PROPOSED ENERGY PLANT DEBATED

Bill Myers

staff reporter

A proposed power plant and global warming were topics May 1 at two public meetings in Longview.

The Willapa Hills Audubon Society sponsored the meetings to inform Lower Columbia College students about a proposed Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power facility in Kalama.

Energy Northwest, a non-profit consortium of 19 power companies, applied last year for state permits to build the Pacific Mountain Energy Center, with two 300 megawatt IGCC plants on 100 acres at the Kalama Port.

At the meetings, Nancy Hirsh, policy director of the Northwest Energy Coalition, said construction of the IGCC plants should be delayed until new technology can control or eliminate carbon dioxide emissions which contribute to global warming.

Hirsh said 35 conventional, coal-powered plants are proposed in western states, and three coal gasification plants are proposed in the northwest, even as scientists warn about climate changes caused by global warming.

Hirsh conceded that carbon dioxide emissions from IGCC plants are about 20 percent less than from conventional, coal-fired plants. But emissions from IGCC plants are about 20-30 percent higher than from plants fired by natural gas, said Hirsh.

Safe, renewable energy resources, such as wind power, solar energy, geothermal, biomass, landfill and sewage gas, and ocean tides, are more promising than ever before, said Hirsh.

Energy Northwest project manager Tom Krueger said the energy consortium, which operates nuclear, hydroelectric, wind energy, landfill gas and solar facilities, is a leader in new and established energy technologies.

Krueger said coal gasification technology, used by more than 600 power plants, has existed for 50 years.

A dependency on natural gas ties energy costs to natural gas prices, said Krueger. The cost of power from IGCC plants will be about $45 per megawatt hour, about 30 percent less expensive than projections for natural gas plants.

New technology could bury carbon dioxide

Krueger said Consortium officials hope a promising technology will soon safely contain all carbon dioxide emissions.

The technology would sequester the gas in geologic formations more than 1,000 feet under ground. Scientists say carbon dioxide mineralizes and stays when put injected into basalt, Krueger said. He said scientists also believe it may be possible to liquify the gas and inject it 1,000 to 2,000 feet into the ground.

Krueger said that to avoid expensive retrofit, equipment needed to capture carbon dioxide will be installed during plant construction.

Construction of the plants is budgeted at nearly $1 billion and expected to generate 1,000 construction jobs. Krueger said 80-100 permanent jobs will be created by the facility.

RIDGEFIELD COUPLE FACE CHILD PORN CHARGES

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

A complicated trail of investigative police work led to the arrest of a Ridgefield couple regarding child rape and possession of child pornography.

After a nearly three-day hunt, Ridgefield and Vancouver police and a K-9 unit arrested Jerry Stallings, 42, at a friend's residence in Vancouver about 1:30 a.m. on May 1. After allegedly first refusing to come out, Stallings surrendered to police about 20 minutes later.

Stallings was booked on charges of possession of methamphetamine, five counts of first degree rape of a child, and possession of child pornography. He is being held without bail at the Clark County jail.

His wife, Kristina Stallings, 43, was arrested earlier in the day on charges of possession of child pornography. She also faces charges of failure to protect a child. She is being held on $50,000 bail.

A tangled web

The saga began when Ridgefield police contacted Kristina Stallings at home at 933 N 1st Ave. regarding her possible involvement in a theft/fraud case with a friend's roomate, and to arrest her for an outstanding Clark County felony warrant.

While handcuffed and waiting to be placed in the patrol car, Stallings reportedly said she was concerned about her young daughter coming home from a friend's house and being alone with Jerry Stallings. She asked officers to contact her sister.

Meanwhile, officer David Bone continued his theft/fraud case and contacted that victim. During the conversation, the victim told Bone she'd just seen the "most disgusting VCR tape" that had images of Jerry Stallings having sexual intercourse with a minor child, according to the report, and she recognized the two.

Police discovered that the minor child's mother had given the videotape to the fraud victim's roommate about one year ago. Due to a move, the tape was put in storage boxes and never viewed, according to the report.

A note left with the tape, reportedly signed by Kristina Stallings on June 1, 2005, said she found the video of her husband molesting the victim, that she needs money to get her and her daughter away from "here," and that [Jerry] needs to pay for what he's done. He'd demanded the tape back, the note reportedly said, but she mailed it to the fraud victim's roommate for safekeeping in case something happened to her.

Bone immediately sent police to get the tape, and to the Stallings home to get the victim.

Officers were told to remove Jerry Stallings from the residence and secure the house while a search warrant was obtained, the report said. Stallings reportedly left after the girl was taken away.

The young victim received medical care and was placed with a relative by Child Protection Services.

Kristina Stallings allegedly told police that she did not let her daughter be alone with Jerry Stallings after she viewed a portion of the tape a year ago.

Another thread

About 7:30 p.m., police caught an adult male and Elena Castillo, 45, Vancouver, breaking into the Stallings residence, the report said.

The two reportedly arrived in the vehicle police were looking for that belonged to Stallings. They were taken into custody by Ridgefield police and Clark County Sheriff deputies, and transported to the Battle Ground police station to be interviewed.

Officers reportedly learned that Castillo was using her sister's name at the time of the arrest, and that Castillo had an active felony warrant. Several items of stolen property were found in a bag she had with her, the report said.

Police also learned that Stallings may be dating Castillo's sister who lived in Vancouver.

As a result, officers traveled to Castillo's sisters residence and were setting up a containment area when Stallings allegedly arrived and walked into the house. He was subsequently arrested.

Castillo was booked at the Clark County jail with no bail on charges of burglary and a warrant for violating a court sentence after being convicted of possession of stolen property.

Anyone with more information on this case is asked to call Ridgefield police chief Bruce Hall at 887-3556.

COUNCIL SAYS 'NO' TO FIREWORKS PERMITS

The Fourth of July will again be explosive in Woodland city parks.

The City Council on May 1 reaffirmed that residents and others may set off fireworks in city parks during the time that private fireworks are legal in Washington.

Rob VanderZanden, city public works director, said that city employees had asked that the city require people to obtain a permit to shoot off fireworks in city parks. He said heavy debris remained on the ground after last year's celebration.

Council members disagreed, 4-1, with only Darwin Rounds voting to require a permit.

Council member John J. Burke said shooting off fireworks in the park is safer than shooting them off in backyards or on the streets.

"You're shooting off over water," he said. "I don't think it's a good idea to change something just because one person screws up."

Under the proposal, permits would have been free.

"All you would have to do is apply for a permit," said member Jim Tone, who opposed the proposal.

"If you get a permit, it gives us somebody to go back on to clean up," said Mayor Doug Monge.

Council member Erica Rainford called the request "ridiculous."

"I don't think a 13-year-old kid is going to get a permit," she said. "This is ridiculous."

LA CENTER FACES DECISIONS ABOUT SEWER EXPANSION

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

With a wastewater treatment supervisor in place, La Center prepares to assume responsibility for the treatment plant and future expansion.

The city has hired Sue Lawrence as supervisor, said public works director Jeff Sarvis, and hopes to take over the plant from Clark Public Utilities in August.

Before the city can assume management and operations, it must pay off the public utility's sewer debt of slightly more than $5 million.

Almost immediately, the city will face the issue of upgrading the capacity to take care of new development inside the urban growth area.

Although the sewer plant has not reached capacity, the rate of residential growth requires the city to look ahead, said Sarvis. The city population of about 2,600 could double before the existing plant reaches capacity.

"We haven't built (on all the property) inside the city," Sarvis said.

Annexations have been put on hold until the city has development a treatment plan, although development continues inside the city.

Expansion of the plant could take place in phases, with phase one increasing capacity from 560,000 gallons per day to 1.2 million gallons per day.

"Phase one would take us through 2016, depending on the growth," Sarvis said.

Cost scenarios show that if the city extends sewer service to I-5 and if the Cowlitz Tribal Casino shares the cost of $10.4 million for expansion and line, the individual ratepayer would see his fee rise by about 21 percent to $42.45 per month.

If more developers share, individuals would pay less. But if the city expands the plant to absorb the properties at the I-5 interchange, individual costs could rise to as much as $109.73 monthly.

Sarvis says, however, that won't happen.

Development at the interchange of La Center Road and I-5 is a challenge for wastewater treatment plans, but several approaches are possible.

"There could be a LID (local improvement district), latecomers agreements," he said. "We could go in pieces, working from the nucleus out."

A major developer willing to share expansion costs would ease the burden, he said.

City officials will learn in July if they have been successful in their application for a state public works trust fund grant of $1.26 million to do the preconstruction design.

La Center has requested that Clark County extend the city's urban growth boundary to I-5, but the city must show that it is prepared to provide all infrastructure for the urban growth area.

A decision by the county on the urban growth area is expected in September.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

After months of hearing objections from businesses and developers, the Woodland City Council has vetoed transportation impact fees.

The council voted 3-2 to kill a proposal to levy transportation impact fees on new development. Council members Erica Rainford, Darren Rounds and John J. Burke opposed the new fees.

Although Mayor Doug Monge did not vote, he said he supported the fees.

"Transportation is a huge issue," Monge said. "If we don't do something, it's going to get worse."

Congestion along SR 503 has drawn comments from Woodland residents, he said.

"As much as citizens are begging us to solve this problem, I'm amazed at the vote," Monge said after the meeting.

Public works director Rob VanderZanden said that about 600 homes are on the drawing board.

If each new home paid $1,400 in transportation impact fees, the city would have collected $840,000 from residential development to help pay for improvements to SR 503, the state highway that goes through Woodland east of I-5, Monge said.

Since last year when impact fees were introduced, representatives from existing Woodland businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and developers have consistently opposed any new fees.

Darlene Johnson of the Woodland Chamber argued that impact fees were driving businesses away from Woodland.

"Will it scare business away?" Monge said. "I'm not saying it won't scare some, but in Clark County all the cities have impact fees, the county has impact fees, and we're the next along I-5. If we don't have fees, we'll get the impact."

Within the past two years, Woodland has established impact fees for schools, parks and fire service.

Some council members argued that property taxes paid by new businesses would more than offset the cost of transportation fees, but they did not provide mathematical calculations to support that theory.

Rainford accused the city of using scare tactics to gain approval of new fees.

"I'm saying the city sometimes uses scare tactics," she said. "It appears we need to approve this--or else."

New residential subdivisions are planned for areas along SR 503, as well as North Pekin Road and Old Pacific Highway. VanderZanden said those three streets would receive the most benefit from the fees.

Bill Pierce, state Department of Transportation's Southwest Region local programs engineer, said that the state could widen and improve state highways inside city limits without impact fees.

"With no impact fees, it's less likely, but it's possible," he said. "If cities approach us or if we notice problems, we talk to the cities and coordinate."

There are a number of sources of transportation money, Pierce said, including federal funds.

"Cities sometimes lobby their representatives in Congress for funds," he said. "Federal money goes through our agency."

More and more cities and the state work in partnership to improve and widen streets and roads, Pierce said.

"The name of the game is partnering," he said.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

A big box store, hiring 300 full- and part-time employees, is planned for Dike Access Road in Woodland.

City officials would not confirm or deny if the retail center is a Wal-Mart. The landowner, Jim Chumbley of Brothers Chumbley LLC, referred calls to a real estate broker who referred to Jennifer Holder of Wal-Mart. Holder could not be reached for comment.

According to a land use application submitted to the city, the retail center will sit on 18.5 acres and will contain 163,055 square feet and 843 parking spaces. The buyer has purchased a total of 22.13 acres and will divide the remainder into three lots.

The retail center will sell general merchandise and groceries, and will have a tire and lube express, a beauty salon, garden center, pharmacy, photo lab and vision center.

The application says that the retail outlet will generate 1,268 vehicle trips during the peak selling period which is Saturday. During the weekday peak hours, the center will generate about 1,089 trips.

A public hearing is not required for the project, said Woodland Public Works Director Rob VanderZanden. The land is zoned for commercial highway use.

Woodland City Council member John J. Burke said that he believes the council will ask for a public hearing on the matter.

"If we have an opportunity, I think we will have a hearing," he said. "Speaking for myself, I'd like to give everybody a chance to be heard."

Written public comment on the notice of application is being accepted by the city until May 17. Comments should be mailed to P.O. Box 9 or delivered to 230 Davidson Ave.

According to the application, the buyer will pay for improvements in the southbound I-5 ramp and will add a roundabout at the northbound ramp at the intersections with Dike Access Road.

Improvements, including turn lanes and curbs, will also be made to Dike Access and Robinson roads.

In the application, the buyer said that wetlands exist on the property, but that the wetlands would be mitigated "to existing wetland areas...being purchased by the city."

VanderZanden said that the city is not buying land on the Chumbley property, but it has been offered a small portion of land.

"We haven't acquired property," VanderZanden said. "The location of the mitigation is on the property offered to the city."

The city has not yet decided whether to accept the property, he said.

VanderZanden said he does not know when the buyer plans to begin construction, but he said the process should take several months.

LA CENTER HIRES LAW FIRM TO STUDY DEIS

Portland environmental law specialist gets nod

Bill Myers and Alice Linker,

staff reporters

La Center city council members agreed May 3 to have lawyers analyze a report on impacts of a proposed tribal casino at the junction of I-5 and NW 319th St.

The report, easily portable in a wheelbarrow, is a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

The document is a preamble to efforts by Cowlitz Indian tribal leaders to have 152 acres at the junction taken into trust by the U.S. Department of Interior. Trust status would open the door to gaming at the site.

Bound in four volumes with appendices, the report was prepared by a private Sacramento, CA firm with oversight by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Council selects Sokol and Anuta

Following a presentation by attorney Karl Anuta, council members selected Portland environmental law firm Sokol and Anuta to analyze the document.

The selection came from a list of suitable firms provided by city attorney Dan Kearns.

Council members authorized mayor James Irish to execute a $30,000 contract with the Portland firm.

Work will include an analysis of the DEIS, and the crafting of a response strategy by city officials.

Kearns said Anuta, who taught environmental litigation at Lewis & Clark Law School, will report progress to council members in executive sessions.

The retention of a law firm with a strong background in litigation is "a strong message," said Kearns. He said the contract with Anuta signals that council members want to know what is contained in the DEIS.

Assistant Secretary of Interior James Cason, who at meetings earlier this year said he will decide if the Cowlitz land should be taken in trust by the Department of Interior, is expected to visit La Center June 14 or 15.

Public hearings on the DEIS are slated on these dates at Skyview High School auditorium, 1300 NW 139th St., Vancouver, starting at 6 p.m.

Written comments on the DEIS are due July 14. They should be sent to Stanley Speaks, Northwest Region, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR, 97232.

Council members Dale Smith and Troy Van Dinter reported April 26 on a trip to Washington, D.C., where they hand-delivered letters voicing city opposition to the proposed casino to Cason and elected officials.

"Cason said he wouldn't 'rubber stamp' (the process)," VanDinter said. "He'd take another look."

Cason indicated the city is very important to the process and that he would revisit the restored lands option, said Smith.

Smith and Van Dinter reported, however, that federal officials said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and the Cowlitz Tribe would be "best" if Cowlitz tribal land receives trust status.

Federal officials also said the city can execute an MOU that says the city doesn't support the casino, Smith said.

City council members are hoping consultant ECO Northwest will complete an updated report of projected economic impacts from the proposed casino by May 24. They targeted that date for an initial report from Anuta.

The DEIS may be viewed on the web at http://analyticalcorp.com/ and http://www.cowlitz.org/.

NEIGHBOR ROUTS CHILDREN OUT OF BURNING HOUSE

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

"It's just a normal thing someone would do, I'm surprised by all the attention."

Melissa Young of Battle Ground doesn't feel like a hero despite the media attention she's been getting.

In her eyes, banging on a door to alert someone their house is on fire is a neighborly thing to do.

On May 2, about 4 p.m., Young's children, Scarlett, 8, and James, 5, were playing in their backyard. When they saw thick, billowing clouds of black smoke, they told their mom about it, who was also outside.

"I knew it wasn't somebody's barbecue" when she saw the rolling smoke, Young said with a laugh.

She stashed her children inside her home, called 911, dashed the length of four houses down the street and pounded on the front door of 1208 NW 6th Ave.

Brian Buelow, 14, and his sister Megan Johnson, 7, were at home and unaware of the danger they were in.

"They didn't believe me when I told them their house was on fire," Young said. "The smoke detectors hadn't gone off yet."

Young made them exit the house and showed them the attic was on fire. At that point, the children wanted to enter the home to rescue two cats, but Young wouldn't let them.

Young stayed with the children while Buelow called his mother at work. Some neighbors came and sat with the little girl. Young went home and got her children to watch and learn about what fire does.

The four-bedroom, three-bath home, owned by Brenda and Danny Johnson, suffered significant damage, said Fire District 11 spokesman George Lingle.

Although the cause of the blaze is under investigation, it appears it started in the garage attic. As the fire spread, it licked up the wall of the house to the eaves of the second story and likely got sucked into an air vent, Lingle said.

At one point as firefighters battled, the wind blew 10-12 miles per hour out of the north for a few minutes and created a torch-like action the length of the house attic, Lingle said. It created a "wall of fire" that damaged the siding on the neighbor's house to the south.

More than 20 firefighters responded with eight engines, including help from Vancouver Fire and Fire District 3. The fire was under control in about 30 minutes, and the last crew left after about four and one-half hours, Lingle said.

The cats?

Rescued and doing fine, likely to Young's quick action. "I feel like I did something anyone else would do," she said.

ATTORNEY ASKS FOR NEW TRIAL FOR MURDER CLIENT

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Although a jury of 12 people April 24 found former Battle Ground dentist James Classen guilty of the first degree murder of his wife, EveAnn Classen, he may see a new trial.

Defense attorneys Jon McMullen and Seattle-based Todd Maybrown filed a motion for a new trial in Clark County Superior Court May 3, the day before appearing before a superior court judge to ask for a mistrial.

Defense and deputy prosecutor Tony Golik met in front of judge John Wulle on May 4 because sound from the last three days of Classen's trial was not recorded, although the video was intact.

It was not due to human error, Wulle said. A "capturing disc" that converts images failed.

At the meeting, the men discussed the status of attempting to reconstruct the missing days.

A television station had provided extensive videotapes that capture all but one key witness' testimony.

If the reconstruction is successful, both sides have to agree on its validity.

Because the defense team had not had an opportunity to review the television tapes, a decision for mistrial was delayed until Fri., May 12, 3:30 p.m. McMullen said he expects his argument to last about an hour.

If Wulle does not declare a mistrial, Classen, 60, will be sentenced on May 24. He faces 22-30 years in prison for murdering his estranged, 56-year-old wife by stabbing her more than 100 times with a pair of her sewing scissors. She died of suffocation from a punctured lung and bleeding to death, the medical examiner's office said.

Defense claims other errors justify new trial

Despite the foul-up of the three missing days on video which included closing arguments and jury instruction, there are other reasons for a new trial, McMullen said in his court request.

McMullen complained that the judge did not allow the State's key witness to be removed, that jurors should not have been told Classen has been in jail the last 14 months, and that Golik made improper arguments to the jury, along with the technical glitch.

McMullen said Dr. Barry Ward with the Western State Hospital who examined Classen gave inconsistent statements about Classen's condition.

Ward allegedly told Classen's son that he believed the defendant should be charged with second degree murder, not first.

On the stand, Ward said he could not support a diminished capacity argument based on his examination, and believes Classen was capable of premeditating the murder.

The defense hoped for lesser charges of first or second degree manslaughter based on diminished capacity because of Classen's mental health issues, such bi-polar disorder and severe depression.

McMullen said Ward's convincing testimony swayed the jury and they became prejudiced when he was not allowed to challenge Ward's alleged conflicting statements.

As for improper argument, McMullen said Golik ridiculed defense arguments for a lesser conviction because manslaughter would mean the victim died as a result of an accident.

The jury convicted Classen on premeditation, but declined to charge him with aggravating factors of victim vulnerability and deliberate cruelty.

"In light of these several errors, this Court should conclude that substantial justice has not been done in this case," McMullen wrote.

BG HIGH AUCTION IS A SUCCESS

A record $62,460 was raised April 29 during the eighth annual Battle Ground High School auction.

Auction proceeds exceeded the previous record of about $60,000 raised three years ago.

Nearly 350 attended the event to support the school's largest fundraiser.

During the fund-an-item portion, $10,250 was raised for the school's jazz band to help cover the cost of traveling to New York City to participate in the Essentially Ellington competition May 18-20 with 15 other high schools from around the country.

Auction spokesperson Lorraine Leedy said that during the fund-an-item feature of the auction, those attending are asked to donate money to a specific cause without making an auction purchase.

About $7,500 of the auction proceeds will be used to refurbish the school's wrestling mats. The auction will also support student activities such as The Tiger newspaper, Natural Helpers, ROTC, choir, Band Boosters, Knowledge Bowl, Science Olympiad, dance team, athletics and more.

Curt Warner, former running back for the Seattle Seahawks, was a special guest.

Warner spoke about the importance of supporting students.

Warner autographed both a Seahawks game program from his playing era and an NFL football. The program and fooball, along with tickets to a future Seahawks game, lodging and dinner, were purchased for $1,700 at auction, said Leedy.

Gilda Ciraulo and Jan Murphy were co-presidents of the auction committee made up of 25-30 people, including students.

Over eight years, the Auction has raised more than $400,000 for high school programs.

"Not there just to be there"

Greg McKelvey, director of the Battle Ground High School jazz band, said funding from the auction caps a successful fundraising campaign for the New York trip.

While he wants band members to enjoy the experience, "my goal is to win," said McKelvey.

"We're not there just to be there," he said.

McKelvey said the band is practicing daily 6-7:30 a.m., plus 6-8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and all day Saturdays.

Various noted clinicians are coaching the group, said McKelvey, who plans to pay the expenses of some expert clinicians to travel to Battle Ground to help out.

McKelvey said judges of the Essentially Ellington event will include noted trumpet player Wynton Marsalis who co-founded a jazz program at Lincoln Center and serves as artistic director. The high school jazz band competition and festival is one of the educational activities at the Lincoln Center.

May 18 is free day at all sights in the Volcanic Monument

Johnston Ridge Observatory reopened for the season on May 5, and will operate under summer visitor hours.

The Observatory is located at the end of SR-504, 52 miles east of Castle Rock. It brings visitors to within 5 miles of the active volcano.

From that vantage point, visitors can see the old 1980-1986 dome and the new dome which has been building since fall 2004. Occasional steam and ash clouds can be seen as the new dome builds at about 3 feet per day.

The facility focuses on the geologic history of Mount St. Helens.

Coldwater Ridge Visitor's Center, 43 miles east of Castle Rock on SR-504, has shifted to summer hours as well.

The Center focuses on how some plants and animals survived the May 18, 1980 eruption of the volcano.

It also highlights how other types of plants and wildlife have returned to the area since 1980.

The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, 5 miles east of Castle Rock near Silver Lake, features theater programs and exhibits which interpret the volcano's history.

The Observatory and Coldwater Ridge are open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The Visitor Center is open daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and starting Mon., May 15, will be open to 6 p.m. until Labor Day.

Thurs., May 18, will be a free day at the Volcanic Monument to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the blast heard `round the world.

Normal fees are $3 for ages 16 and older at each site. To visit all three, the fee is $6. Golden Passports are honored.

For more information, call 891-5007 or visit online www.fs.fed.us/gpnf

Vancouver business owner Julie McCord has announced that she will seek election to the state House of Representatives from the 18th district, facing incumbent Ed Orcutt (R-Kalama).

McCord said she is a consultant, helping businesses comply with human resource rules.

A Camas resident, McCord called for changes in health care, education and energy as the basis of her campaign.

"Everybody needs health care," said McCord, who cited the needed for "providing health care in a humane, cost-effective manner."

McCord said she has worked in Human Resources and holds a master's degree in organizational management.

McCord called for adequate funding for schools, and with job training, mentoring programs and job fairs.

"We need to concentrate on the new economy," said McCord.

McCord said she favors passage of school funding measures with a 50 percent majority rather than the 60 percent plateau.

McCord said the state should put money into new energy sources, including wind.

McCord said government can "legislate too much," and should stay out of people's homes and cars. She opposes laws that would prohibit driving while talking on a hand-held phone.

McCord said she is uncertain about an impending state budget shortfall. Numbers can change in two months, she said.

McCord said she plans an active campaign, with door-to-door contact, outdoor signs, and talking to people.

While McCord's grandfather served in the state legislature in New Mexico, McCord has never held elective office.

McCord can be reached at 695-1013.

EDITORIAL:

BURKMAN WILL SEEK DISTRICT 17 SEAT

Former Vancouver city council member Jack Burkman (D-Vancouver) has announced his intention to seek a seat in the state House of Representatives from the 17th legislative district.

Burkman will challenge incumbent Republican Jim Dunn.

"I'm running because we need better leadership in Olympia," said Burkman, who listed performance audits, higher quality public education, and better health care and insurance as his legislative priorities.

Burkman said performance audits measuring return on investment would be appropriate in several state agencies, including transportation and education.

Burkman endorsed changes in the WASL system which requires passage of the 10th grade test before high school graduation.

Earlier this year, the legislature modified the WASL graduation requirement to allow other measures of achievement leading to graduation. "I don't support getting rid of 'the measure," said Burkman of the WASL system. "I believe in outcome-based evaluation."

Burkman said all parties need to collaborate on health care solutions.

"People who have health insurance take better care of their health," said Burkman. He applauded the legislature for expanding the state Basic Health Care system to include more children.

Burkman said he favors a change in the present state Constitution that requires 60 percent approval of school levies. Had he been in the legislature last session, he said, he would have voted in favor of a change to 50 percent.

Burkman said changes have occurred in the way elections are conducted, allowing the change to 50 percent. "We don't slide things by the people," said Burkman. "People are more aware of the issues."

Burkman said he served on the Vancouver city council 1998-2001. He has also served on the Clark County Planning Commission and the C-TRAN board. He continues to serve on the board of trustees of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District.

Burkman retired last year after 27 years with Hewlitt-Packard. He said he has the knowledge of issues and business skills to apply to the state legislature and "do it right."

Burkman said he plans to door-bell as many at 15,000 homes during the upcoming campaign.

Burkman and his wife, Sherry, have three grown and married children.

Burkman can be reached at 891-6545.

RIDGEFIELD MAY GET ADDED I-5 CONNECTION

A westerly connection to I-5 at 219th St. could be on county planning maps before then end of the year.

The exact location and construction date of the new roadway remain uncertain.

Marty Snell, who heads long range planning for Clark County, said the county commissioners decided last week to include the new I-5 connection in the 2006 agenda for county planners.

That means the new connection would appear on the county's Arterial Plan Map this year, including a route to another road.

Snell said the new I-5 interchange could connect to Hillhurst Rd., but that has yet to be studied.

Snell said the idea of a westerly connection to I-5 was considered when the state Department of Transportation was in the early planning process for the SR 502 easterly connection.

State officials didn't want westerly connection issues to interfere with planning or funding matters, said Snell, and asked that county officials defer planning on the matter. Now, said Snell, state officials have no reservations about moving ahead with a westerly connection plan.

Snell said the city of Ridgefield and the Port of Ridgefield are both interested in gaining access to I-5 at 219th St.

Snell said work on a circulation plan to go along with the I-5 connection will be deferred to next year.

Snell was not certain if the new I-5 connection would be the subject of a public hearing, or combined in a public hearing with other topics.

Snell can be reached at 397-2375, ext. 4587.

WOODLAND MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD PORN

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

A 69-year-old Woodland man was sentenced May 3 for two counts of dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Bailey entered an Alford plea which denies guilt but admits that a jury of his peers could find him guilty because of evidence.

Before the plea bargain, Bailey faced 13 counts of dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and 21 counts of possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The images, according to deputy prosecuting attorney A.O. Denny, "include images of sexual assaults, including multiple images of rape of children under 12, including infants."

During a police interview, Bailey said at first he was shocked by the images, then curious. Collecting and trading the photos became a hobby, he said, something he "liked to do," according to police reports.

"Over 100 images of child pornography"

The case began in April 2004 when America Online (AOL) made a report to the Cybertip Line saying that Bailey had posted an e-mail image of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

At the time, Bailey lived in an apartment in Longview with his wife of two years. They'd met at a senior center.

The couple had their own computers in separate rooms, the report said. His wife knew he was involved in porn, the police report said, but she thought his vice was looking at mature woman's breasts, as he told her.

In November 2003, Bailey was charged with child molestation of his granddaughter. Charges were dropped in June 2004.

Vancouver police computer forensic scientist found that Bailey's computer contained "over 100" images of child pornography. It also had details of deliberately searched for and accessed "fantasy stories" detailing children involved in sexually explicit acts, a report said.

Of those, 15 images were positively identified as child victims known to police. Bailey denied taking any pictures or videos himself.

In a police interview where Bailey reviewed photos that were in his computer, the officer noted that Bailey said he believed the children were over 18 years old in those photos of "obviously small children under 8 years old."

Bailey told police that if the photographs are illegal, they should not be on AOL, and if the online business did not have trading rooms, "this would not have happened," according to a report.

OBITS:

BEN FISCHER

Ben D. Fischer, 83, died May 4, 2006, at home in Battle Ground.

Fischer was born Nov. 12, 1922, in Minot, ND, graduated from Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn and from Walla Walla College in College Place, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Fischer worked 1951-1973 at Majonnier & Sons greenhouses in Walla Walla, and later for 31 years as owner/operator of Curt's Greenhouses in Battle Ground. He was a member of the Meadow Glade Seventh-day Adventist Church. She enjoyed fishing, vegetable gardening, and building and remodeling homes. He built many greenhouses.

Survivors include widow Roberta, at home, daughter Jackie Fish of Oregon, sons David Fischer of Portland and Curt Fischer of Battle Ground, sister Esther Muth of California, and two grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Sat., May 20, 4 p.m., at Meadow Glade Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Davies Cremation & Burial Services in charge of arrangements.

Annie Marie Christensen, 40, died of cerebral palsy May 4, 2006, in Vancouver.

Christensen was born Jan. 16, 1966, in Longview, and lived in Longview until moving to Vancouver three years ago.

Christensen was a member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church.

Christensen was preceded in death by her father, Edwin Christensen, in 2000, and brother, Lloyd Christensen, in 1977. Survivors include mother Helen Christensen of Battle Ground, and brothers Lance Christensen of Kalama, and Dean Christensen and Clyde Christensen, both of Vancouver.

Funeral services will be held Wed., May 10, 2 p.m., at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, 16603 NE 142nd Ave., Brush Prairie. Viewing will be Tues., May 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the church. Burial will follow funeral services at Elim Cemetery, Brush Prairie. Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, is in charge of arrangements.

THOMAS CULBERTSON

Thomas M. Culbertson, 77, died May 3, 2006, in Vancouver.

Culbertson was born July 6, 1928, in Fort Scott, Kansas. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Marysville where he attended high school. He was active in Boy Scout and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Culbertson served in the U.S. Navy in the early 1950s. He was a Scoutmaster when his sons were in scouting.

Culbertson enjoyed the outdoors, bird watching and woodworking, and invented a collapsible camp stove. He worked with stained glass and sold his products in a gift shop.

Culbertson enjoyed music. He was a drummer in high school and played drums in his own band. Attending jazz festivals was one of his great pleasures.

Culbertson made blackberry wine, a favorite with family and friends. He loved his dog, Boppy.

Survivors include the mother of his children, Margaret Culbertson, with whom he was reunited 10 years ago, daughters Jenny Chavez of Oregon and Leslie Frye of Battle Ground, sons Frank Culbertson of Portland, Michael Culbertson of Yacolt, and Joseph Culbertson of California, sister Martha Wilson of Tennessee, brother James Culbertson of New Mexico, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Sat., May 13, 3 p.m., at Charter Oak Evangelical Free Church, 12212 NE 299th St., Battle Ground, with committal at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.

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

CECIL HANEY

Cecil E. Haney, 85, died May 6, 2006, at home in Woodland.

Haney was born Feb. 15, 1921, in LaPine, OR. He graduated from Battle Ground High School and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

Haney worked as a carpenter. He lived in Battle Ground 1946-72, then moved to Hazel Dell. He lived in Woodland for the past 13 years.

Haney was preceded in death by daughter Debra Hawkins in 2006, and brothers Eugene Haney in 1947 and Donald Haney. Survivors include widow Edna Haney of Woodland, son Roger Haney of Vancouver, daughter Susan Gray of Kalama, brother Hugh Haney of Battle Ground, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held Thurs., May 11, 11 a.m., at Brush Prairie Cemetery, 11500 NE 117th Ave., Vancouver, with Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.

HELEN BAUER

Helen Emelia (Meier) Bauer, 88, died May 4, 2006, in Vancouver.

Bauer was born Nov. 12, 1917, in Munger, MI. She moved with her family to Clark County during the Depression. She was a homemaker and farm wife with her husband and dairyman Carl Bauer. She was known as an excellent cook, even for large crews, and a skilled seamstress.

Bauer tended a garden, and enjoyed painting. She twice survived cancer.

Bauer was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Bauer, in 2002, and brother Albert "Al" Meier, in 1989. Survivors include son Rod Bauer of Ridgefield, sisters Vernice "Skeets" Hogan, Mildred "Mickey" Gibson, and Marian Blevins, all of Vancouver, and brother Earl Meier of Ridgefield.

A graveside service will be held Fri., May 12, 33 p.m., at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, with viewing Thurs., May 11, 5-9 p.m., at Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel. Memorial Gardens is in charge of arrangements.

GEORGIANN FELLOWS

Georgiann (Bister) Fellows, 83, died April 26, 2006, in Woodland.

Fellows was born April 8, 1923, in Olympia, attended school in Olympia, then lived in Alaska before moving to California. She moved to Woodland in 1970.

Fellows worked as a payroll clerk for Lilly Ann Clothing in California and as a bookkeeper for a construction firm. She enjoyed sewing and making quilts, fishing, gardening and flowers. She was a member of the Woodland Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Fellows was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver Fellows, in 1987, and daughter Sharon in 2001. Survivors include sons Gordon Fellows of California and Stephen Fellows of Woodland, brother Ernest Bister of Woodland, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Woodland Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.