HAMEL IS BENEFICIARY OF CHARITY AUCTION
Battle Ground auctioneer Bob Hamel, who has donated his services to conduct numerous charity auctions, was himself the beneficiary of a fundraising auction held March 11 at the Cedars Golf Club in Brush Prairie.
Auction organizer Lori Lindberg said the event raised about $18,000. The donation of $5,000 from friend Robert Friedman of California, and $2,000 from the recent Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce auction, pushed the total to about $25,000.
Donations are still invited to an account at Washington Mutual Bank in Battle Ground.
Hamel, 71, is undergoing treatments for throat cancer. Once the radiation series is completed, Hamel may face surgery.
During his 30 years in Battle Ground, Hamel has conducted many charity auctions.
Friends report that Hamel has lost 30 pounds and now weighs about 149 pounds.
Lindberg said Hamel's expenses will exceed $100,000, with about 80 percent covered by insurance.
Individuals and businesses donated items for the auction which culminated with a Kubota hydrostat lawn tractor donated by Dan's Tractor. The tractor sold for $2,200 to Clark County commissioner Marc Boldt.
Richard Bartel, owner of Regal Rest furniture store in Battle Ground, donated two sofas, two loveseats, and a mattress set, and assisted with preparations for the auction.
Tim Hicks served as auctioneer.
Attending the event were two of Hamel's six children, son Mike Hamel of Battle Ground and daughter Tammie Shull of Stevenson, Hamel's sister, June Mund of Battle Ground, Hamel's former wife Karen Hamel, and Hamel's friend Kim Moline.
Assisting in the auction were volunteers from the ROCKSOLID Teen Center in Brush Prairie where Lindberg is a volunteer.
Hamel is presently living at the Fort Vancouver Convalescent Center, Room 46, 8507 NE 8th Way, Vancouver, WA 98664.
TAPANI MOURNS ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF EMPLOYEE
Heidi Wallenborn, news director
A nine-year employee of Tapani Underground died March 10, in Molalla, OR.
Gen Stewart, 55, Battle Ground, was working at a Tapani job site based in Oregon City, OR.
Stewart's job was to drive a truck to a Molalla dump site loaded with chunks of asphalt, concrete and other road debris, then bring back crushed rock to be used in the new road, said Tapani officials.
On March 10, a large rock pulled out an air hose between the truck and trailer as the cargo was dumped, Tapani officials said. A safety mechanism immediately locked the brakes.
While investigating the problem, the truck rolled backward, killing Stewart instantly, Tapani officials said.
Stewart leaves behind a widow, four daughters and grandchildren.
"Tapani is using every available resource to help the family and our fellow employees deal with this tragedy," said Steve Wilson, Tapani spokesperson.
DEVELOPER SPARS WITH NEW CITY MANAGER OVER ROADS
Heidi Wallenborn, news director
Taverner Ridge Developer Paul DeBoni says he will never work in Ridgefield again when his current project is finished.
George Fox, newly-hired as Ridgefield's full-time city manager, said he's doing all he can to work with DeBoni. Fox had been interim city manager since March 2004.
A stop-work order was issued Feb. 9 by Ridgefield public works director Justin Clary on DeBoni's Taverner Ridge housing project.
The city's allegation is that DeBoni is not sticking to his city-approved engineering plan to repair city roads after installing a 6-inch sewer line from Hillhurst Rd. to the wastewater treatment plant on Division St.
DeBoni said the city reneged on its promise in that plan to pay for part of the road--so he doesn't need to uphold the road deal which would require re-paving one-half of the road. He is putting in a "super patch" instead.
The two parties are working toward a compromise.
LeAnne Bremer, DeBoni's attorney, filed an appeal on the stop work order that will come before a hearings examiner if the two can't come to an agreement about fixing the roads.
It gets tricky
In late August last year, city officials and DeBoni agreed on an engineering plan that would benefit both sides.
While the trench was open to install the sewer line, Ridgefield public works staff would lay a slightly larger, pipe to be used at a later date. "We'd just cap it at both ends for future use," Fox said. "We don't want to overload the 45-year-old pipe in downtown Ridgefield."
In return, the city would reimburse DeBoni for some costs, including repaving the half-width of Hillhurst Rd., a main arterial, after patching.
But Fox decided not to pursue the joint project after all.
"It wasn't cost effective for the city," Fox said. "We already had a [state] loan commitment, and there was no cost advantage for the city. Taverner Ridge wanted more out of the city than I wanted to pay."
DeBoni went ahead with his project, minus city pipe and extra funds. The contractor cut the road in a 3-foot width, laid 6-inch pipe and started doing a matching "super patch" rather than replace the half-width road.
The "super patch" is a 2-inch thick asphalt concrete overlay with a 6-foot width from the centerline of the road.
Fox said city inspector Mike Christianson told the work crew in late January that the patch was not in compliance with the approved engineering plan.
On Feb. 7, Clary wrote a letter to head contractor Will Mott stating the work would be considered interim until it meets with the approved design.
Two days later, a stop work order was hand delivered to Mott and sent certified mail to DeBoni.
"There had been ongoing dialogue for a whole week," Fox said when asked why there was such a short time between warning and action. "Decisions were made and the patches put in the week before. They were told they were not in compliance. There were phone calls, not just the letter."
"I wanted an agreement for how to get this problem solved," he added. "They were not responding."
DeBoni said he is losing $1,200 per day while the project is shut down on his $7 million, upscale housing project. That's just interest on his loan.
"Our view is that [Fox] is unlawfully holding us up," DeBoni said. "They did not stick to their part of the agreement, yet they expect us to. They are going back on their agreement with us."
"I am in compliance with city code," he added. "That's my legal responsibility, to restore to as good or better condition than it was. In fact,
I am doing a whole lot more that we said we'd do. The "super patch" is a significant improvement over what is required by code."
The City of Ridgefield Engineering Standards for Public Works Construction dated July 27, 1995 states "All areas disturbed by the contractor's operations inside dedicated rights-of-way or easements shall be restored to original condition."
But Clary cites Ridgefield Municipal Code as adding that all work done issued under a permit is subject to inspection by the director, and not deemed completed until accepted as satisfactory.
"Taverner's failure to restore the road surface in accordance with approved engineering plans submitted to the city by their engineers was the reason a stop work order was issued..." Clary wrote in an e-mail to this writer.
"What's been negotiated holds sway over code," even if the city did not do what they agreed to, Fox said.
Working it out
As of March 4, Fox said DeBoni had submitted a compromise plan that seemed acceptable to him.
DeBoni proposed a 2-inch overlay from the centerline to the edge of Hillhurst Rd., but only on the portion of the road that had not been patched yet.
City officials maintain the work already done on S Hillhurst is not in compliance with the engineering plans, there fore DeBoni should grind up what is already laid and re-pave it with the 2-inch asphalt half-width.
"It's a highly traveled road, a main arterial," Fox said, adding that as the city grows it will handle increasing traffic and needs to stand up under it.
What's next is for the two entities to agree on road repairs on Shobert and Fifth streets and industrial Division St. of which five blocks are used as a heavy-duty truck route to the Port of Ridgefield.
"We're willing to help out [on Division] if it's going to cost too much," Fox said. "It needs to be done in a way that it doesn't fall apart."
"I wanted in the worst way to have a good working relationship with Ridgefield," DeBoni said. "Unfortunately, it was in the worst way."
MUIR NOW CLARK BUILDING OFFICIALFormer Washington County, OR building official Jim Muir is now Clark County's Chief Building Official.
Rich Carson, director of the Clark County Community Development Department, said he hired Muir because "he understands the county's commitment to customer service and continuous improvement of our processes."
Muir worked his way up in Washington County from building inspector to plans examiner and building supervisor. He has 10 years of experience as a private sector building contractor and has been active in building industry associations.
Muir holds a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Phoenix.
In 2004, Clark County staff reviewed plans for $533 million in new residential, commercial and industrial development, and conducted over 75,000 building inspections.
Muir will assume his new duties March 21.
Carson can be reached at 397-2375, ext. 4101.
YALE DRAWDOWN WILL AID CONSTRUCTION
Yale Reservoir, located on the North Fork of the Lewis River east of Woodland, will be drawn down during March and April to accommodate reconstruction of the Swift No. 2 hydroelectric plant at the upstream end of the reservoir.
The hydro plant was damaged in April 2002 when its canal embankment failed, and water, soil and rocks inundated SR-503 and the Swift No. 2 powerhouse.
Work is underway on the canal wall near the powerhouse and in the reservoir itself.
Yale Reservoir is located between Lake Merwin and Swift Reservoir.
The reservoir drawdown and construction work will force closure of the Yale Park boat launch for two-three weeks. Yale Park is the only facility on Yale Reservoir that is open year-round.
The drawdown will reduce the water level in the reservoir to 465 feet above sea level. The Yale Park boat launch is usable when the water is at or above 472 feet above sea level.
Yale Reservoir boat launches will remain closed until Memorial Day weekend.
Yale Park will be closed until about April 22.
The National Weather Service tracks reservoir elevations every hour, and provides such information online at
http://ahps.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/a hps/RiverDat/gifs/lewis-res.dat
Construction includes a new bypass valve around the powerhouse and a spill apron in the reservoir. The new system can be operated when the generators are off-line.
Currently, the only way to pass water from the canal into the reservoir is through a spillway upstream from the powerhouse.
Dave Andrew, spokesman for Cowlitz Public Utility District which operates Swift No. 2 hydroelectric project, said drought conditions and continued poor water runoff conditions could affect the schedule for refilling Yale.
Officials expressed hope that increased precipitation during March and April could help refill Yale Reservoir.
PacifiCorp, the company that operates other hydro facilities along the North Fork of the Lewis River including a project at Yale Reservoir, plans to operate boat launches at three other reservoirs in the area by late April.
Andrew can be reached at (360) 577-7502.
FRIENDS, FAMILY REMEMBER AL GALLOWAYAl Galloway was remembered as a caring, gentle, loving man by those who spoke about him at funeral services held March 10 at Cherry Grove Friends Church in Battle Ground.
Galloway served as with the Battle Ground police department from 1974 until 1988, including five years as chief.
Officers who worked with Galloway or were hired by him during his tenure spoke during the services.
Current Battle Ground police chief Ron Johnson, who served with Galloway for 14 years, recalled a department of four officers in a quieter time in Battle Ground's history.
"Al cared," said Johnson. "He never pushed himself on anybody. He offered to help."
Johnson said Galloway had a sense of humor and was trusting in people. "He gave breaks to people," said Johnson. "We are all richer for having known him."
Sgt. Carl Mullen recalled being hired by Galloway and reporting for duty, as directed, on April 1, 1979.
Mullen described Galloway as a great friend and good chief. He said his early years in the police department were "the best time of my life, working with Al." Mullen said it was an easier, simpler time.
Officer Montie Elford joined the force in 1979, and for a year, ran a daily errand for Galloway, purchasing coffee and cigarettes and a convenience store.
Elford described Galloway as calm and smart, and a man who knew where he was going. "He'd always back you up," said Elford.
Galloway's son-in-law Chuck Williams of Yacolt said he knew Galloway when they were both residents of Michigan and Galloway was a police officer.
Williams said he and Galloway had raced snowmobiles across country, one time ending when Williams ran unexpectedly into a fence.
Williams asked Galloway for approval to marry his daughter, Shirley. "How are you going to support all of us," Gallway questioned.
Both families moved to the Vancouver area in 1974 and Galloway continued his police work with the Battle Ground department. Galloway talked Williams into going into law enforcement, and Williams joined the Battle Ground department.
After Galloway lost his son, Alfred Edward Galloway, in 2004, he referred to Williams as "the only son I have left."
Denton Harlan of Layne's Funeral Home officiated at the services.
"He was a calm man with a good sense of humor, said Harlan. "His last words to his wife were, 'I love you.'" Galloway was born March 22, 1936 in Henderson, North Carolina, and lived in Clark County for 30 years, last in Vancouver. He died March 4, 2005, at age 68.
Galloway enjoyed fishing, computers, traveling and playing slot machines. He also enjoyed watching television, especially Perry Mason shows, old westerns, and police programs.
Galloway was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon Galloway, in 1995, son Alfred Edward Galloway in 2004, and step-son Donald Hunsinger Jr. in 2003. Survivors include widow 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.
Burial was at Elim Cemetery, Brush Prairie. Serving as bearers were Lt. Roy Butler, Sgt. Carl Mullen, and officers John Gambill, Montie Elford, Glen Erickson and Mike Molzahn.
Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, was in charge of arrangements. Denton Harlan of Layne's Funeral Home officiated at the services.
RIDGEFIELD MAN REPORTED MISSING
Dwain Voeller, 44, Ridgefield, was reported missing March 9 by Clark County Sheriff deputies.
Voeller, who works in Seattle and commutes to Ridgefield on weekends, was last seen on Sun., Feb. 27.
Voeller is described as 6'0", 165 lbs., blonde hair and blue eyes. His vehicle is a red 1994 Ford pickup with Washington license plate A19946D.
A missing person report was filed March 2, said Sgt. Craig Hogman. None of Voeller's family, friends or co-workers have heard from him.
In the past, Voeller was known to frequent the Sunset Falls area and Indian Heaven Wilderness in Skamania County.
Voeller has no history of drug use or abuse that deputies are aware of, Hogman said.
BG PLANS AHEAD TO 2055 WITH NEW DEPARTMENTHeidi Wallenborn, news director
Spring 2006.
That date is the target for completion of a new Battle Ground police station.
Contractor Steve Jabusch pledged timely completion to about 60 people at a March 9 groundbreaking ceremony.
"I guarantee we will come in on time with this project," Jabusch said. His company, Pacific Northwest Environmental Corp., was awarded the $3.4 million contract.
The two-story, 18,000 square foot building is designed to grow as Battle Ground does and be efficient for at least 40 years.
It will be built on city-owned land directly south of the current police/fire complex at 505 SW 1st St.
Chief Ron Johnson said the new building will be a welcome relief.
"It will greatly increase our efficiency," Johnson said. "Nowadays we stuff people into cubbyholes. The officers have done an outstanding job working in those conditions."
Johnson reminisced about the last 30 years of his career in different buildings in Battle Ground. He has never served as an officer outside the city.
"I've seen quite a few things," he said.
Johnson told of working in 40 square feet at the old city hall on NE 3rd St. about 30 years ago. Then the department moved to a house on SE 1st St., and then to its current location with 4,000 square feet to work in.
"This will be my last move," he said with a chuckle. Johnson expects to retire in about five years. He thanked citizens and council members for seeing the need and approving the new building.
Mayor John Idsinga said the building is a "much needed endeavor" for the citizens and officers.
"We have a police force of 17 officers for 15,000 people," Idsinga said. "[This building] is planned for 50-60 officers and a population of about 40,000."
"We planned for the future with this new building--looking at 35-50 years of growth," he said. "It will serve the city of Battle Ground for years to come."
Idsinga mentioned that in 2004, officers responded to more than 7,300 calls.
"Imagine," he said. "My hat's off to our men in blue. It's good they can now step up to a new building to serve [them] and the city."
The building was designed by Lombard-Conrad Architects with input from several police departments, said Russ Moorhead, architect.
In fact, the company designed Washougal's new police department.
"We looked to design a facility to enhance public safety and efficiency," Moorhead said. "This building will be a beacon of assistance and enhance the community policing attitude in the city of Battle Ground."
With the design, the court system will stay in its current location at city hall, 109 SW 1st St. The new building will be used for police services only.
Fire District 11 will take over the old complex once the move-out is complete.
The first floor of the new police station will be used for citizen contact with officers and services, evidence storage, four holding cells, a variety of interview rooms, offices for five detectives and four patrol sergeants, and a work area for officers. There will also be an armory, community services room and entrance lobby.
The second floor will house a training/classroom, workout room, break room, separate shower areas for males and females, offices for two lieutenants, a deputy chief and a chief. Storage, case work and archives areas will be created as well.
Initial costs were $3.1 million, which included tax, furnishings, computers and other security technology.
However, a rise in steel and other building materials brought the total higher over the last year.
City council members approved a budget amendment to cover the $855,000 difference.
Staff anticipated "sufficient, unanticipated beginning fund balance in 2005 to accommodate the difference" because growth city-wide "exceeded revenue projections and the city continued to operate in a conservative manner with expenditures," wrote associate civil engineer Shane McKenzie in a memo.
As city dignitaries, police and public works personnel turned the first spades of earth, council member Lisa Walters quipped, "That's it. Let's build it."
ST HELENS: ROCKIN' AND ROLLIN'
Largest eruption of rock, ash, steam since 1982
Heidi Wallenborn, news director
Alison Duff was finishing up her job as student manager for the Battle Ground High School boys soccer team about 5:25 p.m. Feb. 8 when she noticed a "lumpy lookin'" little cloud over the crater lip of Mount St. Helens.
Duff, 17, a junior at the school, turned to finish putting away gear, then turned back to look at the mountain again.
"O my gosh!" she said.
Duff ran to District Stadium and climbed up on bleachers for a better look at the cantankerous old mountain as it roared the largest belch since 1982.
Duff's eyes widened as a growing ash and steam cloud billowed, rolled and reached a height of 36,000 feet above sea level--cruising altitude for airliners--within a few minutes. The volcano rim is at 8,325 feet.
"I didn't know how big it would get--if it was just another little puff of steam," Duff said. "It was cool to see it from the beginning."
Duff stayed and watched another, smaller steam cloud rise. People on the track stood and watched the mountain spew, framed by fir trees and lit by a glowing sunset.
"There were no clouds," she said. "It was a perfect view. Very pretty."
As light faded and the cloud drifted to the east, she left, noticing people with cell phones and cameras, and children all watching the event on school grounds.
Shaft vents, rocks fly
The nearly 60-minute event, dubbed "small but significant" by U.S. Geological Survey scientists, was heralded by an increase of small earthquakes, the largest being a magnitude 2, about one hour before the event.
The main eruption pulse lasted about 10 minutes, scientists said, with other levels of activity lasting another 15-45 minutes.
A camera stationed on Sugar Bowl, the east wall of the crater, caught early stages of the eruption.
Photos show rocks and a surging cloud of ash and steam roiling between the old and new lava domes and a vent on the northeast side of the new dome. Later evidence showed rocks were thrown as far as the north side of the old lava dome, scientists said.
The vent was likely created in January from a lesser explosive eruption that scattered ash and rocks as large as three feet at the east flank of the crater, scientists said.
In this latest outburst, magma gushed to the surface that had a bit more gas in it which caused the eruption, scientists said.
The new lava dome, named the "whaleback" by scientists, has emerged as magma, ice and rock push up from the belly of the mountain. Fed by lava, the dome has grown since October at about the rate of a dumptruck load per second, scientists said.
The 7,700-foot tall whaleback is pushing the south end of the old dome up and north. The new dome towers over it by more than 500 feet. As of early February, the top of the whaleback was about 700 feet below the south crater rim, facing Battle Ground.
For comparison, the old dome built itself over six years, 1980-1986. However, the new dome, uplifted welt of the crater floor, and deformed glacier ice is about 50 million cubic yards--about half the volume of the old dome, scientists said.
The whaleback, no longer smooth, is full of fissures and has rocks crumbling from its sides. A crack along the ridge and other spots shows glowing orange lava inside in photos on the USGS website.
Such activity is to be expected during dome-building, scientists said. The unpredictable volcano will do what it wants, when it wants.
Fine ash dust fell as far away as Ellensburg, Yakima and Toppenish between 7 and 9 p.m. that night. The leading edge of the plume was tracked by scientists to western Montana as a "faint and diffuse" cloud.
Is this something Duff will tell her grandchildren about?
"I don't know," she said and giggled. "If I remember."
PART A OF BG BOND GETS THUMBS UPMarcus Brotherton, staff reporter
Voters have approved a $99.6 million package of new schools, renovations and building improvements for students in the Battle Ground School District.
Unofficial results show Part A of the March 8 bond proposal received about 61 percent approval, with x,xxx ballots cast in favor and x,xxx cast against.
Part B did not pass, which would have provided $31 million to construct a new high school in the north end of the school district. About 57 percent of voters approved the measure; x,xxx ballots were cast in favor and x,xxx against.
Both measures required 60 percent approval to pass.
Clark County elections official Tim Likness said absentee ballots postmarked by March 8 will be counted until the election is certified.
Absentee ballots historically favor approval of a proposal in this region, so the verdict on Part A will likely not change, Likeness added.
Part A authorizes the District to construct and equip two new primary schools and two new middle schools, replace Lewisville Middle, purchase a variety of properties including land for a north county high school, and make additions and modifications at several schools.
Superintendent Shonny Bria said she was grateful for the community's trust and support shown for children.
"Our commitment is to have the best facilities at the best possible cost," Bria said. "All promises made will be kept."
Bria said Board members will analyze election results as soon as the election is certified and decide the next steps from there. One possibility is running Part B again, as soon as May.
How people voted
Crowding is one of the biggest reasons a bond proposal was put forth to voters, say school officials.
District enrollment has increased by some 2,500 students since 1994 and is projected to grow by another 1,500 students in the next five years. Almost one quarter of the District's 12,400 students are currently in portable classrooms.
"New schools are desperately needed," said voter Don Wilmoth after casting his ballot at a Lewisville polling station. "I voted `yes' on both parts."
Wilmoth's children are all grown, but he still understands a need for new schools in the District, he said.
Voter Drew Brosh has one child in sixth grade. He supported both parts of the bond because of national and international educational trends, he said.
"Washington schools are behind in planning," Brosh said. "They wait for warm bodies to show up, then they fund new schools. We're behind and we need to catch up."
Property owners will see their taxes rise next year, but tax rates will still be second to the lowest compared with other school districts in the county.
The local share of Battle Ground's bond is about $63 million, with the state contributing another $37 million.
The approval Part A of the bond will cost taxpayers about $1.26 per $1,000 of assessed value.
In 2006, owners of a $200,000 house will see their taxes rise from about $138 annually or $11.50 monthly to $252 annually or $21 monthly.
Voter Russ Wadleigh believes Part A of the bond is too costly, and that costs could have been cut in the proposal. He wanted to see construction of the new north county high school put in the Part A package.
"People didn't realize how important it was that the new high school passed," Wadleigh said. "Long bus rides hurt children more than portables do."
Wadleigh voted "no" on A and "yes" on B to send a message to Board members, he said.
Voter Leslie Jones voted the same way, partially because she believes costs on Part A are inflated, but a north county high school is still a high priority.
"I think the results show a strong popular support for a north county high school," Jones said. "I have some angst [about Part A passing]. I hope the money is spent wisely and that students actually receive what's been promised."
Board chairman Fred Striker, who represents the north end of the District, said he was sorry to see Part B not pass, but grateful and pleased to see voters approving Part A.
Striker speculated that perhaps voters who voted against Part B do not realize how full Battle Ground High School is. Even though it has capacity "on paper," hallways and core facilities still feel overcrowded, he said.
Regarding contingency costs on the bond proposal, Board members approved a resolution Dec. 20 that promised any unused bond funds will be used to pay down existing bonds, Striker said.
"I'm very excited that this District will be able to do something good," Striker said. "This whole thing is a win for the children."
RIDGEFIELD PUSHES BOND TO SEPTEMBER
Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter
Voters in the Ridgefield School District will see a bond for new schools on the ballot sometime in September, not May, as had previously been discussed.
Board members decided in early March that too many details were still unanswered to send voters a proposal this spring.
The September bond proposal will likely ask voters for about $41-$44 million to pay for construction of a new high school and equipment, said superintendent Mary Vagner, as well as about $10 million for several improvement projects around the District. The District is eligible for state match funds of about $5 million.
Currently, Ridgefield voters pay 44 cents per $1,000 in assessed value for old bonds, a figure that will drop to about 11 cents in June. Passing a bond of about $54 million in September will raise rates to about $2 per $1,000, Vagner said.
Vagner said the challenge now is discerning what projects should be pursued, and in what order. Modernizing and improving access to the District's four schools is a priority, as well as addressing area growth. Projections show the District will probably need to add two new elementary and one middle school by 2024, as well as the new high school.
Vagner said several bonds will probably need to be passed over the next 20 years.
Christopher Lilley from the Tacoma-based McGranahan Architects gave a presentation to community members March 8, showing various challenges in front of the District.
Representatives from the architect, as well as a civil engineer, structural engineer and mechanical engineer, recently toured the District's campuses asking the question: What would it take to extend the life of each structure for the next 30 years?
They came up with the following recommendations:
** Renovating South Ridge ElementaryBus circulation, parking, storm drainage and sewer capacity would all need to be improved. Capacity should be increased from the current 475 to 650. Administration areas, special education and gym areas need to be enlarged. Eight classrooms need to be added.
Total cost of renovations: about $10.5 million.
** Renovating Union Ridge Elementary and View Ridge Middle
One proposal for these two schools located on the same campus calls for reconfiguring the schools to K-3 for Union Ridge and 4-5 for View Ridge, assuming middle school students (probably 6-8) are moved to the current high school campus after a new high school is completed.
Bus circulation, parking, storm retention and sewers need to be improved on the Union Ridge/View Ridge campus. Administration and special education areas need to be enlarged. A new gym is needed. There is a dry rot problem in one building and "significant" ADA problems throughout.
Total cost of renovations: about $21 million for both structures.
** Converting current high school to middle school
Two plans are proposed: a short term and a long term.
For the short term, bus circulation needs improvement, the courtyard needs to be enclosed, covered play areas need to be built, and science rooms and shops need to be reconfigured.
For the long term, capacity needs to be added, locker rooms should be reconfigured, an auxiliary gym should be added as well as music rooms.
Current capacity is about 450, and should be enlarged to about 800.
One question is whether the current structure is worth the investment to refurbish.
Total cost of long term renovations: about $21 million.
LA CENTER OFFERS NEW WELCOME
Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter
La Center will soon have a new gateway attraction.
The city council approved construction of a marquee sign on Pacific Highway near the First Independent Bank.
Reminiscent of a sternwheeler paddle boat, the sign includes a water feature and landscaping.
Cost of the new, lighted sign will be about $59,000, said public works director Jeff Sarvis. Another $65,000 will fund removing power poles and installing underground wiring at the city's entrance.
The sign is the latest in plans to improve the city. Also on the drawing board is a new gazebo for the amphitheater in Sternwheeler Park. The gazebo may be finished this summer, Sarvis said.
Construction on the sign and surrounding improvements is expected to begin later in the year.
NORTH COUNTRY LOOKS AT PAST OF HELPING OTHERS
Staff seeks stories for 30-year anniversary book
Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter
"You feel such a sense of relief when you see them."
Vonnie Scott of Yacolt felt that relief in December when paramedics from North Country Emergency Services arrived after she suffered her first automobile accident.
"I don't know what happened," the elderly woman said. "I woke up hanging upside down by my seat belt."
A horrendous few minutes --Scott doesn't know how many--followed. She was returning home one afternoon from Vancouver on the road near Lucia Falls when her car left the road and went down a steep embankment. She was alone in the vehicle.
The auto came to rest on its roof against a stump, too far down the embankment to be seen by motorists on the road.
Using a pair of scissors she happened to have with her, Scott cut the seat belt, climbed out of the car, crawled on the muddy ground around the car, and climbed part way up the bank. She hung her coat on a branch and waved it above her head to attract motorists.
"I knew I couldn't crawl up the bank," she said.
A motorist stopped and helped her up to the road. She sat in somebody's car waiting for the ambulance.
"I was so cold," she said. "I was wet and cold."
Scott's neighbor Linda Hittle, a registered nurse, was one emergency rescuer.
"I kept saying that I was so cold, and they put some heat bags under my arms," Scott said. "They were just wonderful."
Although it was dramatic, Scott's December rescue was not the first time she's called on the North Country Emergency Services.
Scott's husband, Clifford Scott, who died about four years ago, suffered from cancer.
"Once I dropped a magazine on the floor in the living room, and he got down to pick it up," Scott said. "He couldn't get back up. I called the paramedics and they came right away."
"When I apologized for calling them, they said not to apologize," she said. "They said, `if you ever need anything just call us.'"
Scott's stories are not unique.
Lori Homola, a volunteer for North Country Emergency Services, thinks there are several more stories to be told by those who have been helped by the Yacolt-based district.
To celebrate North Country's 30th anniversary, staff and volunteers are compiling a book--and they're looking for stories.
"We never know the outcome," said Kim Gottwald, office assistant "how people have healed, what they're doing now. "We've received hundreds of thank-you cards from people over the years."
North Country serves residents in parts of Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties, covering 1,000 square miles, and the communities of Yacolt, Amboy, Yale, Cougar, Pine Creek and rural areas of La Center and Woodland.
In addition to the station at Yacolt, North Country has a station at Fargher Lake, and operates stations at Pine Creek and Cresap Bay during the summer.
The district has six full-time paramedics. Assistant director Dave O'Brien and training officer T.J. Bishop are also paramedics. Another 10 part-time emergency medical technicians are on staff. There are five student residents and four interns, plus the two-person office staff. Tom McDowell, one of the founders, is director.
"People have a lot to be thankful for in Tom," Scott said.
North Country runs two full-time ambulances and can put more into service when needed, Gottwald said. The agency fields as many as 1,100 calls during a year.
Today's operation is far different from 30 years ago when there were no paid employees. The emergency services operation was a part of Fire District 12.
An emergency services district was created in 1986, said office manager Kelly Stamp. The district collects property taxes of 50 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. An additional three-year excess levy is expected to last for four years.
Although the 30th anniversary doesn't happen until next year, staff wants the book ready for distribution by the anniversary date, Gottwald said.
"We want it to be a fun, interesting book," she said. "That's why we're looking for stories now."
People who want to share their stories may call 686-3271, fax 686-8127, or write to P.O. Box 189, Yacolt, WA 98675.
"This is a unique agency," Homola said. "People love to be a part of this agency."
NEW CHURCH UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN BATTLE GROUND
Bill Myers, Heidi Wallenborn
A new landmark is on the rise in Battle Ground.
Steel uprights and a roofline outline a 28,860 square-foot structure that will be the new Slavic Bible Church on about 4 acres at the southwest corner of NW Onsdorff Blvd. and SR-503, Battle Ground.
A 13,000 square-foot sanctuary in the church will host up to 1,000 people at services, said LCM Contracting Co. general manager Mark Grider.
Cost of the building is $1.3 million, with 40 percent of it coming from the congregation, church officials said. The rest is through loans.
The structure will also house a warming kitchen, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose meeting hall, and more than 10,000 square feet of offices and Sunday School classrooms.
Completion is scheduled for June, said Grider.
A unique niche
The congregation that will gather at the new church has about 500-600 regular attenders, said pastor Alexey Kolomiytsev.
Current meetings are at People's Church on the southeast corner of Mill Plain Blvd. and Andresen Rd., Vancouver. The group has borrowed the building since 1997.
In some respects, the congregation has broken away from traditional Russian churches in the area.
There is no rule that women must cover their heads and wear long skirts or dresses, Kolomiytsev said, but some do.
"Our main concern is spiritual," he said, "to live the Christian life."
Services will be conducted in Russian and English rather than only the former, "because English is the future of our children," he said.
The "vision" of the pastor is to reach a large and growing population of Russian immigrants in Clark County, and their children.
Taken out of strict and harsh living conditions in their homelands, children are thrust into the free and easy American lifestyle complete with its pleasure principles. Like any young child or teenager, they want to fit in--not be an outcast.
"Our concern is for the generation of Russian youths," said member Ben Portansky. "Some end up in not the best situations--into drugs and alcohol."
Kolomiytsev said most youths they see are "unchurched, already in trouble, and come from the streets."
"They are unique in that they are in an intermediate state," he added. "They are still in a Russian culture [at home] and trying to adapt to life in America. Parents don't often have the right tools or understanding of the American ways."
The church plans to reach out to youths in north Clark County through social and sporting events.
Kolomiytsev graduated from Masters Seminary near Los Angeles. His faith is "close to Baptist," he said, and the church is independent.
Having an American educated pastor will make a difference in reaching and teaching the congregation, Portansky said.
"[Kolomiysev] had a good, solid education in the States," he said.
Another church effort already underway
Steve McDougall lives in a large house bordering the south edge of the church's property, in a neighborhood still under construction. Already there are several Russian families moving into homes.
McDougall spent several years as a Russian missionary, planting new churches in partnership with another ministry.
Physical limitations sent him back to the United States, but he's kept busy evangelizing anyway.
McDougall built his house with the perspective of being a partner with the Slavic congregation.
McDougall's house was built to accommodate up to 150 people. He holds services for the neighborhood, and Russian children come to "play and hang out" with his children.
English classes will be available soon for those who want to learn. Plans are to share the new building as his own congregation grows.
What does the rest of the neighborhood think about all this activity?
"There's not a lot of negativity about it," McDougall said. "They are waiting to see how it affects the community and the neighborhood. There is a big Russian community." "Some of them have said another church can't hurt and are excited for them to get moved in here," he added.
Portansky said, "The Russian culture heritage with the American culture make a unique group of people. We will help parents and kids transition in this time."
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