OFFICIALS EXPLAIN NEED FOR INCREASE BG LEVY

Voters in the Battle Ground School District will decide in a May 16 mail-in election whether to provide $13.3 million for operations and maintenance in 2007, an increase of about $4.8 million over the $8.5 million generated this year in a levy due to expire at year's end.

If approved, the 4-year levy would increase to $16.8 million in 2010, its final year.

District officials say the increase is needed both to continue current operations and to meet additional needs, including needs created by growth.

The levy is offered in two propositions totaling about $13.3 million in the first year.

District spokesperson Kelly Keister said the current levy pays for 33 teachers for lower class sizes, plus secretarial staff, assistant principals, custodial workers, counselors and instructional support personnel.

The current levy also pays for school site repairs, technology infrastructure, and preventive maintenance.

The current levy also pays for textbooks, instructional software, testing materials and staff development, plus nurses, health assistants, student activities, security, drug and alcohol program, and support for non-English speaking students. The cost to continue the work performed under the current levy has risen by about $1.8 million due to inflation, said Keister. Thus about $10.3 million is needed to maintain current programs, she said.

Keister said levy funding this year represents about 13 percent of the District budget, a figure that would rise to about 17 percent in 2007 with passage of both propositions.

New schools

The proposed levy seeks another $3 million for new school sites and to meet state and federal standards and other needs, said District superintendent Shonny Bria.

District officials plan to open four new schools over the next three years, including two schools at NE 20th Ave. at NE 239th St., and two at a site south of NE 209th St. between NE 167th Ave. and NE 176th Ave. east of Battle Ground.

The proposed levy would fund assistant principals at the new schools, plus custodial staff, preventative maintenance, textbooks and materials, nurses, health assistants and counselors.

The total amount in the two levy proposals for these new school sites is about $736,000 in the first year.

Student support services

The proposed levy also includes about $1.4 million to meet state and federal standards, including instructional support personnel, teacher training and development, curriculum and materials for academic interventions, help for non-English speaking students, and extended learning programs.

Additional needs

About $830,000 in the proposed levy would be used for what district officials call "additional needs."

Additional needs include about $180,000 for school site repairs, high school extra-curricular activities, and security, $500,000 for computers for student and staff use, and $155,000 for administrative support to ensure legal compliance.

District would add staff

With approval of the levy, the school district would add some 57 employees.

Additional staff would include two teachers for the highly-capable program, seven teachers for remedial programs, three teachers for programs for non-English speaking students, and four teachers for middle school choir/fine arts.

Funding would allow for the addition of 4.5 middle school counselors and two nurses.

With approval, levy money would be used to add about 24 classified employees, including four secretaries at new schools, three health assistants, and 14 people in grounds, custodial and maintenance.

Levy funding would provide for the addition of 8.5 assistant principals.

Added state money

Passage of Proposition 1 of the proposed levy would qualify the district for about $3.4 million in state funding that would not be provided otherwise.

The district received about the same amount of so-called "levy equalization" money under the current levy.

Additional compensation

Teachers in the district would be eligible for additional compensation under three items budgeted in the levy proposal.

Teachers would be eligible for "time and responsibility pay" of about $171,000 in 2007.

This "time and responsibility pay" would increase to about $579,000 in 2010.

Teachers would also be eligible for "time and responsibility" pay totaling about $1.5 million annually with levy equalization funds.

"Time and responsibility pay" is for work done outside teachers' contracted work hours for such things as developing individualized student education plans, creating assessments to evaluate student learning, and collaborating with other staff on curriculum to help students meet state and federal standards.

All staff, including teachers, would also receive salary increases through "program development" funding of about $450,000 annually.

Using average salary data, Keister estimated that teacher salaries could increase by 5.5% with passage of both levy propositions. To qualify for some of the added funds, said Keister, teachers would take part in certain planning and program development work sessions.

Keister said the District needs to be competitive with neighboring school districts to be able to attract and retain highly qualified staff.

Keister said that reports that teachers would also receive reimbursement for medical expenses, including deductible expenses, are not true.

Levy funding would also supplement the salaries of classified employees, administrative support personnel, principals and district office administrators.

District officials plan to use some of the levy equalization money to hire 8.5 additional assistant principals, and to reduce the size of special education classes.

PARROTS WON'T LEAVE YACOLT

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Officials of Clark Public Utilities want to discourage parrots from nesting on power poles in Yacolt.

But the birds aren't listening.

The parakeets, known as monk or Quaker parakeets, arrived last year and built two nests on Hubbard Ave.

Utility workers and volunteer bird rescuers removed the nests after a failed attempt to capture the birds on the night of April 11.

Nest areas were sprayed with a solution of amonia and water, but the birds keep coming back with sticks in their beaks.

The birds, about 30 monk (aka: Quaker) parakeets, fled their nests as bird rescue volunteers approached in baskets attached to utility cranes.

Utility spokesman Mick Shutt said the birds could be electrocuted by transformer contacts on the power poles. Nest material can also cause power outages or damage equipment, said Shutt.

Yacolt public works director Paul Testor said power lines could fall and endanger citizens if an electrical short caused a nest to burn.

Shutt said the same species has built thousands of nests on power poles in Florida. He said Florida Power & Light Co. workers are now euthanizing the birds.

Chris Driggins and Chris Dahlenberry, of Northwest Bird Rescues, made the attempt to humanely net the birds at the request of utility officials.

Driggins said the nests contained no eggs.

"The people at the utility want to protect the birds," said Driggins. Several Yacolt citizens are willing to keep the birds as pets in suitable backyard cages, he added.

Town council member Jim Weldon, who lives near the nesting sites and sees the birds feeding in his backyard, said he is amazed by their determination.

A petition, calling on utility officials to provide a safe habitat for the birds, is circulating in Yacolt.

YACOLT YOUTH DIES IN MISHAP

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

A 16-year-old Yacolt resident died April 30 from injuries sustained in a one-car accident on NE Railroad Ave.

Guy Ronald Lewis II was driving northbound about 2:44 a.m. when his 1991 Geo Metro drifted off the road and into a ditch, rolled over, and came to rest on the west side of the road, according to a release from Clark County Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Shea.

Lewis was on his way home from attending the Ridgefield High School prom. He was alone in the vehicle.

Lewis was a junior at Battle Ground High School and involved in football, baseball and Future Business Leaders of America. He was the son of Guy and Diana Lewis of Yacolt.

Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Sheriff's Office Traffic Homicide Unit, but alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.

ZARELLI POOCH STOLEN FROM GARAGE

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

It's a "whodunit" that leaves state Sen. Joe Zarelli and his wife, Tani, puzzled.

About three days after the couple paid "way too much money" at a SWIFT auction for a puppy, someone reportedly sneaked into their garage and stole her.

Gracie, not yet three months old, disappeared between April 25, 10 p.m., and April 26, 6 a.m. Not used to her surroundings, the dog "yapped" too much at night and slept in a secure kennel in the garage, Tani Zarelli said.

The evening of April 25, Zarelli let Gracie and their other dog, a grown black lab named Delilah, out in the yard before turning in. The garage door was unlocked.

The next morning, Tani noticed the kennel door was ajar, and Gracie wasn't inside.

All outer doors were shut, so Tani knew the dog couldn't have escaped, she said.

"I searched every nook and cranny," she said. "No dog."

According to Joe Zarelli:

Mostly the only people that knew the couple had paid $1,600 for a pure-bred golden retriever with no "papers" had attended the elite Vancouver auction; the Zarellis live in a remote area of the county so someone would have to go out of their way to steal a dog; and there were several other, much more valuable items that could have been stolen and weren't.

The Zarellis are unabashed at buying a dog that would normally cost $350-$400.

"The funds [to SWIFT] go back into the community, " Joe Zarelli said. "The funds go to help schools and kids and other things."

And it's not being out the money that bothers them.

"Someone came up on our deck and into the garage, got into the kennel and shut the door part way, shut the garage door, and left," Tani said. "It was deliberate."

"We believe it was someone who knew we had that dog," Joe said. "I hate to think this is politically motivated. That's what's more concerning to me. Why would someone take her? I don't know the underlying meaning or purpose."

And Tani is disappointed, because even though she had the dog a short time, Gracie was special.

"We're hoping someone who knows somebody who knows somebody has a conscience and is convicted enough to bring her back to us," Joe said. A $500 reward is offered.

Information is welcome at 600-5611.

LANDOWNERS RIP PROPOSED HABITAT RULES

Property owner says ordinance violates constitution

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Speakers at an April 24 public hearing didn't mention taxes on tea or British soldiers in houses. But the tone of outcries was reminiscent of 1775.

The Clark County commissioners scheduled the event to hear public comments on proposed changes to the county's current Habitat Conservation Ordinance.

County officials say legal rulings determined that the ordinance, crafted in 1997 with an exemption for agricultural lands, falls short of meeting requirements of the state Growth Management Act (GMA).

Soon after the ordinance was approved, the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board ruled in November 1997 that an exemption for existing agricultural activities did not comply with GMA.

County officials say two subsequent rulings by the Washington State Court of Appeals in 2004 and 2005, sustained the Hearings Board ruling.

Clallam County is now appealing one of the rulings. The case will likely be heard by the state Supreme Court next year.

County deputy prosecutor Rich Lowry said the state legislature granted County officials a one-year grace period in 2004 to get the ordinance into compliance, and set a deadline of Dec. 1, 2005. The deadline was not met.

Failure to make the ordinance compliant with the GMA will make the County ineligible for state Public Works Trust Fund grants and loans, said commissioner Steve Stuart.

Ineligibility would cost the County about $8 million this year alone, Stuart said.

"We aren't here because we want to be, but because we have to be," said commissioner Betty Sue Morris.

A flood of citizen comments came at the hearing, enough to warrant continuations on the next night and on the morning of May 2.

Some citizens said streams and wildlife must be protected for future generations. They urged the commissioners to approve proposed amendments which remove agricultural exemptions except for land in designated non-riparian habitat.

The ordinance is needed, said Richard Kennon, a member of the Native Fish Society and Fish First.

A few people who don't take care of their properties make it hard on the rest, Kennon said. He said rules should go further and ban new development within a mile of the East Fork of the Lewis River.

Lacamas Creek landowner Gene Thompson said "government-made" wetlands using run-off from developments caused creek banks to overflow. He said the water washed away trees and fences on his property. "Before you talk water quality to me, you have to stabilize the stream banks," he said.

Agriculture is not the biggest threat to fish in the county, said Yacolt resident Butch Schwindt. Schwindt said fish face greater threats from commercial nets, and herbicides or pesticides coming from non-agricultural development.

County Farm Bureau president Bill Zimmerman urged the commissioners to consider an alternative proposal from the Bureau. The alternative would eliminate buffers, and require property owners to do whatever is needed to keep water near their land clean.

Setbacks from streams required by ordinance rules, if applied to agricultural lands, would effect thousands of acres at a great cost to landowners, said Zimmerman.

Amboy landowner Jim Malinowski said the ordinance needs to be equitable. The same rules that apply to agricultural land should apply to lawns of homeowners near streams, he said.

Another citizen said run-off of Weed and Feed from lawns destroy fish habitat.

Russ Lambert, who lives east of Battle Ground and owns horses, said the ordinance requires setbacks of 75 feet on each side of a small seasonal stream on his property that runs only in winter months. Even though there is no water in the stream now, the setback rule will cost him "big time," he said.

Larger setbacks are required from year-round and/or larger streams.

La Center property owner Otto Larson said county ordinances forced him out of Christmas tree farming. "Over 50 percent of my property is in a riparian zone," he said. "How many people will be willing to pay full property taxes on property they can't use," he asked.

"This inept proposal is a waste of our money, and violates state and federal laws--and our constitution," said Fargher Lake landowner Alex Mattila.

The ordinance is unlawful and "you are required by law to stop it," Mattila said. It assumes that plants, animals and fish are more important than people, he added.

"Let him talk," shouted audience members as commissioner Marc Boldt reminded Mattila of a three minute speaking time limit.

The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says property can't be taken without justification and due process of law, said Mattila. "Tell the state our freedom is not for sale," he said.

Mattila said county officials never monitored results of the 1997 Habitat Ordinance and need to evaluate impacts of the ordinance before issuing more rules.

Mattila said he agrees with Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata who said, "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."

Thunderous applause followed Mattila's final comment: "...take the critical habitat ordinance and the Petridish it was created in, and throw them both in the garbage."

After hearing from more speakers, Stuart said, "We're going to do what's right. We know the best stewards of land are those who live on it."

The draft habitat ordinance can be viewed at the Clark County website, clark.wa.gov. County staff project person is Joel Rupley who can be reached at 397-2022, ext. 1.

Consultant sees more crowded classrooms ahead

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Growth in the Ridgefield School District is driven by new housing, said a recent consultant's report.

Oregon consultant Judith Barmack, Ph.D, works for the Ridgefield School District to provide periodic enrollment data.

Barmack's latest study, completed in March 2006, updates a baseline report done in 1998.

The consultant's report, available at the District office, provides district enrollment projections through 2012.

Conclusions contained in the report include:

** Housing development in Ridgefield took off in 2004 and accelerated in 2005.

** Elementary school enrollments increased by nearly 15 percent in the past two years.

** District enrollment in September 2005 of 1,965 will increase by 601 students (31 percent) by 2012.

** Existing facilities are inadequate and getting worse. The most severe crunches are at Ridgefield High School and Union Ridge Elementary.

A bar graph in the report shows approvals since 1996 of new single housing permits within the Ridgefield School District.

The graph shows a spike in housing starts in recent years. In 2003, 155 housing starts were approved. In 2004, 559 housing starts approvals rose to 559, and in 2005, 750 starts were approved. Barmack said factors driving housing starts include several new housing developments in Ridgefield. The southeast part of the District near Washington State University and Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital is another focus of development, said the report.

District officials hope voters are mindful of growth when checking ballots in a special May 16 election.

Voters will decide the fate of proposed bond financing totaling $57 million for a new high school, conversion of the existing high school to a middle school, and other District improvements.

GREEN MOUNTAIN VOTERS PASS LEVY

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Green Mountain School District voters approved a two-year maintenance and operations levy in April 25 ballotting.

About 67 percent of voters approved the funding measure which replaces an expiring levy which had a tax rate at $1.91 per $1,000 assessed valuation.

The new levy will generate $210,000 in 2007 with a collection rate of $2.01 per $1,000, and $240,000 in 2008, with a collection rate of $2.19 per $1,000.

District superintendent Mike Grubbs said levy funds will sustain education and maintenance at the District.

"I am proud of our school board members, parents and other community members," said Grubbs. "They responded to the needs of our students."

LA CENTER RAM ON THE LAM?

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Imogene Bollinger was surprised to see a visitor in her backyard on the morning of April 22.

A ram with horns in "full curl" stood grazing on her 2 1/2 acres down by the shed of her home near La Center.

The full-grown ram's beard hangs to his knees. He's a little emaciated, she said. His wool looks "like it's white, only filthy dirty."

Bollinger wonders where her wooly guest came from, and hopes someone is looking for him.

State Fish and Wildlife agent Rick Webb said the ram is likely an exotic pet that somehow escaped or was set free.

It's not uncommon, he said, for people who raise sheep to import different varieties and show them at fairs and such.

In fact, Bollinger's guest sounds like a mouflon variety, he said.

Mouflons are native to the islands of Sardinia, Corsica and Cyprus. They are mountain sheep and grazers. It's niche is to keep grass from growing too high.

The wanderer is doing just that at Bollinger's place.

"He just looks up at me sometimes while he's eating," she said. "He goes right on eating."

"He's eating grass by the tons, he's really going through it, boy," Bollinger said.

In fact, she's not had to mow her grass last week and she's grateful, as someone is usually paid to do it.

"I really owe him a debt," she said with a chortle. "I got me a free lawnmower."

Although Bollinger has affectionately dubbed the ram "Herman," she doesn't want him to stick around. She's hoping his owner will come get him.

Meanwhile, "It looks like he's settled in for the duration," she said.

Herman faithfully comes to feed on grass and blackberries in the morning and evening hours.

She doesn't know where he's off to during the day, but one friend told her goats like to be near water. There is a creek and pond nearby, Bollinger said. But he always comes back to her place.

"You can depend on it," Bollinger said. "The sucker looks like he wants to stay."

"Where did he come from," she mused. "I don't want him here over the winter. I'd have to buy him hay."

Anyone with information can contact Bollinger at 263-2386.

CLASSEN AVOIDS LONGER SENTENCE FOR MURDER

Recording glitch may result in mistrial

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

On April 24, a jury of 12 found former Battle Ground dentist Jim Classen guilty of first degree murder with a deadly weapon.

On April 26, they found him not guilty of two aggravating factors that would have allowed Superior Court judge John Wulle to sentence him outside normal guidelines.

Five men and seven women decided Classen's murdered wife, EveAnn, was not especially vulnerable when she was attacked while she slept, and that the crime was not deliberately cruel.

Classen murdered his estranged 56-year-old wife on Feb. 5, 2005, by stabbing her dozens of times with a pair of her sewing scissors, mostly in her face.

His severe depression worsened when she abruptly asked for a divorce while the couple were in counseling and seeing each other on weekends, said his defense attorney Jon McMullen.

Four days before she was murdered, EveAnn told her husband she was being intimate with another man.

Classen told police after the killing that he was "full of rage."

Wulle will sentence Classen on May 24. The 60-year-old man faces 22-30 years in prison. He has been held in the Clark County jail on $3 million bail since Feb. 6, 2005.

New trial possible

The recording system in Wulle's courtroom malfunctioned and recorded visual records, but not audio, of the last three days of trial. A "capturing card" in the system that transfers recorded trials to a compact disc failed, officials said.

Clark County no longer uses court reporters to chronicle testimony and arguments. Until recently, trials were recorded on two videotapes, one for backup. Wulle's courtroom switched to the newer technology about a month ago, although several courtrooms converted after 2003.

Wulle said the loss was a technology failure, and that staff or procedures are not at fault. He said he will now back up the system with two videotapes.

But the glitch opens the door for the defense to ask for a mistrial or an appeal.

An option to avoiding a mistrial is for Wulle to reconstruct those missing days.

A television cameraman recorded much of the trial and agreed to share copies of tapes with the court. In addition, a forensic computer specialist with Vancouver Police will determine if sound was recorded on the hard drive.

Even then, attorneys have to agree on objections, rulings, and testimony.

Prosecutor Tony Golik and McMullen will appear before Wulle on May 4 to discuss the issue. McMullen hinted that he will ask for a mistrial, and that the state Court of Appeals would need a full transcript anyway. But McMullen said he needs to review the matter with his client and decide how to proceed.

"Glitch" in 2004 resulted in new trial declared

In August 2004, former Battle Ground public works employee Glenn Rasmussen was granted the right to a new trial in District Court when it was discovered that the audio portion of a videotape had malfunctioned.

There was no legal record of the trial. Attempted recovery was not successful.

Rasmussen, then 42, was found guilty in July 2004 of stealing three days worth of time from public works in 2003 by lying on his time cards.

He was originally sentenced to 15 days in jail, two years "bench" probation where he would report to a judge, and $560 restitution.

But the missing audio threw all that out.

Rasmussen and Battle Ground city officials ended up working out a deal and avoided a new trial.

Rasmussen paid restitution over the course of one year and was offered a "stay." If he did not commit any crimes within one year, the matter would be removed from his record. It was dismissed in October 2005.

PUBLIC INVITED TO CENTER POINTE OPEN HOUSE

Center Pointe, described as a community partnership facility, will be open to the public Sun.-Mon., May 21-22, at 11117 NE 189th St., Battle Ground.

Center volunteer Jeanette Edmister said space in the 24,407 square foot building is available for lease, preferably to non-profit organizations.

The building was formerly the site of Meadow Glade Manor nursing home and is now owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Seventh-day Adventist Service Center, providing clothing and food to needy families, occupies most of the daylight basement portion of the building.

Other current tenants include New Vision Church office, Troutman Appraisal Group, and Innovative Services NW, an organization that serves children and adults with developmental disabilities.

As presently configured, offices are available ranging from 55 to 254 square feet, with rent depending on length of term. For example, the monthly rent on a 242 square foot office with a two year lease is $257.

Smaller rooms could be combined into larger spaces, said Edmister.

The facility also has an assembly room of 3,300 square feet, three conference rooms of about 500 square feet each, and a kitchen.

The building is in a commercial zone.

Edmister said the facility can also be used for meetings, parties and receptions. Alcohol is not allowed.

Center Pointe will be open for public tours Sun., May 21, noon-4 p.m., and Mon., May 22, 4-6 p.m.

Information is available from Deloris Denny, director of the Center Point Board, 517-4436, and Carolyn Waldron, 887-0851.

TIME TO PLAN FOR SUMMER PARADE SEASON

Entry forms are now available for several of this year's community parades.

The parade season will begin with the Hazel Dell Parade of Bands on May 20, and end with parades in Camas and La Center on July 22.

The annual Evergreen Community Festival and parade, previously planned for May 13, have been canceled for 2006. Also canceled for this year is the Washougal Frontier Days festival, a casualty of construction projects in downtown Washougal.

Hazel Dell Parade of Bands

The annual Hazel Dell Parade of Bands will take place Sat., May 20, beginning at 10:30 a.m., with the theme, "Mardi Gras."

The parade will form at the Fire District 6 station on 88th St. and Hazel Dell Ave.. Entry forms are available at the Fire Station, First Independent Bank at 8015 NE Hwy 99, The Reflector, 20 NW 20th Ave., Battle Ground, and all Smokey's Pizza locations. Forms are also available online at www.hdscba.org Deadline for entry is May 15. Information, Dellan Redjou, 696-0456.

Woodland Planter Days

The annual Woodland community parade is set for Sat., June 17, with the theme, "Where Past and Future Mix in 2006."

Entry forms for the 11 a.m. parade are available at City Hall Annex, at the Woodland Grange Hall, at the Tourist Information Center, online at washingtontourist.com and by calling John Burke, 225-9888. Entry deadline is June 10.

Ridgefield Fourth of July

The traditional festivities in Ridgefield include at parade on Tues., July 4, 11 a.m.

This year's theme is "True Colors--Celebrating America's Cultural Diversity."

Entry forms will be available about June 1 at the Ridgefield Community Library, city hall, post office and Season's Coffee. Deadline for entry is June 23.

Information is available by calling Allison Vanarnam, 887-1600.

Amboy Territorial Days

The Amboy Territorial Days parade will take place Sat., July 8, beginning at 10 a.m.

This year's theme is "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music."

Entry forms are available at all Amboy businesses and at The Reflector in Battle Ground.

To avoid conflicts in the park, this year's parade will disband about a half mile east of Territorial Days Park. Walkers, however, will be able to stop at the park.

Information, Nancy Buckbee, 247-5312.

Kalama Community Fair

A parade on Sat., July 15, highlights the Kalama Community Fair. The theme of this year's 11 a.m. parade will be "Pirates, Pearls and Treasures in Kalama."

Entry forms are available by calling Cleone Kockritz, (360) 673-4869, or writing P.O. Box 521, Kalama, WA 98625.

Battle Ground Harvest Days

Entry forms for the Battle Ground parade, set for Sat., July 15, are available at the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce, 2903 W Main St., Battle Ground, and at The Reflector in Battle Ground.

This year's theme is "Harvest Days-Ain't It Grand." Entry deadline is June 30 or until the first 125 entries are received.

Information, 687-1510.

Castle Rock Fair

A Thursday evening parade on July 13 is planned in Castle Rock. Information, Yvonne Knuth, (360) 274-8422.

Camas Days

The annual Camas summer celebration will include an 11 a.m. parade on Sat., July 22. Entry forms are available at the Camas Chamber office, 422 NE 4th Ave., Camas, and on the Chamber's website www.cwchamber.com

This year's theme is "Camas Centennial Celebration 1906-2006." Entry deadline is July 7.

Information, (360) 834-2472.

La Center Our Days

The annual La Center parade is set for Sat., July 22, 11 a.m., with the theme "Aloha."

Entry forms are available online at www.ourdays.info

and by calling Karen Dodds, 263-4963.

RAILROAD AGREEMENT STILL IN WORKS

Tourist train rides on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad may not get underway by Memorial Day as volunteers had hoped, but could resume sometime this summer after disagreements canceled the rides last year.

"I'm completely optimistic," said Eric Temple of Columbia Basin Railroad, the company that has a 90-year lease to operate on the Clark County-owned railroad.

Temple said last week that a draft lease-back agreement with the county needed only minor revisions to be satisfactory to him. Those revisions involved how Columbia Basin and the Battle Ground, Yacolt and Chelatchie Prairie Railroad volunteer group would share access to the northern portion of the 33-mile rail line.

Temple said language in the draft lease agreement did not conform to terms of a Memorandum of Understanding developed last year.

Temple said he had sent comments to county attorney Lori Volkman, who developed the draft lease agreement. As of April 26, Temple said he had never spoken directly with Volkman, only via email and phone messages.

Bryan Baker of the BYCX volunteer group was less optimistic.

Baker objected to an agreement provision that would allow Temple to inspect the BYCX operation at anytime.

Baker said that, if the county is leasing back the northern portion of the line from Temple, and then the BYCX is leasing that segment from the county in a separate agreement, there is no need for Temple to conduct inspections.

"To me that smacks of big brother," said Baker.

Baker said the draft agreement is for five years with two one-year extensions. He said his group prefers five years with two five-year extensions.

The longer term should be acceptable, said Baker, because Temple has a 12-month termination option anyway.

Baker also objected to a provision that a violation of rules could result in the agreement being voided.

Baker said a volunteer could make a mistake and get the group removed from the track. Baker compared the provision to "Don't you dare trip; if you do, we go you."

Baker said the BYCX needed 4-5 weeks after agreements are signed to begin operations, including time to organize its 42 volunteers, print schedules, and publicize rides.

Baker said he has turned down nine requests to rent the train by various groups seeking outings. Those rentals could have generated $500 each, he said.

Clark County attorney Lori Volkman did not return phone calls for this story.

UTILITY PROMOTES POWER FROM WIND, SUN

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Buying green power may cost homeowners a little extra now, but in the future, using power from renewable resources will be a savings for all, said a Clark Public Utilities spokesman.

"Our philosophy is to encourage development of wind, solar and small-scale hydroelectric projects," said Mick Shutt of the public utility. "We want to get more done so in the long run we can bring the price down."

Although hydroelectric power is considered renewable, Shutt said there will be no more large hydroelectric dams along the Columbia River.

Smaller dams that don't adversely affect fish runs are a viable source of green power, he said.

The public utility sells 100-kilowatt-hour blocks of Green Lights power at $1.50 per month above the cost of non-renewable power. Customers may buy as many or as few blocks as they wish.

Most customers purchase only a part of their power from renewable resources, Shutt said.

Many green power customers are businesses and Shutt said a few use incentives to get homeowners to purchase more renewable power. During the recent Home and Garden Fair, Burgerville, for example, gave out coupons for milk shakes to the public utility's customers who bought green power.

"A lot of companies think it's the right thing to do," Shutt said.

Among the companies buying green power are Columbia Credit Union, Hewlett Packard and Wild Oats.

The Green Lights program began in 2002 and has generated about $160,000 in revenue, Shutt said.

The public utility has developed three solar projects in Clark County, including one at the utility's offices at 117th Avenue and Padden Parkway in Orchards.

Solar projects are located at the 78th Street Clark County Public Works building and at Columbia Vista Corporation on Evergreen Highway.

Shutt said three more solar projects are being developed.

"We need to look at as many renewable resources as we can," he said.

For information about green power, call the public utility at 992-3000.

The Port of Woodland is planning to develop a second industrial park.

The Port will develop 20 acres of property zoned for light industrial use along Guild Road west of Sherman Way.

Director David Ripp said the Port has applied for a $200,000 grant from the Washington Community Economical Revitalization Board to widen and improve Guild Road with curbs and gutters.

"We should know in 30 to 45 days (about the grant)," he said. "I won't be shocked if we don't get it and I won't be surprised if we do."

The Port's Down River Industrial Park with six buildings is home to eight businesses and is full, Ripp said.

"This will mirror Down River," Ripp said.

Norris, Beggs and Simpson, a real estate firm in Vancouver, will market the property, he said.

The Port has hired Mackay & Sposito, a Vancouver engineering firm, to design and engineer the road project. The Port has received a $65,000 Cowlitz County Rural County Public Facility Grant to pay for the design.

The $200,000 grant will allow the Port to move fairly quickly to bring Guild Road up to industrial standards, but Ripp said he has "other avenues" to pursue should the grant not materialize.

As the costs of heating and cooling a home increase, are looking for ways to save energy.

New Tradition Homes of Vancouver, builders of Sixth Street Station in Battle Ground, is providing buyers of its new homes greater energy efficiency, said Steve Tapio, quality control manager for New Tradition.

Homes built after May 1 will be certified to Energy Star standards.

According to information from Clark Public Utilities, Energy Star is a national home energy standard. It was begun in 1992 as a joint partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of energy.

Energy Star identifies and promotes energy-efficient products in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said Mick Shutt of Clark Public Utilities.

The Energy Star standard is built in to the cost of New Tradition homes, Tapio said.

"The upgrade cost is between $2,000 and $2,500," Tapio said. "For us, it's a standard feature."

To meet the energy standard, the efficiency of home furnaces and hot water heaters has been increased, air ducts are more tightly sealed, and at least 50 percent of home lighting is fluorescent.

A certified third party conducts performance tests on the new homes, Tapio said. To pass the test, the homes must increase their energy efficiency by at least 15 percent.

"The house performs better," he said. "The air quality is better, the energy bills are much less."

Tapio said New Tradition has been gradually increasing energy efficiencies in its new homes over the past few years.

"We want to do the right thing," Tapio said. "And we want to remain on the leading edge of new home construction, offering the best homes available."

New Traditions, with offices in Orchards, may be reached at 254-9225.

Police chief says department stretched

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Ridgefield city officials aired a new proposal dealing with construction hours at an April 27 public hearing.

Existing rules under city ordinance No. 839 allow construction between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week, with the exception of 10 legal holidays.

Community development director Kevin Snyder said complaints about construction noise from city residents in December 2005 and again in January 2006 prompted city officials to reconsider construction hour provisions.

A proposed amendment to the city's noise ordinance would limit construction in conjunction with any approved permits to 7 a.m.-10 p.m. on regular weekdays, and between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and observed City holidays.

An exhibit prepared by city staff indicates that all cities except Battle Ground allow construction on any days between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. In Battle Ground, work may take place on weekdays, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., and on weekends from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

At the hearing, Steve Madsen, attorney for the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Clark County, said members of BIA are not of one mind on the issue. Most members, said Madsen, favor longer work hours on days when more daylight is available. He urged council members to consider the importance of development to the city.

Mayor Gladys Doriot said babies and other young children should not be awakened early in the morning by construction work on weekends or holidays.

The second reading of this ordinance amendment will be at the council meeting on Thurs., May 11. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m., in the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N Main Ave., Ridgefield.

Ordinance contact person is Kevin Snyder, 857-5011.

Police chief says police services under pressure

Ridgefield police chief Bruce Hall said work load is limiting police services.

Officers were unable to respond to several calls for service during the recent week, said Hall.

The calls were not life-threatening, said Hall, but were calls that his department serviced in prior months.

Hall said the number of criminal case investigations, follow up interviews, outside agency assists and increasing calls for service in good weather, requires more staffing.

In a written memo, Hall suggested contracting out animal complaints to Clark County, having code enforcement issues handled by Community Development staff, and/or additional part-time officers to handle additional work. He said another alternative would be to hire an additional officer.

Hall said funding for a School Resource Officer program will end in 2006. He said he is working on a new proposal for the program.

OBITS:

MAXINE KELLAND

Maxine (Robbins) Kelland, 78, died April 29, 2006, at home in Woodland.

Kelland was born July 14, 1927, in Woodland, spend her childhood in Cougar, and moved to Woodland at age 14 and graduated from Woodland High School in 1945.

Kelland worked as a waitress at the Totem Pole, the Red Lion and Bill's Chicken and Steak House in Vancouver. She enjoyed fishing, clamming and traveling, especially to Mexico, California and the coast.

Kelland enjoyed playing cards, and board and domino games. She played bridge and pinochle weekly. She also enjoyed the outdoors and gardening.

Kelland was a member of the Woodland Presbyterian Church and volunteered at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens.

Survivors include widower Donald Kelland of Woodland, daughter Karen DuClercque of Idaho, son Douglas Ruge of Vancouver, sister Donna Adams of Texas, brother Richard Robbins of Cougar, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Fri., May 5, 2 p.m., at Woodland Presbyterian Church,

THEODORE BAKER

Theodore "Ted" Baker, 59, died April 29, 2006, in Portland, from complications with lymphoma.

Baker was born Dec. 9, 1946, in Ross, CA, and worked as a production planner in paper packaging.

Baker grew up in California, graduated from the University of California Davis, worked for Crown Zellerbach beginning in 1971, and lived in the San Francisco Bay area, Gridley, CA, Bogalusa, LA, Battle Ground, and the last three years in Tigard, OR. He lived in Battle Ground 1990-2002.

Baker attended the University of California Davis. He enjoyed old cars, computers, gardening, traveling and helping others.

Survivors include son James Baker of California, daughter Leslie Baker of Seattle, brother Smitty Baker of California, former wife Joyce Baker of Vancouver, and special friend Sherry Little of California.

Services will be held Sat., May 6, 3 p.m., at Cascades Presbyterian Church, 9503 NE 86th St., Vancouver, with Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR in charge of arrangements.

LORETTA COOK

Loretta Fay (Ledbetter) Cook, 72, died April 23, 2006, in Vancouver.

Cook was born Jan. 24, 1934, in Oregon City, OR, and lived in Clark County for 60 years, residing in Battle Ground.

Cook was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She worked in delivery for The Columbian for 25 years. She enjoyed photography, outdoor gardening and dancing.

Cook was preceded in death by granddaughter Jessica Marshall in 1990. Survivors include widower Melvin Cook, at home, daughter Debra Marshall of Battle Ground, sons Donald Cook of Battle Ground and Stanley Cook of Vancouver, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Burial was at Lewisville Cemetery, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.