PHS SCIENCE MINDS PLACE THIRD IN THE NATION

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

Prairie High School Science Olympiad team members didn't change the plan that won state honors in April, and they walked away with third place in the national competition May 21 at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Ini addition, six students received gold medals in three events. Each medal represents a four-year tuition waiver at the University with a value of more than $80,000.

Winners were Samantha Carter and Alex Hudson for Wright Stuff, Peter Neff and Tim Rice for Bottle Rockets, and Sean Pickup and Simon Nguyen for Robot Ramble.

Coach David Lemberg said that in 23 events, his students took the same test and built the same devices as before, but realized they'd have to work hard and "kick it up a notch" while competing against 60 other high school teams from across the state.

"It was pretty intense," Lemberg said. "We thought we could do pretty well at nationals, and were shooting for the top 10."

After the competition, the team celebrated with ice cream. The following day, the cooled their heels in Chicago.

"I'm really proud of them," Lemberg said. "They've gone as far as they can go. There's no Universe Competition."

EXCAVATION BEGINS AT BG PUBLIC WORKS

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Under the direction of the state Department of Ecology Environmental Crimes Unit, Geodesign of Vancouver dug into a historic pile of dirt May 26-27 that officials believe may be an illegal hazardous waste dump site at Battle Ground Public Works Operations Center.

The site is at 1308 NE Grace Ave.

City officials have not yet issued a report on what was found.

Geodesign centered on 13 test pits where a magnetometer showed signs of buried iron-bearing material "that could be waste drums," according to a report.

"A large magnetic anomaly" in the northeast section of the site "is possibly caused by a cache of drums," the report said.

Scientists also conducted an "electrical resistivity test," a process where electrical probes are placed in the ground in measurements to detect and locate contaminant plumes.

Geodesign staff searched the 220-feet by 180-feet fill pile for alleged asbestos product that was buried over several years. They found nine "high resistivity" areas including four large pools scattered around the site, and one large "low resistivity" area in the center.

High level areas indicate masses of "resistive" materials which may include asbestos over a relatively large area, the report states.

The low resistivity area is suspected to be ground water moving east.

Geodesign also hand-augured five areas where petroluem was allegedly dumped from upturned oil drums near the dumpster area.

A surface test done in the area in April from state Department of Health officials found 670 parts per million of heavy oils, and 145 parts per million of diesel.

Jim Maul, president of environmental company Maul, Foster and Alongi in Hazel Dell, said those numbers are likely indicitave of other public works sites.

In a memo to staff and city council, Sam Adams, Battle Ground public works director, said the levels may increase when GeoDesign goes deeper into the soil.

Years of dumping alleged

Allegations of buried asbestos pipe, oil drums and petroleum products came to light during an interview of Paul Haines, former public works director during a police investigation in December 2003.

Haines reportedly told a detective that he was concerned about an illegal landfill of 55-gallon drums, asbestos pipe and petroleum products under "tons and tons" of dirt.

RETURNING MARINE HONORS BOY SCOUT

Scout receives photo, Iraq flag at airport homecoming

Bill Myers, staff reporter

After tearful greetings from his parents May 26 at Portland Airport, a decorated Hazel Dell Marine presented gifts to Battle Ground boy scout Jonathan Quesada.

Lance corporal Brady Phelps, 19, with a frame photograph of his unit and an Iraq flag that bore signatures of Phelps and other marines in his unit, said, "Thanks."

Last year before the holidays, Quesada collected donations of snacks, and personal care items at area markets, and cash to cover shipping.

Quesada, aided by younger sisters and other scouts, packed the treats in more than 175 boxes and shipped them to Phelps for distribution to Marines in his unit.

The idea to send packages to Marines in Iraq came from the Marine's mom, Cynthia Phelps, a good friend of the Quesada family.

Phelps, the son of Steve and Cynthia Phelps of Hazel Dell, was wounded in November 2004 during fighting to liberate Fallujah, Iraq.

A 2003 graduate of Columbia River High School, Phelps will return to duty in Hawaii after a two-week leave. He expects one more deployment over seas before his enlistment ends in two years.

The Marine, who received the Purple Heart Medal in February, said his buddies nicknamed him "Santa" as he delivered the packages to them.

Quesada, an 8th grade Homelink student, is the son of Ernie and Michelle Quesada of Battle Ground. He said the experience of greeting Phelps at Portland Airport was "really great."

AREA MARINE CITED FOR HEROISM

Bronze Star presented to Battle Ground High School graduate

Bill Myers, staff reporter

At a recent parade-ground ceremony at Camp Pendleton, CA, a 20-year-old Marine from Battle Ground was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroism.

Lance corporal Randy B. Lake, a 2003 Battle Ground High School graduate, was decorated for actions while serving as a rifleman with the 1st Marine Division in Fallujah Nov. 11-13, 2004.

A citation with the medal said Lake and members of his squad were involved in high intensity urban combat operations.

Lake, after telling members of his unit to stay outside, reportedly ignored an improvised explosive device and entered a barricaded house to rescue a wounded fellow Marine.

The device reportedly exploded, knocking Lake though an opening in the house.

Unable to save his wounded buddy, Lake provided first aid to four other casualties at the scene.

"You are one of our battalion's heroes and I am very proud to have served with you...," said a letter from Lake's battalion commander.

In a May 19 telephone interview, Lake said friends are more important than medals. He said he and other unit members will travel to Louisiana, the home state of their fallen comrade, lance corporal Justin McLeese, to honor his memory.

Lake, who entered the Marines in September 2003, is the son of Battle Ground Animal Hospital veterinarian Dale Lake, and Cheri Lake of Boise, ID.

Randy Lake said his unit will return to Iraq in the fall. He plans to attend college after his four-year enlistment ends in 2007.

PLANNING COMMISSION REJECTS COMP PLAN UPDATE IDEA

The Clark County planning commission voted 6-1 May 19 against amending county code to allow the county commissioners to reconsider aspects of the county's growth management plan.

The county commissioners could still take the action without planning commission approval.

The county commissioners completed an update of the plan last year, but want to consider changes this year, particularly changes to urban growth boundaries.

County code limits growth plan updates to a five-year cycle, or when the inventory of available and buildable land is mostly consumed.

County staff had recommended approval of the proposal to repeal both the five year rule, and the criteria calling for plan review when 75 percent of residential or commercial lands available in the last growth plan are developed.

City of Vancouver mayor Royce Pollard opposed the code change.

In written comments to the planning commission, Pollard said the proposed changes would "throw out key growth policies we have had in place for a decade."

Pollard suggested that growth boundary changes would result in "leapfrog development" and harm longterm planning.

County planner Oliver Orjiako told the planning commission that neither the five year review interval nor the 75 percent criteria are part of state law. Both were adopted by the county following an appeal and hearing before the Western Washington Growth Managements Hearings Board.

County attorney Rich Lowry suggested that the planning commission consider lifting the five year criteria temporarily--for 2005 and 2006--and then reinstating it thereafter.

Lowry also stated that the county commissioners want to continue the growth plan review underway last year, not necessarily start a new process. He called the current action a "continuous, multi-year process."

Vancouver attorney John Karpinski, representing Clark County Natural Resources Council, suggested that the commissioners were reacting to "doom and gloom" claims by the development community. "The ink is barely dry on the plan," said Karpinski. "Let's follow the law for once."

Bryan Snodgrass, representing the city of Vancouver, opposed the growth plan review proposal because of the time and cost involved in conducting the process.

Planning commission members, attorney Lowry and others disagreed as to whether the change of growth plan review rules requires an environmental analysis.

County staff previously declared the action as having no adverse environmental impact, but Lowry said no environmental analysis was needed.

Planning commission members generally concurred that the effort to review the growth plan was moving too quickly.

"I think it's moving way too fast," said planning commission member Jeff Wriston. "I don't think that there's been enough time for the public to know what's going on."

Commissioner member Lonnie Moss said that the schedule to conclude a plan review by November was unrealistic. "That's far too much, far too fast," said Moss. "I don't want to see this Planning Commission have to force itself to make recommendations to fit an artificial time frame."

Moss also argued that county commissioners should not be able to tie the hands of future commissioners.

"The real issue here," said Moss, "is, should this board have a chance to revisit this plan which has not, although adopted, been implemented, or should it be bound by the decision of a previous board?"

Moss voted to recommend changing county code to allow growth plan review. The other six members of the planning commission voted no.

Orijako said the county commissioners will take up the matter on June 28.

BEAR STRIPS TREE INSIDE BG CITY LIMITS

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Gary and Deanne Johnson's place may feel remote, but it's not. Their 9 acres sits inside the city limits of Battle Ground, not far from busy NE Grace Ave.

So when Deanne Johnson looked out her window and saw a bear running across the back part of the property may 18, she thought, "nah."

"Our neighbors have black puffball dogs," she said. "I saw it running, thought the dog had gotten out, then realized it was not running like a dog and had no tail."

"But I didn't say anything," Johnson added. "I thought people would think I was making it all up."

But three days later while walking the back part of the property with her husband, she knew what she'd seen was a bear.

A 20-foot tall wild cherry tree had been recently peeled clean of its bark on its front from about 6-feet high down to the base. Claw marks at 45-degree angles were visible in the vibrant orange meat of the tree.

"We were going to build fence Saturday morning about 11 a.m.," she said.

The back part was intact because of an electric fence directly behind it, Johnson surmised.

Johnson thinks the bear may have come down from the north side of Tukes Mountain, across a creek, behind the Woodin View subdivision toward Grace, and then onto her property.

Dave Hughes, state Department of Fish and Wildlife officer, said it is a typical "bear peel," especially for this time of year.

Bears in this area don't go into a full-fledged hibernation, he said, but rather a deep sleep for a short period of time. When they wake up, they are hungry and their number one priority is feeding. "They strip trees to get to sugar and bark," Hughes said. Although bears are normally nocturnal, when they are hungry they'll feed at any time.

Of course, bears so close to the city limits is always a concern, Hughes said.

"[Johnson] has 9 acres near 70 undeveloped acres nearby," Hughes said. "If bears get into the busy part of a city, it's usually by mistake. For the most part they stay in rural areas."

Hughes recommend people be especially diligent at this time of year by not leaving full garbage cans outside until garbage day, and putting away birdseed and suet feeders.

Fish and Wildlife officials are concerned about bears that are friendly and accustomed to people, stand up rather than run away when approached, or are aggressive.

If a bear is sighted, rather than call Fish and Wildlife, first try to scare it away by making loud noises, such as banging pots and pans together or clapping hands from the other side of the window from where the bear is, Hughes said. If it doesn't run, call 696-6211.

Johnson said she's not worried, although in the 20 years she's lived there, she's never seen evidence of a bear before.

"We see deer," she said. "They just take my corn. Oh well, they have to eat too. I think the bear was just passing through."

CONTROVERSY MARKS START OF RIDGEFIELD BOND RUN

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

The ink isn't dry yet on the Ridgefield School Board's plan to propose a bond to voters this September, but that hasn't stopped a group of citizens from declaring they will fight to defeat it.

Five people announced May 25 at a regular school board meeting they will organize a "vote no" campaign unless superintendent Mary Vagner and curriculum director Patricia Boles resign immediately.

The citizens characterized themselves as pro-school, pro-teacher and pro-student, but believe that defeating a bond is critical because no administrative changes will ever happen if a large-scale bond passes.

Citizen Megan Eussen called Ridgefield's administration "condescending, dismissive, unaccountable and arrogant."

"I'm not an isolated, disgruntled parent," Eussen said. "[We need to] help fail the bond in the short term."

After the meeting, group members Danielle and Don Winton were hesitant to clarify specific incidents that led to the angst, only saying "numerous" incidents existed, and that they were "not yet at liberty to make them public."

Still, the Wintons say there is an overall pattern of mismanagement by District administration that can be traced back before the last school board election where two longstanding board members were voted out and replaced by Chris Swindell and Ray Warner.

The Wintons said District administrators allegedly attempted to halt a sixth grade musical production days before opening night because of insurance reasons.

The Wintons said the entire incident was poorly handled, and District administrators made no attempt to rectify the situation, only to enforce policy.

Insurance was eventually secured and the show was held as planned.

Not everybody agrees with the anti-administrators group.

Citizen Ray Smith spoke at the meeting in support of District administrators, saying that passing a bond is crucial to the area.

"This is for our kids," Smith said. "You didn't like the superintendent before Mary; are you going to like the one after her?"

Board chair Wendi Morris said she takes the concerns raised "very seriously" and will be doing more research at a Board level to get to the bottom of the allegations.

Morris said Board members perform two evaluations of a superintendent annually and just completed a mid-year review in May with unanimous Board support for Vagner.

She expected Board members to continue plans to run a bond September 20 in spite of the controversy.

"I don't agree with the [anti-administrators'] approach," Morris said. "It's threatening. For our kids' sakes we can't do anything except move forward with the bond."

Superintendent Vagner said after the meeting that her intent is to stay focused on educating students, not to resign.

"I would hope the community pulls together to support the educational needs of the children," Vagner said.

Bond specifics

For the past several months, Board members and community leaders have been ironing out specifics of what type of bond to run in Ridgefield.

The most current plan shows about $66.4 million of work needs to be done that will build a new high school and modify and improve the District's existing four schools.

To finance the plan, two options for payment are currently under consideration.

One option calls for a $53.5 million bond with $7.9 million state matching funds, $2 million coming from impact fees and $1.6 million from interest.

If passed, this option would raise area taxpayers' rates from about 42 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation to about $2.24 per $1,000.

This means an owner of a $200,000 house currently paying $84 annually would pay about $448 annually.

The second option calls for a $56 million bond with the same levels of state matching funds, impact fees and interest.

This would raise tax rates about 10 cents more per $1,000 assessed value.

Even with passing either option, Ridgefield taxpayers would still pay a mid-level bond rate compared with other school districts in Clark County, according to District documents. Ridgefield currently has the lowest bond rate in the County.

Cash raised would be used to build a new 1,200-student high school with 23 classrooms, labs, workshops, a 400-seat performing arts center, track, five fields and six tennis courts.

Minor modifications would be made to the existing high school to convert it to middle school use.

South Ridge Elementary would receive a new bus drop off, more parking, reconstructed play fields and new storm collection systems.

The campus containing Union Ridge Elementary and View Ridge Middle schools would receive more parking, better bus access, updated sewer capacity, reconstructed fields and a new storm water collection system.

School officials say even if September's bond passes, another bond will be needed, perhaps in 10 years or earlier.

Board member Chris Swindell said he supports the current direction of the District.

"The need is there, and costs aren't going to get any cheaper if we wait," Swindell said. "We need to come together as a community and get this thing done."

Board members are expected to make final adjustments to a bond proposal at a meeting Wed., June 1., 7 p.m., in the Ridgefield High School library, 2630 S Hillhurst Rd.

TALL SHIPS SET TO VISIT KALAMA

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Two historic-style ships are set to arrive at the Port of Kalama Wed., June 1, as part of a two-month voyage of discovery up and down the west coast.

The ships had been in Kalama a week earlier as they progressed on their journey. 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 the ship, 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

CLARK PUBLIC UTILITIES TO CONSTRUCT WELL ON BG SCHOOL LAND

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Construction of a new water supply well is underway near NE 199th St. and NE 82nd Ave. in the Manor area.

Owned and operated by Clark Public Utilities, the well will be located on an easement owned by the Battle Ground School District on property commonly known as Mint Fields.

Utility spokesperson Mick Shutt said water supplied by the new well will augment existing supplies in Battle Ground and Clark County to help meet the needs of existing and future populations.

The well is part of a recent agreement between Battle Ground and the utility to supply water to Battle Ground if supplies run low, Shutt added.

About 1,100 gallons per minute will be able to be pumped to customers through the well using existing water systems. Water will be pumped electronically. No other wells will be closed.

A wellhouse, driveway, and pumping and treatment equipment are to be constructed by summer. The well itself has already been drilled and tested.

Regarding its placement on District property, Shutt said the well and its buildings will not occupy much space, probably about 900 square feet.

Shutt characterized the size of the well as "on the larger scale" of those operated by the utility, but "not huge."

Shutt doubted any correlation existed between the new well and plans to develop the property for schools' placement.

District facilities director Kevin Jolma said that a $5,000 easement agreement has been in place with the utility since 1997. The agreement was made by previous administration.

Jolma said no connection exists between the well and development of Mint Fields for new schools.

DEVELOPER TREATS MILITARY MAN TO STAR WARS

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Tickets are hard to come by to see Star Wars: Episode III--Revenge of the Sith. Most theaters are sold out.

When 35-year-old Randall Rench of Fort Lewis heard his platoon buddy Brandon Powell wanted to watch the movie, he called Vancouver mayor Royce Pollard to see if the influential man could arrange tickets.

It was not a frivolous request.

Powell, 20, a 2002 Heritage High School graduate in Orchards, was shot by a sniper on top of a three-story building while on duty in Masul, Iraq, on Nov. 30, 2004. He is paralyzed from the neck down. Powell, part of a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade combat team, was pierced by a sniper's bullet that entered his neck from the front just above his body armor. The bullet sliced down at an angle, cut his spinal cord and lodged in the back of his armor.

Rench was in the platoon and was shot as well, suffering two cracked vertebrae. He is mobile.

Pollard contacted area Regency Cinema developer Elie Kassab to see what he could do. Kassab not only got tickets for Powell and Rench, he set aside two prime viewing rows in the new Battle Ground cinema on May 22 for his friends, family and city dignitaries.

Powell's crowd also got free popcorn, soda and candy. His brother, Blaine Powell, 19, sat beside him and fed handfuls of popcorn between sips of soda while his brother sat in a 300-pound specialized wheelchair.

Crowds of moviegoers looked curiously at the fuss being made over the man in a wheelchair. Reporters scribbled notes, and photographers' cameras clicked and flashed in the dark room.

Just before the movie started, Pollard stood and spoke to the Sunday afternoon crowd.

"I want to introduce you to a friend of mine," said the U.S. Army vet who served two years in Vietnam. Pollard described Powell's injury and asked the crowd to thank him for his sacrifice. Applause erupted.

Battle Ground city council member Bill Ganley who attended along with council member Lisa Walters also spoke.

"On behalf of the city and mayor [John Idsinga], we thank Brandon for his service and honor in bringing democracy to this country," he said.

Again, the room erupted.

Powell and Rench were surprised at the result of a simple request.

"I just thought I'd come down and see a movie," Rench said. "I called the mayor, and the next thing I know, he set this up. It was really short notice, too."

Kassab also spoke to the crowd and said that anytime Brandon wants to see a movie, he will be welcome in Battle Ground.

"Thank you for what you have done on our behalf," Kassab told Powell.

"I was surprised," Powell said, grinning after finishing a mouthful of popcorn. When someone told him they were so sorry about what happened to him, he quietly said, "It happens."