SCHLECT APPOINTED TO BOARD

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Cecil Schlect, 48, was appointed to the Battle Ground School Board on Jan. 14 during a special meeting.

Schlect, who replaces outgoing member Mark Pelletier, was the only applicant for the Position 5 vacancy.

Last November Schlect believed he was running unopposed for Pelletier's seat after the latter said he changed his mind about running for re-election. However, Pelletier did not remove his name in time from the ballot and was re-elected.

Pelletier is moving out of the District area he serves.

Schlect is a 1975 Battle Ground High School graduate. He has been employed for 30 years with Roof Toppers, a commercial and residential roofing company, where he currently works as an estimator.

Schlect and his wife, Darcey, have been married 29 years and do not have children.

A member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, Schlect said his interest in being a board member is education-related.

GRACE WILL SHRINK BUSINESS TO SEWING

Grace Anderson started in business doing sewing and alternations in 1977, expanded to a full-service cleaners, and will go back to her roots at the end of January.

Anderson has operated Grace's Plaza Cleaners and Sewing Shop since buying the business from Herb and Priscilla Reeves in 1982.

Starting Feb. 1, Anderson will moved to 315 W Main St. and continue doing sewing alterations and repair work. Her new location is near the Silver Dragon restaurant in space occupied by Unique Hair Design.

Customers are urged to pick up their dry cleaning and other clothing items by Thurs., Jan. 27. Current store hours at 717 W Main St., in the Battle Ground Shopping Plaza, are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Anderson said she will likely reduce her hours starting in February.

"I want to thank all my local and new customers who have support me for the last 28 years," said Anderson. "It is time to downsize, as the expression goes."

"I will continue to provide Battle Ground with Grace's Sewing Shop," she said. Customers will have to have their clothes cleaned before she will work on them, noted Anderson.

Anderson said she will attempt to call all customers who have clothing waiting to be picked up. She expect virtually all items to be claimed before she closes her doors.

One thing will remain the same: Grace's Sewing Shop can be reached at 687-1249.

DEVELOPER WILL APPEAL BARRIER IN NEW 199TH STREET

The need for a new traffic barrier installed on NE 199th St. just east of SR-503 in Battle Ground will be appealed by developers of the Gardner Center.

The barrier was a condition of approval of the commercial development, according to county officials.

The barrier precludes left turns into the Gardner Center at NW 9th Ave. which houses the Battle Ground Cinema, Lloyd's Grill and other businesses.

The barrier was constructed by Prestige Development, owners of the Gardner Center, as required by city and county officials.

Tammy Ferguson of Prestige Development said another traffic study and traffic count will be conducted, and an application will be filed with the county for "post-decision review."

If approval is achieved, said Ferguson, part or all of the barrier will be removed.

Clark County engineer Steve Schulte said traffic studies conducted before the Gardner Center was approved showed that westbound traffic on NE 199th St. could stack up at the SR-503 light and block the entrance to the Gardner Center.

Eastbound traffic on NE 199th St. could then come to a halt waiting to turn left into the Center, and back up to the intersection at SR-503, said Schulte. Such a situation could lead to accidents at the state highway, he said.

Schulte said the developer's own traffic study showed the need for the median. However, he was not sure if the study recommended the median.

The county's evaluation also showed the need for the barrier, said Schulte.

Schulte said development officials were cooperative with the need for a barrier on NE 199th St. and did not appeal the decision. As a result, the median was made a condition of approval.

Installation of the barrier comes on the heals of a longer and taller barrier on SR-503 which precludes left turns into the development at Scotton Way.

Schulte said the development was granted delays on installing the 199th St. barrier until the new right-in, right-out connection to SR-503 was completed at Scotton Way.

However, said Schulte, subsequent studies showed that left turns into the development from NE 199th St. would not be a problem until the Center was more fully developed. At present, several buildings and pads are unoccupied.

Schulte said development officials did not ask for another delay in installing the barrier. He suggested a delay request would have met with approval.

Dennis Mason, chief of Fire District 11, said fire engines will reach the center by driving east in the westbound lane of 199th St., or by actually driving across the 8-inch barriers. He expressed no misgivings about engines making these maneuvers.

Dave Bellinger of the state Department of Transportation said the barrier in SR-503 is part of an overall plan to place barriers in the roadway from Main Street in Battle Ground most of the way to Orchards for accident prevention reasons.

North of about NE 144th St., said Bellinger, the barrier will be of the tall variety where speeds are higher, and south of NE 144th St. it will be curbing.

"We had a developer at the table," said Bellinger in explaining the barrier north of NE 199th St. in Battle Ground.

As development takes place, the barriers will be needed, said Bellinger. "It was an opportunity," he said, even though "growth has not come yet."

The barrier in SR-503 runs the full length of the Gardner Center, including past the "Oaks" area which is to become home of an athletic facility.

Tammy Ferguson of Prestige Development said the barriers were not required during initial development planning and approval stages, but came later.

Ferguson said full access was planned at 199th St. and NW 9th Ave. until discussions in September 2004 when the development gained approval for the Scotton Way connection to SR-503.

Ferguson said a traffic study was conducted on the opening day of the movie "Star Wars," the busiest day at the Battle Ground Cinema so far. Even that day, she said, traffic did not stack up east or west at the 199th St. access road.

RULING SOUGHT ON FOX FLAP

Ridgefield action says employment agreement was a "mistake"

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Ridgefield city council members want a court to void an employment agreement with city manager George Fox.

Council members on Jan. 12 unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Portland attorney John Stewart to file an action to void the agreement in Clark County Superior Court.

The employment agreement was executed Feb. 24, 2005, and amended April 14 with a "First Addendum."

City officials suspended Fox with pay on Dec. 1, 2005, pending an investigation of facts surrounding the termination of Ridgefield police officer Carl Mealing.

Mealing, reinstated and placed on paid leave by the city after being fired last September, filed a federal lawsuit Dec. 1.

The suit name the City, police chief Bruce Hall and Fox as defendants, and alleges that Mealing's termination was racially motivated.

On Dec. 7, Fox's attorney, Donald Greig, filed a Demand for Arbitration with the U.S. Arbitration and Mediation Court of Oregon.

The Demand contends that the suspension of Fox constitutes a termination of employment and asks for monetary damages or Fox's immediate reinstatement.

City asks court to rule on agreement

The action approved by city council resolution is a complaint asking the court to render declaratory judgments. In the complaint, a first claim argues that the city manager employment agreement did not obligate Fox to "meaningful performance" in exchange for "exorbitant levels" of compensation and benefits.

Fox's salary for most of 2005, said the complaint, was $10,811.11 per month and will be $11,892.22 per month for 2006.

The complaint said the Agreement entitles Fox, from the first day of employment, to benefits equal to those paid to a 20-year exempt city employee, including 160 hours of vacation leave and 480 hours of sick leave.

Fox was also given $650 per month for an automobile and cell phone allowance.

Fox's compensation and benefits amount to an unauthorized gift of public funds and violate Washington law and public policy, said the complaint.

The complaint contends that city mayor Gladys Doriot and chief financial officer/clerk Kay Kammer did not have the authority to bind the city to terms of the Agreement.

A "mistake"

The Agreement was caused by a "unilateral mistake by the City," and a product of "Fox's undue influence over the City and the signatories..," alleged the complaint.

The legal filing contends that terms of the Agreement were in Fox's favor, to the City's detriment, and are "unconscionable."

A second claim asks the Court, in the alternative, to rule that the city's action to suspend Fox and place him on paid leave does not constitute a "termination."

The complaint also asks the Court to rule that the City is not required to defend Fox against allegations that he ordered Mealing fired because of his race.

A third claim asks the Court to declare that an arbitration clause in the Agreement is invalid, void and unenforceable.

The complaint alleges the arbitration clause is the product of mistake, undue influence, misrepresentation and concealment of known facts.

FLOOD PICTURE NOT SAME AS 1996

Reservoir inflows lower this year

Bill Myers

staff reporter

River bank dwellers are understandably nervous, but the flood picture this year on the Lewis River system is a far cry from 1996 conditions.

Peak inflows this year at upstream reservoirs are running at about 50,000 cubic feet per second, said PacifiCorp spokesman David Kvamme.

In 1996, peak inflows were at about 113,000 cubic feet per second, Kvamme said.

Kvamme said outflows at Merwin Dam are currently at about 30,000 cubic feet per second, versus 80,000 peak outflows in 1996.

"We're keeping up with inflows and slowly accumulate more reservoir space," said Kvamme.

Kvamme said utility officials keep a close watch on storms off of the Pacific Coast at this time of year. Constant contact is maintained with the National Weather Service River Forecast Center, he said.

Conditions in 1996 were aggravated by a heavy snow pack melted by sudden changes in temperatures, Kvamme said.

Kvamme said the entire region during the floods of 1996 suffered worse flooding conditions than those that exist now. Flood conditions in the Columbia River in 1996 caused water to back up in the Lewis system, he said.

Such events haven't happened this year, Kvamme said. But weather conditions can be fickle, he added. "Everyone living on rivers should own NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) radios," he said.

NOAA radios are available at Radio Shack and other electronics stores which come on automatically to warn of a flood hazard.

For information about river levels or general weather conditions, citizens can contact the National Weather Service at (503) 261-9246 or visit http://weather.noaa.gov.

Information about storage capacities in reservoirs is on the web at http://ahps.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/ahps/RiverDat/gifs/lewis-res.dat

Current Lewis River flow rates below Merwin Dam can be obtained by calling (360) 225-6942 or on the web at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv?14220500.

Clark County residents can obtain information about flood preparation from the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) at (360) 737-1911. Cowlitz County citizens may obtain information from Cowlitz County Emergency Management, (360) 577-3130.

PacifiCorp manages power-generation facilities at Lake Merwin, Yale Lake and Swift Reservoir.

In a wholly new approach to public bus transportation, officials of C-TRAN will soon offer door-to-door service, in-city transportation, and flexible hours and driving patterns designed to meet the needs of the public.

And officials say the new plan will continue to change as the transportation needs of the public become better known.

C-TRAN officials have explained the new service plans to city councils in Battle Ground, La Center, Ridgefield and Yacolt. The service will begin on Jan. 29.

Call ahead

The cornerstone of the new service plan is that city residents can call ahead to be picked up at their door, and then delivered anywhere else in that city as well as to other destinations.

Residents can also ride the van to a transit center, park-and-ride location, or the Vancouver Mall.

Residents can also establish a permanent schedule with C-TRAN and be picked up at the same time each day.

Students can use the service to reach their schools.

The new service plan applies only to incorporated cities; service will not be available between cities or in unincorporated area.

Battle Ground schedule

Two C-TRAN vans will serve Battle Ground from 6:50 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on weekdays, with shorter hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

Residents may use the "dial-a-ride" service during the full hours of service.

Residents are asked to call 1 1/2 hours or more before they wished to be picked up.

In addition to the at-door service, the C-TRAN vans will have a fixed schedule of stops at the E Main St. park-and-ride at Fairgrounds Park, plus a stop at W Main St. and 20th Ave. The vans will then travel to the Vancouver Mall.

Service on Saturdays will be from 8:25 a.m. until 8:05 p.m., and on Sundays from 10:05 a.m. until 6:45 p.m.

C-TRAN executive director Lynne Griffin said she expects in-city service to gain popularity. People living in one part of Battle Ground may call ahead, be picked up at their door and be taken to a grocery store, for example. They can return home at a later time.

For example, said Griffin, students could use C-TRAN to reach Battle Ground High School each day of the week.

La Center

Dial-a-ride service in La Center will be offered from 5:45-7:15 a.m., and 4:45-6:05 p.m. weekdays only. During those hours, residents may be picked up at their door and delivered elsewhere in the city limits, or transported to the Salmon Creek Park & Ride.

Ridgefield

Dial-a-ride service in Ridgefield will be offered 5:40-9:05 a.m., and 3:50-6:15 p.m. weekdays only.

C-TRAN vans will connect Ridgefield with the Salmon Creek Park & Ride three times in both the morning and afternoon.

Students could use the service on a fix basis to reach Ridgefield High School from any location in the city limits.

Yacolt

Service in Yacolt will be offered 9:10-10:20 a.m., and 3-4:10 p.m. weekdays only.

The van will arrive at the Yacolt town hall at 9:55 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., and at the Battle Ground Park & Ride at 10:20 a.m. and 4:10 p.m.

Detailed schedules for C-TRAN service to these cities are available by calling 695-0123.

When service begins Jan. 29-30, residents may call for at-door service at 695-8918. In the near future, residents will be able to call van drivers directly.

Griffin urged residents to respond to an online survey about they transportation needs. That survey will be available at www.c-tran.com beginning Jan. 29.

Griffin said she expects the new flexible system to lead to expanded demand for service. For example, she said, Ridgefield residents may wish to travel directly to Battle Ground, and C-TRAN will respond to such a demand.

Griffin said she expects more demand for service inside cities that from cities to a Park & Ride or other destination.

Griffin said C-TRAN staff will monitor usage during the first few months of the new system, and make changes as appropriate. "We are making a huge commitment in changing our behavior," said Griffin.

"This is the beginning," said Griffin. "This is not perfect."

Griffin stressed the key role that drivers will play in the new system.

Drivers may be contacted directly by customers and worked into the schedule as time allows. "It's a very friendly service," said Griffin.

The new service will be provided by a 15-passenger van, equipped with bicycle rack and wheelchair device.

Fare will be $1.25 for each trip, or $3 for a day pass. Monthly passes are also available.

C-TRAN continues to operate fixed-route schedules in Vancouver.

Information, 695-8918, or 696-4494.

CITIZENS GROUP LOBBIES FOR LEVY PASSAGE

Money earmarked for staff and supplies for four new schools

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

If the proposed Battle Ground School District renewal levy fails, the new schools voters approved in a $99.6 million bond last March could be bare-bones on staff, curriculum and supplies.

According to Melissa Small and Sue Cranke, president and past president of Citizens for Better Schools, passing the levy is vital to education quality now and in the future.

The approved bond provides for new schools, building renovations and building improvements District-wide.

The proposed four-year, $67 million renewal levy would provide continued money for existing programs, new programs, curriculum, and school books, and keeping teachers, nurses, counselors and assistant principals on staff. Those personnel were made possible through the current three-year, $23.9 million levy that expires Dec. 31 this year, proponents say.

If the levy fails, school board members will decide which cuts to make.

A committee made up of staff, administration, teachers and employee union members crunched numbers and came up with the $67 million package tfor which patrons would begin paying in 2007.

Revenue would come from each property owner in the 325-square mile District who would pay $2.59 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2007. In 2008 the tax would increase to $2.76, then $2.95 in 2009, and drop to $2.93 in 2010.

Currently, patrons pay $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value.

That means that the current tax on a $200,000 home is $378 annually, or $31.50 per month. In 2007, the tax would be $518 annually, or $43.16 monthly.

The tax would increase to $590 per year at its highest in 2009, or $49.16 monthly on a $200,000 home.

Projections are based on a 4 percent growth rate the first year and 8 percent for the last three years, and include rising home values, said Kelly Keister, District communications consultant. Dollar amounts could fall, as they often do, but not get higher.

Should more growth come inside District boundaries than anticipated, the levy taxes would likely be less per $1,000 of value, she said.

If voters approve the levy, the District would also gain $13.6 million from the state in "equalization" money, because the District is "industry poor." Income from industries ease the tax burden on patrons.

The equalization fund is made up of taxes already paid to the state by District patrons. Passing a levy means the money goes back to the community.

If the levy fails, all levy income dries up, and those equalization taxes stay with the state, Keister said.

Under the current levy, $637.80 is provided for each of the District's nearly 12,500 students.

In comparison, Ridgefield receives $1,309 for each of its nearly 2,000 students, Green Mountain gets $1,295 , La Center garners $990.32, and Hockinson receives $892.69 for each of its nearly 2,000 students, according to District information.

In addition, state funds supply $5,000 for each student in each school District, said Kent Martin, director of business services with the Battle Ground District.

The current levy supplies 13 percent of the District's funding, according to District information. The state cap on levy taxes is 24 percent.

What will the levy provide?

According to information provided by the District, if approved, the renewed levy would fund:

** Teachers

** Books, curriculum and materials

** Student learning support programs

** Assistant principals

** Nurses and health assistant

** Middle school and primary school counselors

** Secretarial, custodial and maintenance staff

** School site repairs and preventative maintenance

** Security and safety measures

** Support for middle and high school activities

** Technology upgrades in classrooms

** Teaching staff, custodians, secretaries and curriculum for new school sites and to keep up with District growth, and

** Money for state and federal mandates such as WASL, English as a Second Language, and No Child Left Behind that are required but funds are not provided.

Cranke said what would also likely suffer if the levy fails are buildings.

"The roofs fall in, gutters fall off, that's the first thing I saw in the past," she said. "We robbed Peter to pay Paul. That's part of why we're asking for more than what the current levy provides."

Cranke also said the proposed levy looks ahead four years and provides for anticipated growth, especially in the southern end of the District. City of Battle Ground officials have asked County commissioners for extended urban growth boundaries which would fold more children into existing schools.

"There are new developments going in there," Cranke said. "If those boundaries are changed, we will get hit severely."

Another problem, Small said, is that patrons have said the District is sure to get money from somewhere if the levy fails.

"We absolutely can't get it from anywhere," she said. "We barely have enough books as it is. We're doing the best we can with limited funding."

Another comment, she said, has been that the state gives money to the District, so why should taxpayers keep chipping in?

Small said that what the state gives isn't enough and is based on formulas that haven't been changed since 1979.

She likened the dilemma to when a loaf of bread used to cost 25 cents. The same loaf now costs more than $2.

Citizens for Better Schools plan to lobby state legislators, but the first priority is informing patrons of the needs of the District so the levy passes with a 60-percent super-majority vote.

As for the 70-cent increase from the current levy to the new in 2007, the levy committee went through a "painstaking process based on what the District needs to survive," Small said.

"Yes, it's higher than it was in the past," Cranke said. "But this group went through the process and came up with projected needs for the next four years."

"This is bare bones, there is no slush fund," Small said. "The budget is stretched like a rubber band. Everyone wants quality schools, but you have to pay for it."

CITIZENS FOR BETTERS SCHOOLS HOLD FORUMS

Need more information about the proposed $67 million renewal levy for the Battle Ground School District?

Citizens for Better Schools members will host community forums to "build bridges," provide information, and get community input about concerns and goals.

Forums will be held Tues., Jan. 17, 7-8 p.m., at Yacolt Primary School in the library, Fri., Jan. 20, 7-8 p.m., at Prairie High School in the library, and Mon., Jan. 23, 7-8 p.m., at Battle Ground High School in the library.

For more information, call Melissa Small, 910-0961.

LIBRARY BOARD SEARCHES FOR WAYS TO REGULATE WEB ACCESS

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Library patrons need greater protection from pornographic material, most Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board members say, but just how much more remains undecided.

During a Jan. 9 workshop, the library board asked library staff to analyze three recommendations that could strengthen district libraries' abilities to shield adults and children from what the board considers unsuitable internet access.

The board expects to vote on a policy at its Feb. 13 meeting, with time and location uncertain.

"We need to look at the impact of our decision, and move on the important issue," said vice chairwoman Karen Peterson. "We need to talk about the bond."

Voters in the Vancouver urban growth area narrowly defeated a $44 million bond measure in November that would have increased the size of several libraries. A 61 percent majority is required for a bond measure to pass.

In the November election, 59.37 percent of voters approved the measure, with 40.63 percent opposed.

During the past few years, concerns have been raised about the ability of library patrons to access sexually explicit internet Web sites.

Libraries require that children under age 17 have only filtered access to the internet. Access to unfiltered Web sites is blocked.

By the end of the Jan. 9 workshop, most members had agreed that the board should consider restricting internet access for those under age 18.

The board also discussed the possibility of establishing a policy that prohibits the viewing of pornography by any library users.

Board member Elena Smith and chairman Jerry King expressed the greatest concerns about limiting adult access to internet sites.

"This is related to individual freedom," King said. "There are some upright citizens who want to view pornography. That's a right we should protect, as along as we arrange things so children don't see it."

Elena Smith said she opposes restricting adult access.

"I favor filtering children, not adults," she said. "Many letters--people asked to protect their civil liberties. They should be free to access information."

Rose Smith presented another perspective. She said all computers should be filtered and the library should have a policy that sexually explicit material will not be accessed.

"I don't think they (adults) should look at sexually explicit material," she said. "We have to represent our community.

"Everybody I talk to says we (the library) don't have the same values as the community. These concerns will not go away," said Smith.

The board asked the staff to consider three alternatives in developing a policy for the board to consider at the Feb. 13 meeting.

They are:

** Maintain the current policy with no censorship for adults.

** Continue the current policy, but set standards for internet viewing, allow unfiltered searches for adults only, raise the age to 18, and put computer screens on the desktop to allow staff monitoring.

** Full filtering and viewing restrictions set by policy and filtering. Eliminate inadvertent viewing of offensive sites.

Board member Jack Burkman said, "I'd like a library that's family friendly; safe for children. There's a perception that the library is not safe. There's a continuing theme: Is it a good place to be?"

Elena Smith disagreed that people perceive the library as unsafe.

"The (library) programs are crowded with children," she said. "Libraries are one of the safest places we have. That they are unsafe is a misperception we have. When fear dictates policy, that concerns me."

Burkman called filtering a tool available to the library.

"A lot of adults want that tool," he said. "They don't want to see pornography."

Burkman suggested that the libraries might set up a system to allow patrons to individually request access to certain Web sites.

Bill Yee said there appears to be little agreement among the general public about the definition of pornography.

"What is pornography?" he asked. "Everybody has a different definition. For some, it's an alternative life style. I don't want to take out the ability of adults to do legitimate research."

BG BOARD MULLS GAY/STRAIGHT CLUB RIGHTS

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

The Battle Ground school board heard from its attorney Jan. 10 about its options regarding a student-initiated request for a gay/straight club at Battle Ground High School.

"It's an evening of education," said superintendent Shonny Bria. "So we can understand [Gay/Straight Alliance] and our obligation."

"I'm here to give advice on what the Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) really means for the Battle Ground School District," said District attorney Bill Coats. "I'm a legal representative giving input to the board so they can understand the direction the board is heading in the next 10 days."

A vote by Associated Student Body (ASB) governing members on whether to affirm the club was slated for Jan. 17.

Currently, the District has an "unlimited open forum" policy under the Equal Access Act which means any non-curriculum group can meet as a club before and after school hours, but are not ASB-sanctioned with ASB percs.

Being endorsed by the ASB means club members have access to ASB funding, a free appearance in the school yearbook, and can use the school's public address and bulletin boards to publicize information about events as long as the group does not proselytize other students.

Coats spoke at length about the U.S. Ninth District Court of Appeals 2002 decision Prince v. Jacoby which overruled school officials and allowed a religious club to be sponsored by the ASB of a Washington high school.

Coats said the ruling determined that any club has the right to ask for and be recognized as an ASB-approved group if they meet ASB guidelines.

Before the ruling, clubs fell under the guidelines of the Equal Access Act alone, which allowed any club to meet before and after school hours and follow other guidelines which are in place at Battle Ground High.

Certain guidelines were in place that banned some clubs, such as Christian-related, from being ASB-approved.

But in 2002, Spanaway High School came under fire from a student who wished to have an ASB-recognized Christian Club called World Changers. The group had already been meeting under Equal Access Act rules.

A lower court agreed with the school district and denied the student's request.

However, the student appealed to the federal District Court and won. School officials took the matter to the Supreme Court and were denied a hearing.

As a result, it's tricky to ban any group from applying for ASB-approval, Coats said.

"A second opinion"

One citizen at the meeting asked Coats if it were possible to legally block GSA by banning all clubs at the high school.

"It would change the activities in the high school if clubs were limited to curriculum [related] only," Coats said, such as Spanish and Math clubs. "Utah tried, was sued, and failed in their endeavor. Students still meet and engage in their activities."

Coats said similar acts "failed in every state." Every club would have to be eliminated not only in name and endorsement, but in fact, he said.

"If you want to go that route, you're making yourself a lightning rod for those groups," Coats said. "It would be counteractive and definitely attract lawsuits. The chances of success are very limited."

A citizen suggested that the District obtain a second legal opinion.

"It's like seeing a doctor," he said. "You need a second or third opinion."

OBITS:

TRACEY LOGUE

Tracey "TT" Michelle (Schulze) Logue, 37, died of liver disease Jan. 11, 2006, in Bend, OR.

Logue was born Jan. 17, 1968, in Englewood, CO, graduated from Parkrose High School in Parkrose, OR, in 1986, and attended Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, OR. She lived in Vancouver and Brush Prairie 1975-1985, then Portland and Gresham 1985-2001, before moving to Redmond, OR.

Logue worked as a home school and day care provider. She was interested in animals, cooking, gardening and all activities involving children.

Survivors include life partner Joe DeMent of Redmond, OR, parents Mike and Linda Schulze of Brush Prairie, son Cody Logue of Gresham, daughter Jessica Logue of Gresham, sister Jamie Schulze of Brush Prairie, brothers Kelly Schulze and Kelly Dobson, both of Vancouver, and grandparents Ruth Schulze of Portland and Ken Gustafson of Oregon.

Services will be held Sat., Jan. 21, 11 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Battle Ground, followed by interment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Vancouver. Autumn Funerals of Redmond, OR, is in charge of arrangements.

ANN FOLEY

Ann M. (Chicoine) Foley, 68, died Jan. 14, 2006, in Woodland.

Chicoine was born July 5, 1937, in Palmer, MA, owned and operated a collection agency, and lived in Woodland for 19 years.

Foley enjoyed cooking, garage sales, and being with her grandchildren. She attempted to do a little of everything.

Survivors include husband Martin Foley of Woodland, daughters Donna Dufault and Diane Trifone, both of Massachusetts, Sharlene Fitzgerald of Vermont, Nadine Palmer of Maine, and Kimberly Grassnickle of Woodland, 26 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Tues., Jan. 17, 7 p.m., at St. Philips Catholic Church in Woodland, with the Woodland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

JOHN SIZEMORE

John William Sizemore, 61, died Jan. 8, 2006, in Vancouver.

Sizemore was born Aug. 5, 1944, in Centralia, and lived in Clark County his entire life, the last six weeks in Battle Ground.

Sizemore attended Meadow Glade schools. He worked as a heavy equipment operator in construction. He enjoyed woodworking, driving, traveling and shooting pool.

Survivors include widow Elaine Sizemore of La Center, mother Alzoa Sizemore of Battle Ground, sons John Jacques of California and Dean Sizemore of Iraq, sisters Roberta Vantassel of Woodland, Juanita Rassmussen of Oregon and Willa Stuart of Yacolt, and two grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at Lewisville Cemetery, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

Eugene "Gene" Victor Sloniker, 74, died Jan. 6, 2006, in Casa Grande, AZ.

Sloniker was born Oct. 9, 1931, in Pecatonica, IL, earned a degree in forest management at Colorado State University, and worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 34 years in Oregon and Washington.

Sloniker worked at the Mt. St. Helens National Monument 1978-1990.

Sloniker enjoyed making wood toys for his grandchildren, wood carving, gardening and reading. He served as a fire commissioner for Fire District 13 for five years, 1992-1997. He was a volunteer ambulance driver and emergency medical technician in Concrete, WA. He served as a volunteer for North Country Emergency Medical Services for many years.

Survivors include widow Viola Sloniker of Yacolt, daughter Katherine Howell of Concrete, sons Bruce Sloniker of Vancouver and Peter Sloniker of Battle Ground, sister Dorothy Wagner of Illinois, and seven grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the North Country Emergency Medical Service, P.O. Box 189, Yacolt, WA 98675.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Casa Grande, AZ, was in charge of arrangements.

JOETTA KASBERG

JoEtta Grace (Eaton) Kasberg, 70, died Jan. 8, 2006, at home in Woodland.

Kasberg was born July 27, 1935, in Woodland, and lived all but 10 years of her life in Woodland. She loved gardening, cooking, clamming and nickel slot machines.

Survivors include widower William "Bill" Kasberg, at home in Woodland, son Tim Kasberg of Ridgefield, and granddaughter Stephanie Atteridge of Ridgefield.

Graveside services were held at Hayes Cemetery, Woodland, with the Woodland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

GERRIE CAINES

Gerrie Edwin Caines, 89, died Jan. 10, 2006, at Mallard Landing in Battle Ground.

Caines was born Aug. 28, 1916, in Pe Ell, graduated from Mossy Rock High School in 1935, and graduated from Washington State University in 1939.

Caines taught at Battle Ground High School from 1939 until retiring in 1977, teaching vocational agriculture, machine shop and automotive.

Caines enjoyed many fishing trips to British Columbia and Alaska. He also fished in area lakes and rivers. He spent a lot of time in his fruit orchard which he proudly shared with friends. He operated a u-cut Christmas tree farm for many years.

Caines was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, in 1985, brother Paul Caines in 2004 and sister Edna Overstreet in 1981. Survivors include daughter Sandra Storie of Battle Ground, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Burial was at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, with Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.

FRANK JAGELSKI

Frank Victor Jagelski, 89, died Jan. 7, 2006, at home in Vancouver.

Jagelski was born Dec. 15, 1916, in Burlington, OR, and moved with his family to Vancouver in 1924. He drove a milk route before a 39 year career with Alcoa.

In retirement, Jagelski worked on his family farm. He was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and birdwatching.

Jagelski was preceded in death by daughter Betty Restoule in 2000. Survivors include widow Marjorie, at home in Vancouver, sons John Jagelski of Vancouver and Stephen Jagelski of Lacey, daughters Marjorie Yelenich of Lacey and Deanna Boone of Shoreline, 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Burial was at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Vancouver, with Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.

HARVEY HELMBERGER

Harvey E. Helmberger, 87, died Dec. 23, 2005, in Riverside, CA, where he had lived the last few months.

Helmberger was born April 3, 1918, in Lucas, SD, and moved with his family to Enola, Nebraska where he graduated from high school in 1937.

Helmberger entered the Army Air Corp in 1942 and served as a bomber pilot based in Italy 1943-44. He completed 50 successful missions and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, Helmberger moved to Ridgefield in 1951. He worked for the VA Hospital in Vancouver, and the General Services Administration in Portland, and retired in 1979.

Helmberger was active in community projects. He coached Little League and volunteered at the Pearson Air Museum. He was commissioner of American Legion Baseball. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 14. He enjoyed photography. He traveled throughout the United States, Europe and Australia.

Helmberger was preceded in death by his wife, Florence, in 1998, and sons Roger Helmberger and Ross Helmberger in 1968. Survivors include daughter Rebecca Van Raden of Oregon, son Richard Helmberger of California, sister Marge Timperley of Nebraska and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Sat., Jan. 21, 2 p.m., at Bethel Evangelical Methodist Church, 2306 NW Carty Rd., Ridgefield. Burial was at Park Hill Cemetery, Vancouver, with Stout Funeral Home, California, in charge of arrangements.