BG MAN PLAYS KEY ROLE IN RECORD FLIGHT

Steve Fossett's name will likely be added to the record books as the first-ever pilot to fly solo, non-stop, and non-refueling around the world. He accomplished that feat last week.

Playing a key role in that accomplishment was Richard Ionata of Battle Ground.

Ionata, who himself holds three records for flight speed, was the official representative of the National Aeronautic Association who sealed the plane and certified the flight.

Ionata arrived in Salina, KS on Feb. 26. His work included certifying that the experimental plane met the weight specifications for its class, verifying the data recorders, verifying the route, and placing sealing labels over the fuel tanks and the hatch door.

When the flight concluded, Ionata inspected the sealing labels and prepared all the data for submittal to records agencies.

Ionata served 8 1/5 years in the Air Force 1957-1965, flying military fighters and bombers. He then worked for over 30 years as a pilot with United Airlines, retiring in 1996.

In 1995, Ionata set speed records in a 767-300 plane for flights from Chicago to Paris, San Franciso to Paris, and Paris to San Francisco. He flew from Chicago to Paris in about six hours and 33 minutes.

When his speed records were certified, Ionata was asked to serve on the Contest & Records Board of the National Aeronautic Association, a 7-member group that verifies and certifies an array of records held by pilots.

Ionata said millionaire Fossett holds 62 flight records, with more records pending for last week's accomplishments--first-ever solo, non-stop flight around the world without refueling, speed, distance flown without landing, and distance over a closed circuit without landing.

Fossett set the records in his 67 hour, one minute, 10 second flight around the world, starting and stopping in Salina, KS. Planning for the flight began in 1999, said Ionata.

Ionata calibrated his timing watch with the atomic clock in Colorado less than three hours before take-off, as required by certification rules.

The experimental plane was manufactured by Scaled Composites of California, and was designed for light weight, fuel-efficient flight. Mylar and exotic plastics were used, said Ionata.

The plane weighed 3,320 pounds, said Ionata, less than many cars. It had a 115 foot wing span which is greater than a Boeing 747.

When the plane took off, it weighed 21,996, of which 18,195 pounds was fuel. Fossett flew the plane mostly at about 49,000 feet. The plane's single engine was made by Williams.

The plane took off with a thrust of about 400,000 pounds, compared to 80,000 pounds of thrust for an F-22 Stealth, and 60,000 pounds for an F-15 fighter jet.

"It was the last milestone in aviation history," said Ionata, referring to the non-stop, solo flight around the world.

Fossett, a reported adventurist, holds the record for flying a hot air balloon around the world. He also swam from San Franciso to Alcatraz and back, and competed in the Iditerod dog sled race in Alaska.

Fossett took some food with him on the flight, said Ionata, including chocolate milkshakes, water and a Gatoraide-type drink.

Ionata said some things went wrong during the flight.

Within the first four hours, Fossett, 60, lost about 2,600 pounds of fuel, possibly from air intake ducts, said Ionata. He landed with 1,515 pounds of fuel, having flown generally using 110 pounds of fuel per hour.

Some gauges on the plane did not work properly, said Ionata. And early in the flight, Fossett accidentally released a canister of oxygen, depriving him of an oxygen supply had he needed it. Fossett did not tell ground crews of that mishap until after landing.

The 215-pound Fossett also suffered some dehydration and headaches. Crews considered landing sites at various points along the way.

Ionata was the first person on the runway after Fossett landed. And he was one of eight people to have dinner with Fossett the evening of landing.

Ionata said he removed and kept several sealing labels that he had installed on the plane to certify the record-setting flight. "They've been around the world," said Ionata, who said he will give seals to his grandchildren.

The flight was funded by Virgin Atlantic Global Airlines.

The Clark County commissioners were quick to react last week to a proposal by state Rep. Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver) that would require additional review before service cuts are made by C-TRAN, the public transit agency in Clark County.

All three county commissioners are members of the C-TRAN board of directors.

In a letter to Rep. Ed Murray who chairs the transportation committee in the state House of Representatives, the commissioners said that Wallace's plan would "create additional costs for an agency already struggling with cuts."

Wallace's proposal, filed as an amendment to house bill on a state office of transit mobility, would require that proposed cuts of 20 percent or more in C-TRAN service be reviewed by an outside group. That outside group, said Wallace, would be made up of representatives from three other transit agencies of similar size, a member of the state Transportation Mobility Board, and two members of the public, one of whom is a finance professional, and others.

C-TRAN officials would be required to consider the findings by the outside group and to hold a public meeting on them. Officials would not be required to accept such findings or recommendations.

Wallace said C-TRAN has $59 million in reserves and should use those reserves before making deep cuts in service.

C-TRAN officials say they need to reserves for various construction projects.

The letters from the commissioners was vigorous in opposition. "We oppose the amendment because it would force an unhealthy delay in decision making, (and) erode the local authority of transit governing bodies."

"We understand fully the personal frustration she (Wallace) has experienced because we have not followed her preferences," added the commissioners in the letter.

C-TRAN cut service to Ridgefield and Yacolt, and has proposed service boundary changes that would eliminate service between cities.

In addition, C-TRAN officials have proposed to cut about half of the agency's routes in September 2005 in an effort to balance its budget.

A recent fare increase is expected to raise agency revenue even as it drives some riders away.

Voters turned down a proposal last year that would have doubled C-TRAN sales tax revenues.

Officials have suggested that another attempt will be made to gain voter approval of a tax increase, but no election date or amount has been set.

State Sen. Don Benton (R-Vancouver) deferred judgment on the matters.

"I'd hate to second guess the C-TRAN board," said Benton. "They are closer to the situation."

"It does seem that drastic cuts with millions in the bank is not the prudent way to go," added Benton. "I'd like to see where possible that services pay more for themselves."

State Rep. Jim Dunn (R-Vancouver) said attention should be given to C-TRAN's reserve fund. "We should look very closely at what could be done with the reserves," said Dunn," and other steps to cut expenses rather than cut routes."

Dunn said more use should be made of dial-a-ride services rather than fixed routes. He also suggested the use of smaller vehicles on lesser-used routes.

Deb Wallace can be reached at (360) 786-7976.

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

About two years ago, The Reflector ran a story about Battle Ground man Dennis Eaton who built an aluminum fishing boat. (Eaton is also featured in this issue for building a solar heating system for his swimming pool.)

Reading Eaton's story inspired Vancouver resident William Meek to build a boat of his own, at his brother Ben Meek's shop in Venersborg.

Meek, a general contractor who owns and runs Rightway Construction, had been thinking about building a boat for some time, he said. He phoned Eaton and got some pointers, then when to work.

Meek worked weekends on the boat, starting the project in December 2003 and finishing six months later, in time for summer and fall fun out on the water with his wife, Nenen, daughter Rosemary, almost 3, and son Brian, 6 months.

Meek built a home once, in Amboy, and makes cabinets and other items as part of his job. But building a boat was a completely new experience for Meek.

Meek knew how to weld, but had little experience welding aluminum. He used his own drawings and began by making several smaller models of boats and hulls, aiming for the best design.

"It came pretty natural," Meek said. "It was like building a house--one step at a time."

Soon into the project, Meek realized he needed to purchase a larger welder. His old one was a 110-volt Lincoln, but could not push the project fast enough. He purchased a 210 volt Millermatic with a spool gun, enabling him to be 30 feet from the welder and still operate the machine.

Meek built the boat trailer first--a double-axle hauler capable of carrying the craft.

Meek consulted Eaton several times into the boat-building portion of project. Eaton bent the boat's hull at his shop. Ben Meek helped bow the sides using a front loading tractor. The rest of the work Meek did himself.

Meek used all marine-grade aluminum for the boat--3/16 inch on bottom and 1/8 inch for sides. He filled the bottom layer with foam for added flotation. Altogether, he used five, 6-by-20 foot sheets to build the 21-foot boat. He spent about $5,000 for aluminum.

The prow features a self-bailing tub that allows waves to splash over the front. Gear can be stowed underneath and accessed via the cabin. Extra storage is also available underneath seats, which Meek also built.

The fully-enclosed cabin features sliding windows all around, a heater, a porta-potty with shower curtain for privacy, a driver's seat and a passenger seat that turns into a bed so overnight excursions are possible.

The cabin's roof is high enough so that a 6'3" friend of Meek's can stand unimpeded. Walls are covered with Zolatone, a textured spray coating that gives a non-slip surface.

The inside also features a driving console, radio and GPS device to track position and coordinates. Meek has gone out on the water about 10 miles, he said, but wants to go out 30-40 miles to fish for halibut.

Meek has also gone crabbing using a trap he pulls up with a pulley and mini-boom attached to the boat's side. Meek has used the boat about 15 times since finishing the project.

Meek said one goal was to build the boat to be as safe as possible. He double-welded everything for added durability. Aluminum piping is welded over all seams in the cabin so sides can be safely grabbed if needed. Meek made all hinges himself and enabled the cabin door to be held open or shut with magnets.

The boat features dual batteries and a sump-pump. A 73-gallon gas tank is in the floor and feeds both engines. He's had the boat to 41 mph before, but estimates it'll go 50.

"It's a solid boat," Meek said. "I figure if I can build one, anybody could."

The boat is powered with a 225 horsepower Honda outboard with a 15 horsepower Honda fishing motor. Meek used outboard engines, rather than inboard, to add a greater standing surface in the boat. The motors and drive lines were the most expensive part of the boat--about $23,000 total.

Similar, new boats cost around $50,000, he said.

Meek has no plans to build another boat soon, nor does he plan to sell his. But he welcomes boat-building discussion. Contact him at 944-8339 or on his cell, (503) 260-5220.

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Hockinson School Board members will soon begin a national search for a superintendent, and hope to have one in place by the first week of May, said Board chair Sheila Homchick.

The decision was made during a four-hour closed door session Feb. 28 with search consultant Gay Selby. Selby is a Washington State University-Vancouver administrator and has advised several area school districts on policy matters.

Homchick said the Board wanted to get the maintenance and operations levy out of the way before deciding how to proceed with the superintendent search.

Other options discussed were whether to hire someone from within the District, or to extend interim superintendent Dick Minarik's contract for one or two years, Homchick said.

Hockinson has been without a permanent superintendent for about one year since previous superintendent Barry Gourley resigned to follow his wife to Nebraska where she took a job as a school district superintendent.

Minarik was hired on a one-year contract for 2004-2005.

Homchick said over the next two weeks, board members will fine-tune candidate criteria, procedures for gathering public input, and salary package.

Input from community members, District staff and administration will be sought, likely through evening forums and surveys, she said.

"[The candidate] will need to be a good fit with the community," Homchick said, "and able to look at long range planning as well as run the daily operations of a small district."

Hockinson has about 1,900 students in four schools.

The position will be posted on the District website soon with candidates in place by about April 22, Homchick said.

Bill Myers, staff reporter

After sending care packages last year to U.S. troops in Afghanistan, members of Boy Scout Troop 475 didn't expect anything in return.

They got something anyway.

On March 1, scout master John Polos and his scouts received an American flag that had snapped in the breeze over a remote Army outpost in Afghanistan.

The flag came with words of thanks from the sister of U.S. Army colonel David Enyeart, who commands the 76th Separate Infantry Brigade.

Enyeart's sister, area resident Linda Lesbo, delivered the flag with a message of appreciation from members of Enyeart's unit.

Packages sent by scouts last year contained magazines, newspapers, CDs, beef jerky, tea, frisbees and personal care items

OFFICIALS TO STUDY IMPACTS OF EAST COAST CASINOS

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Representatives of area cities and school districts will travel during the week of March 14 to tour two casinos and neighboring communities in Connecticut.

Officials from La Center, Ridgefield and Vancouver intend to study impacts of two tribal casinos on neighboring communities.

All will visit the Mohegan Sun and Fox Woods casinos and neighboring communities.

Mohegan tribal leaders, who plan to help the Cowlitz Indian tribe build a casino near La Center, say the Fox Woods and Mohegan Sun facilities are the largest tribal casinos in the world.

Travelers from the City of Ridgefield will include city manager George Fox, mayor Gladys Doriot, city council member Gary Holmberg, chief of police Bruce Hall and public works director Kevin Snyder.

A City of La Center contingent will include mayor James Irish and council members Dale Smith and Linda Tracy.

Fox said city groups will leave together Mon., March 14. They will visit each casino and four neighboring towns to speak with the community, including police officers, business owners and citizens, about casino impacts. The group will return Fri., March 18.

Ridgefield Port director Brent Grening and commissioner Joe Melroy will take the five-day trip to evaluate casino impacts on area business and industrial development.

Ridgefield school superintendent Mary Vagner and school board member Chris Swindell will visit casinos and school districts with La Center school superintendent Chuck Anderson. They will leave Tues., March 15, and return on Friday.

Vagner said objectives include learning how casinos impact area schools, health and human services, youth crime rates and adult education needs.

Steve Burdick, with the city of Vancouver, will travel to study economic impacts.

Ridgefield financial officer Kay Kammer said shopping for air fares, hotel rates and car rentals should keep the total cost of the trip for City of Ridgefield travelers under $5,000.

Vagner said bargain air and hotel rates will also help school officials with costs.

Earlier trips by fire, Clark College officials

Trips to casinos and adjacent towns in Connecticut were made earlier this year by two Clark County Fire District 12 representatives and two Clark College officials.

During a two-day trip in January, Fire District 12 chief Larry Bartel and District captain Eamonn Ryan visited fire stations at both casinos.

Bartel said he didn't gamble, but observed casino operations and fire/emergency medical services.

The greatest service demand from casinos is for emergency medical responses, said Bartel. About 5,000 calls per year, most of them for medical help, come from the Mohegan Sun Casino, said Bartel.

Bartel said current Cowlitz tribal casino construction goals, if met, would create about 1,000 emergency calls yearly.

Cowlitz officials have not decided if they will use District resources or build their own fire station, said Bartel.

Bartel said the trip, which cost about $700 per person, was "a good investment." The trip provided information that will be needed if the tribe builds a casino and decides to use District services, he said.

Clark College officials traveled to Connecticut to evaluate college courses that can provide training for casino workers.

Cowlitz tribal officials have asked the college to provide such services if their casino is built.

PAST IS GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN IN RIDGEFIELD

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

John Burrow remembers when a milk boat went up and down Lake River.

Born on Bachelor Island in 1915, he also remembers crossing the river by boat to get to Ridgefield.

"I wasn't the only one born on Bachelor Island and I wasn't the last one," he said recently during a gathering of Ridgefield old timers. "Now it's a game preserve."

Houses are gone from Bachelor Island and Ridgefield has changed greatly since the early 20th century, but several people who remember those days are trying to keep memories alive.

The Old Timers Panel during the Heritage Days celebration is one way to preserve history. The panel will convene at the Ridgefield Community Center, Sat., March 19, 1:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend and participate, said Ridgefield librarian Ann Margaret O'Reilly who is organizing Heritage Days.

"We usually have a lot of audience participation," said Ridgefield city council member Gary Holmberg. "They add their stories."

Seven history lovers gathered recently at the community center to begin talking about the old days.

"This is the warm-up for the panel," said Holmberg, whose memories don't go back quite as far as those of Burrow, Joe Gretsch, Bill Bartel and Nettie Unemach Ross.

Holmberg does remember when the town fire siren sounded at 9 p.m. each night to warn the kids to go home.

"That was our curfew," he said.

Heritage Days was begun by the late Dave Dynes, whose sister Charlotte Dynes Clevidence is involved with the old timers group.

Dynes began with an idea for a historical museum, but realized staffing and operational costs made a museum almost impossible, Clevidence said.

"So he decided on a yearly celebration to bring in the memories," she said. "This is the fourth year."

Bartel recalled that during an early panel discussion, "we were talking about a bank robbery and the bank robber was in the audience."

Then there was a marshal who "thought his job was going away," Bartel said. "During a bank robbery, he shot out the window of the bank and kept his job."

One story led to another, as the group recalled days before subdivisions and interstate highways; the days when Ridgefield had two grocery stores, a cheese factory, two mills, a mercantile and a blacksmith.

"You couldn't get a fancy suit of clothes here, but you could get good work clothes," Burrow said.

Burrow was a mill foreman.

"The pay was 30 cents an hour when I started in 1933 as a mill hand," he said.

Farming, too, has changed since the time when the area was almost exclusively farmland.

"I've been a farmer all my life," Bartel said.

Once he had a Holstein dairy farm on his 110 acres, but after selling 50 acres to the school district, he's left with 61 acres to grow hay, oats and seed.

Bartel, Burrow and Joe Gretsch were all involved with the volunteer fire department in one way or another. Bartel was active for several years.

"When my son became chief, the first thing he did was fire me," Bartel laughed.

Gretsch was a founder of Fire District 12. Before then, the Ridgefield Fire Department answered calls only within the city.

"We wanted to send fire trucks to the county," Gretsch said.

Bartel recalled that in the early days the fire department had only one old truck "that ran when it wanted to."

After a major fire in the Sarah community, people began to raise money for the fire department.

"The milk carrier went to all the farms asked each farmer to give $25," Bartel said. "The word spread like wildfire."

Nettie Ross, 90, grew up in the Enterprise area between Ridgefield and La Center.

"My grandfather's place is where the casino is going to be," she said.

"There was a ferry from Enterprise to Woodland," Ross said. "We used to go by ferry to Woodland. This was in the horse-and-buggy days."

Several people traveled by boat to Portland.

"I went to Portland on a sternwheeler," Burrow said.

Ross and other Enterprise children attended a one-room school until they reached high school age. At that time they either quit to go to work or found a way to attend a Vancouver school.

Ross stayed in Vancouver a year to attend junior high school.

The old-timers have different views about changes that have come to Ridgefield over the past few years.

"We all regret it," Bartel said, "but change has to come."

"It's good," Gretsch said. "I'm not going to sit and bang my head against a tree. I'm looking to the future."

As they look to the future, O'Reilly and Holmberg said they would like to maintain the historic village atmosphere of the older part of town.

Holmberg sees a future Welcome Center as a focal point of the old town with its shops and restaurants.

"We'd like to keep Heritage Days living and pass the memories on," he said.

O'Reilly, whom Bartel calls "the spark plug" of Heritage Days, is optimistic that the village spirit will prevail.

"People say they move here because it's charming, that everybody works together," she said. "We need to get more people involved."

The library sponsors a Heritage Working Group at 9:30 a.m. each Tuesday. The purpose of the group is to gather Ridgefield history.

"It's a drop-in group," she said. "People can come, ask questions and talk about history."

Ridgefield Heritage Days schedule

** Friday, March 18:

6-7 p.m., "Fiddle Tunes of the Lewis and Clark Era," Vivian and Phil Williams, Old Liberty Theater.

** Saturday, March 19:

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Ridgefield History Celebration displays, Community Center.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: weaving for all ages, Ridgefield Library.

10 a.m.-1 p.m.: open House, Patricia's Dance Studio.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: A Pickled Heron Gallery, commemorative prints of the Ridgefield Railroad Station. Other prints and art.

11 a.m.-2 p.m.: pony rides, N Main Ave. and Mill St.

11-11:30 a.m.: presentation on growth and development in Ridgefield, city hall. City Hall will be open 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with displays.

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: off Broadway Dance Academy open house.

1:30 p.m.: Old Timers Panel, Ridgefield Community Center.

WOODLAND FIRE SAVES APARTMENT BUILDING

Crews from the Woodland Fire Department prevented significant damage to the Tulip Valley Apartments March 1, with quick response and action.

Crews were dispatched about 6:40 a.m. to the apartments at 1385 Woodside St., Woodland, and arrived five minutes later to find a 1989 Lincoln Continental fulling in flames in a carport.

The Continental was parked under the southwest corner of the apartment building and was running but unattended.

The apartments sit on top of the carport, according to Woodland fire chief Tony Brentin.

The apartment above the burning car suffered some smoke and fire damage, but the family living there was not home. There were no injuries and the fire was controlled in 10 minutes.

Brentin said drywall installed on the ceiling of the carport, plus the quick attack by the first responding crew, resulted in minimal damage to the apartments.

AMBOY MAN KILLED IN TRACTOR ACCIDENT

Glenn Mann, 74, died March 1 after he was pinned under a garden tractor that had rolled over on a slope.

The accident happened about 5:15 p.m. at 40101 NE 86th Ave., Amboy.

Crews from Clark County Fire District 10 used pneumatic lifting bags to raise the tractor to remove Mann, then attempted to revive him. Paramedics from North Country Ambulance joined in the effort.

Sgt. Tony Barnes of the Clark County sheriff's office said Mann was operating the tractor on a steep slope and the tractor rolled over. Barnes theorized that Mann was unable to get free and was pinned under the tractor.

Officials ruled the death was an accident.

It seemed simple: new Clark County commissioners would be only too happy to reconsider the county's growth plan update and not defend against various challenges filed after the plan update was completed last fall.

The plan update was appealed by 14 entities, asking the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board that the plan be sent back to the county for reconsideration.

The commissioners agreed to reconsider the plan update in a settlement signed by most--but not all--of those who filed appeals. Under that approach, the appeals would be dropped.

But Vancouver attorney John Karpinski also appealed the county growth plan update on behalf of Clark County Natural Resources Council.

Not only did Karpinski not agree to drop his appeal if the plan were returned to the county, he filed a motion to defend the plan against the appeals of others.

The Hearings Board sided with Karpinski and denied the motion to dismiss all appeals.

The Board ruled that a case can be dismissed only when all parties agree. "It is not proper for the Board to dismiss the (Karpinski) petition without either a stipulation on the part of (Karpinski) to dismiss it or a final decision on the merits of the issues raised."

"They cannot make me fall on my own sword," said Karpinski in explaining the Board's ruling.

A hearing on the 14 appeals has been set for June 1-3 in Vancouver.

Karpinski said he expects the county not to defend against any of the appeals. He, then, will defend the county plan against appeals by development interests in an effort to keep the plan the way it is.

Thus, said Karpinski, the appeals will be decided on their own merits, meaning whether any laws were broken in the plan update process.

Karpinski said he does not believe laws were broken in the plan update process, except as regards his own appeal.

County attorney Rich Lowry said the county may reconsider the plan anyway.

Lowry said the county commissioners have begun the process to rescind their own rule limiting plan updates to once every five years.

State law allows annual plan updates, said Lowry. Karpinski takes credit for passage of the 5-year update rule in Clark County.

Karpinski said he would repeal any effort by the county to rescind the 5-year rule.

Lowry said the county could proceed with the plan update process even if such an appeal were underway, or even in the face of an adverse ruling on the repeal of the 5-year rule.

Lowry said that the county "may or may not" defend against the appeals. He said a hearing on the matter could be delayed or canceled altogether if the county acts to reopen the plan unilaterally.

Lowry said the Board's decision in this case is inconsistent with its past decisions.

"It's just a mess," said Lowry of the pending appeals hearing. "Right now I'd be defending against claims my client (Clark County) agrees with."

Lowry said an appeal by the Building Industry Association is sufficiently broad that, if sustained, county officials could look at most aspects of the plan, not just the matter appealed.

Karpinski's appeal of the county's plan is based in part on rapid growth in the Battle Ground area and the lack of a financing plan to allow schools to keep up with growth.

If the Battle Ground School District construction bond passes March 8, Karpinski said he will argue that such information is inadmissable in the appeal hearing.

Hearings on appeals must be based on information previously presented, he said, not new information.

VANCOUVER FIRE BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW STATION

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Elected officials, Vancouver Fire Department officials and others gathered in a field last week to break ground for a new fire station at 12600 NE 72nd Ave., Vancouver.

Work on the new station began on Feb. 28. Heavy equipment lined up beside a row of shovels for the groundbreaking ceremony.

Vancouver Fire Department chief Don Bivins told the crowd that the station represents a partnership between the Fire District 5 and the City of Vancouver. The District will contribute $700,000 toward the $2.5 million building, with the city picking up the remainder.

Fire District 5 contracts with Vancouver Fire for fire protection services. The District remains in existing as a taxing entity only.

Officials hope to move into the 9,200 square-foot station in January 2006. It will serve parts of Brush Prairie, Prairie Highlands, Barberton, Pleasant Highlands, Sherwood and Sunnyside neighborhoods.

The new station marks something of a departure from usual staffing arrangements, Bivins said, with a greater reliance on volunteers.

Operating 24 hours daily, the station will have one full-time captain and two volunteers on each shift.

"We will hire career captains to supervise volunteers," he said. "We're encouraging people to apply to become volunteers."

Two bays will house an engine and a water tender. The station will reduce the response time for the suburban areas, Bivins said. The nearest station is now located at NE 63rd St. and Andresen Rd., about three miles away.

"This station will provide a much needed service," Bivins said.

Property acquired from Visser

The field where the station will stand was once part of a farm owned by the Curtin family. Jim Curtin said that his grandparents homesteaded the land in 1886.

"They had hard times in those years," he said. "They didn't know there would be a fire station here."

The city of Vancouver purchased 38.5 acres at the site from Sam and Helen Visser about seven years ago.

About 33 acres of the site is earmarked for a park.

Visser began operating a dairy on the property in 1968 and over the years milked as many as 200 cows.

The Vissers purchased the property and barn from Milton Poe, and constructed additional barns. They sold their dairy herd in 1996, but continued to raise beef cattle and horses. The original barn was dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere several years ago. The Vissers raised their three children on the farm.

Visser sold 20 acres as another homesite, and built a new home on the property.

Terry Snyder of Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation said development of a park at the site is 3-4 years away.

The park will include sports fields, picnic shelters, play equipment, trails and restrooms, said Snyder.

Work has already begun on restoration of Curtin Creek, said Snyder.

The park may be called Curtin Creek Park.

OBITS

ALFRED GALLOWAY

Alfred Arnold Galloway, 68, Vancouver, died March 4, 2005, in Vancouver.

Galloway was born March 22, 1936 in North Carolina. He was a Clark County resident for 30 years, the last three months in Vancouver.

From 1974 until 1988, Galloway worked as a Battle Ground police officer. In 1976-1981, he served as chief of police.

Galloway enjoyed watching Perry Mason, police shows, old westerns and The Price is Right on television. He also liked fishing, working with computers, traveling and playing slot machines. He was a member of the Chiefs of Police Association.

Galloway was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon Galloway in 1995, step-son Donald Hunsinger Jr. in 2003, and son Alfred Edward Galloway in 2004.

Galloway is survived by his wife, Harriet Galloway, at home, daughters Shirley Williams of Yacolt and Michele Uphoff of Portland, brother Wade Galloway of Tennessee, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The casket will be open Tues.-Wed., March 8-9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home in Battle Ground. Funeral services will be held Thurs., March 10, 11 a.m., at Cherry Grove Friends Church, Battle Ground, with burial following in Elim Cemetery, Brush Prairie.

Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, is in charge of arrangements.

GLENN MANN

Glenn A. Mann, 75, of Amboy, died March 1, 2005 in Amboy.

Mann was born March 17, 1929 in Gardena, CA. He was an Amboy resident the last 13 years of his life.

Mann worked as a quality control inspector in electronics for the U.S. government. He was also a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Korean Conflict.

Mann enjoyed staying busy. At one time he was a square dance caller and instructor. He attended and helped at SNAP luncheons. Working on his tractor were enjoyable moments, as was operating a computer and HAM radio with his family.

Mann is survived by his wife of 54 years, Janet Mann, at home, sons Kenneth Mann of Olympia an Ronald Mann of Washougal, two grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.

Memorial services will be held Wed., March 9, 11 a.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel in Battle Ground, with Layne's in charge of arrangements.

GRACELDA ROEST

Gracelda "Cel" Jean (Baas) Roest, 66, of Battle Ground, died March 1, 2005 in Battle Ground.

Roeste was born Nov. 27, 1938 in Pease, MN. She was a Battle Ground resident the last 32 years of her life.

Roest was a member of Columbia Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, was actively involved there and enjoyed Bible studies. She liked gardening, bicycling and being with people. Family was important to her, and she especially enjoyed her nieces and nephews.

Roest is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jacob Roest, at home, daughter Kristy Bogard of Missouri, son Jason Roest of Vancouver, sister Sue Terborg of Minnesota, brothers Jerome Baas, Duane Baas and Calvin Baas, all of Minnesota, and grandson Brandon Bogard of Missouri.

Memorial services were held at Columbia Presbyterian Church with committal in Memorial Park Cemetery, Vancouver, with Layne's Funeral Home of Battle Ground in charge of arrangements.

Donations may be made to Hospice Southwest, P.O. Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668 or Pregnancy Resource Center, 2128 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661.

NOREEN GIERLOFF

Noreen Linda Gierloff, 54, of Vancouver, died March 2, 2005 in Vancouver.

Gierloff was born July 2, 1950 in Vancouver. She was a Clark County resident her entire life, the last 25 in Vancouver.

Gierloff graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1969. A disabled person, she enjoyed gardening, making Christmas wreaths, shopping, walking her dogs, riding horses and driving a horse carriage.

Gierloff is survived by her brothers, Richard Gierloff of Yacolt and Raymond Gierloff of Oregon.

Memorial services were held at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel of Battle Ground, with committal in Northwood Park Cemetery, Ridgefield.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

BETTY BYERS

Betty Irene (Paxton) Byers, 78, of Vancouver, died Feb. 26, 2005 in Vancouver.

Byers was born July 14, 1926 in Carlisle, PA. She was a Clark County resident 50 years. She lived in Ridgefield 43 years and the last 14 months in Vancouver.

At age 18, Byers became a certified welder for Kaiser Company in Vancouver. After marriage, she was a homemaker. She liked jigsaw puzzles, growing roses and collecting Betty Boop memorabilia. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and was "mom" to children for miles around.

Byers was preceded in death by her husband, John T. Byers Sr., a son, John T. Byers, Jr., both in 2003, and two sisters.

Byers is survived by daughters Myrta Phillips of Oregon, Patricia Byers of Vancouver, son Raymond Gitt of Oregon, sisters Shirley Berry of Battle Ground, Ruth Ehrstrom and Agnes Zeisger both of Vancouver, and Joyce Mikek of Portland, brother Herman Paxton of Vancouver, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Private family services will be held. Layne's Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Remembrance donations may be made to Ray Hickey Hospice House, 2122 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661.

RODGER WEBB

Rodger Lee Webb, 72, of Woodland, died March 4, 2005 in Longview.

Webb was born Jan. 18, 1933 in Apperson, Oklahoma. He has lived in Woodland for the past 40 years.

Webb graduated from Ukiah High School in California. He last worked as a plywood mill supervisor.

Webb was interested in CB radios, garage sales, electronics, woodworking and camping.

Webb was preceded in death by a son, Mike Hart.

Webb is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carmen Webb, at home in Woodland, twin brother Robert Webb of Arizona, sons Don Webb of Seattle, Mike Taylor of Oregon and Rodger Webb of Kelso, daughters Tanya Webb of Seattle, Patty Hescock of Oregon and Denise O'Harra of Kelso, 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two nieces, two nephews, and his dog, Meesha.

No servcies were held. Woodland Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Flora Ellen (Jackson) Mollett, 91, died March 5, 2005 in Battle Ground.

Mollett was born Sept. 21, 1913 in Okemah, OK, worked as a cosmetologist, and last lived at Parkway North Care Center, Battle Ground.

Mollett enjoyed quilting, sewing, and jigsaw puzzles. She retired from teaching cosmetology in 1990 and moved from Pinon Hills, CA in 1995.

Mollett was preceded in death by daughter Marion Nunn in 1992 and grandson Tommy Redlark in 1977. Survivors include son Wayman Leon Mollett of Brush Prairie, daughter-in-law Kathy Mollett, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Mon., March 14, 12:30 p.m., at Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, with Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.

Merril Robert Morris, 87, died March 1, 2005 in Woodland.

Morris was born Jan. 29, 1918 in Wheaton, MN, worked as a custodian and bus driver for the Ridgefield School District, and lived in Clark County for 70 years.

Morris was a member of the Ridgefield United Methodist Church. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, duck hunting and going to the beach. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Morris was preceded in death by grandson, RyLee Morris. Survivors include widow Aurora Morris, at home, daughters Lori West of Battle Ground, Donna Hale of Portland, and Mary Morris of Vancouver, son Robert Morris of Nooksack, brothers James Morris and Hurley Morris, both of Minnesota, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sat., March 12, 2 p.m., at Ridgefield Community United Methodist Church, 1410 S Hillhurst Road, Ridgefield, with burial at Ridgefield Cemetery. Casket will be open Fri., March 11, 6-8 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

JOJEAN WILLS

Jojean "Jody" Marlien (Olstead) Wills, 46, died March 1, 2005 in Centralia.

Wills was born Feb. 7, 1959 in Vancouver, grew up in the Amboy area, and lived in Centralia for 21 years.

Wills graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1977. She enjoyed working in the yard and being outdoors. She loved hunting deer, fishing, boating and jet skiing. She also enjoyed going to the beach, clam digging, and spending time at the ocean. She liked craftwork, ceramics, and making blankets. She loved dogs. She was a caregiver and enjoyed helping people.

Survivors include widower Frank Wills, at home in Centralia, sister Janet High of Yacolt, and brother Dean Olstead of Battle Ground.

Committal was at Chelatchie Cemetery, Chelatchie, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

CINDY FLEMING

Cindy Rae (Squires) Fleming, 52, died Feb. 27, 2005 in Battle Ground.

Fleming was born Aug. 25, 1952 in Vancouver and lived her entire life in Clark County. For the past 14 years, she lived in La Center.

Fleming worked 22 years as a checker at Safeway stores until she became ill in 2000.

Fleming enjoyed playing bingo and taking trips to Reno.

Survivors include her husband, Ron Fleming, of La Center, daughter Kimberly Matney of Vancouver, granddaughter Cynthia Matney of La Center, mother Adele Milbrandt of Longview, father Darrell Squires of Battle Ground, brothers Casey Squires of Battle Ground and Ron Squires of Yacolt, step-sister Vickie

Gaines and step-brother Kevin Pierce of Vancouver.

Davies Cremation and Burial Services was in charge of arrangements. No funeral services were held.

Barbara Pearl (Goheen) Deming, 75, died March 1, 2005 in Vancouver.

Deming was born Dec. 19, 1029 in La Center, and attended Battle Ground schools. She enjoyed gardening, the outdoors and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Deming was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, James L. Deming, in 1988. Survivors include daughter Deborah Stamp of Vancouver, sons Drew Deming and Roger Deming, both of vancouver, and J. Randy Deming of Blaine, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Vancouver Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, was in charge of arrangements.