VOTERS APPROVE LEVY FOR PARKS
Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter
The Hockinson community will get a new 240-acre park,
thanks to voter approval of a Metro Park District.
Voters narrowly approved funds to develop the Hockinson Park and 34 other community and neighborhood parks in a mailed election Feb. 8.
The outcome was finalized Feb. 18 when Clark County officials certified the election, tallying the "yes" votes at 12,588, only 27 votes higher than the number opposed.
Voters approved a 27-cent increase in their property taxes, or $45.90 per year for a house valued at $170,000.
The additional property taxes will be assessed beginning in 2006, according to the county assessor's office.
Passage means that 30 neighborhood parks, including one at Orchards Highlands, will be developed, maybe as soon as this summer.
Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation said the taxes were needed to maintain the new parks. Impact fees paid by developers are used only for land acquisition and may not be used for maintenance, said David Judd, director of Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation.
The department has collected about $12 million to buy land for the parks. If the measure had failed, the money not used to buy parks would have been refunded.
The Hockinson community park, one of five new community parks, will be developed on the Southeast corner of 172nd Avenue and 119th Street.
Community parks will contain sports fields, picnic areas and other amenities.
Building or improving all 35 parks is expected to take between seven and eight years.
MISSING MAN FOUND DECEASED
Thomas Taylor of Amboy, missing since Feb. 11, was found dead Feb. 19 on Gumboot Mountain east of Sunset Falls.
Sgt. Fred Neiman of the Clark County sheriff's office said two people riding all-terrain vehicles on the mountain discovered Taylor's body, returned to Sunset Falls Campground, and call 911.
Taylor's Jeep was located in snow about five miles up the mountainous road where Taylor's body was located.
Officials believe Taylor became stuck in heavy snow, tried to walk out for help and succumbed to exposure.
Taylor's dog, a four-month old black Lab named Marcie, had remained with her master's body, and although dehydrated and hungry, was in fine condition.
Taylor left with his dog on Feb. 8 for a Jeep trip into the wilderness of northern Clark and Skamania counties. Searchers used 4X4s, snowmobiles and aircraft looking for Taylor for the past week.
BG MAN TWICE GUILTY OF CHILD RAPE
Heidi Wallenborn, news director
After two days of trial, Battle Ground resident Todd Henderling, 40, pleaded guilty to two felonies and two misdemeanors regarding children.
Henderling pleaded guilty Feb. 18 to third degree rape of a child, third degree attempted rape of a child, furnishing liquor to minor and delivery of marijuana to minor within 1,000 feet of a school.
On Dec. 14, Henderling was convicted by a jury of third degree rape of a child.
After that trial, Henderling was jailed without bail, awaiting his recent hearing for the same charge on another child.
Sentencing on both convictions will likely take place at the end of February, said Superior Court judge Diane Woolard.
December conviction
The December conviction involved incidents in June 2004 when a 15-year-old juvenile girl reported to Battle Ground police that Henderling raped her at his home, 319 N Parkway Ave., across the street from the high school.
Henderling gave her marijuana and alcohol prior to the rape.
About three days later, Henderling called the victim's mother to apologize for what he had done and said he'd made a bad decision, according to an affidavit of probable cause by arresting officer Aaron Kanooth.
Henderling turned himself into police a few days later.
Guilty plea
The Feb. 18 guilty plea related to incidents reported in September 2004 by another 15-year-old girl who came to police with accusations of rape and more that occurred over a four-month period in 2003.
The teen told Det. Mike Molzahn that Henderling gave her alcohol and marijuana on the night of one incident, according to an affidavit.
While on the couch watching television downstairs, Henderling raped her with a finger and tried to grab a breast. When he tried to get on top of her, she resisted by pushing at him, she told authorities.
About a week prior to that incident, Henderling asked her to perform oral and hand sex on him, and grabbed her breasts from behind. He also attempted to penetrate her but was unsuccessful.
The victim said Henderling promised her a six-pack of alcohol if she would get naked with him.
Henderling plea bargained for sentences on both cases to be served at the same time, not to be more than 12 years.
Judge Woolard told Henderling she didn't have to accept his plea bargain or the recommended sentences, and asked if he understood.
Henderling said "yes ma'am."
"I appreciate the trial and your entering a guilty plea before we have to put anymore kids on the witness stand," Woolard told him.
Henderling's mother speaks
Louise Henderling sat in a mostly vacant courtroom on the third floor of the courthouse.
While the sun shone through windows, she sat alone on a cushioned bench watching her second youngest of seven children wrestle for as little prison time as possible.
Her son represented himself in court with a back-up attorney to help him over hurdles and through paperwork.
"Are you with the paper?" she asked this reporter. When given a "yes," she said, "I think my son is innocent of the crime. I think there were extenuating circumstances on the first."
Louise said young people gathered at Henderling's home frequently.
Louise, a bespeckled, older woman with graying hair, was dressed comfortably in a grey fleece jacket lined in maroon, with embroidered black and white puppies frolicking on her pockets. She wore black polyester-style pants and white sneakers.
Forbidden to communicate with her son, she sat, staring at the back of his head. He turned around once, and she quickly raised her hand hello before a bailiff barked to him, "face forward."
"I only get to see him once a week," she said. "I visit him faithfully every Thursday since mid-December, and I have only missed one time. But then, it's through glass with a phone."
Louise would like to visit more often, but the only other visiting day is Sunday, and she works then. She is a prep cook for a nursing home she worked for as cook for 20 years.
How did she feel about her son's plea?
"Well," she said. "I've lost my faith in the system. You never know which way a jury is going to go, and they don't get all the information they need. Maybe this is better. Maybe he'll get less time."
Henderling is not divorced, but has been separated "for years and years," Louise said. He has three children, ages 9, 12 and 13. She is helping to raise one at her Brush Prairie home--the others are being raised by other people.
"This is hard," she said and sighed. "Children are your children. You always stand by `em. I wonder how often I'll get to visit him now? I guess it depends on where they send him off to."
CLASSEN PLEADS "NOT GUILTY"
Insanity defense possible
Heidi Wallenborn, news director
James N. Classen, 59, pleaded not guilty Feb. 18 to charges of premeditated, aggravated first degree murder in the Feb. 8 death of his estranged wife, EveAnn Classen.
Clad in short sleeve, jail-issued, felony orange shirt and pants, Classen stood in front of Superior Court judge Robert Harris and listened as his attorney, Jon McMullen, and a prosecutor worked out details of the months ahead.
Classen waived his right to a speedy trial and a tentative trial date for August was set.
McMullen also asked Harris for an extension of the filing time for an insanity plea.
"There is a possibility of an insanity defense," McMullen said. "[Classen] is currently undergoing a psychological evaluation and it may take a few weeks."
Harris granted the extension with a cut-off day of March 10.
Classen was ushered back to jail where he is being held on $3 million bail.
As he disappeared down a hallway, someone yelled out, "What was your motive?"
Classen did not answer. The only sound was the clank of iron shackles on his feet as he shuffled away, handcuffed.
Aggravated charges filed
Clark County deputy prosecuting attorney Tony Golik said three aggravated charges were added to the original charge of first degree murder.
Aggravating factors were that Classen invaded his wife's zone of privacy by entering her bedroom when he allegedly killed her; victim vulnerability in that she was asleep in her bedroom; and the cruelty of the murder.
If convicted, Classen faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.
EveAnn Classen was killed by multiple stab wounds with a pair of her sewing scissors. A medical examiner spokesperson said the wounds were too numerous to count.
Golik said he believes Classen's alleged attack was premeditated.
According to court records, Classen said he entered his wife's home on NE 154th St. in the Salmon Creek area at 2 a.m. through an unlocked back door.
Records state Classen said he went upstairs to a sewing room next to the master bedroom and took a pair of sewing scissors off the wall.
The door to his wife's room was ajar, and Classen allegedly entered and turned on the light. While EveAnn lay sleeping face down, he reportedly stabbed her.
Reports say Classen said his wife woke up, struggled with him and pleaded for her life, but he kept stabbing her and called her "evil."
Afterward, Classen reportedly went to the duplex where he lived in Orchards, showered, and wrapped the bloody clothes and scissors in a towel.
From there, he reportedly drove to his cabin in Stevenson, threw the towel and items down a 75-foot embankment, and called a friend.
After two friends came to him, one of them called 911 and said EveAnn was injured at her home, records state.
Classen was detained in Skamania County for Clark County detectives. He allegedly confessed to the crime on a videotape.
One other violent encounter
Court records show that on Jan. 11, 2002, Classen was arrested for a fourth-degree domestic violence assault on EveAnn.
The reporting deputy said EveAnn had called 911 to report the disturbance, then called back to cancel it because "nothing like this had ever happened before," the report states.
EveAnn told the responding deputy the couple had argued the night before. While in bed with her husband early that morning, he began to snore loudly so she couldn't sleep. She attempted to wake him up by pushing him, but he didn't stop snoring.
As a result, EveAnn stayed in bed and watched television. That woke him up, and "he wasn't very happy about how she had handled the situation," the report states.
The argument continued as the couple went downstairs to make breakfast, she said. Classen pushed her with both hands and she fell onto the tile floor. She got up, the arguing continued, and then Classen struck her four to five times with a closed fist to the two and side of her head, the report said.
Classen told another responding deputy that "I completely lost it," the report states.
Classen told the deputy "she has just been continually nagging him about everything and she never loses an argument because she always has to get in the last word."
A no-contact order was issued, then rescinded on March 11. Classen was told to undergo anger management. The charge was dismissed because he did not reoffend after one year.
The couple separated about two years ago, friends said, and were going to counseling. About one month ago, Classen reportedly found out his wife had a boyfriend and she admitted it. Two weeks later, she allegedly asked Classen for a divorce.
OBITS:COLBY LEITGEB
Colby Stefan Leitgeb, 32, died in a traffic accident Feb. 8, 2005, in Battle Ground.
Leitgeb was born Jan. 8, 1973 in Portland, attended Battle Ground schools, and lived his entire life in Battle Ground.
Leitgeb enjoyed spending time with friends, hiking, camping, trips to Mexico and the southwest, music, cars, and mochas. He valued his family and friends. He is remembered for his sense of humor.
Leitgeb worked as a concrete finisher.
Leitgeb was preceded in death by grandparents Ruth and Max Leitgeb, and aunt Maxine Day. Survivors include parents Martin and Heidi Leitgeb of Battle Ground, brother Adam Leitgeb of Vancouver, sister Hilary Leitgeb of Vancouver, niece Charlotte Leitgeb of Vancouver, grandparents Fritz and Verna Thies of Olympia, 21 cousins, and many aunts and uncles.
A memorial service will be held Sat., March 5, 1 p.m., at Bethel Lutheran Church, 12919 NE 159th St., Brush Prairie. Graveside service was held at Crawford Cemetery. Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, was in charge of arrangements.
AGNES GLANSCHNEG
Agnes Cecilia (Reischman) Glanschneg, 83, died Feb. 15, 2005 in Vancouver.
Glanschneg was born March 7, 1921 in South Bend, lived in Old Willapa since 1957, and attended business college in Aberdeen. She worked in the Pacific County Courthouse and as a bus driver.
Glanschneg taught catechism at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, and was active in 4-H, Boy Scouts, West Union Grange and the Van-Ridge Garden Club in Battle Ground. She enjoyed fishing, quilting, crocheting, bingo and dice, and never missed an opportunity to go out to eat with her family. She loved to write and read poetry.
Glanschneg was preceded in death by her husband Robert J. Glanschneg Sr. in 2002, sisters Florence and Clara, and brothers Leonard, Richard, Lawrence, John, Ed, Bernie and George. Survivors include sons Robert Glanschneg Jr. of Montana and Nicholas Glanschneg of Raymond, daughters Juliana Butler of Battle Ground, Rita Vernetti of Alabama, and Kathy Watt of South Bend, sister Gertrude Roeder of California, six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren.
Burial was at Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo, with Stoller's Mortuary, Raymond, in charge of arrangements.
EDITORIAL:
WOODLAND PLANS SHOULD BE APPROVED
Two festering issues in Woodland merit timely resolution by responsible officials.
The Woodland School District has tried for several years to institute an impact fees program to help pay for school buildings. The fees would be paid by those buying homes and apartments throughout the district.
While the impact fee program has gained approval by the city of Woodland and Clark County, it has not been favored by the Cowlitz County commissioners.
Such impact fees are a fact of life in virtually every school district in the area and are a reasonable governmental tax. While school districts can't raise enough from impact fees to build a whole new school, the fees can generate enough money to buy land and portable classrooms.
The Cowlitz County commissioners have mixed views on the fees. One commissioners is uncertain if the fees are legal, given the fact that Cowlitz County does not fall under the state Growth Management Act. That uncertainty should be resolved.
The commissioners will again consider the fees Feb. 25.
A few days later, the Woodland city council will consider a much-discussed proposal to change zoning on the Woodland Service Center.
The Woodland planning commission has set the stage for approval of the plan by proposing some restrictions on the complicated "Public/Quasi-Public/Institutional Use" zone.
Officials of the Service Center don't want to cause havoc in their neighborhood. They want to raise money for their operations by conducting classes, expanding cardboard recycling, holding craft and food fairs and weekend farmers' markets, renting office space to social service agencies, and selling donated used cars and excess clothing. Surely there is a way to allow these kinds of activities while still ruling out practices to which neighbors might object.
The council has worked for three years on the issue, trying to avoid so-called "spot zoning," and rightly so. Considerable thought has gone into the matter.
Maybe the issue will be resolved at the council Feb. 28 meeting. Or maybe it will require some additional time and thought. But sooner or later, approval should be given to this very worthwhile endeavor.
In both of these cases, officials are doing their best to evaluate the issues and make responsible decisions that recognize all interests. The Woodland public is well served by such careful and orderly work.
Marvin F. Case
GIANT FIR LIFTED FROM CEDAR CREEK
Bill Myers, staff reporter
An equipment operator and a logger working in concert Feb. 5 carefully removed a giant fir tree that straddled Cedar Creek in Amboy.
The tree, about 4 feet in diameter at its base, bridged the creek on Clark County Fire District 10 property after high winds knocked it down in January.
Fire District 10 captain Gordon Brooks secured permission from state Department of Fish and Wildlife officials to move the tree. Laying across the creek, it posed a potential flood threat to two nearby homes.
Fire District officials donated the tree to the Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group in Vancouver for a habitat enhancement project.
The Group hired Yacolt equipment operator Rick Malinowski to remove the log from the creek. Malinowski hired Yacolt logger Doug Gillette to help with cutting.
Days earlier, neighbors had topped and limbed the tree.
A 62-foot log remained. Attached to an upturned 20-foot root wad, the tree spanned the creek and several feet of bank on the other side.
Wanting to avoid damage to a well-known salmon environment, Malinowski and Gillette sized up the challenge before getting under way.
First, Gillette severed the root wad from the log. With a front-loader, Malinowski tapped the root wad and it dropped back into its hole.
Gripping the loader jaws to lift the log, Malinowski slowly backed up, moving it across the creek banks.
Gillette dissected the log when the top of it neared the opposite bank.
Malinowski then lifted both logs safely away from the banks. He said officials will hire a hauler to place the logs in a creek near Washougal to enhance spawning beds.
BEAMAN JAILED PENDING SENTENCING
Bill Myers, Heidi Wallenborn
A federal judge in Seattle on Feb. 16 jailed former Ridgefield stock salesman Larry Beaman.
Beaman, 63, was one of a dozen defendants convicted last year on multiple felonies involving sales of stock in Znetix Inc. and other companies.
One scheme reportedly involved a high-yield investment known as Qwest/Wealth Builders. Beaman placed more than $1.3 million raised from investors with Qwest/Wealth in 2002.
Federal authorities said the investment schemes became one of the largest scams on record and cost innocent investors millions.
After his conviction, Beaman was granted conditional release pending a March 4, 2005 sentencing. An earlier sentencing date had been postponed pending a court ruling on sentencing guidelines.
Internal Revenue Service and FBI agents reportedly learned Beaman maintained and used a secret bank account in Nevada under the name Chrism Capital Corporation, with a niece as the official account signer.
Ironically, federal prosecutors say they learned of the secret bank account from a man who was returning some funds invested in Qwest/Wealth Builders.
The man, Bob Warman, allegedly told an investigating IRS Agent that he considered Beaman an investor.
Prosecutors say that when Warman tried to return funds to Beaman, Beaman said "he was in trouble" and didn't want funds sent to his personal account.
Beaman allegedly told Warman to pay him through a Chrism Capital Corp. account in La Vegas, NV.
Prosecutors say the account contained at least $55,000 of investors' money which Beaman depleted with a debit card at establishments along I-5 between Vancouver and Seattle during and after his trial.
A motion from the U.S. Attorney's Office resulted in a warrant. On Feb. 9, federal agents re-arrested Beaman.
"There's no more egregious violation by a fraud defendant on bond than maintaining a secret bank account," said assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Coopersmith.
In a motion seeking Beaman's arrest, prosecutors said, "It is simply outrageous that Beaman could sit at trial watching investor after investor tell sad tales of being defrauded by him, listen as financial analysts explained Beaman's conversion of their funds and participation in a conspiracy that included the use of Nevada accounts in the names of shell companies, and then engage in the very same conduct during trial and after conviction."
U.S. District Court judge Marsha Pechman agreed. She ruled that Beaman had violated conditions of his release and put him in jail.
Defense attorney Bob Leen denied the allegations against his client. Leen argued that Beaman is a stable member of his community, married and employed and should be released.
Beaman's sentencing remains set for Fri., March 4.
NEW PATIENT TOWER SET FOR MEDICAL CENTER
Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter
A new patient tower is on track to be built near the emergency unit at Southwest Washington Medical Center, 400 NE Mother Joseph Place, Vancouver.
The new, eight-story structure will provide space for 154 private patient beds, 15 operating suites and a new heart and vascular center.
Five new cardiac catherization labs and two open heart surgery units will be featured in the cardiac care portion of the tower.
Some 612 parking spaces will also be added as well as a new central plant to accommodate mechanical and electrical needs.
A new access road off NE 87th Ave. is set to improve entry into the hospital campus and reduce traffic volume on Mill Plain Blvd.
Medical Center spokesman Ken Cole said an increasing and aging population is driving the need for more hospital space.
"We're close to capacity every day right now," Cole said. "We need to keep pace with the region as it grows."
The Medical Center is currently licensed for 442 beds, which will allow for the extra capacity added by the tower. About 270 beds are used daily now, Cole said.
Cole said the Medical Center will undertake a variety of expansion projects over the next few years including a new emergency department imaging suite.
One goal, Cole said, is to provide only single-patient rooms throughout the hospital. The Medical Center's current structure for patients will be refurbished once the new tower is completed.
Patient rooms in the tower include accommodations for family members as well as waiting areas with connection ports for personal computers. Patients on the top floors will be able to view Mt. Hood and the Columbia River.
A lobby on the first floor will feature informational kiosks, a flower shop, cafe, resource center, outpatient pharmacy and lab services.
Outside the new building will be walking paths and new landscaping, including a parklike ribbon of plants and shrubs intertwined throughout the lawn, Cole said. Some 260 new trees are scheduled to be planted as well as more than 3,000 new plants and shrubs.
An existing helicopter pad will be moved to just south of the Physician's Pavilion area.
The entire tower will be about 307,000 square feet. Colors representative of the northwest climate will be featured throughout the building.
A combination of 30-year bonds and Medical Center savings will fund the $146 million structure. The hospital is a non-profit organization.
Construction should begin this spring. About 62 beds will be operational by December 2006. Full operation is expected by 2009.
HI-CAP PROGRAM REACHES APEX OF STUDENTS
Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter
Seated around a table at Captain Strong Elementary School is a group of students the state government considers gifted.
These are not simply "smart" students. These are students who, by state definitions, "possess an unusual or exceptional capacity to excel in academic or creative fields."
For their latest project, the children created a bridge out of toothpicks--not an abnormal assignment for fourth graders by any means.
Yet these students also researched possible real-world locations the bridge could go, took measurements, built the model to scale, calculated lumber costs, and developed model cars and boats that navigate their way over and under the bridge according to specifications--all under a deadline.
"The point is not just to get more facts," said the students' teacher Kriste Alexander, "but to be creative with a project."
Welcome to Hi-Cap
By law, it's up to school districts to provide educational services beyond what is normally given for students such as the group at Captain Strong.
Battle Ground has answered this state mandate by setting up a program called Hi-Cap.
For 2004-2005, 186 students are enrolled in Hi-Cap. That is about 5 percent of all eligible students District-wide. Students in grades three to seven are eligible, and can take a series of examinations to qualify.
Hi-Cap students are "clustered" in groups in regular classrooms. They don't necessarily sit together, but they work on some projects jointly and work with a separate teachers aid outside the classroom several times weekly, Alexander said.Not every teacher has a Hi-Cap cluster in his or her classroom. Teachers with Hi-Cap clusters received additional training. There are currently 61 Hi-Cap teachers in the District out of 175 teachers for grades three to seven.
Director of instructional services Dr. Jill Smith said the clustering model is used because it creates a classroom peer group for a highly capable child while allowing balanced classrooms.
Clustering also allows for integrating the program within regular school culture, rather than isolating highly capable students elsewhere, Smith said.
Meet some Hi-Cap students
Recent Hi-Cap projects around the District include a group of students at Captain Strong who staff the school store, a group of third graders at Glenwood Heights Elementary School who designed a Power Point presentation on inner and outer plants, and a group of fourth graders at Maple Grove Primary who conducted a debate about land development versus environmental preservation. The debate included a study of ecosystems and Clark County land use laws.
Matthew John, 10, is a Hi-Cap student. He always found school easy, he said, even boring. But for the past two years since being in the program, he's found it a lot more challenging.
"I get to learn more," John said. "It's not more work either; school's just not boring anymore. Hi-Cap makes it fun."
Students such as John are exactly the type of youths Hi-Cap hopes to target, Smith said.
Hi-Cap students tend to be highly curious--they're able to master skills with one or two repetitions compared to other students who normally take six or eight, Smith said. They thrive on complexity and are keenly observant.
"These are truly bright students," Smith said. "They're the apex of the smart group."
Rena Levanen, 9, has been in Hi-Cap for one year. When other classmates were memorizing names of the seven continents, Levanen was researching Baffin Bay and regions of the Baltic Sea.
Levanen enjoys school so much she sometimes plays it at home with her siblings, she said.
"This is a key that tells us kids love what they're doing," Smith said. "We want kids to continue learning and continue their love of learning their whole lives."
"TROOPER GAR" GETS NOD FOR MEDIA RELATIONS
Heidi Wallenborn, news director
State patrol trooper Garvin March is no stranger to any media office in southwest Washington and Portland.
"Trooper Gar," as he is known by media, was recently selected as Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Year out of all patrol districts in the state.
March reports on District 5 which includes five counties.
The award took March by surprise, he said.
"I had no clue," he said. "I thought I was in Olympia giving our DUI teams report and awards."
March was also named Trooper of the Month in January last year.
News about trooper activity, arrests made, a weekly DUI list, and "heads-up" on a variety of activities come in regularly to television, print and radio offices.
To make stories interesting, March keeps an eye out for amusing incidents and often puts his own sense of humor and plays on words in press releases, said The Reflector news director Heidi Wallenborn.
But March's stories are not always humorous.
There have been several that are educational such as the severity of car accidents where safety precautions were not taken, DUI/drug arrests on impaired drivers, and when officers' safety was endangered by suspects struggling to reach firearms, getting into fist fights with officers and leading them on foot chases.
March met with media representatives two years ago at a variety of offices to find out how relations between media and the state patrol could be enhanced.
Evidently, March took the advice to heart and has formed a hands-down, tough-act-to-follow media outreach effort, said Wallenborn.
Reflector staff reporter Bill Myers agreed.
"I was delighted to hear that Garvin is being saluted for his work by the State Patrol," he said. "He is a dedicated law enforcement officer who cares about the citizens he serves. He is a tireless, reliable spokesman for his agency."
Patrol captain Jeff DeVere said March is instrumental in the success of the media relations program in District 5.
In the last year, the District received local and national attention and stories went worldwide on a news web site in Africa, DeVere said.
"Garvin's commitment to his PIO duties is evident in the outstanding relationship he has with the media in District 5," DeVere said. "Under Garvin's lead, media numbers in [the District] are always consistent."
In the last year alone, 3,969 stories made their way from March's desk. On television, there were 653 reports, in print media 1049, and 2,267 made it to radio--not including his traffic interviews in the morning on KOIN news channel 6.
"[Garvin] is seen by the media as a go-to person who will always go the extra mile to help with a story," DeVere said.
"March is never unavailable," Wallenborn agreed. "Day or night, on duty or off, I can page or call and within a reasonable amount of time, I have the information I need. When he's not going to be available, he makes sure I know who will be. I wish every agency were as pleasant and helpful to work with."
Captain Bob Johnson, State Patrol District commander for southwest Washington, said March is the "epitome of a Washington State Patrol trooper."
"His commitment to the community, public safety, and his efforts in developing and maintaining an outstanding and professional relationship with the media is unequaled," Johnson said. "He is richly deserving of this honor and recognition."
March was born and raised in Anchorage, AK. In 1972, he moved to the Vancouver area to attend Clark College with an eye toward law enforcement.
March settled down after meeting his wife, Sandy, whose father was a sergeant with the state patrol. He was hired in 1978, effectively throwing aside his idea about returning to Alaska as a trooper.
March has served in the Field Operations Bureau in charge of troopers who work traffic on highways. He has been a field training officer and a certified technical collision investigator, and has worked in problem-oriented public safety. He was 2002 Trooper of the Year.
Garvin's favorite activities are fishing and doing a full restoration on his 1969 Mach 1 Mustang. He and Sandy have been married 30 years and have one son, Jason, who is a grade school teacher in Clark County.
Of the award, March said, "It is only because of the participation and cooperation of all of you, our media partners, that I received this honor."
"I haven't had as much fun on any task or job than I have had doing this," March said. He plans to retire June 10, 2005. "To be recognized on top of being paid for this is something. I really enjoy myself. It's a great way to end my career."
RIDGEFIELD TO CHANGE UTILITY RATES FOR SOME SENIORS
Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter
Some Ridgefield senior citizens will get a break on their sewer and water bills.
The Ridgefield city council voted Feb. 10 to increase the annual household income level for seniors who qualify for water/sewer discounts from $10,000 to $20,000.
The change will become effective in April.
City staff reported to council members that only two people meet requirements under the $10,000 income rule.
People older than 60 who qualify will pay 75 percent of the regular rate for sewer and water service. For most, it will mean paying $55.82 for sewer instead of $74.42, and $27.43 for water rather than $36.58.
Ridgefield joins two other Clark County cities, Woodland and Washougal, in offering a discount to lower-income elderly. It is the only city to offer both water and sewer discounts.
OVERCROWDING EXAMINED IN BG SCHOOLS
Marcus Brotherton
staff reporter
One stated purpose of a March 8 bond proposal for the Battle Ground School District is to alleviate classroom crowding.
How crowded are Battle Ground schools, and what is it like being in an over-capacity school?
The Reflector took a look inside Lewisville Middle and Maple Grove Primary--two of the tightest schools in the District--to find out more.
** Eight lunches at Lewisville
Built in 1965, Lewisville educates 768 students in core facilities designed for 519.
Six portables were brought in over the past summer, bringing the total number of portables at the school to 17.
Principal Linda Allen said one big challenge overcrowding brings is scheduling.
Students eat lunch each day in eight, 15-minute shifts, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The last group has 1.5 hours between their time in the cafeteria and the end of the day.
Some portables have been around since the late 1960s and early 1970s and have been renovated. None of the portables at Lewisville have inside restrooms. Students use facilities inside the school or cafeteria.
The school has 40 regular classrooms including special education rooms. With 17 portables, about one-third of all students are in portables at any one time.
Not everyone thinks portables are all bad. Seventh grade teacher Mark Billiar has spent one-third of his 12-year teaching career inside portables.
Billiar said the up-side of portables is that teachers with loud voices such as himself don't disturb other classrooms. But over the years he's battled various issues such as cracked rain gutters that produce "funky smells" in spring. He's seen a few portables that have wall seams so big "the outdoors could be seen" from inside a classroom. His current portable has a sink, but it's not hooked up because water was getting underneath the floor.
Allen agreed that portables are a challenge, but not the biggest problem at the school.
The biggest challenge, she said, is infrastructure--the ability of the core facility to handle the load.
For example, band and choir share the same room, with scheduling always a problem, Allen said. The school's health room has three beds, which "can get very busy at times."
All students can't fit in the gym together for assemblies so the school holds split assemblies which can be tricky, Allen said, because there aren't two full periods between the last lunch time and the end of school.
Outside play area is another problem. The gym is scheduled throughout the day for classroom use, so students can't go there during breaks. Students are allowed in the library during breaks, but classes are held in there at the same time. Mostly, students spend time outside in an uncovered, asphalt play area. When it rains, students congregate under school eaves.
Allen doubted whether year-round school or double-shifting are long-term solutions to Battle Ground's overcrowding, such as have been proposed by a few area citizens.
"Having lived in this community my whole life, I think [both] would be a tough sell," Allen said. "Plus, you've still got issues of double-busing, double-staffing and more."
Allen congratulated her staff and students with making the best of current tight conditions.
"People are what make up a school," Allen said. "We do the best we can with what we've got."
** Maple Grove Primary is fourth largest elementary school in state
Built in 1981, Maple Grove Primary educates 908 students in core facilities designed for 510.
Principal Steve Lien said campus visitors may not notice overcrowding at first because students are "tucked away into classrooms."
"But you notice it during transitions," Lien said. "It's like a community college around here, except the kids all stand in line with their teachers."
One heavy time, Lien said, is at the end of each day when 13 buses pick up elementary students. Other buses come for middle school children on the neighboring campus, but at different times.
Gym time at the primary school is always at a premium, Lien said, because the gym is also used for a cafeteria.
Some students rarely see the gym. Some physical education classes are held outside when it's not raining. In bad weather, desks are pushed aside and PE is held in regular classrooms.
Most special education programs are held in work stations in hallways.
Six portables were added last summer to bring the total number to 20. Maple Grove has 20 regular classrooms, so a full 50 percent of students are in portables, Lien said.
Fourth grade teacher Kelly Truscinski is in a newer portable which she describes as "quite nice."
"The problem is going anywhere as a class," Truscinski said. "To get to art, music or PE, you have to go to the main building, which can take up to 15 minutes of a 40-minute period."
Truscinski has spent eight years at Maple Grove and considers the school "exceptional" due to its staff, parents and students, in spite of its space issues. Nevertheless, she'd like the school to become smaller.
"Bottom line," Truscinski said, "is I don't think a 900-student primary school is a healthy environment for a younger child."
Maple Grove has a larger cafeteria space than Lewisville. The cafeteria used to be the school's wood shop. Students can eat lunch in four, 30 minute shifts, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Kindergarten students don't go to lunch because they're all half-day.
Assemblies are held in the gym at Maple Grove Middle School--the grades 5-8 school on the same campus as the primary school, which is K-4. Lien said school staff try to create the best environment at school as possible by knowing faces and names, holding regular assemblies, and greeting students and parents when they come on campus.
OBITS:
ROBERT BAKERRobert Edwin Baker, 90, died Feb. 13, 2005 in Woodland.
Baker was born Aug. 2, 1914 in Clark County, grew up in Longview, and moved to the Yale Valley in the late 1940s.
Baker served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, stationed in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska with a SeaBees Division. He worked as a logger. He was a life-long Mason. He moved to the Woodland Convalescent Center in 1997.
Baker was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Clark Baker in 1995. He is survived by many friends.
No services are planned, with Davies Cremation & Burial Services in charge of arrangements.
SHARON JAGGERS
Sharon Mikina (Lehto) Jaggers, 64, died Feb. 10, 2005 at home in Centerville.
Jaggers was born Feb. 2, 1941 in Battle Ground, and lived in Clark County until age 15 when the family moved to Goldendale.
Jaggers worked for United Telephone Company for several years. She was also trained as a massage therapist.
Jaggers married Arlo Jaggers in 1986 in Centerville.
Jaggers was preceded in death by son Joe Jaggers, five brothers and three sisters. Survivors include husband Arlo Jaggers of Centerville, sons John Drago, Jim Drago and Roy Drago Jr., all of Oregon, daughter Jerianne Warren of Oregon, brothers Nib Lehto of Woodland, Layton Lehto of Camas and Nick Lehto of Vancouver, sisters Trude Gustafson and Laura Johnson, both of Battle Ground, Dorothy Kay of Oregon and Neva Shelton of Goldendale, 17 grandchildren, six step-children, 52 step-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
BOB HAMEL HOSPITALIZEDWell-known Battle Ground area auctioneer Bob Hamel, 71, is undergoing radiation treatment at Southwest Washington Medical Center, Vancouver.
Hamel said he may be in the hospital through March, with daily radiation to treat throat cancer. Once the radiation series is completed, Hamel may face surgery, he said.
Hamel has lived in the Battle Ground area for 30 years, and has conducted many charity auctions, generally without charge.
Before entering the hospital, Hamel lost his balance, fell and struck his right eye on a washing machine. Swelling has receded, he said.
Hamel said radiation has caused stomach upset and he has lost 30 pounds. He said he now weighs about 149 pounds on his 5-ft. 6-in. frame. He is fed with a stomach tube.
After insurance, Hamel faces expenses of about $2,000 a week. Friends have established an account at Washington Mutual Savings Bank in Battle Ground to help Hamel defray uninsured costs.
In addition, friends plan to organize an auction in the next month or two to raise money for Hamel.
Hamel invites visitors to stop by the hospital at NE 92nd Ave. and SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Friends may also send cards or letters to Hamel, in care of Southwest Washington Medical Center, Room 315, P.O. Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668.
LIBRARY BOARD ENDORSES NEW BG LIBRARY LOCATION
"Joy, joy joy" was the exclamation heard following approval last week of a new location for the Battle Ground Community Library.
The board of trustees of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library gave their unanimous blessing Feb. 14 to locate a new library in a planned mixed use development in the southeast corner of the city.