C-TRAN HOSTS OPEN HOUSES

Fate of service to small cities rides on September vote

Bill Myers, staff reporter

C-TRAN officials hosted open houses in area cities Aug. 23-Sept. 1 to explain expected consequences of voter choices on a Sept. 20 ballot measure.

In a Special Election, voters within city limits throughout Clark County will give thumbs up or down to an additional sales tax of two cents on each $10 purchase.

After voters rejected a funding measure in November 2004, C-TRAN officials reduced the agency's service and taxing boundaries to include only incorporated cities and the Vancouver urban area.

Only voters in the city of Vancouver and its urban growth boundary (Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek and Orchards), and the cities of Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, Ridgefield and La Center and the town of Yacolt, will vote on the issue.

C-TRAN officials say additional funding is needed to keep busses rolling to Battle Ground, Camas and Washougal, and to restore services to La Center, Ridgefield, Yacolt and the Washington State University-Vancouver campus.

If voters reject the proposal, C-TRAN officials plan to adopt a Service Reduction Plan on Sept. 25. The Plan would reduce company service by 40 percent, eliminate weekend service and all service outside the Vancouver urban growth boundary.

C-TRAN director of operations Lynn Halsey said voter rejection would cause a loss of about 167 C-TRAN jobs.

Supporters of the C-TRAN proposal contend that failure of the ballot measure will cause other hardships:

** Workers and students who depend on C-TRAN to get to work and/or schools, many with minimum-wage jobs, wouldn't have transportation.

** Handicapped and senior citizens who depend on bus service would become house-bound.

** Without weekend service, seniors and handicapped citizens wouldn't get to churches.

Ballot measure supporters say that other transportation alternatives for handicapped or senior citizens would cost taxpayers more than the proposed a sales tax of a couple of cents on a $10 sale.

Since 1980, C-TRAN has had voter approval to collect a sales tax of three cents on every $10 expenditure. Approval of the ballot measure would raise the level to five cents per $10 expenditure, which C-TRAN officials say is still below other all other urban-area bus agencies.

The agency is authorized by law, with voter consent, to collect a sales tax up to nine cents per $10.

If approved by a simple majority of voters, the increase would be the first sales tax increase in C-TRAN's 24-year history.

DOBBES CELEBRATE 25 YEARS IN U.S.

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Woodland residents Benno and Klazina Dobbe, surrounded by family and friends at their home on July 23, celebrated 25 years in America.

The Dobbes, with children Nicolette, 7, Ben, 4 and Stefan, 2, emigrated to the United States from The Netherlands in 1980.

In the same year, a Holland grower planted a tulip seed, hoping it would grow and become a tulip that would reproduce over several years.

Benno and Klazina, with a camp trailer, had toured the west coast of the U.S. about 12 months earlier.

Woodland was like a new Holland, said Dobbe, complete with fertile lowlands, dikes and nice people.

"It took 18 months to secure immigration papers," said Dobbe.

Dobbe said he and Klazina decided to make the move in search of greater opportunities for their children and future grandchildren.

"I knew then we would make it."

Successful and secure on a family tulip farm in Holland, Dobbe said he worried about making the move until a memorable conversation with Klazina.

He said he asked Klazina, "Will you still love me no matter what happens?"

Klazina's reply determined the family's future. "Of course! No matter what happens!"

"I knew then that we would make it," said Dobbe.

After arriving in Chicago on July 20, 1980, the family visited relatives in Michigan.

Klazina and the children stayed with the relatives while Benno flew west to make arrangements to receive his family in Woodland.

Dobbe said he bought a used Chevrolet from Lewis River Motors and rented a home at 619 Washington St. in Woodland.

When Klazina and the children arrived, the family found used furniture bargains for their rented home.

Dobbe, raised on a tulip farm and used to working from dawn to dusk, leased about five acres of bottom land in a cooperative bulb-planting venture. With his wife and children at his side, he worked the ground and planted.

During the next two years, the Dobbes grew bulbs, bought and sold cut flowers, harvested and sold bear grass, Scotch Broom and evergreen boughs. "If it was legal and floral, we did it," said Dobbe.

In a couple of years, Dobbe negotiated a purchase of 125 acres in Woodland on Pekin Rd., the current location of the Dobbe home and the Holland America Bulb Farm.

In the years that followed, the Dobbe children learned and grew to love the bulb and cut flower business.

About seven years after arriving in America, the Dobbes were selling tulips throughout much of America. Meanwhile, the hybrid tulip, after seven years of annual plantings in Holland, had become a full-fledged, sturdy and reliable source of distinctive tulips with pink to reddish hues.

The Dobbes became U.S. citizens on July 4, 1996.

Today, Holland America Bulb Farms, Inc. and affiliated companies hire 160 full-time employees and more than 100 part-time seasonal workers.

Along the way, the Dobbes shared their successes with their community and fellow citizens.

At his business office, Dobbe cherishes letters of appreciation from U.S. presidents, chambers of commerce, school districts, charities, social organizations, police departments, fire departments and churches.

On a trip last year to The Netherlands, Dobbe was asked by the head of a Holland bulb growing company to name a new, hardy and distinctive pink-red tulip. It was the same tulip started by a grower from seed in 1980.

It didn't take long for Dobbe to think of a name. He said he just followed his heart and named the tulip variety, "Woodland."

Dobbe is owner and chief executive officer of five companies engaged in growing and/or distributing bulbs and flowers. He lives with his wife at their farm in Woodland.

Klazina is a self-employed acupuncturist practicing in Woodland.

Nicolette is general manager of Royal Dutch Flower Gardens. Ben is general manager of Holland America Bulb Farms, and Stefan has a wholesale cut flower business in Arizona. The Dobbes have six grandchildren.

BG SCHOOL BOARD RACE BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Candidates have announced their intention to run for seats on the Battle Ground School Board.

The election is set for November 8.

This year's race sees three positions up for grabs. Two seats are without incumbents. Two seats are running unopposed.

The following is a look at who is running for which position and why.

** Position 1

Incumbent Frederick Striker, who is currently board chairman, is running unopposed for position 1--the territory that covers the northern end of the District.

Striker, 72, first came on the Board in 1997. This will be his third term.

A retired captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, Striker also ran a retail tool business and a computerized security systems business. He last worked as the District's library technician until 1996.

Striker and his wife, Sara, have four children and three grandchildren.

Striker characterized his platform as continuing to meet the educational needs of all students within the District, in addition to being proactive to the challenges of a growing District.

Amboy resident Karrie Smith, who announced her intention to run against Striker in a school board meeting in March, has decided not to run. Smith said the time commitment for the position initially looked like two meetings a month, but on closer examination is more like a full-time job.

Smith already works a full-time job in addition to having three children in school. She will continue other volunteer efforts within the District, she said.

** Position 3

Position 3 has been held by incumbent David Sonntag, who is not running again.

Sonntag said he likes the leadership the District currently has. He believes the District is going in a good direction, so it's time to pass the baton.

Sonntag initially came on the Board because he had questions about budgeting, leadership and decision making, he said.

The questions now are "no longer a concern," he said.

"I'm happy for what has transpired," Sonntag said. "We've seen the direction of the District turn from turmoil to trust."

Newcomer John Karvonen will run for position 3, the territory that covers the city of Battle Ground.

Karvonen works for Karvonen Sand & Gravel, a construction, paving, sand and gravel company.

Karvonen, 44, is a 1979 Battle Ground High School Graduate. He and his wife, Alice, have 10 children and two grandchildren. Six of his children are currently in Battle Ground schools.

Karvonen said his aim is "to keep the District rolling along." He characterized his knowledge about District issues as emerging.

He believes growth and meeting the needs of students educationally are the primary issues currently facing the District.

He believes the District is being fiscally responsibly. He supports bonds and said more schools are needed for the area.

Newcomer Richard Kent is also running for position 3.

Kent works as a geology consultant. He and his wife, Mavis, also a geologist, have three sons.

Kent, 60, has a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon, a master's degree from Portland State University and has completed doctoral studies at Texas A&M, all in geology.

He has been active in the Boy Scouts and was previously on the Battle Ground planning commission and was part of the team that developed the Legacy Standards for housing developments in Battle Ground. His wife is on the Battle Ground parks' board. One of the family's fundamental philosophy's is giving back to the community, Kent said.

Kent wants to maintain a focus on fiscal responsibility. Now that bonds have been approved, he wants to make sure money is spent wisely and that the public is informed of how money is spent, he said.

He aims to work with the District superintendent and staff to provide policy and direction.

Kent wants to work amiably with existing Board members.

He wants to keep school facilities public--and make sure community groups have access to buildings, provided they are not being used for education purposes.

He supports the creation of a new Amboy High School.

Kent watches WASL tests closely and believes they can be a good tool to see if curriculum is working.

A Viet Nam veteran, with a son who served in Afghanistan, Kent believes in service to "God, country and community," he said.

"Do your best, whatever you're doing," Kent said.

** Position 5

Newcomer Cecil Schlecht is running unopposed for position 5, the territory that covers everything west of about NE 72nd Ave.

Schlecht works as an estimator for Roof Toppers, a commercial and residential roofing contractor company. He has worked for the company the past 30 years.

Schlecht, 48, is a 1975 graduate of Battle Ground High School. He had his wife of 29 years, Darcey, do not have children.

Schlecht characterized his knowledge about District issues as emerging. He has begun attending Board meetings to learn more about specifics.

Schlecht is a member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, and said one of the reasons he is running is that members haven't been as active as they need to in the past.

He believes the education of every child in the District is important, and characterized his platform as education-related, not church-related.

Additionally, he believes the District "owes a moral obligation to parents, as well as a fiscal responsibility to all taxpayers."

Schlecht believes addressing growth is the main issue facing the District at present.

He is a strong supporter of levies and bonds, providing fiscal responsibility is shown, which he believes currently is happening.

Incumbent Dr. Mark Pelletier filed to run for position 5, but decided to withdraw his filing in late August.

Pelletier and his wife have decided to move to another house located out of their director position, but still in Battle Ground. Once he moves, he will have missed the deadline to file to run in his new position.

Regardless, Pelletier said he is not interested in running again. He had talked to Schlecht, and believes Schlecht will do a good job.

Pelletier said he initially joined the Board when the District was not doing as well as it is now. His goals of education excellence and fiscal responsibility have since been met.

"The District is in good hands," Pelletier said. "I very much support the direction the District is going."

BALLOTS FOR AMBOY BOND ARE IN MAIL

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Voters in the Battle Ground School District have begun to receive ballots to decide by Sept. 20 whether to construct a new high school in Amboy.

The election, along with all future elections in Clark County, will be conducted entirely by mail, although voters can vote in person at the elections department in Vancouver any time up to the election and at several drop-off boxes throughout the county on election day.

The bond proposal would raise about $20.4 million which, combined with about $15.8 million in state matching funds, would pay for the $36.1 million high school project.

About 900 students would eventually call the new school home. Designs are still preliminary, but the new school would include a gymnasium, cafeteria, vocational classrooms and performing arts center.

Land for the new school has already been purchased. The school would be located across SR-503 from Amboy Middle School.

On July 29, the District completed the purchase of 51 acres with a purchase price of $1.5 million.

What will it cost?

Voters would initially pay an additional 4 cents per $1,000 valuation on their properties if the resolution passed--from the current $1.26 per $1,000 in 2006 to $1.30.

For an owner of a $200,000 house, taxes would rise from about $252 annually to $260.

Over the years, however, the new high school would cost more than 4 cents per $1,000--not because taxes would rise, but because they wouldn't go down.

Tax rates are presently scheduled to fall over the next 20 years as current bonds are paid off and district valuation rises. But if the high school is approved, the taxation would stay constant at about $1.30 per $1,000 until about 2024, with the excess money going toward the new high school.

For instance, by 2023, current bond rates are projected to fall from $1.26 per $1,000 to about $1.01. But if voters approve the new high school, they would still be paying about $1.30.

Compared to other school districts in Clark County, Battle Ground has one of the lowest tax rates--even if the new high school is approved.

Why is the school needed?

If voters approve the resolution, the new high school is scheduled to open by fall 2009.

Attendance boundaries of the new school are still to be determined, said Board chairman Fred Striker, and would be determined once the bond is approved and public input is gathered via hearings.

Striker said a study was made last spring to determine student populations in the northern end of the district and where pockets of students are located.

One of the most obvious boundaries, Striker said, would be to have students who currently attend Amboy Middle School attend the new high school.

But depending on enrollment projections, Striker said, the new boundary could take students from as far south as the East Fork of the Lewis River.

Striker said whatever the new boundary would be, students should be able to graduate from whatever high school they start in.

Shorter bus rides are one reason proponents believe the new school is needed.

Laidlaw timetables show some students in the northern end of the county catch the bus at as early as 6:10 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. start time at Battle Ground High School.

No data has been gleaned yet that shows how much shorter rides would be, but Striker said the most obvious improvement would be felt in the northern end of the district.

In some cases, rides may not be shorter, Striker said. For instance, students from the Dole Valley area may not experience shorter rides getting to Amboy as they presently do getting to Battle Ground.

Laidlaw representative Linda Cage said data could be calculated by the end of October pertaining to ride times if the bond passes.

Bond proponents say the new high school would help students involved in extra curricular activities, help promote a better sense of community in each high school, and alleviate current and future crowding issues at Battle Ground and Prairie high schools.

WORDING CORRECTED IN BG BOND RESOLUTION

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Battle Ground School Board members said knew what they wanted when they approved a $20.4 million bond proposal Aug. 2, they just signed a document that wasn't worded as they thought it would be.

That error was corrected at an Aug. 30 Board meeting.

The problem, said assistant superintendent Lynn Hicks, who took responsibility for the error, was that the final bond resolution was created from drafts written by an attorney after the resolution had been read to Board members.

Of concern was a commitment to transfer any unused portions of bond money back to pay down debt when all agreed-upon construction projects have been completed.

That was what Board members believed they had agreed to.

The document signed by Board members Aug. 30 states that unused portions of bond money could either be used to pay down debt or used for other capital improvement projects after a public hearing is held.

Board chairman Fred Striker said the problem came because the wording that gives two options has traditionally been in bond resolutions.

During the course of the Aug. 2 meeting, Board members directed Hicks to take a rough copy of the resolution to her office, fill in wording on another topic, and bring the resolution back, Striker said.

Hicks did that, Striker said, but brought back a resolution created from drafts that contained the old language. That was the document that Board members signed.

The problem was corrected Aug. 30 by amending the first resolution.

Attorney Jim McNeil described the problem as "a mis- communication."

BG SCHOOLS BUDGET APPROVED

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Battle Ground School Board members Aug. 30 unanimously approved the District's budget for 2005-2006.

Reflected in the new budget is the first wave of projects funded in part by a $63 million bond passed by voters in March.

The following projects are set to begin this year, (costs do not reflect total amounts of all projects, but only what will be spent this year): $4.8 million will be spent on the new Cresap K-4 school, $4.8 million on the new Cresap 5-8 school, $355,000 on preliminary projects for another new K-4 school, $355,000 for another K-5, $2.8 million for new heating and cooling systems in several schools, $123,000 for a new track at Prairie High School, $13,000 for a new stage at Battle Ground High School, $2.3 million to begin the remodel of Amboy Middle, $1.5 million to begin the remodel of Captain Strong, $542,000 to begin the Laurin Middle remodel, and $2 million for more portable classrooms.

Portables are funded by impact fees, not the bond. About $2 million is generated annually by impact fees in the Battle Ground School District.

The District's general fund, which pays for most day-to-day operations of the District, is up slightly from last year.

Greater revenues this year are mostly due to increased state apportionment dollars because of more students in the District, said District business manager Mary Beth Lynn. Average basic education apportionment is $4,275 per student.

More money has also come from the state for increased salaries, Lynn said. The District receives about 60 percent of its budget from the state.

Last year, the District brought in $84.6 million and spent $88 million. This year, the District proposes to bring in $89 million and spend $90.1 million.

The figures are approximations because they're based on projected enrollment numbers, explained Lynn. Also, figures don't show all the "carry-overs" yet (money that is not spent and held in an account), as 2004-2005 is not over yet.

Enrollment is projected at 12,034 students for 2005-2006, up 158 students from last year.

The District keeps 3-5 percent of its overall budget in reserves. This year, the District will have about $6 million in savings. About $4 million of that is designated for levy expenditures.

The District's three-year levy is up again for renewal at the end of 2006. A vote to approve or deny a replacement levy is expected to come before voters in spring 2006.

Transportation costs are projected to rise 10-15 percent this year due to rising fuel prices. The state has approved a transportation study this year which Lynn and District administrator Dr. Bruce Kelley will undertake.

The state approved a 1.2 percent increase for salaries of teachers, classified staff and most administrators. Principals will receive a 4 percent raise this year, but haven't received a raise in six years.

For complete details of the budget, contact the District business office at 885-5311, or communications consultant Kelly Keister, 904-1233.

CITIES MUST REDUCE URBAN GROWTH REQUESTS

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

The Clark County commissioners have delivered an expected message to cities that want to expand their boundaries: they won't get all that they want.

"No city is going to get everything they asked for. No city," said County Commissioner Betty Sue Morris during an Aug. 30 meeting with the county's mayors.

Under the proposed comprehensive plan now being rewritten, the county's urban areas can increase over the next 20 years by about 19 square miles, 40 percent fewer than the requested 31 square miles, said county Community Development Director Rich Carson.

The calculations are based on a projected 20-year, 2 percent population growth, one job for every 1.75 persons, and the projected use of vacant land.

The county commissioners had a series of meetings earlier this year during which cities and individual property owners presented their wishes.