FUTURE OF 4-H BUILDING IN DISPUTE

Bill Myers
staff reporter

Plans for remodelling Fairgrounds Park in Battle Ground have 4-H leaders and city officials disputing the future of a building used by 4-H for more than 30 years.

4-H leaders want city officials to leave the building alone or replace it with a larger facility. City officials plan to remove the 3,200 square-foot structure in 2008 as part of a plan to reconstruct the park.

Area IV 4-H president Nancy Dykes, a 33-year 4-H leader, said 4-H members use the building, built in 1971 by 4-H members with city permission, for meetings and various livestock shows.

Construction of the building on city park land was funded by 4-H auctions and other events.

Minutes from a Feb. 2, 1971, Battle Ground city council meeting show that a request by then 4-H president Jim Pierce to build the building on park property was met with no objections.

Dykes and club vice president Clarence Petty say city officials executed a long-term lease of at least 99 years with 4-H officials for park space before or during building construction.

City public works director Sam Adams said he can't find a record of a lease in city files.

Dykes said a copy of the lease may be in files at the home of the late Florence Robison, a longtime 4-H program leader. The files are currently unaccessible, said Dykes. Robison was Area IV 4-H secretary for decades. There is still hope that an agreement might turn up in city records, said Petty.

Adams said the 4-H group owns the building, and the city owns the land. He said the building will be in the way of a complete park overhaul.

Phase I of park work gets underway this year after Harvest Days and the Little League season. Work will include construction of a 25,000 square-foot skate park, new restrooms, parking and support amenities, and streetscape improvements on Main St. and Fairgrounds Ave.

Adams said Phase II will include construction of a 10-15,000 square-feet commons building with space dedicated to Rose Parade float activities and rooms available for rent to various groups.

The 4-H Building is in the middle of a planned "Great Lawn" area. Adams said the Great Lawn, as currenty conceived in general terms, would include playground equipment, a climbing wall, extension of a trail system, picnic shelters and more bathrooms. A picturesque fountain area would be in clear view of the Great Lawn area, he said.

Adams said he was directed by the city council to work with 4-H leaders to find a solution. He said he offered use of space in the commons building, but 4-H leaders are insisting on exclusive use. Council members have not decided on charging rent, he added.

In a Feb. 18 letter to mayor John Idsinga, Petty said Area IV 4-H members are 450 strong, with 110 leaders and at least 1,000 parents and grandparents, including many in Battle Ground.

Most members go to Battle Ground schools, said Petty.

In the letter, Petty said 4-H members don't want to give up control of their building.

Petty said that 4-H needs space for a horse show and groom squad contest, and that 3,200 square feet in a new building "won't help us much."

Petty proposed construction by the city of a building with at least 10,000 square-feet including an 8,000 square-foot exhibition hall. Petty said the hall would be for 4-H use and available to others as 4-H schedules allowed.

A response from mayor John Idsinga said 4-H will be one of many groups using the new building but will need to coordinate events with other building uses.

Idsinga said the City could not build a 10,000 square feet building space for a single user group.

Petty, a 4-H leader for almost three decades, said he can't see why city leaders would spend almost $1 million for a skate park for mostly out-of-area youths, while spending nothing on area 4-H children.

CHILL, DRIZZLE GREET EXPLORERS AT REFUGE PLANKHOUSE

Alice Perry Linker
staff reporter

The man named Clark led a little band of explorers into the Cathlapotle plankhouse 200 years to the day after his ancestor stopped in the same area.

March 29, 2006, was gray and drizzly, just like March 29, 1806, when the Corps of Discovery visited the Cathlapotle people for a few hours.

There were some marked differences in the two visits. Reenactors, led by Peyton "Bud" Clark, the great-great-great-grandson of William Clark, drove to the plankhouse on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. William Clark, Meriwether Lewis and their team arrived by boat.

Cathlapotle Indians greeted the original explorers, as the women dug camas root from the marsh. Volunteers at the wildlife refuge and other Ridgefield residents greeted the reenactors, and the camas root is hard to find.

The visit to Ridgefield was a free day for the explorers.

Eric Anderson of the wildlife refuge said the group were "tourists, visiting the plankhouse."

From Ridgefield, the 2006 explorers returned to Frenchman's Bar for another night. This week, they're camped at Capt. William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach in Washougal.

"We'll greet visitors," said Norman Bowers who is traveling as Sgt. Nathaniel Hale, "and we'll make paddles, smoke hides, organize administration and clean our weapons while we're there."

The modern explorers spent the morning of March 29 at the Washington School for the Blind, allowing the students to listen to the stories and touch and smell hides, paddles and other supplies.

Peyton Clark said experiences like visiting the School for the Blind "regenerate me."

The reenactors who hail from many areas across the United States started the eastbound trip on the same day as the original Corps of Discovery 200 years ago.

Unlike those early explorers, the group did not have to spend the winter in a cold and wet fort. Most of them returned home for three months.

Some members have left the group from time to time and returned later, such as Kevin Talbot, traveling as Pvt. Robert Frazer, who did not travel last autumn.

Like the early explorers, the men have learned a great deal on this trip, Clark said.

"The most important, I think, is the insight we've gained into the Indian spirituality," Clark said. "We've had many conversations with our Indian sisters and brothers, and we've learned enough to recognize that we know next to nothing about their culture."

Talbot of St. Louis, MO praised the American Indians met by the group along the way.

"The generosity of the American Indians has impressed me; not that I didn't expect it," he said. "We have a Chinook canoe, and we had a blessing ceremony at Long Beach. It was very special."

Bowers (Sgt. Hale) said a difficult part of the trip occurred in North and South Dakota and on the Snake and Columbia rivers.

"We had low water (in the Dakotas), and we had no current on the Snake and Columbia," he said. "They (the early explorers) got as much as 75 miles in one day; the most we could get was 43."

Although many of the reenactors began the voyage in St. Louis, Frank Bechtol, traveling as Pvt. Hugh Hall, started in Elizabeth, PA, where Meriwether Lewis picked up the keel boat for the trip.

"We started Aug. 31, 2003," Bechtol said. "About four or five of us started then."

The explorers of 2006 will get a three-week break beginning May 10 during the time when the original travelers were stopped by the snow and had to wait for a break in the weather.

They plan to arrive in Lewiston, ID, on June 10 for the Nez Perce Summer of Peace. Their trip will end on Sept. 23 in St. Louis.

Many of the reenactors said they had studied and read about the Corps of Discovery venture before joining the reenactment.

"I've been interested and involved in Lewis and Clark most of my adult life," Clark said. "This is the frosting on the cake; the ultimate big boy adventure."

NEW APARTMENT COMPLEX PLANNED FOR BG

Alice Perry Linker
staff reporter

Construction of a 78-unit apartment complex is set to begin in Battle Ground later this spring.

Frank L'Amie of the Vancouver Housing Authority said one of the five residential buildings will be designated for senior citizens.

Cost of construction of the complex on NE 12th Avenue west of Fred Meyer is expected to be about $8.35 million, and L'Amie said he expects construction to be complete in one year.

Usually, an apartment complex can be completed in nine months, but L'Amie said contractor Key Way Corp. of Tigard, OR, asked for a year because of the current shortage of building supplies.

"I anticipate the senior building will be the first one finished, maybe in nine months," L'Amie said.

Four buildings with one-, two- and three-bedroom units will be designed for families. Ten of the apartments will have three bedrooms and 22 will have two bedrooms.

Occupants must qualify by income, L'Amie said. A family of two must earn no more than $27,150 annually and a family of four must have an income no greater than $33,950 per year.

L'Amie said a two-bedroom apartment is considered adequate for a family of four with two children of the same sex.

In addition to the residential buildings, the complex will have a community building where the site manager will have offices.

Included in the community building will be a covered play area, an observation room where parents can watch children at play, a multi-purpose room, and an outdoor play area.

The three-story building designated for seniors will contain 28 apartments, six of them two-bedroom.

"That's a little unusual," L'Amie said. "Most senior housing gives only one bedroom, but we found some seniors need two bedrooms."

The building for senior citizens will be constructed in a "V" shape, with gardens planted in the "V." The building will have a community room.

The Vancouver Housing Authority owns the property, and L'Amie said that "an array of different funding sources" will be tapped for construction and maintenance.

When built, the apartment complex will be owned by a limited partnership with National Equity Fund as the limited partner and the Housing Authority as the general partner.

Tax credits are offered to the private corporations involved in funding the low-income hosuing development.

L'Amie said the authority "probably" will hire a professional management company.

METAL FAB DECISION PUT OFF

A March 30 hearing on a metal fabrication home business in Clark County has been continued until April 7.

County staff member Travis Goddard said he would need more time to answer arguments raised by David Phillips, attorney for neighbors of the Harris Metal Fabrication home business located at 19217 NE 219th St., Battle Ground.

Phillips told hearing examiner Richard Forester that the Harris property is less than two acres in size, not the 2.5 acres required for county approval of the business activity.

Surveyor Bill Johnson, a Phillips witness, affirmed the lot size with dimension details and deed records.

Goddard said he would gain assistance from county attorneys on the lot size issue.

Goddard said the county would allow the business activity in a rural residential zone if the lot turned out to be at least 2 1/4 acres in size. Phillips contested the applicability of the 10% variation standard.

Phillips also argued that a building permit did not exist for a new structure that houses the business. Harris said his contractor had obtained a building permit.

Phillips said a demarcation at the site is needed to delineate the "activity area"--the area around the building in which business activity can take place.

Goddard said a chain-link, slatted fence screens a larger area than the activity area.

Phillips also contended that the building and new asphalt and gravel surfacing cause the business to fall under the county's stormwater rules, and that a stormwater plan and water retention system are necessary.

Goddard said the impervious area was just under the 5,000 square foot plateau that would trigger the stormwater rules. Phillips said the criteria was 1,000 square feet in this case.

Hearings examiner Forester asked that the exact amount of impervious surface be accurately calculated.

Phillips also said that business owner Tom Harris had not complied with a county requirement that all conditions of approval be met before the business was in operation.

Code enforcement action

The matter arose last fall when Harris moved his business from a rural residential zone on SE Grace Ave. in Battle Ground to the 219th St. location.

Neighbors complained to the county's code enforcement staff about noise and Harris was told to "cease and desist" until he had a permit.

Harris did not deny doing business without a permit.

In November 2005, Harris applied for a "major rural" home occupation permit. He had constructed a 2,400 square foot building.

County staff approved the application Jan. 17, 2006, on conditions that Harris operate in the building or within a 2,170 square foot activity area outside, that Harris screen the business with shrubs or fencing, and that Harris meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act involving handicapped parking.

Other conditions applied to employees.

Harris was approved to operate 7 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week.

Neighbors appealed the county approval, arguing that Harris did not confine his work to the activity area, and that Harris did not have a building permit or stormwater plan.

The appeal also contained the argument that the lot did not meet the 2.5 acre size requirement.

In responding to the appeal, Goddard suggested mediation, noting that the county rules were designed so that "government wouldn't be in the role of killing the small business spirit in the county."

Goddard also said at that time that if the neighbors proved Harris did not have the needed 2.5 acres, the county approval would be voided.

Neighbors testify

Several neighbors spoke at the March 30 hearing. One said Harris, 55, has a daily employee. Another said the 6-foot chain link fence, asphalt area, and industrial work do not conform to the rural residential zone as described in county documents. And another questioned the accuracy of both Harris' application documents and the county's staff report. "Is everything above board here," questioned the neighbor.

One neighbor urged the hearings examiner to consider the needs of those living in the residential area.

One neighbor asked why the county would research the 2 1/5 acre issue and not Harris.

"It's the county's job to see if we've made a mistake or not," responded Goddard.

Harris stated that his deed records showed the property to be 2 1/5 acres, and that county officials had acknowledged that before he bought the property.

Harris also said that asphalt work was limited to a wider apron at 219th St., and that he was working on ADA compliance.

Goddard can be reached at 397-2375, ext. 4180.

BULLETS HIT AUTOS ON I-205

Two motorists report holes in vehicle roofs

Bill Myers
staff reporter

Someone is shooting at vehicles on I-205.

According to Washington State Patrol officials, motorists reported two separate shooting incidents in February to the Washington State Patrol.

On both occasions, motorists reportedly heard shots near the NE 9th St. overpass and later discovered bullet holes in their vehicle roofs.

A Patrol report said Battle Ground resident Gail Goodat, 60, was northbound in a Ford pickup truck on Feb. 13 at about 8:40 p.m. on I-205 near the overpass when she heard and felt what appeared to a gun shot that hit her truck.

Fearing that she was being targeted, Goodat kept driving. A mechanic later found a bullet hole in the roof of her truck cab.

Castle Rock resident James Marks, 67, reportedly was southbound in a Ford Bronco near the overpass on Feb. 23 at about 1:30 p.m. when he and an adult passenger heard a shot and something hit the Bronco.

Days later, while washing the vehicle, Marks found a bullet hole in the auto roof.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jody Metz at the WSP Office in Vancouver, 449-7950.

BOARD GIVES LEVY OPTIONS

The Battle Ground school board decided March 28 to give voters options when they cast ballots May 16 on a $59.9 million, 4-year maintenance and operations property tax levy.

Voters will face Propositions 1 and 2 that total to the same $59.9 million. Proposition 1 would total about $55 million over four years.

Voters turned down a $67 million levy request on Feb. 7. School officials had estimated the cost of that levy at $2.59 per $1,000 of assessed property value in the first year.

The school board decided Feb. 25 in a 4-1 vote to reduce the levy request to $59.9 million, and had estimated the first year tax at $2.39 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Officials said the tax would stay at $2.39 if the total assessed value of property in the district grows at 8% per year which they considered a conservative estimate. Faster growth would reduce the $2.39 rate; slower growth would push the tax rate higher.

District property owners are currently paying about $1.64 per $1,000 of assessed value in the final year of a 3-year levy. That levy was approved at an estimated $2.02 rate.

Tax rate of Proposition 1 of the latest proposal is estimated at $2.19 per $1,000 of assessed value in the first year; Part 2 would add 20 cents, for a total of $2.39.

Committee proposed 2-part levy plan

The two-part levy plan was proposed to the board by a 25-member citizens' levy committee that met twice for a total of 10 1/2 hours.

District communications consultant Kelly Keister, who facilitated the levy committee's work, said the committee evaluated levy options using three criteria: Does it help meet needs? Is it best for students? Will it receive public approval?

Concerns about gaining public approval for the funding measure led the committee to propose a 2-part levy, said Keister.

The committee was created when the school board decided to the put the levy proposal through a public process.

The committee reviewed surveys dealing with the Feb. 7 levy failure, considered input at community forums, and heard from members of the community, said Keister.

Levy would fund various school district programs

Proposition 1 of the latest levy proposal would provide funds for some 33 teachers presently on staff, pay for current and additional assistant principals, and provide money for school repairs, curriculum and instructional programs, and students activities.

Proposition 1 would also fund more nurses, and expand middle school counselors from half to full-time.

Proposition 2 would provide about $500,000 annually for student and staff computers, and about $450,000 annually for additional pay for teachers to do program development work.

Keister said program development work involves certificated and classified personnel meeting to develop instructional plans in order to help improve student achievement. This work is now being done but staff members are not paid for it, said Keister.

Passage of Proposition 1 would qualify the school district for about $3.5 million annually in "levy equalization" funds from the state. About $1.5 million in levy equalization money would be used each year for "time and responsibility pay" for teachers. Time and responsibility pay, said Keister, is to compensate teaching staff for work they currently do but are not compensated for, including the development of common assessments, and individualized education plans to improve student learning.

Another $600,000 of levy equalization money would be used annually for salary adjustments for classified and administrative personnel to ramp up salaries toward state medians. And another $450,000 would be used annually to pay for additional assistant principals at schools with higher enrollments.

Details of items projected to be funded by the two levy proposals are available by calling Keister, 904-1233, and at The Reflector in Battle Ground.

School board chairman Sam Kim, who attended the March 28 meeting by telephone, said he "preferred to have a single package levy of $2.39. He stressed the importance of passing Proposition 1 for the betterment of the district.

Keister said the board adopted the two-levy plan because of public input.

"They all told the same story," said Keister of information gathered from the surveys, the levy committee and public forums.

"People said they support schools," said Keister. "They agree with the levy items. But they said the millage rate was a little too high."

While the levy committee was unanimous in endorsing the two-part plan, one levy committee member later expressed misgivings.

Committee member Martha Bellcoff said in a letter to district administration that she would prefer a portion of the levy money allocated for teacher salaries to be used for student and teacher supplies.

Board member Fred Striker read Bellcoff's letter at the March 28 board meeting.

Bellcoff later said her letter was directed only to district officials and was not intended for public release.

"I know that we need a levy and I will work to support it," said Bellcoff. "I don't want my reflections to be an excuse for people to vote "no" on the levy. Our kids need the support levy money provides."

"My comments were meant to help the board reflect on the various opinions the public might have," added Bellcoff. "And to ask that they be certain that levy needs were prioritized appropriately before making a decision. I have confidence in the board and believe they did just that."

RIDGEFIELD DEBATES SENSITIVE LANDS RULES

"A crock of hooey," says leading citizen

Bill Myers

staff reporter

A debate on how to regulate wetlands held center stage at a March 23 city council meeting in Ridgefield.

At the hub of a public hearing was a Sensitive Lands update, Ordinance 903, proposed as an amendment to city wetland rules.

Amendments were needed to bring city regulations into compliance with state guidelines, said community development director Kevin Snyder.

Snyder said state officials are requiring cities to update sensitive lands rules to qualify for state grants and/or loans for future projects.

The proposed update is a product of months of work by city staff, a paid consultant and planning commission members. Planning commission efforts included four public hearings.

Council member Gary Adkins said many properties in Ridgefield have hydric soils without surface water, but are defined as wetlands.

Buffer rules, ranging from 25 to 300 feet in the proposed ordinance, will cause a loss of much of the city's industrial land, Adkins said.

Snyder said affected landowners could apply for an exception by hiring and paying for a third party review or obtaining a free Department of Ecology analysis.

The attempt was to make the ordinance as flexible as possible while protecting critical areas, said Snyder.

Planning commissioner John Dingethal said the proposed update exempts many category III and IV wetlands smaller than 4,000 square feet. Such areas have been farmed for 100 years, he said.

Dingethal said planning commissioners treated category II wetlands as category I wetlands because Ridgefield does not have category I wetlands.

"The ordinance is far better than it was before," said Dingethal.

Attorney Steve Hill, representing Union Ridge developers, said rules should not require set backs from buffers. "Buffers are setbacks," he said.

Hill said more flexible rules could allow developers to reduce buffers while enhancing wetlands. Smaller buffers should be required for developers who direct impacts such as light and sound away from a wetland, he said.

A consulting biologist representing Union Ridge developers suggested a mitigation fund supported by developers. He questioned rules requiring 100-feet buffers on tiny, non-fish bearing streams.

Planning commissioner Cyrus Yamin said a proposed 4,000 square feet exemption should be expanded to 5,000 square feet. This would help prevent small landowners from losing use of gardening land, he said.

Planning consultant Reed Stapleton said proposed rules will limit road development.

Citizen Roy Garrison said, "As usual, I have more questions than answers."

Garrison said the proposed document appears to be intended for a fully-developed community, not a growing community like Ridgefield.

Proposed buffers would prevent many landowners, including some present at the meeting, from doing anything on their properties, said Garrison.

The city's Capital Facilities Plan adopted a road system that crosses wetlands, said citizen Lee Wells. The proposed ordinance could create another 134th St. traffic fiasco in Ridgefield, he said.

Wells said a rule prohibiting livestock within 25 feet of a wetland could prevent him and other farmers from watering livestock at ponds intended for that purpose.

"Gary Adkins also has a watering pond," said Wells. "This ordinance would make them illegal and that's a crock of hooey," Wells said.

Adkins said that when his land was annexed into the city, he was told his farm activities were "grandfathered" and that he could continue doing what he had been doing.

The ordinance, if implemented, "goes back on our word" to citizens, said Adkins.

Snyder said enforcement activities always require common sense and a respect for private property rights while balancing the need to protect resources.

Council members kept the public hearing open. Another meeting is set for Thurs., April 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N Main Ave.

OBITS:

RUBY BLEESE

Ruby Nancy (Lohr) Bleese, 92, died March 27, 2006, in Vancouver.

Bleese was born Feb. 6, 1914, in Sheldon, ND, and lived in Clark County for five years, the last three in Battle Ground.

Bleese was a member of Oaks Church of the Nazarene in North Dakota. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, reading and her grandchildren. She liked southern gospel music, keeping house and yard work.

Bleese was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert Bleese, in 1987, and an infant child in 1950. Survivors include daughters Vickie Ledbetter of Battle Ground and Teddy Anderson of Everett, son Lonny Bleese of North Dakota, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

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

WILLIAM BROOKS

Pastor William Irvin Brooks, 80, died March 2, 2006, in Portland.

Brooks was born May 28, 1925, in Holdrege, NE.

Brooks attended in Hoquiam and Ridgefield high schools. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1941 to 1945. Brooks worked with his father in a plumbing shop in Redmond, OR, before moving to Longview to work in the Weyerhaeuser mill.

Brooks attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Longview. He then earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon and moved to Berkeley, CA, where he earned a degree from the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1961. He received a certificate of ordination from the Pacific Synod of the Lutheran Church the same year.

Brooks served Lutheran churches in several cities: Christ the King in Goldendale, St. Mark's in Seattle, Immanuel in Knappa, OR, Faith in Clatskanie and Trinity in Aberdeen.

After retirement in 1990, Brooks served as a state parks volunteer for 10 years.

Brooks was preceded in death by a sister, Verna Oakley, and brother Raymond Brooks. Survivors include widow Wanda Brooks, at home in Astoria, daughter Patricia Riches of Vancouver, sons William Brooks and Craig Brooks, both of Oregon, brother Robert Brooks of Mount Vernon, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

A committal service will be held Fri., April 7, 1 p.m., at Northwood Park Cemetery, 16407 NE Union Rd., Ridgefield. Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, Astoria, was in charge of arrangements.

HOWARD BULLER

Howard Lester Buller, 70, died March 25, 2006, in Vancouver.

Buller was born July 21, 1935, in Beatrice, NE, and moved with his family to California and then at age 10 to Vancouver. He lived in Clark County about 60 years.

Buller served in the National Guard 1951-54. He was a Clark County sheriff's deputy for 24 years. After retiring in 1992, Buller piloted the Alaska Sunrise boat, and drove truck for State Pipe. He loved the beach and enjoyed garage sales.

Buller was preceded in death by brother Warren Buller. Survivors include widow Angie Buller, at home in Vancouver, sons Brian Buller of Bellingham and Howard Buller Jr. of Vancouver, daughters Tearesa Hasselman of Oregon, Amanda Smith of Kentucky and Tabatha Buller of Vancouver, six grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many friends.

A memorial service will be held Sat., April 8, 10 a.m., at New Heights Church, 7913 NE 58th Ave., Vancouver, with Davies Cremation and Burial Services in charge of arrangements.

LARRY MARTIN

Lawrence "Larry" L. Martin, 91, died March 26, 2006, in Mesa, AZ.

Martin was born Dec. 17, 1914, near Rolling Prairie, IN. He moved with his family to a homestead near Miles City, MT.

Martin worked for other ranchers. He carried mail 1933-34. In 1935 he worked for the Chapele Brothers horse ranch.

In 1936, Martin moved to Salmon, ID, where he owned a ranch. Martin sold his ranch and the Montana ranch he grew up on during World War II and worked as a smelter man for Anaconda Company. He retired after 30 years with Anaconda in 1975.

Martin moved to Apache Junction, AZ, where he lived for 30 years.

In 1980, Martin started jam sessions in his Apache Junction home with as many as 100 people attending. He loved music and played the drums.

In his younger years, Martin enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Martin was preceded in death by son David Martin in 2002, sisters Cecil Dodge and Doris, and his first wife Molisa Stoumbaugh. Survivors include widow Grace Martin, at home, daughters Judy Wyant of Montana and Joyce Coutts of California, 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Burial was at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Anaconda, MT, with Apache Junction Mortuary, Arizona, in charge of arrangements.

Don David Pavola, 83, died March 16, 2006, in Spokane.

Pavola was born April 28, 1922, in La Center, and graduated from La Center High School in 1940. He lived in Longview in the 1960s, then moved to California, New Jersey and Korea, then to Yacolt in the early 1980s. He lived in Woodland for about 20 years until 2002, then Vancouver for a year, and then Spokane.

Pavola served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He worked as a tug boat operator on the Columbia River, and for Weyerhaeuser.

Pavola enjoyed photography, feeding birds and reading. He was a hard worker and always willing to help others.

Pavola was preceded in death by brothers Reino Nyback and Bill Nyback. Survivors include sister Viola Stenlund of Woodland, daughter Sandi Wendling of Spokane, step-son Greg, one granddaughter, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A gathering for family and friends is set for Sat., April 8, 1-4 p.m., at 8506 NE 88th St., Vancouver, with Spokane Cremation and Burial Service in charge of cremation and other arrangements.

Marie L. Skellenger, 84, died March 25, 2006, in Vancouver.

Skellenger was born April 4, 1921, in Gunnison, CO, and lived in Ridgefield since the late 1920s. Skellenger worked in the shipyards during World War II, working with sheet metal, drafting and blue prints. She earned a bachelor's degree at Washington State University and a masters in nutrition from Cornell University. She taught nutrition at several universities. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels. She was active in the Salmon Creek Grange. She enjoyed cooking.

Survivors include nephews Steve Johnson of Kettle Falls, Wade Johnson of Idaho and Stanley Johnson of Texas, niece Kathey Kernodle of Nebraska, and friend Sharon Gillette of Amboy.

Services will be held at a later date, with Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.