FIREFIGHTER HURT IN TRUCK MISHAP

Bill Myers

staff reporter

A firefighter driving a Clark County Fire District 10 medical response truck was injured in a March 17 accident near Fargher Lake.

District 10 chief Gordon Brooks said volunteer Fargher Lake firefighter Ryan Eldred, 23, was driving to a medical emergency at about 6:15 a.m. when the mishap occurred.

Eldred reportedly had lights and siren on and encountered an oncoming car near the centerline on NE 359th St. east of NE Hazen Rd.

The firefighter reportedly veered to miss the oncoming auto, and one wheel left the pavement. As he tried to re-gain control, the truck lurched back on the roadway, but again veered from the pavement and rolled.

A North Country EMS ambulance handled the 911 medical emergency, said Brooks.

Trapped and nearly crushed in the truck cab, Eldred used his radio to call for help.

Fellow firefighters cut the roof from the truck cab to remove Eldred and he was transported to Southwest Washington Medical Center.

Eldred, a volunteer firefighter for 18 months, reportedly suffered non life-threatening injuries and was released the next day.

Clark County Sheriff's traffic deputies investigated the mishap. The truck removal and investigation closed the rural roadway for about six hours.

Brooks said he has not received an estimate of damages to the truck, a 1996 Freightliner. It was insured, he said.

Good reminder

District 10 firefighters had two other accidents with trucks in the past 10 years, said Brooks. Both were minor, involving trucks leaving roadways, he said.

Brooks said all firefighters are taught to operate District vehicles.

This accident could be a good reminder for motorists to pull over and stop when an emergency vehicle approaches, said Brooks.

ROYALTY NAMED IN PAGEANT

Prairie High School student McKinley Smith, 17, was named Miss Greater Vancouver, and Rachel Kirschenmann took the Miss Clark County title in the annual Miss Clark County pageant held March 25 in Vancouver.

Both qualified to compete in the Miss Washington pageant set for July 7-8 in Tacoma.

Smith, 17, daughter of Karen and Kevin Smith of Vancouver, performed a ballet dance for her talent.

Kirschenmann, 22, a student at George Fox University, used a jazz dance enroute to victory.

Lacey Lingle, 17, a student at Battle Ground High School, was named first runner-up.

"It was a fabulous pageant," said pageant organizer Nichola Reynolds. "The contestants were very well prepared. Their talent was exceptional. They were very talented."

The event, held at Fort Vancouver High School, was sold out, said Reynolds.

Reynolds said over $40,000 in cash and in-kind prizes was awarded, including two scholarships to the International Air Academy valued at $6,500 each.

The pageant was judged by five local pageant directors from around the state.

Reynolds said because the pageant attracted 10 contestants, rules allow two winners to advance to the state competition and a chance at the Miss America Pageant.

VOLUNTEERS STILL HOPE TO OFFER TOURIST RIDES THIS YEAR

Negotiations on an agreement that would allow a volunteer group to run tourist rides on Clark County's railroad have not produced results.

In fact, the parties have not yet talked-on the phone or in person.

Clark County commissioner Marc Boldt said progress is being made, but he has not yet seen a draft agreement.

Boldt said the county is working on an agreement to lease-back a portion of the railroad from Columbia Basin Railroad, the company that holds a 90-year lease on the entire 33-mile rail line from Vancouver to Chelatchie Prairie.

Once that is completed, said Boldt, the county will develop a second agreement under which the volunteers will be able to run tourist rides on the northern portion of the railroad.

But the volunteer group said a contract was needed by March to be able to offer rides by Memorial Day.

Lori Volkman, a Clark County attorney assigned to negotiate an agreement with Eric Temple of Columbia Basin Railroad, called Temple on the phone for the first time last week, said Temple. As of March 23, the two had not yet met, talked on the phone, or had any other contact.

Volkman said she has a draft lease-back agreement nearly ready, but was not sure if Temple wanted it sent to him or to his attorneys.

Volkman said the county had hired "railroad lawyers" in Washington, D.C., to help with "adverse discontinuance" issues which she said have to do with the change of operators from the former contractor, Lewis and Clark Railway, to Columbia Basin Railroad, not directly with the lease-back arrangement.

"My lack of knowledge led the county to hire railroad lawyers," she said.

Volkman also said she has worked to define some terms included in a memorandum of understanding developed last year between Columbia Basin, Clark County and the volunteer group.

Temple said he returned Volkman's phone call and left a message. "I have no idea how long it will take to work out an agreement," said Temple.

Temple indicated he is ready to work on an agreement whenever Volkman contacts him. "I'm sure she has a lot of stuff on her plate," said Temple.

"We need to settle the long term issues," said Temple, who listed liability and future access to the north part of the line as important items in a future agreement.

Volkman said she wanted to "dot the i's and cross the t's" before sending the draft agreement to Temple "and his lawyers."

Volkman said she wants a collaborative approach to the agreements involving the county, Temple and the volunteer group. She had not yet contacted the volunteer group either, she said.

Bryan Baker of the volunteer group expressed pessimism about the pending agreements.

"I have not been notified of any progress," said Baker, who heads the Battle Ground Yacolt and Chelatchie Prairie volunteer railroad group. "We are in full stall mode."

Baker had said an agreement was needed by March to allow the group to organize its volunteers and publicize rides starting Memorial Day weekend at the end of May.

"If we had a contract today, we could do that (run on Memorial Day weekend)," said Baker.

The group did not have access to the track in summer 2005, and did not run tourists rides. The group was approved to operate Christmas tree trains last December.

Baker said the group continues to pay $1,400 a month for insurance. He said the group has paid $21,000 for insurance over the last 15 months without full access to the track.

"We don't have deep pockets," said Baker, noting that the group made about $12,000 on its Christmas tree runs.

Baker said the volunteer group has received nine inquires from groups wanting to rent the train during summer 2006, but has not been able to take reservations. He said groups will likely go elsewhere, such as the Mt. Hood Railroad, in order to secure travel dates.

The volunteer group has access to the track for repair purposes. "We have made significant repairs," said Baker. "We are up to Class 1 (standards) between Yacolt and Lucia (about 1 1/2 miles south of the East Fork of the Lewis River)." Only minor repairs to the track remain in that area, he said.

Baker said the group has worked on transforming some cars for passenger purposes. "We are remodeling 'circus cars' to be passenger cars," he said. "We are trying to keep volunteers active."

The group also continues to work on a steam engine. If all goes well, he said, the steam engine could be placed in service by mid-summer.

Baker praised Boldt for supporting the volunteer group.

"I'm getting extremely frustrated," said Baker. "But I don't want to insult anybody."

Boldt said Temple was pleased with the county's action to rezone land along the railroad for industrial purposes. Temple confirmed that the county's land use actions would help future business development near the railroad.

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ISSUED ON SATELLITE SYSTEM

Public comments due April 7

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Officials of Clark Public Utilities issued an environmental report March 13 on a proposed satellite water system east of Woodland.

Utility officials are proposing the satellite system and formation of a local utility district to benefit area residents who have unsafe arsenic levels in their wells.

The report, a Notice of Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS), said a proposed satellite water system for up to 22 properties east of Woodland isn't likely to adversely effect the environment.

The DNS describes plans to install pumping and water treatment facilities near a wellhead at 40715 NW 49th Ave.

The plan proposes installation of about 7,000 linear feet of water mains roughly parallel to NW Bridge Rd.

Utility spokesman Eric Beck said owners of private properties along the water main route have granted approvals.

Treated, potable water would be pumped to two 10,000-gallon reservoirs at 4203 NW Bridge Rd. Installation of two reservoirs will allow closures for maintenance without interrupting flows.

About 55 percent of the funding for the $860,000 project is expected to come from a federal State & Tribal Assistance Grant.

Under a current Utility proposal, a low-interest state loan would fund the balance and would be repaid by members of the Local Utility District.

Written comments on the DNS are due by April 7 to Barry Lovingood, P.E., Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668, telephone 992-8020.

BG MAN RETIRES HOT WHEELS AFTER NATIONAL WIN

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

The mostly-dismantled hot rod in Chuck Smithfield's Battle Ground shop looks fairly harmless--a life-size Hot Wheels car with a lot of logo stickers and really fat rear tires.

But the 1996 supercharged Beretta can scamper down a quarter-mile strip of pavement at 180 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds with 63-year-old Smithfield behind the wheel.

Raring to go, the red, gas-blown bullet literally pops a wheelie as it launches off the line at the green light.

Chuck's wife, Paula Smithfield, said that when she sits in the car while the engine warms up, the shaking and noise make her feel like she's "sitting on top of a bomb."

In November 2005, Smithfield, his wife, and partner Dennis Engel competed and made it to the prestigious 41st annual Automobile Club of Southern California National Hot Rod Association finals in Pomona, CA, in the Competition Eliminator series.

Yes, a pretty big deal--like the Olympics of drag racing, Paula Smithfield said.

After qualifying, Smithfield swept through five rounds and took the win over Canadian racer Jirka Kaplan's supercharged methanol-burning `23 T-Ford roadster.

Ironically, it was Smithfield's last race, as he'd announced earlier in the year that he wanted to retire and sell his speedster.

His retirement run brought the coveted and elusive Wally trophy home to Smithfield, who had hankered after it for about 31 years.

Paula Smithfield likens winning the Wally as similar to an Oscar award, only the latter is easier to get.

"He won the race by four 1,000ths of a second," she said. That measures to about 12 feet.

The Beretta is a crowd pleaser because of its rare gas-blown engine, Smithfield said. The steady, rumbling "wump, wump, wump" makes the ground quiver, and the way it leaps forward brings people to their feet with shouts and cheers.

Second time is a charm

Smithfield had raced in the national event once before. In the 1973 Springnationals finals, the battery died on the modified car he raced at the time. His team tried to push-start it to the line, but Smithfield told them to stop because the rules say the vehicle has to be self-started.

Smithfield thought he'd have lots of wins ahead of him at the time. He did, but it would take 32 years to take the national spotlight again.

"American graffiti"

Smithfield got hooked on drag racing while the sport was in its street-racing heyday in 1959 in southern California.

"Remember American Graffiti?" he said. "Well, that was me. That's what I started in."

His 1953 Ford with a V-8 Chevy engine was the one to beat in Montebello, CA those days.

On weekends, Smithfield and his buddies would race in the streets, cruise, and visit nearby Whittier, Pasadena, and Downey where girls on roller skates at diners came bearing trays of Coca-Cola.

"That was the beginning," Smithfield said, smiling. "A lot of us are in our 50s and 60s now. Who'd'a thought I'd be driving a race car at 180 miles an hour in my 60s?"

Smithfield built his first stock car and traveled the circuit from 1969 until 1974 when he was sponsored by Chrysler. The company dropped the team, and Smithfield struggled to stay afloat financially a few more years before dropping the sport.

In the 1980s he went into business developing land and building homes. In 1992, he and Paula moved to Battle Ground.

In 1993, Smithfield bought the Beretta, originally built in 1991. He turned it into a "gas blown" engine, a process that took him and Engle about eight years.

Built from the ground up, the Beretta is a rare hot rod. Most cars are non-supercharged, and naturally aspirated, or carburetor driven.

In others, the "blower" on top takes the place of carburetors and the beast runs on alcohol.

So the Beretta is "top of the food chain," Smithfield said.

It took years of tweaking and learning before it became "fast" about 18 months ago. Smithfield and Engle have dealt with burned pistons and "other bad stuff."

But the lifestyle became a bit too much, Smithfield said. Summers racing, traveling, and a small crew of three including himself took its toll.

"The reality is once your involved in this, it's your drug of choice," he said. "But it's expensive like booze and cigarettes. Left to my own devices, I'd continue to run, but my lovely wife doesn't really care for this."

Smithfield said he's never heard a sour word from his wife, but it's time to do something for her, such as travel.

As a result, the international competition was his last. He won the Wally at his final career race, and now it's time to move on.

The Beretta is for sale at $75,000. Smithfield said he will gladly train the new owner during races until the new owner reaches a comfort level to run it by himself.

Thoughts about his last race, his career?

"It's been a real challenge," Smithfield said. "I won lots of local races, I was very competitive. The national event is difficult to accomplish."

"There is a certain amount of the grace of God to bring it all together," he added. "The car worked flawlessly and I drove decently. This time, the driver and car worked well together."

Chelatchie businessman donates pre-construction replica

Bill Myers

staff reporter

An engineering-design model that guided construction of the Weyerhaeuser Norpac Paper Mill in Longview 15 years ago won't go to waste.

Engineering students at the University of Maine will learn from it.

Chelatchie Prairie business owner Bill Kravis recently donated the 800-square foot model to the University.

Kravis, who owns Northwest Pulp & Paper Equipment Co., said he acquired the model in 1998 with other used equipment from Wayerhaeuser.

Kravis stored the model at his business and began to look for a proper home for it. His search took seven years. Many universities or colleges wanted it, but just didn't have enough space for it.

Last year while on a business trip to Bangor, ME, Kravis met an engineering graduate from the University of Maine. The engineer said the model would be a marvelous training aid at the University.

Kravis met with University officials who said they would love to set the model up as an exhibit for students at the University's Pulp and Paper Process Development Center.

University officials agreed to pay for shipping, and it took two 50-foot vans to transport the model in March, said Kravis.

Model used in pre-construction

Former Weyerhaeuser project manager Stu Card said three pre-construction models were made of the Norpac Mill.

One was created before the mill was constructed with one paper machine in 1979. Two others were built before mill expansions in 1981 and 1991.

Kravis said the model he donated was a likeness of the 1991 final mill design, made to a 1/2-inch-per-foot scale by Rust Engineering Co. of Portland, OR.

Rust officials, said Kravis, said the model was constructed by engineers and technicians who spent thousands of hours forming exact replicas of parts using polymers and other material.

Various colors were used on model parts to designate purposes of machinery and equipment.

Rust engineers placed numbers of each of thousands of model parts. Each number corresponded with a file containing part details.

Completely assembled on site in Longview before mill construction started in 1991, the model covered 44 tables.

The model was stored in a building near the construction site so engineers and operating personnel could refer to it during construction.

Byron Slack, president of National Appraisal Co. in Vancouver, said the model could have a current value of $500,000.

"It would cost $3 million to build today," he said.

Such pre-construction models are no longer used, said Card. Computers now guide construction and operations at such facilities, he said.

"I just couldn't stand the thought of the model being in a landfill," said Kravas. "Those who built the model poured much of their lives into the process," he said.

EMERGENCY REQUESTS SPARK COUNCIL FIRE FIGHT

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Voices were raised as tempers flared after Woodland City Council received two requests from the city's fire department.

Council member Jim Tone questioned the need for the fire department to use its ambulance for transporting patients. Chief Tony Brentin had requested that the department apply for a state license to run its ambulance when other ambulances are not immediately available.

Tone also opposed the department's request to accept mobile computers for use on fire rigs. Cowlitz County emergency services is giving the fire department seven onboard computers valued at $6,500 each.

Tone, who voted no on both requests, questioned the need for a city-owned ambulance. The council approved both proposals.

"How long have we not had transport?" Tone asked. "This costs us more money to do this; this costs us time."

Council member Bruce Summers, a volunteer firefighter, said that he and other volunteers have had to wait longer than they like for an ambulance to arrive from another area.

"What if it were your grandson?" Summers asked Tone.

"Don't put my family in this," Tone said.

"This involves everyone's family," Summers replied. "Why don't you want to get the patient to the hospital as fast as possible? We just don't want to pay for the gas? That's ridiculous."

Tone reiterated his opposition, saying that the city does not need to provide an ambulance and he again expressed concern about the cost.

The fire department owns a basic life support ambulance, and Brentin said there are no plans to buy another ambulance.

"The fire department is not in the ambulance business," Brentin said.

Mayor Doug Monge said that an increase in the number of calls puts greater stress on the county's seven ambulances.

Brentin said, "We're endeavoring to cover ourselves should the occasion arise. We're getting more runs and the seven ambulances are more and more busy."

After the meeting Brentin said that the department has about 24 EMTs, with three of those trained to administer intravenous fluids. Additional training will not be needed, he said.

All fire vehicles are equipped with emergency medical tools and can provide backup when the ambulance is in use, he said.

The addition of computers to fire vehicles brought opposition from Tone and council member Darwin Rounds.

Tone again questioned the cost, and he said he does not approve of using funds budgeted for Americorps volunteers for another item.

The fire department has had Americorps volunteers for a few years but the program will not continue next year. Brentin said the $5,000 could go to operating the computers.

"We approved Americorps money," Tone said. "We assumed it would be there. You told us you were going to do this (have an Americorps volunteer), and now you're not."

The fire department must pay for the installation of at least one of the computers, but Brentin said that he believes several volunteers have the expertise to install the remaining six.

"What if they install it wrong and burn it up?" Tone said.

Council member John J. Burke said that the computers are "good equipment from the county."

"This seems on the strange side," Tone said. "We didn't know $50,000 worth of equipment was coming to the fire department."

The Woodland Police Department already uses onboard computers, and Monge said that firefighters will be able to access additional information about such problems as hazardous materials or "hazardous people."

After the meeting Brentin said information, such as location of hidden keys and ways to bypass an alarm system, that cannot be transmitted over public radio waves can be transmitted by computer.

"We're going to start with basic computer-aided dispatch (CAD)," he said. "We could add other types of programs. There is software available to make us more efficient."

The cost of operating the computers will be $13 per month per vehicle, he said.

WOODLAND COUNCIL ACTS ON TWO CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Two issues before the Woodland City Council have drawn considerable public comment and debate, but the council decided to act on both March 20.

Council members indicated that council debate will not end on either transportation impact fees or the critical areas ordinance, but members unanimously approved considering both.

The council voted to ask City Attorney Paul Brachvogel to prepare a new critical areas ordinance, a document that will govern how developers and landowners are permitted to build on wetlands, slopes and other environmentally- sensitive lands.

Council member Jim Tone, a member of the public works committee, said the city needs to consider a new critical areas ordinance.

"The committee looked at the objections," he said. "We feel we can work with what we have. We need to work with (the state Department of) Ecology. This (proposed ordinance) is a model. We need to modify it."

Tone warned the council that if the city does not consider the ordinance, the state office could refuse to process land use permits.

"DOE has control of permits. If we do not do the best science available, they can halt permits," he said.

Council member Erica Rainford said she is worried that if the ordinance passes "it will never get changed back."

After the ordinance is formally introduced, the council will have two readings that will include council discussion.

Transportation impact fees

The council also voted unanimously to approve, on first reading, an ordinance that allows the city to collect transportation impact fees based on the size and location of residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

The council, however, reduced the amount of fees by 15 percent.

New construction on the east side of I-5 will pay higher fees than on the west side. The new fee for a single family home on the east side will be $1,204 per house, and on the west side, $755 per house.

Commercial fees that exceed $15,000 will pay a fee calculated from an analysis of the number of trips the new business will generate.

The fees first came to the council's attention in November, and since then, developers and landowners have objected to the fees, saying they will drive away small businesses.

Before the ordinance can be implemented, the council must approve it on a second reading. Changes may be made at that time.

Transportation impact fees are levied on new construction and are based on the number of new trips along the streets that lead to the new construction.

Now that the City of Woodland has purchased five acres for a new public safety building, the city council is considering asking voters to pay for the building.

The city paid $640,000 for the property at 300 E. Scott Ave.

A $5.65 million bond measure put to the voters on May 17 failed, 488-398 (55%-45%). A bond measure requires passage by at least 60 percent of voters.

During a March 20 workshop, council members set no schedule for presenting a bond to the voters, but they discussed the possibility of including it in the November general election.

No dollar amount for the bond was set and no decisions were made. Council member Jim Tone suggested that the city conduct an online survey of residents.

Council members decided the city should set a workshop with Cowlitz Fire District 1, just outside the city limits.

There have been indications that District 1 may be interested in merging with the city fire department.

"We need to answer some questions about District 1," Tone said.

The council expects to discuss the matter during the April 3 meeting.

Council team will hand deliver letter to feds

Bill Myers

staff reporter

La Center city council members on March 22 approved a letter strongly opposing a proposed tribal casino at the I-5/NW 319th St. junction.

Addressed to deputy assistant secretary James Cason in the U.S. Department of Interior, the letter from mayor Jim Irish said La Center is almost "solely dependent" on tax revenues from four card rooms.

The letter was crafted by city attorney Dan Kearns and outlines the following concerns and expected negative impacts from the proposed Cowlitz tribal casino:

** An economic study predicts cardroom tax revenue would plunge by about 61 percent. City officials plan to update the study which was done in 2004.

** A prelminary environmental study predicts significant traffic and transportation impacts adding thousands of vehicles to La Center roads.

** A recent offer by tribal officials to mitigate economic impacts was not sufficient, but city officials will continue to work with tribal officials for adequate mitigation.

The letter said La Center officials previously submitted similar comments, with documentation, "multiple times" to the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the governor's office, and the Cowlitz Tribe.

A final paragraph says city officials will continue to work with tribal leaders, and asks federal officials to require effective mitigation for significant impacts from the proposed development.

"Hand-deliver it"

Council member Bob Smith said the letter should be "hand-delivered" to Cason and elected federal officials.

Other council members agreed.

Irish said reasonable airfares will be sought for two council members.

Copies of the letter will be hand-carried to Cason, senators Patti Murray and Maria Cantwell, and congressman Brian Baird.

Mayor said federal official encourages MOU

Irish said Cason encouraged him to seek a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Tribe at a recent lunch meeting in Washington, D.C.

Cason said it would be wise for city officials to get the best agreement possible, said Irish.

Irish said Cason, who at February meetings in Clark County said he will be the Department of Interior "decisionmaker" when the time comes on Cowlitz applications, said an MOU, could offset impacts if the Tribe obtains gaming rights.

"I'm confused," said citizen Susan Gilbert. "What if no deal is the best deal and nothing will mitigate damage to the community?"

Irish said Cason's advice is to be a good neighbor because tribal members are not likely to walk away from land that cost them almost $20 million.

Gilbert said an MOU will signal acceptance of the casino project by the city.

Cason said an MOU would have no bearing on the decision, said Irish.

Citizen Kathy Walling agreed with Gilbert. She said comments at February meetings led her to believe that federal officials think an MOU is a sign of welcome.

Open Houses set April 12, 13

Bill Myers

staff reporter

A Columbia River Crossing Task Force meeting March 22 saw fewer transit and river crossing structure options than at previous meetings.

In recent weeks, consulting engineers from Washington and Oregon whittled down transit system options from 14 to six.

Engineers also scratched 14 river crossing structure options, leaving nine alternatives.

Transit options that didn't make the cut because of one or more "fatal flaws" included high speed rail, ferry service, monorail, levitation railway, commuter rail on Burlington Northern tracks, heavy rail, personal rapid transit and automated people movers.

Express and rapid transit bus services remain as possibilities, as do light rail and streetcars.

"Flawed" and scratched river crossing structures included up-stream or down-stream high level replacement bridges. Too high, say experts, for aircraft take off and glide patterns at Pearson Airpark.

Several concepts for new Columbia River crossings failed to meet one or more of six standards.

Task Force members were asked to consider various I-5 bridge replacement and/or supplemental bridge options.

Engineers also sought Task Force opinions on a tunnel to augment flows on I-5.

The tunnel would surface at Mill Plain on the north and between Marine Drive and Victory Blvd. on the south, bypassing Marine Dr., Hayden Island, and the SR-14 interchange.

Engineers consider the "bridge influence area" as a 5-mile stretch from SR-500 in Vancouver to Columbia Blvd. in Portland.

The segment, say transportation experts, suffers between four and six hours of congestion (defined as more than 5,400 vehicles per hour) per day. Consultants say that if no improvements are made, congestion will increase to 13 hours a day by 2020.

Columbia River Crossing officials will host open houses to seek public opinions of crossing alternatives. Open houses will be held at Hudson Bay High School, 1206 E Reserve St., Vancouver, Wed., April 12, 4:30-7:30 p.m., and at the Red Lion Hotel, Jantzen Beach, Thurs., April 13, 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Battle Ground mayor John Idsinga has planted a seed of which he may never see the fruit.

His vision is for a corridor that will help north county citizens get to Camas and beyond.

And like Padden Parkway's gestation to birth period, it could take upwards of 50 years.

"Padden is an example," Idsinga said. "It took 50 years to come to fruition. The time is ripe to preserve a corridor for the future."

Padden Parkway visionaries secured rights-of-way on land decades ago with the idea in mind for the expressway that would be an east-west link from one end of the county to the other.

There is no connecting north/south corridor on the east side of the county.

The proposed loop could begin in Ridgefield, off the I-5 corridor, Idsinga said, or it could start in Battle Ground.

The idea Idsinga has in mind is to connect SR-14 in Camas to I-5 near Ridgefield or Battle Ground via NE 172, NE 182 and NE 192 avenues.

"It's about possibility thinking," Idsinga said. "What happens if the connection to Camas leads to a third bridge across the Columbia? What about extending it to Sandy [Oregon]? What if it connected to Portland and west to the Port of Vancouver? The idea here is to connect."

"It's all possible," Idsinga added. "There's no route set in stone. We just have to start planning a corridor."

As the County grows, so will road congestion, Idsinga said.

"We're utilizing back roads," he said. "That poses safety concerns. We need to think about the future. And transportation is the key to economic development."

Currently, the population within a 10-mile radius of Battle Ground is 273,000, with the intersection of SR-503 and W Main street as the starting point, said city manager Eric Holmes.

For Battle Ground alone, the population is expected to grow from 15,000 today to 32,000 by 2024, he said.

So far, Idsinga has presented his vision to county commissioners and the Regional Transportation Council of Southwest Washington.

"So far everyone seems open to the idea," Idsinga said.

What comes next is meeting with other city leaders to get a consensus that this idea is good for county residents and transportation needs.

Then comes a mission statement, education, planning, and bringing people together, Idsinga said.

Does he think it will work?

"I hope so," Idsinga said. "The seed is planted. The idea here is to connect and plan for it."

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

The owners of a Woodland farm responsible for sickening 18 people with the E. coli O157:H7 virus are facing $8,000 in fines from the state Department of Agriculture.

In December 2005, raw milk from the dairy sickened 18 people, five of them children, with two of them needing critical care and life support for several weeks. All had consumed raw milk from Dee Creek Farm.

A recent announcement from Agriculture officials states a civil penalty of $8,000 is in the works against the farm's owners Mike and Anita Puckett.

The Pucketts have a right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge to contest the findings and penalty.

A joint investigation by state and health officials found the Pucketts were distributing raw milk through a "cow share" program. Five jerseys provided milk to 45 customers who bought shares of the milk produced from "their" cow.

But the Pucketts did not have state-required dairy milk producer or milk processing licenses, officials said, so distributing raw milk is illegal.

Officials found none of the cows had state required tests that certify the animals are free of tuberculosis or brucellosis. In addition, the Pucketts had purchased a cow in Oregon and transported the animal into Washington without the proper animal inspection certificates.

Agriculture officials plan to enforce the maximum penalty of $1,000 for each of the eight infractions the Pucketts committed.

"These E. coli illnesses were the result of disregard for the law and poor sanitation practices," said Claudia Cole, spokesperson for the departments food safety program.

An on-farm investigation in December found numerous health violations, officials said. There was nothing available in the milk barn for cleaning equipment or washing hands; the entrance to the milk parlor was 12 inches deep in mud and manure that the cows had to walk through; the milking bucket was in direct contact with unclean surfaces during milking, cross-contamination was observed with wiping cloths and milk buckets; chickens were present and one flew over the open milk bucket; and the milking units were not backflushed and sanitized before being used on the next cow.

Our farming philosophy

The owners of Dee Creek Farm consider their place a "working farm."

Their farming philosophy can be found on their website at www.deecreekfarm.com

In part, the document states that the family attempt to integrate permaculture theory by developing the farm to be fully sustainable.

The Farm practices organic methodology and holistic health practices for all living species on the farm, the website reads.

"We believe in finding natural, bio-dynamic solutions to the issues that come with farming, as well as our lives."

The Pucketts also encouraged their customers to do their own farm inspections and approvals to stay connected to their food source. They encouraged frequent farm visits and participation in farm days and workshops.

"Our goal is to build an ecologically responsible and self-sustaining farm using natural methods and humane practices," according to their mission statement.

In August last year, the Pucketts were contacted by Agriculture officials when it came to light they were distributing raw milk without a license.

The response, according to Agriculture officials, was that the Pucketts were not selling milk, but were interested in becoming licensed.

Since December, the farm has been under a cease and desist order. To date, the Pucketts have not submitted a license application, officials said.

OBITS

JOHN MARRIOTT

John Hiram Marriott, 82, died March 22, 2006, in Vancouver.

Marriott was born June 1, 1923, in Raleigh, Ontario, Canada, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and lived in Clark County for 49 years, the past 18 months in Vancouver. He had previously lived in Venersborg.

Marriott was a thoroughbred horse trainer. He enjoyed farming, horses, raising cattle and barbering.

Marriott was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Marriott, in January 2006. Survivors include son Mike Marriott of Burley, daughters June Marriott and DuJuann Donaldson, both of Battle Ground, God-daughter Tricia Miller of Brush Prairie, brother Willard Marriott of Alger, sister Esther Roberts of Mt. Vernon, and three grandchildren.

No services are planned. Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, is in charge of arrangements.

CARL SHERWOOD

Carl Edward Sherwood, 79, died March 17, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Sherwood was born April 30, 1926, in Shelbyville, IL, and lived in Battle Ground for 21 years.

Sherwood was employed as a draftsman, working on electro-motive trains. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. He enjoyed fishing and crossword puzzles, and was a avid Cubs fan.

Sherwood was preceded in death by his wife, Rosella Sherwood, in 1994. Survivors include son Wayne Sherwood of Washougal, daughter Terri Day of Virginia, sister Mildred Smith of Illinois, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

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

ROBERT NEAL

Robert "Bob" William Neal, 76, died March 1, 2006, in Conroe, TX.

Neal was born Dec. 12, 1929, in Battle Ground, attended Woodland High School, and worked as a logger. He served in the U.S. Army. He worked for the International Paper Mill in Chelatchie Prairie. He spent his later years logging pulpwood in Texas.

Neal enjoyed being an uncle.

Neal was preceded in death by sister Ellen Marie, and four brothers, David, Loyde, Claude and Ernie. Survivors include sister Mary Kopkie of La Center, brothers Gordon Neal of Amboy and Donald Neal of Yacolt, several nieces and nephews and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held Sat., April 1, 2 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

THOMAS COLEMAN

Thomas Alan Coleman, 53, died March 20, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Coleman was born April 30, 1952, in Denver, CO, worked in cable television for 32 years, and as a consultant for Entrepreneur Source for two years. He had lived in Colorado and Medford, OR, before moving to Battle Ground 5 1/2 years ago.

Coleman was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was active in a Rotary Club in Colorado. He was also active in the Clark County Chamber of Commerce. He loved his children. He also enjoyed playing golf, fishing, hunting, woodworking and yard work.

Survivors include widow Valerie Coleman, at home, daughter Jennifer Coleman and son Jesse Coleman, both at home, mother Gloria Coleman of California, step-mother Mary Coleman of California, and brothers Rob Coleman of Hawaii and Joe Coleman of California.

Interment was at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

TED BLAKEMAN

Theodore "Ted" R. Blakeman, 67, died from complications following a stroke March 23, 2006, in Vancouver.

Blakeman was born Aug. 29, 1938, in Moorcroft, WY, worked as a mechanic, and lived in Clark County for seven years.

Blakeman enjoyed fishing, hunting, feeding his squirrels and working in his yard. He was happiest when spending time with his grandchildren and visiting friends. He was a lifelong member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church.

Blakeman was preceded in death by his first wife of 43 1/2 years, Clara, son Ron Blakeman, brothers Dick Blakeman and Benjamin Blakeman, and sisters Elaine Blakeman and Lilian Blakeman. Survivors include widow Ruth Blakeman, at home, sons Rod Blakeman of Texas, Fred Blakeman, Jeff Blakeman, Daryl Blakeman and Ben Blakeman, all of South Dakota, and Kelly Blakeman of Wyoming, daughters Brenda Brookey of Alaska, Wanda Blakeman and Minnie Horning, both of Wyoming, and Lila Chandler of Montana, step-sons Roger Foley and Frank Foley, both of Amboy, Chris Foley of Yacolt, James Foley of La Center, and Leo Foley of Woodland, step-daughters Lois Pasco and Janel Burrows, both of Vancouver, Joy DiStefano of Ridgefield, Judith Simonson and Lisa Huff, both of Minnesota, and Linda Kyllonen of Amboy, brothers Jim Blakeman, Bob Blakeman, Kenneth Blakeman, Calvin Blakeman and Tom Blakeman, all of Wyoming, and Dallas Blakeman of Michigan, sisters Marabel Gates and Lois Morgan, both of Wyoming, and Ima Massie of South Dakota, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery in South Dakota, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

BERNICE PETER

Bernice "Bonnie" M. (Dickson) Peter, 83, died March 25, 2006, in Vancouver.

Peter was born April 26, 1922, in Brainerd, MN, and lived in Battle Ground for 46 years.

Peter was a charter member of Vancouver First Evangelical Free Church. She attended Charter Oak Evangelical Free Church and was a deaconess for years. She enjoyed flower gardening, traveling, cruises, reading, and going to the coast. She collected beach sand. She was a 4-H leader. She graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1940.

Peter was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Peter, in 2000, and a great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Peter, in 1999. Survivors include sons Loren Peter and Donald Peter, both of Vancouver, daughter Sandra Wooley of Battle Ground, brother-in-law and sister-in-law George and Eleanor Peter, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Sat., April 1, 2 p.m., at Charter Oak Evangelical Free Church, Battle Ground, with viewing set for Fri., March 31, 4-8 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground. Committal will be in Park Hill Cemetery, Vancouver, with Layne's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

JACOB HANSEN

Jacob Geoffrey Hansen, 2, died March 22, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Hansen was born Jan. 25, 2004, in Vancouver, and lived in Battle Ground for six months.

Hansen enjoyed playing with trucks. He always wore a hat and enjoyed dancing and smiling.

Survivors include father Shea Hansen of Battle Ground, mother Stefanie Hansen of Battle Ground, brother Daniel Hansen of Battle Ground, grandparents Brian and Tamara Ott of Battle Ground and Daniel Hansen of California, and great-grandparents Elmer and Evelyn Nichols of Battle Ground, Richard and Shirley Ott of Vancouver, and JoAnn Hathorne of Michigan.

Funeral services will be held Wed., March 29, 1 p.m., at Cherry Grove Friends Church, Battle Ground, with interment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Vancouver.

Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, is in charge of arrangements.

RICHARD CORDZ

Richard Lee Cordz, 75, died March 24, 2006, in Portland.

Cordz was born March 14, 1931, in Tacoma, and graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1949. He was a movie enthusiast. He showed movies in Grange halls in Amboy, Ariel, Manor and La Center 1948-1950, asking freewill donations. He obtained the movies from Hollywood. He also took home movies.

Cordz worked for an abrasives company in Vancouver. He moved from Vancouver to Portland about 30 years ago.

Cordz enjoyed reading, electronics and the seashore.

Survivors include daughters Joanne Hazen of Ridgefield, Cheri Drudge of California, and Lori Edwards of Battle Ground, son David Cordz of Battle Ground, former wife Gail Nichols Golden of Ridgefield, 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Service arrangements are pending, with Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.

LOUIS SCHIPPERS SR.

Louis Joseph "Skip) Schippers Sr., 85, died March 23, 2006, in Vancouver.

Schippers was born July 14, 1920, in Marquette, MI, lived in Vancouver, then 14 years in Battle Ground, and the last seven years in Vancouver.

Schippers served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked as a firefighter for the city of Vancouver. He also owned and operated a plumbing business.

Schippers enjoyed gardening, cattle, bingo, fishing and his friends. He was a member of the American Legion. He was a charter member of City Employees Credit Union.

Schippers was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. Survivors include daughters Linda Wilson of Ocean Park, Carol Hood of Camas and Diane Schippers of Georgia, sons Louis Schippers Jr. of Oregon and Warren Schippers of Camas, sister Julie Kinder of Ohio, 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Wed., March 29, 2 p.m., at American Legion Post 14, 4607 NE St. James Rd., Vancouver, with Davies Cremation & Burial Services in charge of arrangements.

Ada C. (Berggren) McKee, 99, died March 22, 2006, in Vancouver.

McKee was born Dec. 31, 1906, in Portland, and moved with her family to the Orchards area.

McKee graduated from Vancouver High School in 1926, and attended Normal School in Bellingham where she trained to be a teacher. She taught school for 11 years, mostly at Orchards School.

McKee and her husband, Archie "Roy" McKee, operated the Yacolt Stage Company, a bus company that carried passengers between Amboy, Yacolt, Battle Ground and Vancouver. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver for 61 years.

McKee enjoyed crossword puzzles and delighted at being able to figure out difficult words.

McKee was preceded in death by her husband, Roy McKee, in 1992, and three sisters. Survivors include son LeRoy "Lee" McKee of Port Orchard, daughters Sharon Cline of Vancouver and Patricia Bauer of Ridgefield, 12 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Sat., April 1, 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver, with burial at Park Hill Cemetery. The Vancouver Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.