IRAQ WAR CASUALTY REMEMBERED

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Marine lance corporal Cedric Bruns, an early casualty in the Iraq War, was inducted into the Rotarians Clark County Hall of Fame April 15.

The 2000 graduate of Prairie High School was 22 when he died in Kuwait on May 9, 2003, from injuries received in a military truck collision.

The accident occurred as American forces were gathering in Kuwait for the Iraq invasion.

Bruns was a combat engineer assigned to Engineer Company A, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group out of Eugene, OR.

The son of Pete and Debbie Bruns volunteered for the Marine Corps while in high school. He reported for active duty in September 2000.

Debbie Bruns described her son as fun-loving, artistic, a hard worker, and a good friend to those who knew him as 'Ceed.'"

During the years before entering the Marines, Bruns worked at Taco Bell and the Fred Meyer store in Hazel Dell, Sears, and Pro Caliber.

"He was a good Marine who did his duty," said Rotarian and retired Marine Corps sergeant major Britt Eadie.

The Hall of Fame recognizes achievements and contributions of individuals in the county. Names of recipients are engraved in markers and roses planted in their honor at the Hall of Fame Rose Garden in Orchards, 9800 NE 54th St. Rotarians also inducted Marine staff sergeant David Ries, 29, of Vancouver, who died Nov. 8, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq.

COUNTY WILL INSURE TRAIN OPERATOR; OTHER ISSUES REMAIN

The Clark County commissioners have agreed to indemnify their contractor, Columbia Basin Railroad, against actions or accidents by the volunteer Battle Ground Yacolt and Chelatchie Prairie Railroad (BYCX), but other obstacles remain in the ongoing dispute between the two entities.

Clark County commissioner Marc Boldt said May 19 that the county will provide insurance coverage between the $4 million now held by the BYCX, and the $10 million demanded by Columbia Basin.

Boldt said the added coverage will continue for three years after which the BYCX must assume the full cost.

Insurance had been one issue preventing the volunteer group from gaining access to the county's railroad to continue its popular tourist rides.

The county contracted with Columbia Basin last year to operate on its 33-mile railroad that extends from Vancouver to Chelatchie Prairie.

That contract provides that Columbia Basin and BYCX are to negotiate an operating agreement, if possible. Both sides asked the county to intervene, and the county has, said Steve Schulte of the county's Public Works Department.

Schulte said May 20 that he has not seen the insurance indemnification in writing.

Schulte said the two sides may have continued negotiations on other issues, but he has not been kept informed.

Eric Temple, operator of the Columbia Basin Railroad, said he hopes the BYCX will resume tourist operations on the north end of the railroad.

"I would certainly like to get them on the track," said Temple. "But they still consider the tract to be their's. It's no longer their's."

Temple said he put an offer on the table which includes provisions under which the BYCX could be evicted.

Temple said the BYCX wants the agreement to specify reasons for eviction, something Temple is not willing to do. "I can't predict the future," said Temple.

Temple said Bryan Baker of the BYCX responded to his (Temple's) offer with a May 16 email, which Temple said he had not yet read as of May 20.

Temple said he had other issues to deal with in King County where county officials may purchase a rail line on which he now runs dinner trains.

Temple said there is a "mile to go" in negotiations with the BYCX, but "they (BYCX) move only a millimeter a week."

"It would be irresponsible of me to not have a way to get them (BYCX) out of the way," said Temple. "It's a Clark County railroad, not the BYCX's."

Temple repeatedly said he wants the BYCX back on the line, "but it can't be the way it was."

Temple said the BYCX had a lucrative contract with the county, and won't have such an agreement again.

Temple said Columbia Basin is in a similar dispute in the Yakima area over the operation of a county-owned railroad where tourist rides are currently conducted by a Toppenish historical group.

Baker, president of the BYCX, said the proposal he got from Columbia Basin provided for cancellation without notice, and for eviction in 90 days.

Baker said he responded five days later, accepting the eviction provision with "just cause." He said May 20 that he had not heard back from Temple.

"I was told two weeks ago that the county would indemnify," said Baker, "but I haven't heard anything official."

Baker said the BYCX pays $12,500 a year for $4 million of insurance. With utilities, said Baker, the BYCX is paying $1,700 a month even though not operating.

Baker was pessimistic that the volunteer group could operate this year with such a late start. "Volunteers are falling by the wayside," said Baker.

Baker said the group had hoped to have its steam engine operating by fall, and could do so only with enough volunteer effort. The group has not had access to the track for five months, he said. "It would take awhile to get up and going," he said.

HISTORIC SHIPS ARRIVE IN KALAMA

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Two historic-style ships arrived at the Port of Kalama May 17 as part of a two-month voyage of discovery up and down the west coast.

The ships will continue on their journey and be back in Vancouver Memorial Day, Mon., May 30, and in Kalama again Wed., June 1. While docked, the ships are open to tours from the public.

Privateer Lynx is a square topsail schooner, designed to look like a naval ship from the War of 1812. Displacing 114 tons, she is 78 feet overall with a 23-foot beam and a draft of 9 feet. She was built in 2001 in Rockport, ME.

The original Lynx was among the first ships to defend American freedom by evading the British naval fleet which was then blockading American ports.

Lady Washington is a reconstruction of an 18th century trading vessel that sailed from Massachusetts around Cape Horn to China. She displaces 205 tons, is 67 feet overall, with a 22-foot beam and a draft of 11 feet.

Launched in March 1989, Lady is built primarily of old growth Douglas fir. She is the largest, fully-square rigged sailing vessel on the west coast.

Both vessels are operated by non-profit educational foundations: the Lynx by the Lynx Educational Foundation, and the Lady by the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority.

The ships have been built to meet modern U.S. Coast Guard regulations and safety requirements. Sails are fully functional, yet both ships have engines as well.

Crews are dressed in period clothing. As visitors come aboard, crews are stationed throughout the vessels to answer questions such as what it was like to live aboard, what sailors ate, what they traded for, and how they navigated, steered and sailed the ships.

Both vessels have been involved in several Hollywood and television productions including Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Trek.

Dockside tours are 4-6 p.m. Groups and individuals are welcome to book the ships for sailing sessions and corporate training programs.

For further information, or to book space, call 1-800-200-5239 or log on to:

www.privateerlynx.com or

www.ladywashington.org

DUCATION FOUNDATION HONORS BG TEACHERS

Marcus Brotherton

staff reporter

Handshakes, applause and cash awards were all part of the eighth annual Teachers Make A Difference Awards ceremony held May 16 in the Maple Grove Middle School commons area in Battle Ground.

More than 250 people attended the event during which educators in the Battle Ground School District were honored.

The program is sponsored by the Battle Ground Education Foundation, an all-volunteer, non-profit group of citizens who provide financial support to students, teachers, parents and schools. Businesses, corporations and private citizens fund the awards, which range from $500-$2,000.

This year, 136 nomination forms were received. Teachers, aides, tutors, coaches, counselors, custodians, specialists, nurses, secretaries and administrators all received nominations. Nominations were gathered from current and former students, parents and community members. The District has about 1,300 employees.

According to judging criteria, awards are given for "outstanding dedication and excellence in serving the children of the District." Judges were retired teachers, business leaders, collegiate professionals and community leaders.

This year's winners are:

** The Belle Staley Lawrence Award for $2,000, considered the highest award in the program, to Mark Miller, fourth grade teacher at Yacolt Primary School.

Miller has taught for 25 years and has been involved in a variety of projects around the school in addition to his teaching.

He designed and built a nature trail around the school, has helped upgrade landscaping on the campus for the past nine years, and coached an Odyssey of the Mind team for the past 10 years.

Miller and his wife, Dianne, have six grown children between them, and three grandchildren.

** The Administration Award for $1,000 went to Steve Lien, principal at Maple Grove Primary School, the fourth largest K-4 school in the state.

** The B&B Tile and Masonry Award for $500 to Peggy Nitschike, media specialist at Maple Grove Primary.

** The Riverview Community Bank Award for $500 to Chris Sandstrom, teacher at Laurin Middle School.

** The Battle Ground Auto License Award for $500 to Annie Lamberto, special ed teacher at Laurin Middle School.

** The Wally Barker Award for $500 to Ron Wright, eighth grade teacher at Maple Grove Middle School.

** The Gerrie Caines Award for $500 to Deanna Veitenheimer, horticulture and floriculture teacher at Battle Ground High School.

Longtime area residents Robbie and Pearl Agard began the awards program in 1998 in honor of Robbie's fifth grade teacher, Belle Staley Lawrence.

Lawrence spent recesses and lunch hours helping Robbie Agard hone math skills, something which later proved invaluable when he became a community business leader.

HORSE RESCUE CENTER ESTABLISHED IN ARIEL

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

There's a place where old horses go, abused horses, horses that nobody wants anymore.

It's called Wildhorse Ranch Rescue At Two Ponies, located at 205 Shelter Rd., Ariel, one mile east of Jack's Restaurant off Lewis River Rd. in Ariel.

Horses go there to run and graze. It's a peaceful place. Pastures are open. Fields are green. The horses don't carry anything, pull anything, or do any work again.

The horses appear to enjoy their new surroundings. They're not up for sale or adoption. Horses go to Two Ponies to stay, and they go there to die.

Moose, a 22-year-old hunter and jumper, died 10 minutes before this reporter drove up to the ranch. As Moose ran across a field, he collapsed, most likely due to an aneurism, the vet said. The horse never moved again.

Moose had come to the ranch 300 pounds underweight. The horse had developed arthritis in his back legs and couldn't perform. His owner decided he couldn't take care of Moose anymore, so Moose spent most of his days pastured in standing water.

At Wildhorse Ranch, Moose found sanctuary. He began eating again, inching up to the 1,200 pounds or so he should have been.

Ranch owner Joanne Baptist wiped back tears after talking to the vet on her cell phone.

"It never gets easy," Baptist said, looking at Moose's body still out on the pasture.

The other horses need to be around the remains for awhile, Baptist said. They need to realize Moose is gone and gain a sense of what had happened. Otherwise, they would search for him.

Horse sanctuary in Ariel

Remember the book Black Beauty? It's the story of an amazing horse who experiences horrific abuse at the hands of her owners.

Real life stories happen, similar to Black Beauty, Baptist said.

"People abuse horses like children are abused, or dogs are abused," she said. "It's a sad, sad fact, but it does occur."

There's Cinderella, 20, who came to Two Ponies from Arizona. Cinderella has scars on her face from chains.

There's Thunder, 25, who had both tendons in her back legs snipped.

Then there's Beauty, 26, who has scars from a bull whip. Beauty was also treated for a fractured neck from a trailer accident before coming to Two Ponies.

Two Ponies never searches for abused horses, but people call the ranch when its services are needed, Baptist said.

The ranch began as a sister-work of the Wildhorse Ranch Rescue in Arizona. Baptist volunteered there for nearly a year before deciding to open a ranch of her own. There are two rescue ranches under the same umbrella in Arizona, with another in Ohio.

Baptist had grown up around horses, and with her husband, Neil, working full-time as an engineer and her two children grown, she was looking for a place to sink her time and energy, she said.

"I just want to provide a better place for horses," Baptist said. "By the time we get them, they just need peace and quiet."

Baptist doesn't accept every horse that comes along. If a horse can be successfully sold or given away, Baptist will recommend that option first. Room is limited at the ranch, but more so, Baptist wants to keep the ranch's purpose narrow--it's a horse's last resort.

Baptist funds the ranch personally and by donations. Volunteer help is accepted. The ranch is registered as a non-profit organization. People are welcome to tour the ranch and meet the horses.

A petting zoo is also on site and features Hershey Bar the donkey, who thinks he's a horse, Lucky, a one-eyed, crooked-neck sheep, and Li'l' Miss Petunia, a young potbelly pig.

The ranch is open by appointment only, Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., after June 4.

Contact Two Ponies at (360) 231-4651, or log on to: www.twoponies.builderspot.com

COME TOUR THE RANCH

An open house is set for Wildhorse Ranch Rescue At Two Ponies, Sat., June 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 205 Shetler Rd., Ariel.

The ranch is a non-profit horse rescue center that cares for abused, neglected and unwanted horses.

The open hours will feature tours, a petting zoo, raffles, a drawing to name baby goats, an animal first aid demonstration, a saddle fitting demonstration, a used tack sale, and an arts and crafts show.

Admission is free.

The ranch is located 1 mile east of Jack's Restaurant on Lewis River Rd.

For more information, contact Joanne Baptist, (360) 231-4651, or log on to: www.twoponies.builderspot.com

BG COUNCIL RAISES MONEY FOR PARKS

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Where there's a will, there's a way.

People purchasing homes to be constructed in Battle Ground after June 16 will have to pay more than double the amount previously assessed for Park Impact Fees. On May 16, Battle Ground city council members raised the current flat $787 fee to $1,829 for single family homes and $1,859 for multi-family.

The spike in fees will fund $11.2 million worth of park improvements over the next six years.

In May last year, Battle Ground voters turned down a two-part parks bond. The first part earmarked $7.8 million toward park improvements. The second, for maintenance and operations, would have generated $360,000 the first year and increased by 1 percent annually over the next 20 years.

Improvements slated to be paid for from the readjusted Park Impact Fees are similar to what voters previously said they would not pay for.

"Shocking increase"

Council member Bill Ganley justified the increase to fund parks by saying it has been a decade since the fees were adjusted.

However, council members could have chosen to raise fees to $2,283 and $2,224 to fund even more improvements, but chose to stick with the lowest figure provided by staff.

City manager Eric Holmes said the new rates are "sort of inflationary" because the $787 fee was set in 1997.

Deputy mayor Sandra Barnes was leery of accepting the increase without knowing what the expected rise in Traffic Impact fees are, but said she'd settle for the lower amount.

Council member Alex Reinhold said he would support the new fee, but acknowledged "it's a shocking increase, that's a lot to go up. But if you factor in a decade, it's not all that bad. From now on, I'd like to see it adjusted every other year at least."

Slated improvements include skate park

Improvements will take place over a period of six years. Included in the tally is $200,000 set aside for a skateboard park.

Staff members are looking at options to present specifics to city council members at a later date, including a location.

Sites that will be enhanced with the added fees are Central Park, Fairgrounds Park, Florence Robison Park, Gardner Oaks Park, and Hidden Glen Park.

About $1,800 will be set aside to acquire and develop parks in various neighborhoods.

Council members said they will seek alternate means of funding to complete other park enhancements not slated in the priority list.

ARMED ROBBER STRIKES AGAIN IN WOODLAND

Officials not sure if linked to November incidents

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

An armed robber wearing a ski mask successfully fled with an undetermined amount of cash May 18 from Radio Shack at 1227 N Goerig St., in Woodland.

However, a witness got a good look at the suspect as he raced around a corner of the Oak Tree Plaza and peeled off his mask, said Woodland Police Sgt. Brad Gillespie.

Prior to the 7:55 p.m. robbery, a woman noticed a man sitting on a bench near the store. About 20 minutes later, the witness reportedly saw the suspect as he bolted out the door, Gillespie said. When he took his mask off, she recognized him as the loiterer.

The witness said the man had a darker complexion, short, dark hair, was unshaven, and appeared to be about 30 years old. She indicated she would be able to identify him if she saw him again.

The suspect, wearing the mask, a blue coat, blue jeans, and gloves, reportedly walked into the store, showed the clerk a handgun in the waistband of his pants, and demanded all the money while he placed his hand on the gun.

The clerk gave him money, and as the suspect fled he grabbed a handful of video games and the store's cordless phone, Gillespie said. The phone was found outside later.

Last November, a rash of burglaries occurred on the other side of I-5 which divides Woodland, a city of about 4,000 residents.

This latest burglary is similar to two of the four that were committed, Gillespie said.

The Shell station at 1519 Pacific Ave., and the Movie Gallery at 1409 Pacific Ave., were robbed by a man in a ski mask on Nov. 13 and 24, respectively.

At the Movie Gallery, a white male wearing a ski mask flashed a gun and demanded all the money in the register, then fled on foot.

The Shell station robber was a white male in a ski mask who displayed a knife with a 5-inch blade, then fled on foot with the money.

The other two robberies, at Toad's Express Mart, 1115 Hoffman St., and Milano Express, 1519 Pacific Ave., were committed by younger men and an Asian male, respectively, Gillespie said.

"It's hard to say if the robberies are related," Gillespie said of the Shell and Movie Gallery crimes. "There's only a few things to indicate they could be related. We don't know for sure."

Anyone with more information is asked to call Woodland Police officer Justin Taylor at (360) 225-6965.

BG CHAMBER FACES LEASE HIKE FROM CITY

Council wants fair market value for building

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Battle Ground city council members approved a 450-percent increase in lease payments May 16 from the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce.

Currently, the lease amount is $123.33 per month made in an annual payment of $1,479.96.

In January 2006, the monthly rate will spike to $640 per month, or $7,680 annually, which is 20 percent less than the fair market value of $800 monthly or $9,600 annually, said David Reeves, city finance director.

The 20 percent discount is in recognition for the kind of tenant the non-profit Chamber is, Reeves said.

The 60 by 40-foot building is mostly warehouse with two small offices, located at 912 E Main St.

The old, three-year, renewable lease expired in December and had not been renewed. That lease contained a provision that rent would increase in the next go-round.

But Terri Tweedell, executive director of the Chamber, said she did not expect such a large jump. She figured it would be about $400 monthly.

"It was a shock," she said. "I expected 200 percent, maybe."

Council members chose to fund the remainder of the increase over $123 for the rest of the year, which is $6,200. In the terms of the last lease, the city chipped in about $2,800 annually.

The change was approved in a 4-2 vote after discussion, which at times was heated.

Mayor John Idsinga said he knows the Chamber struggles financially every year, and to expect them to come up with the extra $517 per month in the middle of their budget cycle wasn't fair.

Idsinga said that before the end of this year, he'd like to take a further look at what the Chamber's role is in the community as far as services rendered.

"I know they are a good arm for us as far as economic development," he said.

Although council member Lisa Walters agreed that expecting the Chamber to come up with the difference at such late notice would be hard, she balked at continuing the arrangement next year, keeping the lease at $123.

Walters said she wanted to know more about the Chamber's role with business development and "would like to see some numbers."

Besides the $6,200 the city will finance under the auspices of what the Chamber gives back to the city through business development, there are more free city services given toward Chamber events that cost a lot of money, Walters said.

She cited extra officers and overtime costs at Harvest Days in July as one example.

"I have a lot of questions," she said. "What does it really cost us to run the Chamber? And really, we shouldn't be running the Chamber."

Council member Chris Regan said he is "opposed to subsidizing the Chamber at that extent. I favor the full market value. Rent of $123 is inadequate. We need to capture the $640 per month for economic development and the taxpayers of Battle Ground."

"I don't think it's appropriate to put that kind of money into the Chamber," he added. "The Chamber needs to be self-sustaining."

Tweedell was allowed to speak to the council. "I don't know where you're getting your information from that the Chamber is in financial trouble. We actually made money last year. You're welcome to come and look at the books."

Tweedell also explained that the Chamber is the tourist center for Battle Ground.

"We send out packets daily to folks that are coming out as tourists," she said. "We are happy and proud to say we helped [developer] Elie Kassab get the Gardner Center and cinema in. We helped the [coming] motel with banking problems. We are actively pursuing businesses and helping with marketing strategies."

Idsinga said he recognizes that the Chamber attracts 90 percent of small businesses to the city.

"The Chamber is an integral part of this city," he said. "They tell businesses that Battle Ground is open for business. I see a lot of reasons to support them in the name of economic development."