BURN BAN LIFTED IN CLARK AND COWLITZ COUNTIES

     The burn ban for Clark and Cowlitz counties was lifted Oct. 3.

     State officials said the recent rainfall has significantly increased large woody fuel moistures. The extended forecast does not indicate that an extended period of hot or windy weather is likely.

     Fire managers say that conscientious fire prevention practices are needed regardless.

     Citizens still need to follow all outdoor burning regulations and burning permit requirements.

     In particular, the public is reminded that the use of burn barrels is illegal.

     Wood debris piles must be four feet in diameter or smaller for forest practice silvicultural burning or for burning on unimproved lands.

     To burn piles larger than four feet, a burn permit is required.

     For more information or to obtain a burn permit, call the DNR Pacific Cascade Regional office, (360) 577-2025 or the Southwest Clean Air Agency, 1-800-633-0709.

     For burning on improved property in Clark County, contact the Clark County Fire Marshal's office, 397-2186.

     For burning information associated with Cowlitz County, contact Dave Flemings, Cowlitz County fire marshall, (360) 577-3052.

     Visit www.swfire.com for links to daily fire restrictions, or click on "outdoor burning" for in-depth information on outdoor burning.

PACIFICORP TO HOST FLOOD WORKSHOP

Bill Myers, staff reporter

  PacifiCorp officials will host a public workshop Tues., Oct. 25, on the handling of high-runoffs at Lewis River hydroelectric facilities.

  The Utility owns and operates Merwin, Yale and Swift No. 1 hydroelectric projects on the North Fork of the Lewis River.

  The workshop is the first of yearly public discussions on run-off issues pledged by the Utility in 2004 Lewis River licensing agreements.

  Agreements with state and federal agencies, Native Americans, counties and civic groups were required by federal energy officials prior to renewing Utility licenses to operate hydroelectric facilities along the Lewis River.

  In the licensing agreement, PacifiCorp officials agreed to revise high-runoff procedures at up-river dams to ease flooding possibilities.

  The Utility also agreed to upgrade its flood warning system with improved telephone procedures and installation of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio transmitter at Davis Peak.

  Woodland citizen Noel Johnson, a citizen-at-large representative in licensing meetings, said communications with PacifiCorp officials are much-improved since the relicensing agreements were inked.

  PacifiCorp program manager Todd Olson said discussion topics at the workshop will include development of a new company high-runoff procedure in accordance with settlement guidelines.

  Olson said residents can also learn how to obtain public information and how the company and public emergency management agencies will coordinate activities during high run-offs.

  The workshop will be held at Woodland City Hall, 100 Davidson Ave., 2nd floor, 7-8:30 p.m. Information, (503) 813-7070.

RIDGEFIELD CANDIDATE DELETED FROM BALLOT

Vancouver address brought registration challenge

Bill Myers, staff reporter

  Clark County elections officials have deleted Ridgefield school board candidate VaNessa Duplessie from the November general election ballot, noting that she does not live in the school district.

  Duplessie was running against Matthew Swindell.

  Elections supervisor Tim Likness said Duplessie was a registered voter at 1238 NE 45th St., Vancouver, and on July 22 changed her residence address to 33502 NW North Star Ranch Rd., Ridgefield.

  About a week later, Duplessie filed as a candidate for the Ridgefield School Board, said Likness.

  Ridgefield resident Vern Veysey challenged the residence address on Duplessie's voter registration, said Likness. Veysey and Duplessie appeared before county auditor Greg Kimsey on Oct. 4.

  Interviewed on Oct. 7, Duplessie said she and her husband are building a new home at the Ridgefield address and hoped to occupy it by Nov. 1. She said she was told twice during telephone calls to the Elections Office that she could list the Ridgefield address as her residence.

  Duplessie said construction issues have since delayed completion of the home.

  Likness said state law requires legal residency at the time one files declarations to be a candidate.

  After the hearing, Kimsey said he found no evidence of intent to defraud. He said state law required him to remove Duplessie's name from the ballot because she provided inaccurate address information on her declarations.

  Duplessie said she recently completed Leadership Clark Country training and was looking forward to public service. She said the challenge to her voter registration was probably politically motivated.

RESOLVE CONFLICTS IN OCTOBER

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

      My ex is not honoring the visitation schedule outlined in our parenting plan. Every time I am supposed to see our son, my ex says they are busy or have made other plans.

      The above problem and other conflicts are not insurmountable obstacles through mediation services.

      The month of October has been designated Conflict Resolution Month by the Association of Conflict Resolution, and has inspired events in Clark County.

      Community Mediation Services and Innovative Services NW have teamed up to provide workshops and events for those struggling to resolve personal issues.

      Here are planned events:

      Celebrate Week Without Violence at the YWCA in Vancouver, Oct. 16-22.

      A multi-cultural, multi-faith potluck and conversation will be held Sun., Oct. 16. For location, call the Greater Vancouver Interfaith Association, 693-4761.

      A workshop, How to Really Listen will be held Mon., Oct. 17, 7-9 p.m., on the sixth floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin, Vancouver.

      Conflict Styles will be held Wed., Oct. 19, 7-9 p.m., at Fisher's Landing C-TRAN building on NE 164th St.

      On Thurs., Oct. 20, see the project Voice of the People, Make Democracy Work at the Ft. Vancouver Regional Library      main branch in Vancouver.

      Indentifying Underlying Needs will be presented Mon., Oct. 24, 7-9 p.m., sixth floor of the Public Service Center.

      The workshop, Solving The Problem, will be held on Wed., Oct. 26, 7-9 p.m., at Fisher's Landing C-TRAN building.

      Listening Booths will take place on Saturdays, Oct. 15 and 22, at Vancouver Farmer's Market with Listening Lady Marcia McReynolds.

      Information about family mediation with Vista Family Services through Innovative Services NW will also be available. The non-profit agency offers affordable services on a sliding fee scale.

      The agency offers mediation with parenting plans, divorces, parents and teens, and guardianship and elders.

      Mediators are trained in family systems, conflict resolution, Washington family law, and communications. They help people resolve misunderstandings and communicate more clearly.

      Mediation is a process where a neutral third party helps families define what issues are in dispute and reach mutually acceptable agreements.

      Community Mediation Services offers help in neighborhood issues and trains volunteers. However, the service does not provide counseling, legal advice or advocacy.

      For more information about events and services, call Community Mediation Services at 619-1140 or Innovative Services NW, 823-5178.

      To register for the free workshops, call 619-1149. Space is limited.

BG MAN LOSES HUNTING LICENSE FOR LIFE

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

      Following an 18-month investigation by Idaho fish and wildlife officials, Christian Witt, 32, Battle Ground, was fined nearly $30,000 and lost his hunting license for life.

      Witt was sentenced for poaching in Nez Perce, ID District Court on Sept. 14.

      Witt's father, Billy Jack Witt, 58, of Battle Ground, was sentenced in July this year and received a five-year hunting license suspension and nearly $10,000 in fines and civil penalties.

      In addition, Warren Dunn, 56, of Yacolt, and Terrence Wallingford, 35, of Ridgefield, Scott LeMaster of Vancouver, an Idaho man and two Oregon residents lost their hunting privileges for from one to three years each.

      Originally charged with felony conspiracy and 12 misdemeanors, Christian Witt pleaded guilty to seven misdemeanors in a plea agreement.

      The Witts often took others on guided hunting and fishing trips as far back as 1998, officials said. Because of a short one or two-year statute of limitations, charges could not be filed on those incidents.

      In July 2004, the Witts reportedly unwittingly took British Columbia investigators on an illegally guided salmon fishing trip at Terrace, B.C. They were arrested and charged.

      Equipment was seized, including a 22-foot jet boat, a Ford three-quarter ton diesel pickup truck, and fishing tackle appraised at about $110,000 in Canadian currency.

      The Witts pleaded guilty in December 2004, were fined $24,000, and forfeited the seized equipment.

      Animals that were taken illegally in Idaho include elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, pheasant, and wild turkey, officials said.

      Poaching violations included hunting during a closed hunting season, tag transfers, and over-limits of game taken, which is typical party hunting activity common in Idaho, officials said.

      As a result of the recent conviction, Witt may be banned from hunting in 18 other states forever because of a Wildlife Violator Compact between most of the western states, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota and Missouri.

      "All of these states will benefit from the prosecution of these commercial poachers," said Idaho Fish and Game assistant enforcement chief Clay Cummins.

      "The cooperation between all the wildlife agencies involved [in Witts conviction] was outstanding," Cummins said. "Without the assistance, expertise, and persistence of all the investigators, this investigation would not have been nearly as successful."

RULES TO MOVE DIRT, CLEAR LAND, CHANGED IN BG

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

      Battle Ground city council members unanimously passed a new ordinance Oct. 3 that regulates how land is cleared and dirt is moved in the city.

      City planners have worked with planning commission members to put rules in place for landowners. The commission forwarded the ordinance to the city council for approval last month.

      Previous regulations fell under city building codes which were governed by the broader International Building Code, said city planner Brian Carrico.

      The codes needed to be more strict and more local, he said.

      The codes also make Battle Ground current with the rest of Clark County, and are the same as what the Building Industry Association uses, said Eric Holmes, city manager.

      The biggest change is that now there are rules when before the only regulation was not clearing or grading in a critical area, Carrico said.

      The new rules state that only one-half acre per site can be cleared in a calendar year without a permit.

      In addition, more than 50 cubic yards of fill, or about five dumptrucks full, can't be moved per site per year without a permit.

      Under the previous code, permits were not required and there were no limitations on clearing or moving dirt.

      Exempt projects include agricultural activities, forest practices, fish enhancement projects, and emergency actions.

      If a permit is needed, residents will be required to fill out an application packet. There will be no fee required, said Holmes, because there are already fees based on grading in engineering and building permits.

      Landowners will need to submit three copies of the clearing and/or grading plan stamped by a civil engineer, three copies of an erosion control plan, and an environmental checklist.

      City officials say the ordinance provides uniform procedures to protect public health, safety and welfare, minimizes adverse impacts, protects water quality, ensures prompt development, restoration and replanting, and allows for reasonable development inside city limits.

      For more information, contact Brian Carrico at 342-5000.

MCDANIEL SWORN IN AS BG CHIEF

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

    A standing-room only crowd of about 100 people welcomed Jim McDaniel as Battle Ground police chief Oct. 6 during a swearing-in ceremony at city hall.

    "This is the safest room in Clark County," quipped city manager Eric Holmes.

    Most in the crowd were Battle Ground police officers, a cadre of McDaniel's Special Emergency Response Team squad from Portland, Portland's police chief Derrick Foxworthy, and Dorothy Elmore, a new assistant chief who replaced McDaniel at the Portland Police Bureau.

    Holmes said the event was monumental.

    "This is the fifth chief in the history of Battle Ground, and the first chief in nearly half the city's (51-year) history," Holmes said.

    Former chief Ron Johnson retired May 31 after serving the city 31 years, the last 24 as chief.

    "I'm looking forward to the new and fresh leadership Jim brings to the department," Holmes said, "and the breadth and depth of his experience to the community."

    McDaniel, a Vancouver resident, comes to the city from serving as an assistant chief for the Portland Police Bureau. He has 25 years of experience in several areas of law enforcement.

    "I'm thrilled and honored to welcome someone with [McDaniel's] talent and experience to come and serve the community of Battle Ground," Holmes said, "and glad he chose to do so."

    Mayor John Idsinga said, "This is a great day for Battle Ground. I can't tell you how pleased I am that he will be the leading member of the task force."

    "This is a new era," Idsinga added. "He is taking us to the next level. This is an honorable event for Battle Ground."

    Holmes said he chose McDaniel out of a national search because he "really shined" with his quality of leadership and command presence.

    After taking the oath of office and receiving his badge, McDaniel said, "Wow."

    "I am extremely honored to accept the position as chief of Battle Ground," he said. "It's an excellent fit for me professionally and a great fit for my family."

    McDaniel said he also did his homework on the department, and part of the process was getting to officers.

    He said he chose Battle Ground over other job opportunities because he is impressed with city leadership and direction the city is headed, and the excellence of the officers on the force.

    "Overwhelmed" was McDaniel's response to the number of officers he's worked with in the past that came to the event.

    "That means a lot to me that you would take the time to come out here," he said.

    Holmes added that it says a lot about McDaniel himself that they would.

    "I will work very hard to make this the best police department in the state of Washington," McDaniel said. "Thanks a lot. Now let's all go to work."

    A welcome reception for citizens to meet with the chief is set for Mon., Oct. 24, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in the council chambers at city hall, 109 SW 1st St. A council study session will follow.

  BG BOARD MULLS ANOTHER LIQUOR REQUEST

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

    Still reeling from community fallout after denying a liquor license for Lloyd's Grill, Battle Ground school board members will have yet another decision to make regarding an alcohol license.

    Dave Ayres, owner of Red Fir located directly across the street from Yacolt Primary School, has asked the state Liquor Control Board to upgrade his liquor license to allow selling "spirits."

    Ayres currently serves beer and wine with food in the "under 21 not allowed" establishment.

    The building he has owned for about one year is within the 500-foot setback that kicks the request to the school board for approval, according to state law.

    On Sept. 28, all five school board members unanimously voted "no" regarding a license for Lloyd's Grill, citing safety and morals issues and the alcohol environment. Door-to-property line, Lloyd's is 319 feet from Maple Grove Primary School. Measured door-to-door, the buildings are separated by about 1,300 feet.

    Ayres said he's been following the issue with Lloyd, and is "pretty nervous."

    Ayres would like to increase business by making it a family dining restaurant and needs a "spirits" license to do so, he said.

    Having the restaurant also lifts the under-21 ban, he said.

    "I'd like to open the place up to families, Ayres said. "If I can't, it will hurt my business."