BG POLICE OFFICER INJURED IN ACCIDENT

Battle Ground police officer Sean M. Hendrickson, 31, suffered a concussion and a bruised left side as a result of a collision in his police vehicle and vehicles driven by Dallas Dennis Jr., 42, Camas, and Daniel Everett, 40, Battle Ground.

Hendrickson was responding to a backup call about 7:45 p.m. on Nov. 11 regarding a disturbance with weapons made by a Clark County Sheriff's deputy, said Battle Ground Sgt. Steve Urban.

As Hendrickson approached Fargher Lake on SR-503 at NE 369th St., he reportedly went through a curve in the roadway and collided with Dennis who was traveling southbound.

The police vehicle, an unmarked 1994 Chevrolet, came to a stop, partially blocking the northbound and southbound lanes, and was struck by Dennis who was traveling south as well.

Urban said the collision was not a head-on, but more of a "t-bone type" accident. Washington State Patrol officials are investigating the accident.

Hendrickson was transported by Battle Ground police to Southwest Washington Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Dennis was transported by ambulance to Southwest Washington Medical Center with a back injury. Everett was reportedly not injured and drove his vehicle, a 1976 Plymouth, from the scene.

The roadway was blocked for about three hours, with traffic being detoured.

The police vehicle was totalled, and will be replaced by insurance, Urban said. Dennis' 1985 Ford pickup was totalled as well.

Hendrickson has recovered and is back on duty, Urban said.

RIDGEFIELD PREPARES TO DEFEND ITSELF

Outside attorney begins investigation

Heidi Wallenborn

Bill Myers

Following concerns about racism in the firing of a police officer, Ridgefield city council members chose to hire attorneys to defend and to investigate.

Mayor Gladys Doriot and council members broke midway through a regular council meeting on Nov. 15 for an executive session to "discuss pending litigation," said city attorney Mike Wynne.

When they returned about 25 minutes later, motions were made and passed to hire Portland attorney John Spencer Stewart in the event that a federal lawsuit is filed, and Seattle attorney Eileen Lawrence to look into allegations that city manager George Fox forced officer Carl Mealing out "because he's black."

Lawrence was also hired in January 2004 by the city to investigate allegations that then-city manager Randy Bombardier was intimidating witnesses during a state and federal probe of environmental crimes.

Bombardier was fired by council members in March 2004 upon Lawrence's recommendation. Fox was hired as interim city manager, then hired full time last year.

Mealing was fired on Sept. 28, reportedly two days before the end of a one-year probation. He has since been rehired and put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a Dec. 13 Civil Service hearing to find whether he truly was on probation or actually a permanent employee at the time he was terminated.

If he was on probation, he has no recourse through Civil Service to get his job back. If he was permanent, the Commission could investigate the reasons behind his firing.

However, Mealing's attorney Jay Trumble had also filed a legal brief to the Commission charging racism in his client's termination in addition to his employee status.

Legal testimony taken in the brief by police chief Bruce Hall and alleged former girlfriend Jaclyn Emter states Fox wanted Mealing out because he's "creepy," "scary," and "black."

As a result, city officials have launched a full-fledged probe to determine the truth, despite the fact that Mealing withdrew that part of his complaint with the Commission.

Attorney Wynne said that even though the complaint was withdrawn, the matter cannot be simply overlooked.

Wynne said racial slurs and comments will not be tolerated or condoned, and if there is any truth to Mealing's allegation, "it's totally repugnant."

In an interview Nov. 16, Trumble said a decision has not yet been made regarding filing a federal civil rights violation suit against the city on behalf of his client.

However, the release to media of the legal brief to the commission has caused complications and concerns for Mealing, Trumble said.

Mealing believes the brief is not subject to public disclosure because it contained personnel issues, Trumble said.

"It makes it difficult for him to obtain an impartial hearing," he said.

As a result of media attention, Mealing may be forced to the federal level so the "case can be heard by an impartial trier of fact, a judge or jury," Trumble said.

"The Civil Service Commission did the right thing when they reinstated him, but the problem with that is that because of the notoriety generated by the release of the brief, in our opinion it makes it impossible for him to return to Ridgefield and resume the role of an officer," Trumble said.

City manager George Fox, interviewed briefly during the executive session, said he could not give his side of the story until after the Civil Service Commission hearing.

During public comments, former mayor Tim Thompson said the city might want to go back to a mayoral form of government.

"We've only had two mayors recalled in 100 years," he said later, "but we've been through six city managers in seven years."

City planning commissioner Cyrus Yamin said it was disturbing to read allegations of wrongdoing in The Reflector because the city has always had a good reputation and he doesn't want it to change.

Thompson later expressed surprise that Fox is not on paid administrative leave pending the complete investigation.

"That's always been protocol with the city to put people under investigation on leave," he said. "They did that with Randy [Bombardier], why not him [Fox]?"

Thompson said he knows Mealing fairly well, and that sometimes he'd come home from work to find the officer chatting with Thompson's wife on the front porch, eating cookies she'd made.

"[Mealing] is a very softspoken guy and a nice guy," Thompson said. "He was a very good officer."

"This is embarrassing," he added. "Ridgefield can't seem to stay out of the newspapers. But if something was done wrong, it should be made better. Lead-based paint chips

is one thing, whatever, we can deal with that. But racism. Man."

KENT RETAINS MARGIN; RECOUNT LOOMS

Richard C. Kent continues to lead John Karvonen in a race for a seat on the Battle Ground School Board.

Clark County elections supervisor Tim Likness said that a manual recount of the race appears certain, and will take place Nov. 29.

The latest figures show Kent with 6,254 votes, 13 votes ahead of Karvonen in the see-saw battle.

Kent was ahead by nine votes in the fifth elections report, but behind by one vote in the fourth report.

Likness said he expects 10-12 more ballots to be counted in the race before the election results are certified. The recount would take place on the same day as certification, he said.

MAYOR-COUNCIL DISPUTES DRIVE TALKS ABOUT NEW FORMS

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Conflicts between members of the Woodland City Council and Mayor Douglas Monge have resulted in the Council's consideration of an alternative form of government.

The city now operates under the strong mayor system, with the mayor being the chief officer who has administrative authority. The city has five council members.

During a special meeting Nov. 14, Monge acknowledged the disagreements.

"Let's talk about the elephant in the room," he said. "There are disagreements between the Council and the mayor on some issues."

Monge's statement followed a comment by Council Member Jim Tone.

"When the mayor and the Council don't get along and you put up with it for two or three years, (what are the alternatives)?" Tone said.

Consultant Greg Prothman of Seattle's Prothman Company presented the Council with two alternative forms of municipal government--the manager/council and the mayor/ administrator. But he suggested that before making a decision, the Council hire an interim city administrator for at least six months.

The Council is analyzing the city manager/council and mayor/administrator forms of city government.

Prothman even recommended an interim administrator-- Stan McNutt of Idaho, who served as administrator in Battle Ground before that city went to a city manager system.

"He's one of only one or two people I'd recommend," Prothman said.

The Council, however, made no decision but will wait until the budget is final before examining the issue further.

Prothman said the cost of an interim city administrator would be about $56 per hour.

The presentation of the 2006 budget was one bone of contention between the mayor and the Council, and during the special Nov. 14 meeting, Bruce Summers Jr. said the Council was told it must approve a salary for a city engineer.

Council members said they have not seen a draft of the 2006 budget, and Monge said the draft would be prepared before the week ends.

"I'd like to see a budget before we make any decisions," said Council Member John J. Burke.

Monge said that he recommended adding a city engineer's position to help alleviate the public works director's work load.

"We're experiencing a lot of growth," Monge said. "We were trying to hire an engineer; there were ways to get funds, but we decided not to put an engineer in the budget."

Some Council members indicated that differences extend beyond budgetary matters.

"The morale of the city is very poor," said Council Member Carol Rounds.

Rounds did not elaborate, but Tone said that it's difficult for council members to maintain constant communication with the various city departments.

"We're on the outside looking in," said Tone. "We don't see the department heads every day.

"We fight over a lack of communication," said Tone.

Tone said he believes a city manager who works for the council as a whole would be better than a city administrator who is responsible only to the mayor.

The city manager-council form of government would require a vote of the people, Prothman said, but a city administrator would not.

Prothman suggested that Woodland adopt a governance manual that would lay out the rules of governing a city and define the roles of the elected officials. He cited several Washington cities that use governance manuals.

Prothman also warned the Council to analyze the city's situation carefully before making any major changes in government.

He suggested that a "blue-ribbon committee" be involved in making any recommendation.

"It (changing the form of government) is a huge change to your organization," Prothman said. "It takes four to six months to figure out how it works."

Under the city manager form of government, the city council hires the manager who becomes the chief officer of the city with full responsibility for hiring and firing. The mayor becomes another council member with no administrative power.

The council is responsible for policy under either form of government.

If the city decides to hire an administrator to work under the mayor, the mayor would hire the administrator with the advice and consent of the city council. The mayor would continue to have the authority to hire and fire city department heads. He could fire the administrator or reduce the administrative duties.

The City Council will conduct a budget hearing Mon., Dec. 5, and will adopt the budget before the end of the year.

No date was set for further discussion on the two forms of government.

BG MAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING WIFE

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Brent Allen Heath, 29, was arrested five days after his wife was found shot to death outside her car under the I-205 overpass on St. Johns Rd., near Hazel Dell.

Heidi Renee Heath, 28, was found dead by Clark County deputies Nov. 11, about 10:30 p.m., beside her Kia Sephia that had its engine running and headlights on. She was shot twice in the head with a high-powered .22 rifle, officials said.

Brent Heath, a truck driver, faces charges of first degree murder at his next court appearance slated for Nov. 29. He is being held in the Clark County jail on $500,000 bail.

An affidavit of probable cause for arrest written by deputy Kevin Harper said that Heath called 911 about 1:16 a.m. to report his wife as missing. He reportedly told the dispatcher she had gone to a grocery store to buy snacks and beer and that he spoke with her a few times by cell phone while she was on her way. He tried again at 10:45 p.m., he reportedly said, but got sent to voice mail.

Heath, who lives at 903 NW 11th Place, Battle Ground, reportedly said he owns a blue Ford Ranger pickup, but didn't leave his house after his wife left.

The affidavit quotes witnesses who came forward to help with information leading to Heath's arrest.

Two witnesses told deputies they drove by the murder scene at about 10:21 p.m. and saw a pickup truck parked in front of the Kia about 3-6 feet away. The truck reportedly seemed to them that it blocked the Kia in.

Heath's neighbor told deputies that he'd seen Heath leaving another neighbor's house earlier on Nov. 11 with a rifle. When the witness called to him, it appeared Heath tried to hide the weapon against his leg, the witness reportedly said.

In the affidavit, the neighbor said they spoke to each other from about 30 feet away, and that he meant to ask about the rifle but got distracted and forgot.

Heath had been to another neighbors' home to take care of their dogs while they were gone for the weekend, the affidavit states. However, he went on Friday, and wasn't supposed to go there until Saturday, according to the neighbors' statement to deputies.

Heath called the neighbors Saturday morning to tell them something bad had happened, the affidavit states. They came home that day and found out that Heidi Heath had been murdered. They ventured across the street from Heath's home to speak with the first neighbor.

In comparing notes, the trio became concerned that Heath was spotted with the rifle, the affidavit states. Together, they entered the neighbors' home and found live .22 caliber shells scattered on a computer chair and on the bedroom floor. The couple said the rounds were not there when they left the day before.

The couple gave deputies permission to take their rifles to be tested forensically at the Washington State Patrol lab. On Nov. 15, tests showed the .22 caliber casing found near Heidi Heath's body came from the .22 caliber A. Rossi single action rifle found in the neighbors' home, the affidavit states.

Another witness, who worked with Heidi Heath at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Salmon Creek, told deputies they were close friends. On the Tuesday before, Heath came to work in tears because of an argument over the phone with her husband, the affidavit states.

Heath reportedly told his wife of two years that he'd been unhappy in their marriage for a long time, the co-worker told deputies. Heath reportedly told her friend that divorce is not an option for her, and she wanted to make it work.

On Friday morning, Heidi Heath was cheered up, the co-worker reportedly said, because the couple had spoken the night before.

After his arrest, Heath reportedly told deputies that his wife had cheated on him for some months and that he believes she'd had sex with "at least 10 different men" since she began cheating on him.

GINGER THE DUCK GIVES LIFE TO CHICKS; DOG TAKES OVER

Ginger apparently didn't know that her eggs weren't fertile when she began setting on them.

And she was also apparently unaware that the nest she had chosen was already occupied by fertile chicken eggs.

On Oct. 16, Ginger the duck became the proud "mother" to two Araucana/Rhode Island chicks.

It all unfolded at the Ridgefield farm of Don and Crystal Stout who take in abandoned birds and other animals needing homes.

Crystal Stout, also known as "Captain Crystal," said Ginger, along with another duck and a goose, were found abandoned in a Portland park and being hazed by other ducks. She acquired the trio in June 2005 through an Internet connection with Portland police.

The new arrivals joined a farm that already had two peacocks named Harry and Sally, a pheasant, numerous chickens, and assorted dogs and cats.

Ginger laid three eggs and took over a chicken nest.

"Lo and behold, little chicks came out," said Crystal.

Ginger seemed content with the result. "She was cool with whatever happened," said Crystal.

The Stouts call the offspring "chucks," a cross between chicks and ducks. They have given one "chuck" the name "Chuckie."

But Ginger grew apparently grew tired of mothering the chicks. The chicks jumped off Captain Crystal's lap and landed on the back of Kodiak, a 6-month old German Shepherd.

After that encounter, Kodiak spent time sniffing around their cage.

Kodiak is now happy to have the two chicks on his back, and struts around the house with his two companions.

The goose that arrived with Ginger has his own personality, said Crystal, who carried "Goosie" around when he was little. "He's a little hard of hearing," said Crystal.

Goosie has become so attached to people that he becomes distraught when Crystal is away, rubbing up against the legs of other people.

A pheasant also follows Crystal around the farm.

LILAC GARDENS WILL GLOW AT CHRISTMAS

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Seven decorated Christmas trees will bring a holiday glow to the farmhouse at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens.

The featured tree stands nearly 8 feet tall in the living room and is covered with lilac ornaments and silk lilac flowers.

"One of Hulda's hats is on the tree top," said Lilac Society President Joyce Carlson. "It's beautiful."

Every room of the Victorian-era home is decorated, down to the tiny nursery beside the master bedroom, which contains three small pine trees decorated with Teddy bears.

"This is the fourth year we've decorated," Carlson said.

The society formed committees to decorate, and each committee was responsible for one room in the house at 115 S. Pekin Road, Woodland.

Outside, the gardens and house are festooned with lights.

Lilac Society will open the house to visitors during two weekends in December: Friday-Sunday, Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11., 4-7:30 p.m. Admission is $2.

The Carriage House Gift Shop will also be open.

Visitors will be greeted in the entry hall with a celebration of snowmen and snowflakes. The theme continues up the stairs and into the second-story hall.

A seven-foot tree, decorated with red ornaments and lights, stands in the parlor, and in the garden room is a tree hung with terra cotta pots and other gardening implements.

"It's different," Carlson said.

The white master bedroom contains a tree decorated in white birdhouses, white birds and other white decorations, while a son's bedroom contains an old-fashioned tree and toys.

Cider and cookies will be served in the farmhouse kitchen.

For information, call 225-8996.

WOODLAND GROUP HOPES TO ESTABLISH MUSEUM

Several Woodland residents want to make sure the community's history is not lost, and they're beginning a drive to develop a historic museum.

Ten people met Nov. 16 and established a fact-finding committee headed by Noel Johnson. Other committee officers are Judy Card, secretary, and Joy Snead, treasurer.

"People have been talking about this for quite awhile," Johnson said.

A meeting schedule has not been established, but people who want to be involved should call Johnson, 225-9807.

Officers will gather information about bylaws and creating a non-profit corporation. Research into grants and donations will begin.

The group will open an account at Twin City Bank.

Several names were considered, including Woodland Lewis River Museum, Lewis River Woodland Museum, and Woodland Lewis River Historical Museum.

In addition to the officers, members of the core group are Laurie Almer, Teri Ramey, Nancy Johnson, Janice Graham, Kira Graham, Mike Golik and John Burke.

PRELIMINARY STUDY BEGINS ON HOCKINSON MEADOWS PARK

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

The first state environ