BG BURIES HISTORY IN CAPSULE

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

   Bits and pieces of life as it is in Battle Ground in 2005 were stuffed into a 1-foot diameter, 2-foot tall aluminum cylinder and buried Nov. 9 in front of city hall.

   Commemorating the battle between that never happened between Indians and Fort Vancouver soldiers that gave the city its name, the time capsule was interred on a grassy strip of lawn while a crowd of about 50 people looked on.

   Battle Ground citizens will dig it up in the year 2055 and find 54 pieces of memorabilia.

   During the ceremony, mayor John Idsinga said he thought putting in a cell phone was a good idea.

   "Remember those first cell phones years ago?" he said. "They were the size of a brick, and you had to wear a battery pack on your belt. In 50 years they may be credit card size, or something you wear in your ear."

   Other items included photos and information about city staff, council members, and city-sponsored events such as the swearing in of new police chief Jim McDaniel.

   T-shirts, hats, four rolls of pennies put in by city finance director David Reeves, the 2005 city budget, area business cards, and Cresap family and time capsule histories were also included.

   Assistant city manager Dennis Osborn crafted a letter to his children, which they are to read when his daughter Riley is 60 and son Cameron is 55.

   The children were asked to put something in that they are proud of or really like at this age. Riley put in her certificate for outstanding achievement for being trustworthy and responsible, and her photo. Cameron chose a toy robot he made, a picture he drew of a giraffe, and a few other toys.

   "I wonder what they'll think of the things they chose when they are older," Osborn said with a laugh.

   In 1977, a much smaller time capsule was buried in front of then city hall on NW 3rd Ave. The aluminum tube was moved earlier this year to the new city hall location, then re-dug and opened in a July ceremony.

   Cresap family members, Battle Ground area pioneers, were in charge of the older time capsule, and on hand for the opening to help bury it.

   At the next opening, Gloria (Cresap) Walck and her mother, Vicky Cresap, won't be around, but granddaughter Savannah Smith, age 7, will be.

   Smith blushed at the crowd's attention when it was pointed out that she will be in charge of the next opening when she will be 57 years old.

   Idsinga said he hopes that the future generation will see what a great community Battle Ground was in the past, its great spirit as a positive, aggressive community that moved forward.

   "I hope it prospers as we have done," Idsinga said. "I hope they put as much emphasis on the past as much as on the future."

BG WOMAN FOUND DEAD

   Heidi Renee Heath, 28, of Battle Ground, was found dead Nov. 11 near a vehicle at about the 10200 block of NE St. Johns Road, Vancouver.

   Clark County sheriff's deputies said Heath died of a gunshot. No weapons were found at the scene.

   Heath was outside her vehicle, a blue Kia Sephia 4-door sedan. The vehicle was running with the parking lights on and the driver's door standing open.

   Sgt. Craig Hogman said the case is being investigated as a homicide.

   The incident occurred where I-205 passes over NE St. Johns Rd. and the victim had reportedly stopped under the overpass.

   Arriving deputies found the victim deceased at the scene. Detectives from the Sheriff's Major Crimes Unit were called to continue the investigation.

   Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. Kevin Harper, 397-2032, Det. Rick Buckner, 397-2024, or Sgt. Dave Trimble, 397-2020.

VETS ENJOY LUNCHES AND REMEMBER

Bill Myers, staff reporter

  Area veterans, courtesy of American Legion posts 14 (Vancouver) and 168 (Amboy), enjoyed hamburgers and sandwiches on Veteran's Day.

  At Post 14 headquarters in Vancouver, 250 veterans enjoyed potato soup, chicken salad sandwiches, coffee and cake, said Legion manager Julie Crockett.

  Crockett said most veterans lingered after lunches, chatting about memories and current events.

  At the Countree Kitchen Restaurant in Amboy, 27 veterans enjoyed hamburgers and sandwiches hosted by Post 168.

  After "chowing down," many veterans kicked back and let memories kick in.

  Enjoying a club sandwich, Amboy veteran Dick Baldwin, remembered 24 years of service and active duty call-backs that spanned almost four decades. Baldwin served with the 11th Airborne Division in Japan in 1947, the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea, and Special Forces Unit A343 in Vietnam.

  Marine veteran and Amboy resident Keith Christensen remembered Vietnam and being at the ready after returning home with a Marine invasion force near Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis.

  Brush Prairie World War II veteran "Mac" McDonald remembered duty with the 82nd Airborne Division in Germany.

  Amboy veteran Willard Rieger remembered cold, blustery runways and tuning B-25 bombers at a U.S. Air Force base in Korea.

PELLETIER WINS, DECIDES TO STAY

Another Battle Ground school board race too close to call

Bill Myers, staff reporter

  Incumbent Battle Ground school board director Mark Pelletier, winning 54 percent of the votes cast, decided to take the victory after trying to withdraw.

  Pelletier attempted to withdraw because of an address change, but notified Clark County elections officials too late, said School District spokesperson Kelly Keister.

  Keister said Pelletier, after seeing the voting result, decided to remain on the board through the holidays in order to ensure a voting quorum on the board.

  Following Pelletier's planned resignation early next year, District officials will appoint a volunteer replacement from the community until the next election, said Keister.

  Neither Pelletier nor his opponent, Cecil Schlecht, could be reached for comment.

  A race for the Director 3 position of the school board is too close to call.

  At The Reflector deadline, candidate Richard Kent had 6,018 votes, 21 more than opponent John Karvonen.

  Elections supervisor Tim Likness said about 3,800 votes are still uncounted, some of which could be for Battle Ground school board.

  A margin of less than one half of one percent requires a machine recount. Less than .25 percent makes a hand count necessary, said Likness. He said final results would be available in the first week of December if a recount is needed.

Reinhold wins council race

  Incumbent Battle Ground city council member Alexander Reinhold Jr., with about 57 percent of votes cast, defeated challenger David Agar for the Position 5 post.

  Reinhold said he was "thrilled" with the result and looks forward to a second 4-year city council term.

  Reinhold said he will continue to work for better parks and "more things kids can do."

STUART EDGES MIELKE FOR COMMISSIONER POST

  Incumbent Clark County commissioner Steve Stuart (D-Vancouver) won a narrow victory in the Nov. 8 general election, retaining his position of Clark County commissioner.

  Stuart was appointed to the post last year. He was challenged by former state representative Tom Mielke (R-Vancouver).

  The latest election results showed Stuart with a 3,114 vote margin of victory (51.7 percent to 48.3 percent).

  Stuart, in his first political campaign, said he worked hard to introduce himself to voters. "Even though I grew up here, this was my first time running for election," said Stuart, who graduated from Prairie High School.

  "We put together a message of what I believe and who I am," said Stuart. "I think that got across."

  Stuart recognized that his margin of victory was small.

  "The election shows that there are a lot more people for me to get out and meet in this county," said Stuart. "I want to show them how hard I will work. I will work hard for all the people of the county."

  Stuart and Mielke raised nearly the same amount of money. Both reported donations of about $200,000, not counting the value of campaign materials printed and distributed by the political parties and outside organizations.

  Stuart said his tactic of issue-oriented campaigning was effective.

  "This election shows that dirty campaigning and personal attacks don't work in this county," said Stuart.

  Mielke said it was negative campaigning that turned the election around.

  Mielke said a survey showed him up by 8 percent one month before the election. "I have to attribute (the turnaround) to negative campaigning, something I don't believe in," said Mielke.

  Mielke said the Progress Majority organization in Washington, D.C. sent out six mailers in eight days that contained negative messages about him. In addition he described one piece from Stuart's campaign as negative.   "My hope is that national groups will have other races to deal with next year," said Stuart, who will run for reelection in 2006 to finish the unexpired term of Craig Pridemore.

  Mielke said he was surprised that only about half of registered voters cast ballots. "I was shocked that Clark County passed a gas tax for the first time," said Mielke. "I hoped that people would come out and vote against the gas tax and vote for Mielke."

  "In my case, I don't think conservative voters came out," said Mielke.

  Mielke said the Republican party sent out a negative campaign mailer that he didn't know about in advance.

  Stuart said he, along with commissioners Marc Boldt and Betty Sue Morris, do not favor a "mega-bridge" to replace the existing I-5 bridge. "We (Clark County officials) need to have a strong voice in creating a list of options," said Stuart. "Our commuters are a lot more affected by the river crossing. I represent people who live here in Clark County."

  During the campaign, Stuart suggested that an existing railroad bridge could be reconstructed to provide for vehicle and truck traffic, and perhaps light-rail, without tearing down the existing I-5 bridge.

  "That's good news to me," said Mielke, who said he will continue to be active in the Economic Transporation Alliance that studies transportation issues. He said the railroad corridor is the most viable alternative, with added heavy rail tracks, light-rail capacity and vehicle lanes. "It could move 25 percent of traffic volumes off I-5," he said.

  "We need to build for the future," said Mielke, adding that the railroad bridge option is a plan of least resistance.

  Stuart and Mielke had clashed over growth estimates. Stuart defended the county's current estimated of 2 percent growth over the next year, a number lower than Mielke had estimated.

  "What will happen? It's impossible to tell," said Stuart. Stuart said he is confident that at the end of 20 years, the 2 percent figure will prove accurate, even though growth might be higher in the first 5-6 years of the planning period.

  Mielke said the county needs more commercial and industrial property in its updated growth plan.

  Mielke said he was uncertain about his future, and whether to run again in 2006.

  "I feel bad for those who stepped up and financed my campaign," said Mielke.

RED FIR INN OWNER PULLS REQUEST

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

   "It's the best way to go at this time," said Dave Ayres. "I can't afford to mess with it right now."

  Ayres, the owner of the Red Fir Inn in Yacolt, has withdrawn his request for an upgraded liquor license from the state liquor control board.

  His action stems from concern about which way Battle Ground School Board members might vote in light of their unanimous denial of a liquor license to Lloyd Taylor of Lloyd's Grill in Battle Ground.

  The Grill is within 500 feet of Maple Grove School. State law requires approval from governing jurisdictions when alcohol-related businesses are close to schools and churches.   The Red Fir Inn is directly across the street from Yacolt Elementary School.

  Ayres currently sells beer and wine in his "under-21 not allowed" establishment. He wanted to expand his business to a family-friendly restaurant, but needed an upgrade in his license to sell "spirits," he said.

  Ayres can't just turn his business into a restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol, because he already has a license to serve beer and wine. State law mandates that he sell "spirits" to have a restaurant, he said.

  Ayres has owned the struggling business for a little more than a year. He wanted the change to increase his customer base and increase revenue, he said.

  "Right now I'm barely breaking even," he said, adding that the newly passed anti-smoking law that bans smoking in all public buildings will likely kill business altogether.

  Yet, Ayres remains hopeful. He is adding a pizza parlor in the tavern that should be fully functioning by Nov. 18, he said.

  Meanwhile, he'll bide his time, wait for things to settle down about liquor license issues, and reapply later.

  "I really don't think [school board members] understand what their decisions have done to me."

COUNTY PROPOSES FUTURE ROADWAYS

Hearing set Nov. 17 on Orchards-Brush Prairie proposal

 Clark County planning commissioners will hold a public hearing Thurs., Nov. 17, on plans to map new roads between Orchards and Brush Prairie.

 The subject of the hearing is a proposal to add roads listed in an SR-503 Area Circulation Plan to the County Arterial Plan Map. The circulation plan was crafted by Clark County planners.

 County project manager Mike Mabrey said the plan, if approved, would amend the Arterial Map to show newly- proposed roadways in the vicinity of SR-503 between NE 99th and NE 144th streets.

 Map additions would include:

** A three-lane minor arterial corridor along NE 139th and NE 144th streets between NE 72nd and NE 152nd avenues. ** NE 132nd Ave., a three-lane minor arterial between NE 99th and NE 144th streets. ** Five collector roads between NE 99th St. and NE 144th St. to provide access to industrial/commercial zones near SR-503.

 Collectors in industrial or commercial zones would have thicker pavement suitable for truck traffic, said Maybrey.

** Other two-lane collector roadways between NE 99th and NE 144th streets.

 County long range planning manager Marty Snell issued a Determination of Non-Significance on the proposed map amendment on Nov. 2.

 Written comments must be submitted to Snell by Nov. 22 at Clark County Dept. of Community Development, 1300 Franklin St., 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA 98666-9810.

 The hearing, set for 6:30 p.m., will be in the sixth floor Commissioners Hearing Room at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver. 

DOG OK AFTER SHOTGUN WOUND

Bill Myers, staff reporter

 Simone, a family dog shotgunned in the driveway of a La Center home on Oct. 10, is home from the hospital and doing well.

 During a six-day stay at St. Francis Animal Hospital in Vancouver, Simone was treated by Dr. Mark Stanhope who used eight screws and a steel plate to repair the dog's shattered left leg.

 Several hours of surgery were needed to repair the leg and remove shotgun pellets, said a hospital spokesperson. The veterinarian/hospital bill was $3,900.

 Simone, shot by an unknown drive-by assailant, is now a house dog. "She won't be out barking at coyotes anymore but at least she is still with us," said Simone's owner, La Center police officer Jerry Lester.

 Lester and his wife, Brenda, said the family greatly appreciates an outpouring of public support after the incident was reported in The Reflector.

 Cards, dog treats, toys, get well wishes and donations came from many people, including strangers, said Brenda.

 Citizens added money to a $500 reward offered by the Lesters for information leading to the arrest of the gunman. The reward is now $1,700.

 Donations toward the veterinarian/hospital bill may be made at any Washington Mutual bank branch under Simone's name, said Jerry Lester. He said surplus contributions will be donated to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.

 Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call La Center police, at 263-2745.

RIDGEFIELD OK'S ALLOWED TAX INCREASE

Bill Myers, staff reporter

 Ridgefield city council members Nov. 3 approved a one percent ad valorem property tax increase allowed by state statute.

 The increase will result in tax collections for fiscal year 2006 of $3,796.83 in addition to increases resulting from finally adjusted value of new construction, improvements to property and any increase in the value of state-assessed property.

Budget amendment stalled

 Council members declined a request from city staff members to take immediate action on a 2005 budget amendment.

 The amendment provides for additional revenue for 2005 of $1.4 million and additional expenditures of $984,000, a positive net change of $452,000.

 Council member Gary Holmberg criticized city staff members for delays in reporting requested financial information.

 Holmberg said he and other council members just received the proposed amendment and need time to review the amendment "in a businesslike manner."

 City manager George Fox said a new accounting system and personnel changes delayed reporting. Fox assured council members that there is "nothing amiss" with city finances.

RIDGEFIELD JUNCTION IS CASINO OPTION

NW 319th St. at I-5 remains first choice

Bill Myers, staff reporter

 Either La Center or Ridgefield areas could be in play if the Cowlitz Indian Tribe gets a green light for gaming.

 A document from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) lists property near the Ridgefield junction as an alternative to the Tribe's first choice, 151 acres west of I-5 at NW 319th St.

 County and city public officials are perusing the document, a preliminary draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposed casino/hotel complex.

 Portland BIA officials released the document last month to about 15 "cooperating participating agencies."

 Participants have until Nov. 25 "to proof the document for errors," said BIA environmental protection specialist June Boynton.

 Boynton said a public draft should be released in early December.

 Five alternatives are listed in the preliminary document.

 Preferred alternative "A" would reroute NW 319th St. southward to make room for a two-story casino with more than 450,000 square feet of gaming, dining and convention space, an eight-story 250-room hotel and two parking garages with 2,750 spaces in each.

 Cowlitz spokesman Dave Barnett said hundreds of parking spaces, not thousands as has been reported, would be located under the hotel.

 Tribal offices, a cultural center, tribal housing, an RV park, detention pond and wastewater treatment plant would be situated south of NW 319th St.

 Three alternatives at the La Center location would limit the size and scope of operations or construct a non-gaming business park.

 A fifth option, alternative "E," proposes a casino/hotel complex east of the Ridgefield junction.  

 Slightly larger than Alternative "A," the complex would be sited on an irregularly-shaped 163 acres at the southeast corner of NE 279th St. and N 65th Ave.

 The 2,000-plus page preliminary EIS, with about 4,500 supporting exhibits, describes expected environmental, socio-economic and other impacts with plans for mitigation.

 To lessen economic impacts to La Center, the document proposes a joint marketing agreement with cardrooms.

WARREN WINS YACOLT MAYOR POST

Bill Myers, staff reporter

 In a landslide result, Yacolt voters chose town council member Joe Warren to be their mayor.

 Warren, appointed to a town council post in 2004, received an overwhelming endorsement from voters to step up to the mayoral post. He captured 82 percent of votes cast.

 Warren, 32, was born in Yacolt. He graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1993.

 A technician for Les Schwab Tire Co. and a U.S. Army veteran, Warren lives in Yacolt with his wife and baby son.

 Warren said he is grateful for the confidence of voters and looks forward to the challenges of being mayor.

 Warren's opponent, Pilar "Kit" Raanes, said she will congratulate Warren on both his victory and commitment to public service.

 Raines, 66 and retired, said it is important for people to be involved in their communities. She said she may run for town council in the future.

Council elections

 Incumbent mayor Jim Weldon did not run for re-election to the mayor post. He was unopposed in a bid for Council Position 2.

 Karen Holyk, also unopposed, was elected to Council Position 3. Council member Cindy Marbut was also re-elected to the council.

HANSON KEEPS RIDGEFIELD COUNCIL POST

Koller loses bid for re-election to school board

 Incumbent city council member Scott Hanson defeated challenger Michael Hefflin in a race for Council Position 1 in Ridgefield.

 Hanson, a building contractor, received 55 percent of the vote. He was appointed to the council from the Planning Commission in February 2005 after council member Tim Thompson resigned.

 Hanson said he and other council members need to get their "arms around" the city budget and make sure that projected revenues hold up. The challenge is about managing growth, he said.

 Hefflin said he was surprised to get 45 percent of the vote without actively campaigning.

 Too much power is held by one group of people in Ridgefield, said Hefflin. He declined to be specific except to say that the group goes around town and picks candidates. Hefflin said he is undecided if he will run again.

 City council candidate Chad Sessions was elected unopposed to the Council Position 4 sear.

School Board

 Ridgefield School District 4 director Kathy Koller was unseated by challenger Julie Olson.

 Olson, who captured 54 percent of the votes, said she was alarmed by the number of voters who opposed a bond measure to build a new high school.

 Olson said she and other school board members need to ask "hard questions and find out where the community is on school issues."

 Koller could not be reached for comment.

 Matthew Swindell, running unopposed, was elected to the District 1 post.

VOTERS REJECT RIDGEFIELD SCHOOL BOND

Bill Myers, staff reporter

 Voters in the Ridgefield School District put a new high school on the back burner.

 Only about 49 percent of voters supported a proposition to issue $56 million in general obligation bonds to construct a new high school and make other improvements in the district.

 The measure required a super majority of 60 percent for passage.

 School superintendent Mary Vagner said the vote result was very similar to previous new high school construction bond elections that went down to defeat in 1999 and 2000. In both previous elections, voters were evenly divided about building a new high school.

 Vagner said she wants to do a precinct analysis to compare voting patterns with recent voting results on an initiative to repeal a state gas tax. She said an independent survey would evaluate voter sentiments.

 Vagner said she hopes school board members will want to bring the bond measure before voters again in 2006.

 Opponents of the measure contended that the district provided incomplete financial information about construction costs. They said the measure proposes solutions to parking and traffic problems but ignores needs for elementary school buildings.

CHRISTMAS TREE TRAINS WILL RUN ON CHELATCHIE PRAIRIE RAILROAD

 The Battle Ground, Yacolt and Chelatchie Prairie Railroad (BYCX) will again offer Christmas tree trains this holiday season.

 The plan was sanctioned Nov. 7 by the Clark County commissioners, with the consent of the Columbia Basin Railroad, the company that holds a multi-year lease of the county-owned railroad.

 Trains will leave Yacolt on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., for a trip to Moulton Falls.

 The two-hour round trip will take passengers through a tunnel with a stop at Moulton Falls County Park where a warm fire will be burning and Santa Claus will be present.

 Passengers will be able to choose a pre-cut douglas fir or noble Christmas tree at Moulton Falls.

 Bryan Baker, who heads the volunteer BYCX group, said a family ticket package is priced at $45 which includes train fare for two adults and two children, a douglas fir tree, presents for each child from Santa, and refreshments--hot coffee, hot cider, hot cocoa, and cookies.

 The same family package with a noble fir tree instead of douglas fir is priced at $65.  Individual passenger rates are $12 adults, $11 seniors, $8 ages 6-13, and $3 ages 1-5. Trees are $29 and $50 if priced separately.

 Baker said trees will be 5-8 feet tall.

 Reservations can be made by calling 686-3559. Space will be saved for walk-on passengers.

RALPH KRAUS REMEMBERED FOR DEDICATION TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY

   Ralph Kraus served the Ridgefield community as a city council member and mayor, earned awards of distinction as a member of the Lions Club, organized caravans of recreational vehicle enthusiasts, and cooked countless hamburgers at the Clark County Fair during a life than spanned nearly 76 years.

   Kraus died in Ridgefield Nov. 4, 2005, following a short bout with cancer. A celebration of his life was held Nov. 10 at the Ridgefield Community United Methodist Church with nearly 300 people in attendance.

   Family members say Kraus lived his life to the fullest and enjoyed every minute of it.

   Ralph Eugene Kraus was born during the Great Depression on Dec. 2, 1929, in Alden, Kansas to Nargus and Marie (Goode) Kraus.