted, two arrested

According to a U.S. Attorney General report, six people, two from Vancouver and four from the Seattle area, were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

Arrested Dec. 8 were Phuoc Huu Nguyen, aka: Steve Nguyen, 42, of Vancouver; Monica Nguyen, aka: Dao Thi Nguyen, 30, of Vancouver; Everett Ledbetter, 34, and Amanda Thao Nguyen, 28, both of Lynnwood.

Loc Hun Nguyen, 38, Vancouver, and Richard Earl Anderson, 35, Seattle, were also indicted, but not arrested because they are reportedly out of the United States.

Conspirators are suspected of arranging sham engagements or marriages to illegally bring Vietnamese nationals into the United States.

Conspirators allegedly recruited U.S. citizens, for $500 to $1,500 plus expenses, to travel to Vietnam and arrange fictitious engagements with Vietnamese nationals willing to pay $20,000 to $30,000 for a Non-Immigrant Visa authorizing entry into the United States.

As many as 100 U.S. citizens may have engaged in the visa fraud, say federal officials. Some recruits who refused to participate were reportedly threatened or intimidated by members of the conspiracy.

Vietnamese nationals who entered the U.S. illegally will be processed for removal, said U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson Emily Langlie. She would not discuss actions by agents in La Center.

TREES WILL BRIGHTEN CALIFORNIA HOMES

RIDGEFIELD COUNCIL APPROVED NEW BUILDING CODE

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

New buildings in Ridgefield's industrial and business zones may be constructed as close as 7 feet from the curb, under provisions of a new city ordinance.

Under a previous ordinance, the distance was 50 feet.

At a Dec. 2 meeting, Ridgefield city council members approved reducing the distance of buildings from the street, provided adequate landscaping is planted.

Council member Tim Thompson cast the only dissenting vote.

"I thought 50 feet [from the street] was excessive, but I think 7 feet is excessive in the other direction," he said. "I'd like to see some compromise."

The change applies only to buildings in industrial park and master business park zones.

City planning commission members held a public hearing on the change. Council members devoted parts of two meetings to discussion of the topic.

The request for reducing setbacks came from Specht Properties, but Pacific Detroit Diesel Allison also supported the change.

Pacific Detroit representative Jim Parchart told the planning commission that his company could not develop its vacant property with a 50-foot buffer because the strip is too narrow.

Several people asked that the buffers be set at 10 or 20 feet from the street, including some who live near or adjacent to industrial zones.

During council deliberations, mayor Gladys Doriot said the planning commission and the Community Development Department staff recommended the change.

RIDGEFIELD SET TO ADOPT GROWTH PLAN

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Ridgefield city council members will consider adopting a comprehensive land use plan during a Thurs., Dec. 16 meeting, 6:30 p.m., in city hall, 230 Pioneer St., Ridgefield.

The city's state-mandated Comprehensive Growth Plan reflects Clark County's expansion of the city's urban growth area. Several owners within the expanded area have already applied for annexation to the city.

The plan recommends that industrial development be limited to industrial parks, and reserves "large sites" for master planned business parks.

The city's plan will stress the importance of family wage jobs, but about 60 acres are reserved near the intersection of Pioneer St. and the I-5 junction for commercial development.

The plan supports the revitalization of the downtown core and stresses the importance of pedestrian use.

Residential land will be developed at a minimum of four units per acre for single-family homes, according to the plan. Multiple family residential development is limited to certain areas within the city.

To view a copy of the proposed plan, visit city hall, or call 887-3557 for more information.

RIDGEFIELD PORT WANTS SEAT ON TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Port of Ridgefield officials have asked for a seat on the Regional Transportation Council (RTC).

The council board is not expected to act on the request immediately.

During a Dec. 7 meeting, the board asked RTC executive director Dean Lookingbill and Port of Ridgefield executive director Brent Grening to work together to determine the most critical transportation issues facing the north county area.

"We want to make sure the specific issues of the Port that haven't been fully addressed are brought back for more discussion," Lookingbill said. "Their focus is a number of transportation issues."

Those issues may be discussed by the board at a meeting in January.

Grening said the Port will continue to seek a separate seat on the RTC board.

"That's our request," he said. "There are a number of transportation issues that affect Clark County. We feel we need to look closely at those and work as a county. This is not a Port stand-alone issue."

Transportation is a major issue affecting north county, Grening said.

"North county is poised to take a lot of growth," he said. "We'd like to have more of a direct voice in the RTC. We'd like to be more closely involved in transportation policy."

One issue that faces the Port directly is a street-level railroad crossing at a proposed SR-501 (Pioneer St.) entrance to Port property. Grening said the Port would like to see an overpass at the crossing.

The interchanges along I-5 are becoming more congested as population grows, he said. The interchange at I-5 and Pioneer St. will receive a signal next spring and the ramps will be widened, but that is only a stop-gap measure, Grening said.

The planned interchange at I-5 and NE 219th St. will not have an access from the west, Grening said. As demand for western access increases, greater stress will be put on the Ridgefield interchange, he said.

In a letter to RTC board members, Port commissioner and chairman Roy Randel wrote, "Planning efforts must now include the proposed casino and related improvements at 319th; major industrial, commercial and residential development impacting the 269th (Pioneer Street) interchange; construction of the new 219th Street interchange; a railroad overpass serving the Ridgefield waterfront..."

Further transportation planning is vital, Grening said, or "we could wake up in a few years and have a mess on our hands."

COMMISSIONER WILL BE CHOSEN TO REPLACE PRIDEMORE

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

The two remaining Clark County commissioners are scheduled to appoint a third to the board on Tues., Dec. 21, during a regular meeting.

Commissioners Betty Sue Morris and Judie Stanton are to make the appointment to replace departing Craig Pridemore after hearing from candidates put forward by the Clark County Democrat party.

Candidates for the position are Jeanne Harris, Ben Gassaway, Steve Stuart and Jeanne Lipton.

The four candidates were to appear before the Clark County Democratic Central Committee on Mon., Dec. 13. The candidates were to make a presentation after which precinct committee officers were to vote for three.

Commissioners will hear from three candidates on Wed., Dec. 15, 9 a.m., in the hearing room on the sixth floor of the Public Service Center in Vancouver.

Pridemore will resign from the board later this month after being elected in November as a state senator.

Morris expects that she and Stanton will be able to reach consensus without too much difficulty.

"We'll try our very best," she said. "The [state] political scene is in enough turmoil now. We don't need to complicate things at the local level."

Morris said the "turmoil" comes from the undecided governor's race.

Candidates have experience

Jeanne Harris lost her bid for a seat on the board of commissioners to Republican Marc Boldt in the November general election.

An eight-year veteran of the Vancouver city council, Harris has served on the growth management steering and oversight committee, and the board of directors of C-TRAN.

Harris has said she believes growth should be balanced, and called for increased commercial and business development.

Harris also supports researching and possibly developing a regional water system.

A real estate agent, Harris graduated from high school in 1994 in Lake Oswego, OR.

Ben Gassaway retired in 2002 after serving six terms as the Clark County assessor. He said his retirement came because of problems with his vision. The problems were solved after eye surgeries, he said.

If appointed, Gassaway plans to run for the office in 2005 and 2006.

"I know that will put me well into my early 70s, but I'm strong, and age is not an issue with me," he said. "I was elected county-wide six times."

A county resident since 1963, Gassaway was hired as a trainee appraiser in 1966 and was elected appraiser in 1978.

Gassaway said his priorities are public safety and land use management "with emphasis on property rights and resolving transportation issues."

Steve Stuart, a Battle Ground native and graduate of Prairie High School, is the founder and executive director of Urban Reserve, an organization that preserves and enhances wetlands in Clark County.

Stuart was executive director of Friends of Clark County from 2002 until October 2004.

Stuart holds a bachelor's degree from Linfield College in Oregon and master's and law degrees from the University of Oregon.

Stuart said his focus will be to implement the economic development piece of the county's plan.

"If the plan cannot produce paychecks, it's just another pretty picture," he said.

Jeanne Lipton, who served a term on the Vancouver city council, ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Vancouver in 2003, losing to Royce Pollard.

If appointed, she wants to study the possibility of putting C-TRAN under the county's umbrella, removing the transit's ability to collect taxes separately.

"That's a big concern of mine," she said.

Lipton was a member of the No on C-TRAN's Nov. 4 Tax Levy Committee. She also founded Citizens for Common Sense.

Lipton also wants to change the county land use plan to allow people to build additional homes for family members on less than 20 acres in rural areas.

"And I want to keep taxes down," she said.

A native of Brooklyn, NY, Lipton has lived in Vancouver since the mid-1990s.

Lipton holds a master's degree as a reading specialist from San Diego State University.

BG VET PRESENTS WREATH IN PEARL HARBOR

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Battle Ground resident George Bennett, 80, presented a wreath in honor of fallen comrades at Dec. 7 memorial services at Pearl Harbor, HI.

Bennett presented the wreath at the USS Arizona memorial in memory of sailors of Patrol Wing 2, VP21, a U.S. Navy PBY patrol plane squadron, who died on the "day of infamy."

The Navy veteran has attended memorial services at Pearl Harbor in 1961, 1981 and each Dec. 7 since 2001.

Bennett was a 17-year-old apprentice radioman attached to the patrol plane unit when Japanese naval air forces attacked 63 years ago.

A primary objective of Japanese pilots during the raid was the destruction of military aircraft. Japanese pilots strafed and bombed patrol plane facilities and planes on Ford Island.

"I was in my barracks getting ready to go on liberty [a day off] when bombs started to land," said Bennett.

After the attack, Bennett completed radio training. He became a crew member on a Navy version of a B-24 Liberator bomber.

Bennett, operating a radio, saw action as the B-24s bombed and strafed Japanese airfields and shipping in the Solomon Islands in 1942-1943.

In September 1943, Bennett was sent back to the U.S. to be a radio instructor.

Bennett left active duty in 1947 with the rank of 1st class petty officer. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for 34 years, and remained active in the Navy reserves.

During active reserve service, Bennett was promoted to chief petty officer. He remained in the active reserves until age 60.

Bennett and his late wife, Barbara Jo, raised three children: Jane Higgins of Battle Ground, Mike Bennett of Seattle and Eileen Laramore of Hermiston, OR.

LIQUOR LICENSE IN QUESTION FOR HAZEL DELL SPORTS BAR

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

The state Liquor Control Board has decided not to renew a liquor license for Bobby McGee's Neighborhood Sports Bar & Grill, located at 10311 NE Hwy. 99 in Hazel Dell.

The establishment is now operating on a month-to-month basis and will do so until a hearing related to an expected appeal to the Board's decision is held, said Board representative Sharon Michael.

Club owners have not yet filed an appeal, Michael added. However, assuming one will be filed, an administrative law judge will hear the matter at a yet-undetermined date and give a recommendation to the Board that will decide the matter.

Michael said recommendations to not renew liquor licenses are typically given because of high numbers of police calls to an area.

Clark County commissioners also review the matter and are given the chance to offer input, said Mary Kelz of the commissioners' office.

Sgt. Don Polen, spokesman for the Clark County Sheriff's Office, said Bobby McGee's, formerly called the Bliss Cafe & Restaurant, has "an extensive response record" with "numerous [alleged] felony and misdemeanor crimes" occurring in the area.

Sheriff's Office statistics show officers responding to incidents at Bobby McGee's 31 times in 2003 and 38 times in 11 months of 2004. One homicide occurred on site, he said.

In fact, Jason S. Ferguson, 25, was sentenced to 40 years in prison Dec. 8 by Clark County Superior Court judge John Wulle for the Feb. 29 stabbing murder of 26-year-old Lavell Lindsey, and first-degree assault of Greg Dalton, 24, in the sports bar's parking lot.

State records list Cedric Walker and James John Casch of Vancouver as representatives for Bobby McGee's under the corporate name I&E, Inc.

Representatives for Bobby McGee's did not return phone calls.

BG COUNCIL ACCEPTS GROWTH PLAN, RELUCTANTLY

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

After about two hours of citizen testimony in a public hearing Dec. 6, Battle Ground city council members approved a plan to set the pace for growth over the next 20 years.

The first draft for the state-mandated Growth Management Plan was rejected last January by Clark County officials and sent back three times with ever-shrinking boundaries and less land zoned for jobs.

City staff has worked on the plan for six years. During that time, there were four children born to staff, three different city planners, two city managers and two mayors.

What took years to complete was approved in less than five minutes--all with unanimous votes--except for the critical areas portion of the plan, which squeaked by with four votes "yes" and three votes "no."

Even then, council member Bill Ganley said his vote was a "protest yes."

"It's unreasonable and unworkable for our community," he said. "I'm all for protecting what needs to be protected, such as the East Fork [Lewis River] and Salmon Creek. But some of this is usable land."

Council member Alex Reinhold agreed and added, "Sometimes a hayfield is just a hayfield."

Although mayor John Idsinga voted "no," he said he knows that portion needed to pass because of state mandates.

"That's a crime in itself," he said. "They never should have had a critical areas ordinance [as part of growth planning]. We work five years to get land and then have to hack it up [into sensitive areas.] I have a real problem with that."

Later, Ganley said what the state requires is too restrictive. An example is the requirement of a 200-foot buffer on 1 acre if the grass is a little wet, even part of the time.

"That's insane," he said. "You can't put a house on that. There are some areas that should be allowed to be filled, such as minor wetlands that are not very productive."

Deputy mayor Sandra Barnes voted "yes," but agreed with Idsinga.

"All seven of us probably agree, but we need to try and make the best use of the taxpayers money," she said. "We have to approve this or else pay in legal fees. We don't have a choice. We do what we have to do."

Last minute changes approved

Council members and staff smoothly handled last minute zoning requests from citizens. Sharon Kehoe, a Battle Ground resident who owns a corner lot on NE Fairgrounds Ave. and E Main St., asked council members to keep it zoned residential in keeping with the neighborhood.

Kehoe said the planned zone change would allow a four-plex to be built there, which is not consistent with the single family residential neighborhood.

Council members agreed and approved the change back to residential.

Battle Ground resident John Lifflander owns a seven-unit apartment complex on NE 5th Ave., and asked that a portion of his lot remain downtown commercial rather than proposed residential. The city's change would mean a loss of revenue and use of his land.

Council members weighed pros and cons for a few minutes, then granted his request.

"How easy was that?" quipped council member Lisa Walters as Lifflander thanked the council.

"Pretty easy," Lifflander said and chuckled. "That's good government."

Not everyone got what they asked for, however.

Cardiff Fossand's parents own 10 narrow acres of land at 13813 NE 199th St., just outside the city limits. In the plan, the land would become part of the city and undergo a zone change from high-density residential to light industrial.

On behalf of his elderly parents, Fossand asked council members to reconsider, saying developers have already approached his parents, who live on the land, about putting in housing.

According to Clark County tax records, the land itself is assessed at $157,000. With the home on it, the value is $208,000.

Gabe Sugarman, an Oregon developer, told council members that Battle Ground needs more residences, and that it's impractical to plan for light industry so far away from transportation corridors.

Council members disagreed.

"We've done more than our share of providing residences," said council member Mike Ciraulo.

"We have more houses than we have jobs," agreed Walters.

"We need jobs," said Barnes. "There are lots of places for homes."

Idsinga added, "We've got to reserve ground for jobs."

City denies school District favor

Battle Ground School District representatives also did not get exactly what they requested.

District officials asked to be exempt from traffic impact and growth management "concurrency" fees as schools grow and traffic increases.

Concurrency fees are what an entity pays for pushing roadways over traffic capacity--what it costs to fix the problem--such as an extra lane or traffic signal.

District assistant superintendent Lynn Hicks and facilities director Kevin Jolma appeared upset that the District had to pay for a new traffic light at the intersection of SR-503 and NE 199th St. after expanding the Maple Grove Middle School site with portables.

The action pushed projected increased traffic at the intersection of NE 199th St. and SR-503 into traffic and road "failure."

Because the road is in County jurisdiction, the District will have to pay $50,000 in traffic impact fees and $5,000-$10,000 for a new traffic light.

What bothered Hicks and Jolma is that the developer of the Gardner Center on that corner did not have to put in a light because traffic volume stayed under the threshold of what would be considered "failure."

District officials want schools exempt because they are already on a shoestring budget and shouldn't have to pay some city fees, as other non-profits, they said.

Reinhold said that if the school creates an impact, it should mitigate that impact.

Council member Chris Regan said the city shouldn't have to foot the bill for a large, rural school's impact on traffic.

Hicks disagreed and continually interrupted Barnes to argue when Barnes attempted to explain why the city isn't responsible to pay school impacts.

Council members finally agreed to exempt the District from concurrency fees, but only for K-8 schools. They reasoned that self-driving high school students create traffic, and the District should pay for that impact.

Council members denied District exemption from traffic impact fees, and reminded Hicks that the Gardner Center developer did pay a substantial amount in those fees.

"Good discussion," Idsinga said. "That was excellent."

Glad it's over...but is it, really?

"I know the critical areas ordinance was a jagged pill to swallow," said city manager Eric Holmes. "Congratulations for finally getting the [growth plan] adopted."

"I believe it represents the most progressive plan I have seen in this state," he added. "It's a credit to our staff who have progressive, innovative ideas. This is real progressive for the county."

Ciraulo acknowledged the several late nights over the years that staff put into crafting not one, but two plans.

The plan adopted by the council is based on the boundary plans set by County officials in early September.

However, the city has filed a legal appeal with the state claiming myriad ways the commissioners did not comply with state statutes.

If successful and the County's plan for Battle Ground is overturned, the other comprehensive plan will "be pulled off the shelf," and presented to council members for approval, said Brian Carrico, city planner.

"We've got the best staff in the county and everybody knows it," said Idsinga. "They pushed forward for Battle Ground."

DOG SURVIVES TRAP IN VENERSBORG

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Sulaika is a survivor.

The black Labrador retriever lived through 22 hours of agony with two of her legs crushed and held by illegal steel traps.

The dog disappeared Nov. 27 during a romp in the Venersborg woods east of Battle Ground with her master, Willfried Schramm.

Willfried and his wife, Grudrun, hoped Sulaika would head home, but the dog didn't show up.

About 22 hours later after a freezing night and an extensive search near NE Berry Rd. north of Schauer Dr., Schramm found Sulaika barely conscious, lying in the woods on a deer-bedding area.

Two of Sulaika's legs were held in the jaws of two steel animal traps.

Tension, combined with the dog's struggles, had brought the jaws to bone on a front and hind leg.

Sulaika's mouth was bloody. She had broken two teeth trying to chew through steel chains that held the traps.

Schramm, a 6'4" man, could not open the traps to free his dog because the tension was too great.

Schramm pulled rebar posts used to anchor the traps from the ground and placed Sulaika, with the traps, on his shoulders. He carried his dog, with the traps, to his home about 3/4 mile away.

A neighbor's help was needed to remove the traps.

Treatments at Orchards Veterinary Clinic, including surgery, followed. Miraculously, the dog's legs were not broken.

On a return trip to the

wooded area, Willfried

Schramm found round pellets, possibly grain deer bait, near the bedding area where Sulaika was trapped.

Schramm found another trap about 40 feet away. It was set, with remains of a salt water crab placed nearby, possibly to attract a bobcat.

Schramm said he will turn the traps over to state Fish and Wildlife investigators.

"Children, not only pets, hike in these wooded areas and could be seriously hurt by such traps," said Schramm.

Body-gripping traps illegal

State Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Craig Bartlett in Olympia said body-gripping traps are almost completely banned.

Rare exceptions to use such traps require special permits issued from Olympia.

Permits are issued only rarely to protect an endangered species from extinction by predators, for protection of public health or safety, to alleviate certain animal problems or to conduct wildlife research.

When permits are issued, traps in use must bear prominent identification tags, including the name and address of a trapper.

Trapping without the identification tag on a trap makes the trapping "defacto illegal," said Bartlett.

Eric Holman of the Vancouver office of the Department of Fish and Wildlife said an agent will investigate the Venersborg incident.

NO MORE "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" IN BG

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

The Grinch didn't take away the traditional Happy Holidays banner in Battle Ground.

The city council did.

The city also took away the traditional lit, plastic, tinsel and metal ornaments that were strapped to utility poles along Main St., and acquired new Christmas tree lights.

Well, they didn't actually "take" them. The Christmas decorations were replaced when the city took the job over from the Chamber of Commerce.

The old decorations are in storage in the Lion's Den at Fairgrounds Park awaiting a buyer.

Terri Tweedell, executive director of the Chamber, was previously in charge of storage and annual installation using a volunteer crew from Clark Public Utilities.

But there are no hard feelings on her part that her "job" has been taken away. In fact, she's happy about it.

When city manager Eric Holmes spoke with Tweedell a few months ago about the city taking over the holiday decorations, "I told him the Chamber would be happy to turn everything over," she said.

The wiring was failing in nearly all the ornaments and the greeting banner. Tweedell said it would cost about $350 each to upgrade the nearly 20-year-old decorations.

In addition, the city's Christmas tree on the corner of W Main and SE 5th St. nearly became an object of scorn last year, as strings of lights burned out at the rate of about one daily, said council member Alex Reinhold.

To add insult to injury, another area newspaper named Battle Ground the county's worst decorated city.

Ouch.

That was a humiliating holiday moniker for the county's second-largest city. Council member Bill Ganley said that was one reason council directed staff to take over.

As a result, $15,710 was spent out of the general fund this year for new decorations and installation.

One hundred and fifteen colorful banners reading Joy, Season's Greetings, and Peace on Earth now hang from utility poles spanning the east-west length of the city along Main St.

The new Season's Greetings skyline banner is in the traditional place, hung on poles between Safeway and Texaco.

New lights adorn the city tree, and white lights are strung on smaller trees flanking it, which is also new.

Sam Adams, public works director, said city employees installed the banners this year, with some help from Clark Public Utilities. A "lift" was rented by the city for $2,000 over the nearly two weeks it took to hang decorations.

Although a Clark Public Utilities crew again volunteered time to help, the city paid about $6,500 for public works employees who worked about 240 hours, Adams said.

There were a few reasons it took longer to set the decorations up than in prior years, Adams said.

New brackets needed to be installed, and the stretch of decorations extended about one mile farther west than before. The skyline banner needed a new pole because it is twice as deep as the other one, and needed to be hung high enough for truck clearance.

"All of that took more time," Adams said. "Next year all this will already be in place."

But next year's decorating frenzy may be bigger yet again.

In the city's 2005 general fund budget, $125,000 is set aside for community and economic investment.

According to Holmes, that money could be used for decorative lights on all the newly planted trees that span the east-west length of the city, plus the electrical hook-ups to make them work.

However, Holmes said that has not yet been decided by the council.

"It's a discretionary fund for council," Holmes said.

The funds could be used to help locate a business to town as a tool for economic development, such as transportation improvements. Or, it could be used to help a neighborhood.

For example, money from last year was used to put a playground in a "pocket park" located in the Horsethief Canyon neighborhood off SW 20th Ave., at the request of the citizens there, Holmes said.

"Council said they do want to possibly use [funds] for electrifying the city limits east to west," Holmes said. "We will bring it back in 2005."

Council member Bill Ganley said his understanding is that the money will be used for lights on trees and to put in electrical hook-ups and connections.

"It would be a one-time cost, and I think it will look good," he said.

Council member Alex Reinhold agreed that the funds are set aside for economic and business enhancement, and that holiday lights are a good way to do that.

"But as far as I know, nothing's been decided," he added.

"It's time for the city to step up to the plate and take over the tree and city lighting," mayor John Idsinga said.

"The decorations on the street cost some money," he admitted, "but this is something to let people know we are proud of our community."

One lone candle left hanging

On the south side of W Main St. about 50 yards west of SR-503, one old decoration hangs on a post.

The old-fashioned candle is there at the request of the Pettichord couple who live at 1103 W Main St., said Tweedell. She doesn't know why the request was made.

Mr. Pettichord declined to comment.

"All I know is that his wife wants it there," Tweedell said.

Pettichord is a retired Battle Ground High School principal.

Jerry Kolke, a longtime Chamber of Commerce member, recalled that decorating the city began around the early to mid-1980s.

The Chamber began with four "old, plastic decorations" from the east coast, Kolke said. The rest were purchased from Forsythe Decorations in Portland.

Fundraisers over the years brought the total to about 40, Kolke said.

Tweedell said it is proper for the city to take over holiday lighting.

"I think it's appropriate," she said, grinning. "It's much easier for us."

RIDGEFIELD GETS HALF-MILLION IN CREDIT

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

City of Ridgefield staff and council members have established a $500,000 line of credit that will be available should emergencies arise.

Council members voted 4-1 on Thurs., Dec. 2, to approve the credit line with the Bank of Clark County.

The interest rate is set at prime, and the annual fee is $750, said Ridgefield chief financial officer Kay Kammer.

Only council member Tim Thompson opposed the measure.

"I asked for some examples [of emergencies] and they could only give me one," he said after the meeting. "One example in the last nine years. The budget has money for capital improvements; so I didn't see why we need a $500,000 line of credit. Some day it may be necessary, but not now."

Kammer said that several cities carry a line of credit for emergencies.

"For example, when we bought the property on the corner [of S Main Ave. and Pioneer St.], we had time to get our financing in order," she said. "But we might not always be in that situation."

The city purchased an option for $210,000 earlier this year to buy that property from Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Eventually, a visitor center may be located there.

Should an emergency arise, such as the need to replace a police vehicle, the funds will be readily available, she said.

Ridgefield has no plans to use the line of credit now, she said.

David Reeves, financial director for Battle Ground, agrees that a number of cities carry a line of credit.

Battle Ground has a $1 million credit line, he said.

"I'd say about 30 percent to 40 percent of cities do that," Reeves said. "It's not uncommon."

LIBRARY URGES YOUTHS TO READ, PASS BOOKS ONTO OTHERS

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Read a book, then pass it on to a friend is a time-honored way for a reader to share loved stories.

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District has formalized that habit with a "Read it Forward" program aimed at middle and high school students throughout its three-county district.

The program began Nov. 22. Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix is now making its way through readers, including some in the armed services overseas.

"We've had people call and ask for copies to send to those overseas," said Trish Segal, the library's young adult services coordinator.

Among the Hidden is set in a future time when families are limited by law to two children. It tells the story of a third child, a "shadow child," a boy who is turning 12 and is unable to leave his house, go to school or make friends.

He discovers another shadow child, also hidden away. The book follows their relationship and their problems.

The library has distributed 500 copies of the book to schools, the library branches, various youth organizations, detention centers and youth rehabilitation centers.

Alaska Airlines may even become a partner.

"Alaska said they would have the people at the ticket counter pass out books," Segal said.

Instructions and a book number are printed inside each book, and readers are encouraged to log on to the library's web site to follow the progress of their book.

"Kids can track where their books have been," Segal said.

The future of Read it Forward is up in the air. The current program will end in February, Segal said.

"We'll need to evaluate the program," she said. "We haven't decided what we'll do next."

The $1,900 needed to support the program has come from the District's book discussion budget.

Segal said she hopes Read it Forward will encourage teenagers to join book discussion groups already established at some library branches, including Three Creeks, Battle Ground, Ridgefield and Woodland.

"We wanted to promote our discussion groups, and we wanted to promote our Web site with teen readers," she said.

The web site is www.fvrl.org/teens/index.cfm.

WALK AND KNOCK FOOD COLLECTION DOWN THIS YEAR

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Collections of food in this year's Walk and Knock program were down 15 percent from last year, but organizers say they expect to bounce back.

"We were down county-wide pretty much everywhere," said Stacy Walters, organization president. "But food is still coming in, and we're optimistic the numbers will pick up."

Only the Ridgefield and La Center areas exceeded last year's totals.

"We've never had an effort in La Center," Walters said. "This year the Lions [Club] took it on as a new project and it paid off."

The Walk and Knock program sends volunteers on a Saturday into Clark County neighborhoods, collecting canned and dried foods for the Clark County Food Bank Coalition. This year's drive day was Dec. 4.

Last year, the Ridgefield and La Center areas collected 6.5 tons of non-perishable food. This year, 8.75 tons were collected--an increase of 35 percent.

The Walk and Knock program raised 109 tons of food this year, compared to 129 tons in 2003. But food donated at the various drop-off stations throughout the county has not yet been calculated (as of Dec. 6), Walters said.

"My guess-timate is we'll add another 15 tons," he said. "I'm expecting 125 tons when we're finished, but that's just an estimate."

Last year the canned food drive raised about 140 tons of food.

Battle Ground raised 14.9 tons in 2003, compared to 11.66 tons this year--a 22 percent drop.

Walters attributed the downturn in donations to the economic downturn.

"From our comments, it seems people gave this year, but they gave less food," he said. "We're seeing harder times overall, economic hard times."

Most county neighborhoods were canvassed, but Walters said some rural areas were missed and a few neighborhoods lacked enough volunteers to reach all houses.

"This happens every year," he said. "We have a shortage in some areas, but it's a different area every year."

The Walk and Knock program also collects cash donations. Walters said about $2,000 was donated, and he's optimistic that as much as $7,000 or $8,000 will be raised overall.

People who want to donate money should make checks payable to Walk and Knock and mail them to Walk and Knock, P.O. Box 353, Vancouver, WA 98666.

"All donations--100 percent, go to buy food," he said.

FOREST SERVICE CLOSES ROADS

The U.S. Forest Service has closed Forest Road 99 at Wakepish Sno-Park due to snow and winter weather conditions.

Access to the Sno-Park will be maintained throughout the winter from Randle.

Access to the National Volcanic Monument remains closed at the Cascade Peaks Viewpoint due to ongoing volcanic activity. Marble Mountain Sno-Park is also closed due to volcanic hazards.

Forest roads 81 and 83 will not be plowed this winter, according to Roger Peterson, spokesman for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. These roads are currently covered with snow and travel is not recommended.

Motorists should expect snow and ice beginning at milepost 36 on SR-504 on the west side of Mt. St. Helens. The Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, located at elevation 3,110 feet, is open Thurs.-Mon., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Johnson Ridge Observatory remains closed. Travelers on SR-504 should watch out for ice in shaded areas and on bridges, said Peterson.

Forest Road 25 on the east side of Mt. St. Helens has hazardous conditions between Pine Creek Information Station and Randle, said Peterson. The road will be closed when snow makes it impassable. Almost a foot of snow has fallen at Elk Pass, elevation 4,080.

Forest Road 23 between Randle and Trout Lake is bare and wet from Randle to Forest Road 21, with a foot of snow at Baby Shoe Pass.

Forest Road 52 (Skate Creek Road) from Packwood to Highway 706 has six inches of snow and is not recommended for passenger cars, said Peterson. The road is still open for 4-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance. It will be closed as snow accumulates.

Peterson said other roads in the Gifford Pinchot are closed for the winter months. All closed areas, except areas around Mt. St. Helens, are open to the public with access by foot. Wheeled vehicles are restricted from the all-winter areas. Snowmobiles are not allowed in wildlife winter range areas.

Winter wildlife and winter sports closures will remain in effect until April 1, 2005, said Peterson.

Information is available from Peterson, 891-5007.

BUDGET MEANS POWER RATES STABLE

The 2005 budget for Clark Public Utilities, adopted last week, will keep electric rates unchanged for the second year in a row.

The utility last raised power rates in April 2003.

Utility commissioner Nancy Barnes said cuts in operating and maintenance costs will be used to offset increasing power supply costs to enable the utility to keep rates constant.

"We believe we've reached a delicate balance between the need to reduce expenses and a desire to provide outstanding service," said Barnes.

The utility will finish 2004 with a surplus of about $5 million. Instead of refunding that surplus to ratepayers, the utility will create a "Rate Stabilization Fund" to help even out future changes in the price of power.

Utility spokesman Mick Shutt said that the federal Bonneville Power Administration changes prices twice yearly, and the price of natural gas, used to fire the utility's River Road Generating Plant, can fluctuate monthly.

The Rate Stabilization Fund, said Shutt, could be used to moderate the effects of frequent power and gas price changes.

Bonneville reduced rates earlier this year, but the cost of natural gas continues to rise, said Shutt.

Shutt said the utility will pay about 40 percent more for natural gas in 2005 than in 2004.

As a result, the utility may not operate the River Road plant during several months in the new year, and instead purchase electricity on the open market.

The adopted budget is based on shutting down the plant for six months in 2005.

Shutt said the utility will pay about $9 million less for power from Bonneville in 2005 than 2004, but has budgeted $125 million for natural gas, up from $89 million in 2004.

The total budget for electricity will be $315 million in 2005, up from $310 million in 2004.

The utility added about 3,000 electric customers this year, and expects to add another 4,600 next year.

The budget anticipates 352 employees for the electric, water and wastewater systems, an increase of two from the current level, said Shutt.

Total labor cost at the utility is about $19.4 million or about 6 percent of the budget. Labor cost is budgeted at an increase of 3.2 percent over 2004.

"The average Clark employee serves 553 customers," said Barnes. "Most Washington utilities average 250 customers per employee, or less."

The 2005 budget shows $19.1 million in construction projects, including improvements to existing substations, and replacement of some controllers.

The construction budget also includes upgrades in several areas that are prone to power outages.

The utility's water budget shows a loss in 2005 of about $600,000, following a loss this year of about $460,000.

Shutt said the commissioners will consider a water rate increase to cover the deficit.

Water system construction projects are expected to total $9.1 million, nearly half of which is for the development of the South Lake Well Field which could provide water for the utility's customers for the next 50 years, said Shutt.

The Lake Well Field is located in the vicinity of Vancouver Lake near Fruit Valley Road. Pumping at the site has been contested by the Port of Vancouver, said Shutt.

Shutt can be reached at 992-3238.

LOOSE FIRE HOSE DAMAGES MAIL BOXES

The business end of a fire hose came loose from a Fire District 11 engine Dec. 4, trailed the engine for about a mile, and damaged mail boxes and newspaper tubes and posts as it swung behind the engine.

Fire District 11 chief said the swinging, 200-foot hose with 15-pound nozzle did not strike any other vehicles and no one was hurt.

At one point, said Mason, the hose wrapped around a post and broke away from the engine.

The engine was enroute to a medical aid call on NE 194th St. and was headed south on NE 29th Ave. when the incident occurred.

The damaged mail boxes and newspaper tubes were on NE 29th Ave. between NE 199th St. and NE 219th St.

Mason said a citizen following the engine observed the dangling hose, picked up the hose after it broke free from he engine, and brought the hose to the engine at the 194th St. location.

Mason said crews returned to homes along NE 29th Ave. and repaired and replaced damaged mail boxes. One new post was needed which Fire District 11 crews installed, said Mason.

Mason said the 1 3/4 inch hose was stacked accordion-style on the passenger side of the engine behind the cab and should have been secured by two bunge cords. For some reason, the bunge cords were not in place, he said.

OBITS