FLORENCE ROBISON SUCCUMBS AT 92
Florence Evelyn Cordelia (Brown) Robison, 92, died March 2, 2006, in Vancouver.
Robison was born March 12, 1913, in Everett. Her grandparents had emigrated from Finland and she took pride in her Finnish heritage.
When she was a baby, the family moved to a farm near Sanders, Idaho. The family moved to Hockinson when Florence was 8 years old. She remained a Clark County resident for the rest of her life.
Robison attended Battle Ground High School and married Arnold Robison in 1933. She drove a rural mail delivery route, and fed her six children from her backyard garden.
Robison became a 4-H leader when her first child entered school. In 60 years of service to 4-H, she was Area IV secretary, Key Leader for economics, and Clark County 4-H Leader of the Year. She was a mainstay of the 4-H program at the Clark County Fair.
Robison's positive way with children made each 4-H entrant feel good about competing, with or without a blue ribbon. In her 80s, Robison remained involved in 4-H programs at the county fair and Battle Ground's Harvest Days. She helped children with 4-H demonstrations in her home and worked on special projects throughout the year.
Robison was a supporter of the North County Community Food Bank, serving several years on its advisory board. She supported Battle Ground schools and was active in PTA. All six of her children graduated from college.
Robison served on the Fort Vancouver Regional Library board of directors for 13 years. She was a longtime member of the Battle Ground Women's Study Club and the Battle Ground Garden Club. She served two terms on the Battle Ground Parks Board when she was past 80 years of age. She volunteered with the March of Dimes and was active in Battle Ground Kiwanis.
Robison played a role in the incorporation of Battle Ground in 1951. She was active in the community's rose float project, Revitalization Committee and her church. She was named Battle Ground Citizen of the Year in 1977, and was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Chamber of Commerce in 1999.
Friends remember Robison's good humor and sense of fun and adventure.
The city of Battle Ground dedicated a park to Florence Robison in 2002. A bronze plaque at the park contains these words:
In 1940, early in their marriage, Florence and Arnold Robison made their family home along Woodin Creek in Battle Ground. Growing up on a Hockinson farm and raising her children by the creek, Florence had a great sense of fun and adventure. She loved green spaces, clear streams and all living things. She helped Battle Ground become a city, devoting herself to the well-being of children and families through decades of volunteer work with 4-H, schools and libraries, community parks and gardens, the county fair and the rose float. We who enjoy this park today are beneficiaries of her devotion. We can thank her by passing it on.
Robison was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Robison, in 1988. Survivors include sons Doug Robison of Mill Creek, Michael Robison of Bothell, and John Robison of Redmond, daughters Kathie Story of Battle Ground, Sally Lawson of Port Townsend, and Eileen Robison of Lynnwood, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Viewing is set for Fri., March 10, 5-7 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home, 1st and Clark, Battle Ground.
Memorial services will be held Sat., March 11, 11 a.m., at Battle Ground United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow at the Kiwanis Building. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Battle Ground Community Library building fund, 12 W Main St., Battle Ground.
Layne's Funeral Home is in charge of cremation and other arrangements.
BG GAINS TWO MORE MEN IN BLUE
Department now in new building, open house set
Heidi Wallenborn
news director
The swearing-in event for Battle Ground's newest police officers, Brian Archer and Alex Davenport, was a milestone.
The men have the distinction of being the recipients of the first official ceremony in the new police building, built to accommodate community needs for several decades.
The building opened for business when staff moved into the two-story, concrete and glass, 20,000 square foot structure in late February.
For several years, operations have been run out of the nearby, 1,600 square feet at the police/fire complex at 505 SW 1st St.
In the new, spacious training room, chief Jim McDaniel swore the men in with a large image of a Battle Ground badge as a backdrop on a media screen.
Their wives pinned badges on their crisp, dark blue uniforms with family, friends and co-workers looking on and coffee and cake following.
Archer, 35, is a Mountain View High School graduate. He has been married eight years and has three daughters. He and his family are Vancouver residents.
An entry level officer, Archer has been employed as a distributor for The Oregonian, general manager for Pacific Bell, and HVAC installer with Precision Air.
His hobbies are home improvement projects, hockey, and painting Winterhawks helmets for the team.
Davenport, 31, has been married five years and lives in Vancouver with his wife.
Davenport, also an entry-level officer, graduated from Gresham High School, earned an Associate of Arts diploma from Mount Hood Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree from the Art Institute of Portland with a major in art and animation. He also served three years in the Army.
He has been employed as a sales specialist with R.E.I. and production specialist with Wafertech.
His hobbies are working out, reading, and snowboarding.
"I'm delighted to have you both," McDaniel said. "It's a competitive process, it's not easy. These are qualified individuals and we are fortunate to have them here."
McDaniel told the men that officers represent the entire city by the way they do business and the way they treat people.
"You have qualities that fit," McDaniel added. "There is no doubt in my mind that you will have very successful careers in law enforcement."
Mayor John Idsinga shook the men's hands and welcomed them.
"I know you'll help maintain the quality of life in Battle Ground," Idsinga said. "You guys are where the rubber meets the road. We value the work you do here."
Including the chief, the squad is now 23-strong with one vacancy.
"Really, really good"
Before the move-in, city council members were given a tour through the new building, led by McDaniel.
Light-colored wood is the theme of most work station tops and trim. Entrances and door trim are rust-red colored. Wainscoting made of woven sea grass rises along the walls about four feet from the floor. The unusual fiber protects against dings and other marks made by feet and duty belt items.
Safety is stressed with monitors throughout the building and electronic entry to sensitive rooms, such as evidence and armory.
There are also "plated" areas where employees can hide safely if there is a gun or other threatening incident.
"It looks good," said council member Lisa Walters. "Really, really good."
Idsinga said the building is "gorgeous," and much nicer than he anticipated. After the officers' swearing-in, the mayor proudly gave an impromptu tour through the building.
"I expect this to serve our community for the next 45-50 years," Idsinga said.
McDaniel said it is a "huge thing" for officers to come to a place they are proud to work out of and show their family and friends.
"The building shows that we do support our police department and public safety, and safety for the whole community," Idsinga said.
An open house for the public will be held Wed., March 22, 3-7 p.m., at 507 SW 1st St. Idsinga and McDaniel will kick off the event at 3 p.m. with building tours, opportunities to meet staff, and refreshments.
BG CONSIDERS GRAFFITI WOES
Heidi Wallenborn
news director
As Battle Ground grows, so will its problems, city officials say.
Animal and noise complaints and junk violations are on the rise, according to police records.
Forcible rape, robbery, and motor vehicle thefts are also higher than this time last year.
And most recently, property around the city has been "tagged" with spray paint.
"Tagging indicates a presence," said city community development director Brian Carrico to council members during a Feb. 27 study session. "It's simply a mark."
Council members and staff brainstormed how to get the escalating problem to stop.
Currently, graffiti is outlawed by city code and is considered third degree malicious mischief.
Depending on costs to remove graffiti, the "artist" could be fined up to $5,000 and face up to one year in jail, said city prosecuting attorney Chris Sundstrom.
But under city code, the suspect has to be caught in the act by police.
"It's hard to catch people doing it," Carrico said.
The solution?
"Get rid of it as soon as possible," Carrico said. "That's less incentive for the tagger."
Taggers leave their mark because they want to be noticed, said police chief Jim McDaniel.
"They want the tag noticed, but if the word gets out that it's gone, there's no incentive," McDaniel said.
To expedite graffiti removal, staff will work on an ordinance for council approval that will mandate that victims remove the mess within a certain period of time.
"Currently we have no authority to enforce removal," Carrico said. "It hasn't become a big problem yet, but it's gaining in the community."
Council members resisted the idea of authoritarian enforcement.
"Do we really need to be in the graffiti clean-up business?" asked council member Alex Reinhold.
"They need to be aware we're not going to tolerate it," said mayor John Idsinga. "It affects the quality of life. But we'll work on getting it taken care of. Education first."
Council member Lisa Walters said she is concerned about the expense to property owners.
"I'd like to be a partner, work together on this," she said. She suggested looking into graffiti removal kits that can be given to victims, similar to a program hosted by the Portland Fire Department.
"If they don't clean it up, the problem will continue," Ganley said. "We have to be aggressive. If they don't clean, we're going to do it."
The City of Burien's ordinance was given to council members as a model.
The ordinance gives the property owner 10 business days to take care of the problem. If not, city workers will remove the graffiti and charge the property owner for costs incurred. If the owner does not pay, a lien could be placed against the property.
"I'm concerned about the cost to citizens," said deputy mayor Sandra Barnes. "Can someone afford to clean it? I'd rather work with them than fine them. Some businesses can barely afford to paint the outside of their building."
City manager Eric Holmes said staff could conduct a lot of outreach to the community and offer preventative tips.
"I don't like the heavy hand thing," Reinhold said. "I want us to be decent about it."
Carrico recommended organizing "graffiti brigades," such as rallying Boy Scouts and other volunteers for community service work.
Whatever the solution, graffiti needs to be removed quickly, said McDaniel.
In his experience, when it first starts is the time to take care of it, he said.
"It's like the broken window theory," he said. "It's about competition. It will continue if you don't get in front of it."
Another study session on the topic will be held Mon., April 24, 7 p.m., at city hall, 109 SW 1st St., second floor. The public is welcome.
RIDGEFIELD MULLS HOLIDAY ORDINANCE
Bill Myers
staff reporter
Ridgefield city council members will re-consider a 2004 noise ordinance.
The ordinance, No. 839, allows permitted construction work between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on any day--except on legal holidays.
Legal holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Council members decided to re-visit noise rules after police received and responded to several construction noise complaints on President's Day, Feb. 20.
Complaints first came from residents hearing construction noises. Next, they came from contractors trying to get work done.
Ridgefield police sergeant Randy Ostrander said the holiday duty officer warned 10 construction companies and/or workers to stop work or face a fine of $500.
Matthew Reese was one of the contractors. A police officer told Reese to stop or be cited and pay a $500 fine, said Reese.
It seems odd that work on Sundays is allowed, but banned on President's Day, said Reese. Reese said he never heard of the rule until the officer appeared.
General contractors are informed of the holiday ban when permits are issued, said interim city manager Justin Clary. But sub-contractors often don't get the word.
Council member Scott Hanson, a contractor, said he is somewhat biased. Some work, such as painting, is not noisy, said Hanson.
One rule won't fit all circumstances, said citizen Lee Wells.
This is goofy," said another citizen who asked if he could be fined for building a deck on the 4th of July.
Citizen Jan Healy said it is time to re-visit the ordinance and get opinions from citizens.
Council members chuckled as Healy's words were muted by a long, mournful whistle from a train passing through the city on rail tracks.
We need our peace and quiet here," said Healy.
Clark County code enforcement worker Donna Goddard said county code mirrors a state statute which allows work on all days from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Clary said citizens are encouraged to submit ideas, concerns or opinions to Ridgefield City Hall, 230 Pioneer St., Ridgefield, WA 98642.
We have six city council meetings before the next holiday," said Clary.
CITY STARTS COLUMBIA RIVER OUTFALL STUDY
Scoping process to include at least one public meeting
Bill Myers
staff reporter
Ridgefield city council members meeting Feb. 23 authorized a study to extend a pipeline for the city's treated wastewater outfall to the Columbia River.
Council members authorized interim city manager Justin Clary to execute a $230,000 contract with Parametrix Inc., a Portland consulting engineer firm, for scoping work.
Scoping will be Phase I of a multi-phase project to extend the treated wastewater line, said community development director Kevin Snyder. He said Phase I will be funded by a low-interest Public Works Trust Fund loan.
Snyder said scoping is an important, preliminary step toward completing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). It will be a transparent process with at least one public meeting likely by mid-spring, he said.
Preferred routes for the new line would cross Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in areas already impacted by roads and/or a dike.
Routing through the refuge will require federal and state approvals and adherence to the National Environmental Policy Act and Washington's State Environmental Policy Act.
Snyder said Phase 2 of the project will be development of a draft EIS. He said this could be accomplished in 18 months.
The city wastewater treatment plant, with a capacity of 500,000 gallons per day, currently outfalls to Lake River.
Snyder said state Department of Ecology officials say that expansion of the city's treatment plant beyond 700,000 gallons per day will require an extension of the treated wastewater outfall line to the Columbia River.
Interim city manager Justin Clary said citizens need to know this pipeline will carry wastewater treated at state standards, not raw sewage.
Snyder can be reached for more information at 857-5011.
RIDGEFIELD DELAYS PIONEER STREET NOTICES
Officials seek public response to 5-year moratorium
Bill Myers
staff reporter
Ridgefield city council members have delayed a decision to send a notice prohibiting excavations for five years from Pioneer St.
The notice, when sent, will advise about 65 city residents of state Department of Transportation plans to re-surface SR-501, known as Pioneer St., between Main Ave. and Bertsinger Rd.
The notice will allow affected Pioneer St. property owners 45 days to cut, open or excavate. A 5-year moratorium on such cutting would follow.
Council member Scott Hanson was first to balk. Five years is a long time to ask someone to postpone a constrution project, he said.
Ridgefield developer John Crist said, "Moratorium is not a good word." He suggested that instead of a moratorium, guidelines could establish how to properly fix roadway cuts.
Crist urged city leaders to determine how to get control of Pioneer St. He said without city control, city officials will never be able to properly widen the road for city needs.
Interim city manager Justin Clary said city code calls for a council member resolution invoking a 5-year moratorium on road work after an asphalt overlay. The moratorium prevents premature destruction of road work done at taxpayer expense, he said.
Clary said 65 parcels are adjacent to Pioneer St. on the 4,000-foot re-surfacing route. Nine are vacant.
Citizens are invited to comment on the overlay project and 5-year moratorium. Comments may be sent or delivered to Ridgefield City Hall, 230 Pioneer St., Ridgefield, WA, 98642.
VOTERS CONSIDER WOODLAND SCHOOL LEVY
Woodland voters have until March 14 to cast a mail ballot for or against the school district maintenance and operations levy.
Expected to generate $2.25 million for 2007, the levy's tax rate remains the same as this year's, $2.13 per $1,000 of property value.
At least 60 percent of those casting ballots must approve the operations levy for it to pass.
Funds generated by the levy go to the operations of Woodland schools and are not used for school construction, said District Superintendent Bill Hundley.
District voters approved a $3.75 million, 20-year bond in September.
Property taxes generate about 15 percent of general fund revenues in the Woodland District. The general fund supports personnel, supplies, maintenance, equipment and other ongoing needs.
Once approved, the $2.13 tax rate will not change for the four-year life of the levy. By 2010, the tax will raise about $2.8 million for the district, Hundley said.
WFD BUYS NEW, HIGH-TECH PUMPER
It's high-tech, fully equipped, safe for riders--and its nickname is ALF.
ALF is the new 1,500 gallons-per-minute pumper recently purchased by the Woodland Fire Department.
The $338,587 American LaFrance rig replaces a smaller, 1971 pumper, affectionately known as "Big John." Another $50,000 went for new equipment.
Fire Chief Tony Brentin said the new pumper satisfies state and federal firefighter safety regulations. An enclosed cab carries six people.
The pumper has an onboard firefighting foam system, equipment for fighting wildland fires, and an automatic snow chain system that lets the rig roll safely when it moves from dry pavement to packed snow.
"It has twice as much compartment space as Big John," Brentin said."The technology is up to date."
Finding parts for the older 1971 pumper had become a problem, Brentin said. Of the 45,000 miles driven on the rig, 3,800 were driven in 2005, reflecting the growing number of emergency calls.
Brentin said the number of calls has increased 12 percent since March 2005.
The fire department, with 40 volunteers, has 10 rigs, including another pumper, a ladder truck, an aid unit and a rescue boat.
Brentin said he expects the new unit to remain in service for another 25 years.
GAYLOR REMEMBERED AS PATIENT MANFormer Battle Ground resident Larry Gaylor was a caring, patient, steady man who believed in the Golden Rule.
That's how Gaylor is remembered by family members after his death last week in Olympia.
Gaylor was a longtime fixture at the Ag-Co feed store in Battle Ground, a predecessor of Cenex and Wilco stores. He had an extensive knowledge of agricultural commodities and worked most of his life in the agricultural industry.
Born in Colorado
Larry Ray "Dutch" Gaylor was born March 19, 1936, in Las Animas, CO, one of nine children of Frank and Martha (Lewis) Gaylor. In 1939 during the Dust Bowl era, the Gaylor family moved to Salem and then in 1940 to Vancouver to start a new life.
One sister had eloped, so the family consisted of six sons when they settled in Vancouver. Two more daughters arrived later.
Gaylor's grandfather gave Gaylor the nickname "Dutch," said his brother Bud Gaylor, because Gaylor was a quiet boy.
At age 9, Gaylor sold newspapers outside the gates of the Kaiser Shipyards where his mother worked as a welder. He also sold papers outside the Vancouver Military Hospital.
Gaylor attended Shumway Junior High School and graduated from Evergreen High School in 1954. He was a charter member of Ellsworth's Bachelors, a 4-H cooking club of all boys.
Gaylor worked on construction of The Dalles Dam 1954-56, then went to California on a motorcycle. The cycle was stolen, so Gaylor hopped freight trains to return to Vancouver.
Gaylor then worked for Boise Cascade in Vancouver 1957-58. He worked for a Vancouver ambulance and towing company 1959-61, then purchased Battle Ground Ambulance and Towing which he operated until 1966. He delivered a baby in 1966. "After eight years in the business," Gaylor was quoted as saying, "it was bound to happen." He sold that company to start work at Ag-Co.
In 1959 Gaylor married Beverlee (Worley) Norman who had three children previously. They had two more together.
He drove a truck for Ag-Co, then moved up to assistant manager under feed store manager John Beseda. He worked for Ag-Co for 18 or 19 years.
Gaylor served as president of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce in 1971 and 1972, and was named Citizen of the Year in 1973, the first time that award was ever presented. He was also active in the community's rose float committee and on the Clark County Fair board.
In 1977, Gaylor married JoAnn Brown who had two children. They lived in the Amboy/Yacolt area.
In 1984, Gaylor left Ag-Co and moved to Lannark, IL where he worked for Hollowell Enterprises as manager and sales representative, selling agricultural supplies and chemicals to farmers.
Missing Washington, Gaylor moved to the Hazel Dell area in 1986 and was offered a job with Manna-Pro, a dairy feed company. He sold feed supplies in Washington and Oregon and assisted farmers with dairy nutrition.
Manna-Pro was purchased by Foster Farms and Gaylor continued employment with that company.
For a few years, Gaylor lived on the Oregon coast near Newport while still working for Foster Farms.
Gaylor left Foster Farms in 1995 and moved to Chehalis where he managed the American Feed Store. He retired in 2001.
Gaylor suffered from ocular pharyngeal dystrophy, a congenital form of muscular dystrophy that limited his eye movements. He had to turn his head to look in different directions.
From the time he lived in Hazel Dell, Gaylor had an extensive display of Christmas lights, an endeavor he continued in Chehalis. He challenged his neighbors to keep up with him, but always had a new and elaborate feature.
Gaylor collected toy tractors of all kinds and sported a collection of about 125 display-quality tractors.
Gaylor collected plants and enjoyed trying new things in his greenhouse. He created planting areas in his yard that had patterns of color. He became a master gardener in the Chehalis area. He was also a Red Cross volunteer.
Gaylor built bird houses, often in the shape of a log cabin or church. He gave many bird houses away.
Gaylor's passion was fishing. He enjoyed fishing lakes for trout, bays for crab, and rivers for salmon and sturgeon.
Gaylor quit smoking about 20 years ago. He was 6-ft. 3-in. tall and slender most of his life.
Gaylor died of a stroke Feb. 24, 2005, in Olympia. He had suffered respiratory problems.
Jim Brown remembered his step-father as a man who meted out discipline but with "lots of love, and a lot of laughter."
Brown said his step-father had a relaxed view of life. Gaylor would often say, "It's not that bad; tomorrow's another day; do the best you can."
Gaylor did alot for his neighbors.
Gaylor was preceded in death by brothers Frank Gaylor in 11992 and Jim Gaylor in 1993, and sister Lois Ann "Woody" Newman in 1993. Survivors include widow JoAnn Gaylor, at home in Chehalis, sons Bob Norman of the Tri-Cities, Jim Norman of Yacolt, Richard Gaylor of Battle Ground, and Jim Brown of Okanogan, daughters Jonica Utton and Janell Johns, both of Battle Ground, and Kimberly Brown of Seattle, brothers Bud Gaylor and Robert Gaylor, both of Vancouver, and Roland Gaylor of California, sisters Martha Burgess of Vancouver and Sally Fawver of Battle Ground, 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and an extended family.
Brown's Mortuary, Chehalis, is in charge of cremation and other arrangements. Private family services are planned.
SCHOOLS WANT PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Battle Ground School District will hold public meetings next week on two different topics, with comments invited on both.
On Wednesday and Thursday, March 15 and 16, District officials will solicit comments on a proposed maintenance and operations levy.
School board members have fixed a four-year levy proposal at $59.9 million, about $7.2 million less that a $67.1 million levy that voters turned down on Feb. 7.
Public comments are invited on which items should be cut from the previously-proposed levy.
The proposed levy would cost taxpayers about $2.39 per $1,000 of assessed value over the next four years, compared to the current levy rate of $1.65 per $1,000.
The levy proposal assumes that total assessed value in the District would grow at 8% per year, which officials consider to be a conservative assumption. The levy rate would remain constant at $2.39 if assessed value grows at 8%, officials said, even though the dollar amount collected increases.
The proposed levy would raise $13.3 million in 2007, $14.4 million in 2008, $15.5 million in 2009, and $16.8 million in 2010.
The board voted 4-1 to adopt the levy proposal, with board member Cecil Schlecht voting no. Schlecht said he believes the rate is still too high.
Public comments on uses of the levy money will be taken Wed., March 15, at Laurin Middle School, and Thurs., March 16, at Amboy Middle School, both at 6:30 p.m.
Bond money comments invited
District officials also invite public comments on the disposition of $4.5 million in unexpected construction money from the state.
Changes in the state matching formula resulted in the extra money. The additional money is part of the state's share of construction funds for which the district became eligible with passage of a bond in 2005.
Battle Ground officials had pledged to pay down the bond debt with any "unused bond funds."
Officials have proposed to use the money to add nine extra classrooms to the first of two new K-8 schools.
District superintendent Shonny Bria said the added money could be used to build more classrooms at planned new schools, build some new classrooms and pay down the debt, or pay down the bond debt with all of the money.
Bria said if additional classrooms are not constructed, portable classrooms would be needed to meet the demands of increasing enrollment. Portable classrooms would need to be in place when the schools open, said Bria.
Comments on the use of the $4.5 million will be taken Mon., March 13, at Amboy Middle School, and Tues., March 14, at Laurin Middle School, both at 6:30 p.m.
Information on both of these public meeting topics is available by calling Kelly Keister, 904-1233, or the District office, 885-5300.
YACOLT PLANS IMPACT FEESBill Myers
staff reporter
Yacolt town council members will vote March 6 on an ordinance setting fire, parks and traffic impact fees.
Town mayor Joe Warren is proposing council approval of fees for new single family residences, including mobile or manufactured homes, and new commercial structures.
Yacolt does not have multi-family residences.
Proposed ordinance No. 444 lists proposed fees for new single family residences and mobile or manufactured homes at $150 for fire, $1,800 for parks and $2,050 for traffic.
Fees on new commercial structures are proposed at $1,050 for fire and $2,950 for traffic.
The town already collects a $1,400 school impact fee on new single family dwellings.
Proposed fees are similar to those in other municipalities, said city clerk/treasurer Brenda Finnegan.
Traffic impact fees on new single family homes are $2,038 in Battle Ground, $1,984 in La Center and $1,943 in Ridgefield. Commercial traffic impact fees are computed from a trip-generation formula in the cities.
Park impact fees on new single-family homes are $1,829 in Battle Ground, $1,270 in La Center and $1,933 in Ridgefield.
Battle Ground charges a fire impact fee of $141. Service for other cities comes entirely from Clark County fire districts.
Battle Ground collects $3,000 school impact fees on new single-family homes. La Center collects $4,442; Ridgefield collects $3,130.
Water service in Yacolt is provided by Clark Public Utilities. The town has no sewer system. Homes are served by individual septic tanks.
Impact fees on new development are intended to fund capital facility improvements caused by growth, said Finnegan.
Finnegan said there are about 60 acres of residential land within the town limits that may have future development potential. About 15 acres in commercially-zoned areas have future development potential, she said.
L.C. RESIDENTS PAN TRIBAL DRAFT
Bill Myers
staff reporter
Many area residents speaking at a March 1 public forum in La Center had negative opinions of a first draft of an agreement between the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and city.
Tribal leaders offered the draft accord, a memorandum of understanding (MOU), as a first effort to ease impacts to the city from a proposed tribal casino/hotel project at the I-5/NW 319th St. interchange.
Cowlitz tribal leaders, with control of about 152 acres west of the interchange, are hoping for clear sailing of a pending Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and federal applications that will pave the way for gaming at the site.
The draft document is a 10-year accord. It calls on city leaders to provide sewer service, with tribal leaders paying a proportionate share of costs to extend sewer facilities.
The draft proposes tribal payments to the city of $3 million yearly, less annual gambling tax revenue collected by the city from non-tribal card rooms.
General agreements in the draft refer to mitigation of traffic and school impacts.
Tribal leaders would agree to waive sovereign immunity to make the agreement enforceable.
On good behavior
Raucous shouts and boos at recent meetings conducted by federal officials were missing at the La Center forum.
A crowd of more than 100 often applauded politely.
Some citizens urged city council members to abandon all efforts for an accord.
"The MOU is the worst piece of paper I've ever seen," said Susan Gilbert. Gilbert said U.S. Department of Interior official James Cason, at recent area meetings, said city council decisions are weighed heavily in Washington, D.C.
Signing an MOU would give tribal leaders another flag to wave in front of federal officials, said Bill Ferguson.
The MOU "is a farce," said Sandra Bennett.
Some citizens said draft MOU provisions were lacking or insufficient.
The tribe is not promising enough to take care of roads, police needs and other facilities, said Darlene Jaeger.
La Center Lions Club member Ken Hickman said the MOU needs to ban fireworks sales on tribal land. Fourth of July firework sales are a major source of Lions Club revenue, Hickman said.
The MOU doesn't address social issues, which will be huge, said Rae Lowery.
"Where did 10 years come from?" asked Bruce DeVine. "After 10 years, the city gets zero? That's ridiculous!"
The draft was presented as a starting point, said Mike Nolan.
Some speakers wondered how an MOU could be considered before an Environmental Impact Statement identified impacts.
Jim Campbell urged council members not to sign an MOU "at least until the EIS draft is out."
Kathy Walling agreed. A signed MOU will send a message that the tribal casino is wanted here, she said.
You need to see what the impacts are and wait one to one and a half years for the EIS, said Wendy McGraw. "This is a waste or yours and our time," she added.
Some citizens encouraged harmony and cooperation.
Denise Hanbrook said the MOU was designed by tribal members to work harmoniously with city leaders.
The MOU is marked, "Draft" and is a starting point, said a Vancouver resident.
If the Tribe offers to offset impacts, why not enter an MOU? asked Erin Nolan. The "evils" of gaming are "already here," she said.
All area citizens important
La Center Mayor James Irish said that before a city council vote on an MOU, citizens can expect more public involvement and at least one more public meeting.
This may even lead to a costly election if that is the council decision, Irish said.
Asked if opinions from citizens outside city limits in La Center School District would be welcome, council member Linda Tracy said input from anyone with a La Center zip code is important.
ANNEXATION OF INDUSTRIAL LAND SOUGHT
The City of Woodland has begun the process of annexing more than 46 acres for industrial land on the city's western edge.
The city council authorized an application for annexation during a Feb. 27 meeting.
Curt Sorenson and Calvin and Marilyn Dickerson own the property. Their representative, Alan Engstrom of Kelso, said the owners have no specific plans to develop the property.
"They took this step because there is discussion under way to provide services to that area," Engstrom said. "They want to be a part of those discussions."
The next step in the process will be for the city planning commission to have a public hearing on the proposed industrial zoning.
CITY POSTPONES ACTION ON FEES, CRITICAL AREASAlice Perry Linker
staff reporter
Action on two controversial city ordinances has again been postponed by the Woodland City Council.
Five people objected to a proposed transportation impact fee and a proposed critical areas ordinance during the council's Feb. 27 meeting.
Similar objections on Jan. 23 caused a delay in council action.
Woodland resident John Randall implied that if the transportation fee and the critical areas ordinance pass, businesses will look to Kelso.
"The Kelso leaders are happy about these fees," Randall told the council. "They think they (the fees) will help that area. When the rest of Cowlitz County doesn't have impact fees, that's an incentive to go elsewhere."
Todd Wade and Bill Behrens who had testified Jan. 23 on the two issues again voiced objections.
Council member Jim Tone suggested that the council postpone action until after a proposed joint meeting with the Woodland Chamber of Commerce.
In a letter to the city, the Chamber did not address the issues of transportation impact fees and critical areas protection.
It was the consensus of the council that business owners and Chamber members are interested in the proposed fees.
The proposed transportation fee would charge $1,210 per new single-family unit and $743 per apartment unit.
The fees are based on the number of round trips created by new development.
Behrens claimed that impact fees have slowed growth in the downtown areas of Ridgefield and La Center.
"Since impact fees came to Ridgefield and La Center, there have been no new downtown businesses."
The Ridgefield city limits extends east of I-5 to 10th Avenue and includes the Dollar Tree distribution center and other new industrial construction.
During 2005, Woodland imposed park, fire and school impact fees to help defray the costs of services to new development.
City attorney Paul Brachvogel has not yet prepared an ordinance governing environmentally-critical or sensitive areas. Council action would clear the way for him to write an ordinance.
The Chamber's letter to the city asks for greater public input at council meetings.
"We suggest that you do this by allowing three-to-five minutes after the council discussion on each topic but before the vote for people in the audience to ask questions or make statements," the letter said.
The letter addresses three topics including a request that the parking lot at Davidson and Second streets be reserved for retail customers.
The Chamber also asks that the city follow an international building code regarding sprinkler requirements. Woodland Public Works Director Rob VanderZanden said the city's requirements for indoor sprinklers are more restrictive than the international code.
The city requires that all commercial, industrial and multi-family buildings with more than 3,000 square feet contain sprinkler systems.
No date has been set for the joint Chamber-council meeting.
NEWS
OBITS:
EVERETT USKOSKI
Everett Peter Uskoski, 84, died Feb. 22, 2006, at home in Brush Prairie.
Uskoski was born Aug. 9, 1921 in Gackle, ND, to Peter and Aili Uskoski. The family moved to Brush Prairie in 1941.
Uskoski served in the Navy during World War II in the Aleutian Islands near Alaska.
On Aug. 12, 1950, he married Mae Jolma then settled in Hockinson to raise their family.
Uskoski worked as a mail carrier in Brush Prairie for 30 years. He retired in 1978 and became a full-time tree farmer. He was also a volunteer firefighter and served on the Hockinson School Board for several years.
Family members say Uskoski was a devoted father and husband who led by example, and that Christianity was his first concern, with the thought that all else would be left to God's will.
Uskoski was preceded in death by an infant daughter. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mae Uskoski, at home in Brush Prairie, sons Neil Uskoski and Peter Uskoski, both of Battle Ground, Edward Uskoski of Brush Prairie, and Daniel Uskoski of Pullman, daughters Eileen Kaski of Battle Ground, Jeanetta Seal, Kaisa Lobbestael and Dianne Hubbard, all of Brush Prairie, brothers Clarence Uskoski of Brush Prairie, Al Uskoski of Oregon, Carl Uskoski of Everett, John Uskoski of La Center, and Bill Uskoski of Vancouver, sisters Marie Peters of California and Tekla Jolma of Battle Ground, 36 grandchildren, and 46 great-grandchildren.
Burial took place at Elim Cemetery in Brush Prairie, with Layne's Funeral Home of Battle Ground in charge of arrangements.
THOMAS OSTRO II
Thomas Martin Ostro II, 21, died in his sleep Feb. 13, 2006, in Phoenix, AZ.
Ostro was born March 21, 1984, in Orange, CA, and grew up in Orange County and Huntington Beach before moving to Battle Ground in 1995. He was a member of a Little League all-star team at age 15 in Battle Ground. He enjoyed baseball, football, basketball and karate. He had a soft spot for animals, including his cat Cybil. He also enjoyed video games and computers. He was baptized at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Battle Ground.
Ostro graduated from Battle Ground High School in 2002 and moved to Phoenix to attend DeVry University in 2003. He followed his parents' footsteps and became an apprentice steamfitter.
Ostro was preceded in death by his grandparents, Helen and Paul Ostro and Robert and Lorene McDonald. Survivors include parents Thomas and Twila Ostro of Battle Ground, sisters Shelley Ostro of Battle Ground, Marie Meldrum of Texas and Christina Konig of California, special friend Nathalia Bormann of Phoenix, four uncles, one aunt and several cousins.
Little Chapel of the Chimes, Portland, was in charge of cremation and other arrangements.
MICHAEL SCHULTE
Michael Robert Schulte, 53, died Feb. 24, 2006, at home in Woodland.
Schulte was born Feb. 24, 1953, in Eugene, OR, grew up in Portland, and lived in Woodland for the past 16 years.
Schulte enjoyed the outdoors, wildlife, hunting, fishing, family and friends.
Survivors include father Robert Schulte of Portland, brother Brad Jackman of Vancouver, sisters Kathy Cooper of Alabama and Pat Bynon of Vancouver, longtime companion Sherry Carter, and several nieces and nephews.
The Woodland Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.