SR-502 INTERCHANGE ON SCHEDULE

Construction expected to start next year

Bill Myers

staff reporter

State transportation officials say they are meeting a timetable for construction of an interchange at SR-502 and I-5.

Land purchases are underway.

State officials need to acquire 48 properties for rights- of-way at and near the proposed interchange, said state Department of Transportation project manager Chris Tams.

Tams said requests for construction bids should go out in November.

Owners of all land targeted for acquisition have been contacted, said Department spokesperson Alissa Bateman.

Tams said some purchases within 1,200 feet of the intersection of NE 10th Ave. and NE 219th St. involve slivers of land needed to sufficiently widen roadways for installations of turn lanes.

Thus far, state officials acquired 10 properties. Preliminary agreements are in place on 16 other properties, and 22 agreements have not yet been negotiated, said Tams.

Bateman provided a list of properties acquired thus far.

Acquisitions in 2005 included a 12.52-acre Mulford property at 21402 NE 10th Ave., purchased for $291,200; a 5.42-acre partial acquisition of Foresight property at 21922 NE 4th Ave., purchased for $193,090; and a 5.4-acre Kvacheva property at 22024 NE 4th Ave., purchased for $500,000.

Acquisitions thus far in 2006 include a .17-acre Hall property at 1701 NE 219th St. purchased for $150,000; a .1-acre partial acquisition of Monahan property at 1613 NE 219th St. for $7,000; a .29-acre partial acquisition of Jensen property at 21813 NE 10th Ave. for $256,900; a .44-acre partial acquisition of Zumstein property at 21813 NE 10th Ave. for $316,050; and a .67-acre unaddressed Goff property on NE 4th Ave. at NE 219th St. for $10,000.

Two properties, .4-acres near 10th Ave. at NE 221 St., and .13-acres east of I-5 and north of an extension of NE 219th St., were acquired at no cost from Clark County. Any land at the property sites not used for construction will be deeded back to the County, said Bateman.

Interchange map tracks progress

An aerial-photograph/map of the proposed interchange area keeps transportation officials abreast of property acquisitions.

Dark green colors on the map identify sensitive areas, including the headwater areas of Gee Creek.

Tams said avoiding sensitive areas of Gee Creek prompted engineers to design the interchange with SR-502 with motorists gaining access to north-bound I-5 by turning left from the state highway.

The left turn would take place, initially without traffic controls, from the inside west-bound lane of a four-lane SR-502. North-bound motorists will loop south over the Gee Creek Rest Area and circle north to access the freeway.

A traffic control system would be installed for the turn when traffic volumes justify one, said Tams.

Tams said the decision not to build a north-bound ramp that would conflict with the Gee Creek area saved taxpayers about $1 million.

Planning for the interchange began in 2001 with a two-year study of transportation needs by state Transportation officials.

Officials decided that a new interchange will provide needed additional access from SR-502 to I-5, and reduce travel times for many north county motorists.

The new interchange is also expected to lower traffic volumes and improve safety at the I-5/NE 179th St. interchange.

In 2003 Washington legislators approved $34.7 million for the project. Funds came from a five cent per-gallon gas tax known as "nickel funding" for transportation projects. As scoping of the project progressed, legislators increased funding to $43.4 million because of higher than expected right-of-way acquisition costs.

A separate $65 million project, now in early design and environmental assessment phases, will widen SR-502 from the interchange east to Battle Ground.

The widening project will be funded by $15 million from "nickel funds" designated by legislators in 2003, and $50 million from the Transportation Partnership Act, a gasoline tax affirmed by voters last year. Bateman said the widening project is scheduled to start in 2012.

WOODLAND PEOPLE WANT MORE PARKS

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Woodland residents are happy with their parks, but they'd like to have more.

The city's parks board would also like to have more parks, but finding property is difficult.

"The priority is to create new parks," said Justin Erickson of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Government. "It's difficult to find larger properties. The city needs larger parks of one to five acres."

About 100 people responded to a parks survey conducted by the Council of Governments for the city.

The response was "not bad for a community that size," said Erickson, who conducted the research.

Residents were asked to complete the research questionnaire on line or fill out a paper questionnaire.

"The committee wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to participate," Erickson said.

The question of a community pool was asked, and 80 percent replied that they would use a community pool. The questionnaire did not ask where a pool should be located.

Two-thirds of respondents asked for more parks and said they'd like to see improvements to the existing parks.

The city owns four parks--Horseshoe Lake, Bjur, Eagle and Hoffman. Horseshoe Lake, by far the most heavily used, was rated as good or better by 70 percent of the respondents.

The overall quality of the four parks was rated as fair or better by 88 percent of respondents.

Erickson said that 70 percent of respondents had lived in Woodland for 15 years or less.

"Folks that are newer are quite interested in parks," he said.

Most respondents who said they did not use the parks indicated that they were not aware parks were available, Erickson said.

"That was a pretty common response," he said. "The board will work to get the word out."

School playgrounds and open spaces are often used by families as parks, he said.

"The schools function as neighborhood parks, especially the big open areas," Erickson said.

The parks board will use the survey results to update and modify a parks plan for the city.

The Woodland City Council has imposed parks impact fees of $1,175 per single-family home and $875 per multi-family unit on new construction. The fees are to be used for park development.

HISTORIC SUMMIT GROVE MOVES INTO 21ST CENTURY

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

The historic lodge between La Center and Ridgefield is once again a place for festive events.

"We're booked through July on weekends," said Louanne Jolly, events coordinator for Summit Grove, as she finished helping a couple plan their wedding day.

Summit Grove owners George and Jo Miller have restored the lodge's great room to its early 20th century appearance. They have added a wet bar and track lighting. A new wood floor maintains the room's traditional style.

The great room is reminiscent of the 1920s or 1930s, but the Millers have moved into the 21st century with high-speed Internet and other technological improvements.

George Miller said he hopes corporations, non-profit organizations and others will use the lodge at 30810 Timmen Road as a place for board meetings and retreats.

"Anything you can do downtown (Vancouver), you can do here," he said.

Summit Grove does not have overnight accommodations, but George Miller said he can help groups make arrangements for motels or hotels.

The great hall can hold 99 people, and another board room-dining hall will seat about 15. The smaller room has a separate entrance, restrooms and kitchen access.

Although Summit Grove does not have a licensed kitchen, the Millers contract with private caterers to serve meals.

American Legion Post 189 of La Center meets regularly at Summit Grove.

The building with its great hall was constructed in the mid-1920s, Miller said, but businesses have been located on the property since 1880.

Headley's Auto Camp, owned by William and Mary Marshall, was a thriving stop for travelers along the main north-south route, Highway 99, during the 1930s, '40s and '50s.

The auto camp, with cabins, sat on both sides of Timmen Road, but only one cabin remains.

The main Summit Grove building was damaged by fire in 1980.

Summit Grove guests can schedule either indoor or outdoor parties. Jo Miller said a recent wedding took place under a cedar tree on the property.

Guests may also walk along one of the trails that wander through the wooded portion of the land.

"This is not a corporation- run lodge," George Miller said. "We own it, we run it and we are here on the site."

For information about Summit Grove, call 263-8163, or visit the Web site: www.historicsummitgrove.com

RIDGEFIELD POLICE GETTING IT DONE

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Clark County Sheriff's assistant chief deputy Erin Nolan said Ridgefield police officers are protecting and serving despite adverse media reports.

Nolan, filling in for chief Bruce Hall who was placed on paid leave pending an investigation of management practices in the Department, said the Ridgefield Department has four experienced, full-time officers, including a sergeant. One officer is currently on leave. The Department also has one part-time reserve officer.

The budget calls for six full-time officers, including one school resource officer and one multi-purpose officer, said Nolan.

Nolan said three shifts are being covered by mutual aid from the La Center Police Department and Sheriff's Office. "There are no gaps in shift coverage," she said.

Two officers placed on administrative leave May 24 are no longer employed by the Department.

The term of one officer, a temporary employee, expired May 31. That officer remains on the Civil Service list and is going through a qualification process, said Nolan. The other officer was released from probation and service status on June 14.

Speaking at a June 22 city council meeting, Nolan said Ridgefield officers are "very dedicated and highly competent." They deserve a wave and smile from the citizens they serve, she said.

Nolan said the Department's evidence inventory has been transferred to the Clark County Sheriff's Office evidence system. She said the transfer was made to take advantage of a more effective, no-cost system, and relieve police officers of audited and liability-laden functions.

Nolan said she is also reviewing other inter-local agreements. Low-frequency needs, such as for SWAT Team services, can be obtained when needed at minimal cost with such agreements, she said.

A one-hour SWAT Team incident could cost the City $10,000, said Nolan. An incident lasting several hours could result in enormous cost, she said. Coverage via an inter-local agreement would cost about $1,500 per year, she said.

COMMISSIONER RECALLS FORMER BASEBALL COACH

"He was a yeller."

That was a vivid memory of Oregon State University baseball manager Pat Casey by one of his former players--Clark County commissioner Steve Stuart.

Stuart played for Casey while a student at George Fox University in Forest Grove, OR, during the 1992 baseball season.

Casey reached the pinnacle of college coaching last week when his Oregon State Beavers won the national College World Series.

"Pat was a great coach," said Stuart. "He was very intense. He worked very hard and prepared us for games."

Stuart can recall several times when Casey would raise his voice to make a point, including giving Stuart ideas on playing better.

"I don't know if he mellowed out now, but he was a yeller then," said Stuart.

Stuart described Casey, who left George Fox for Oregon State two years after Stuart moved on in 1992, as a man with a good baseball IQ. "He was a good teacher of the game."

Stuart was a star, left-handed pitcher at Prairie High School. Under legendary coach Don Freeman, the Prairie Falcons won the state championship in 1989, Stuart's senior year.

In the state tournament, Stuart pitched the semi-final game, striking out 14 of the 21 batters he faced. He also played first base.

Also on that victorious Prairie team was Alan Embree, who is now pitching in the big leagues for the San Diego Padres.

Stuart signed a letter of intent to play football at the University of Montana, but was then drafted by the Minnesota Twins. He decided to pursue baseball, but under college rules, could not do so at the same college level having signed the letter with Montana.

During the 1990 and 1991 seasons, Stuart attended Yavapai Junior College in Arizona, an area of good weather where he could play year-round.

Stuart married right after high school and moved to Arizona. While moving and carrying boxes in the fall of his sophomore year, Stuart accidentally severed a tendon in his left wrist. He spent a year in rehabilitation.

During his comeback, Stuart compensated for the wrist injury by throwing harder. That eventually led to arm and shoulder injuries.

Casey recruited Stuart to George Fox where he played in 1992.

"I remember Pat and his wife and me and my wife (Jennifer) having dinner at a Mongolian barbecue in Tigard," recalled Stuart of his encounter with Casey.

"He was a young coach, with a lot of good ideas," said Stuart of Casey.

With scholarship help, Stuart played at George Fox. He praised Casey as a good manager, "but not much of a pitching coach."

After one year at George Fox, Stuart moved on to Linfield College in McMinnville, OR, where he played both football and baseball. He played defense end on the Linfield team that lost a national title game.

At Linfield, Stuart's defensive end coach was Pat Casey's brother, Chris Casey.

"He was my favorite coach," said Stuart of Chris Casey. "Both (Chris and Pat) were very intense."

Stuart recalls Chris Casey telling stories about all of the Casey brothers--and there were several of them--as rambunctious youngsters. "They were a pack of hoodlums," joked Stuart.

After law school, Stuart had surgery to remove bone spurs from his shoulder.

Stuart continues to play baseball, now on a 28-and-over team in the Portland Amateur Baseball League. Games are on Sundays, usually double-headers.

Last week, Stuart pitched all seven innings of the first game of a double-header, and had four hits during six at-bats on the day, including a home run and a triple.

At age xx, Stuart isn't ready to hang it up yet. Besides, he likes winning.

TWEEDELL ARRESTED ON THEFT CHARGES

Terri A. Tweedell, 54, president of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce, was arrested June 29 and lodged in the Clark County jail on charges of felony theft.

The arrest by Battle Ground police followed the execution of two search warrants, one at Tweedell's residence at 1912 SW 3rd Ct., Battle Ground, and the other at Tweedell's office at the Chamber of Commerce.

According to Battle Ground police, Tweedell is accused of misappropriating in excess of $10,000 in money and items of value from a 75-year-old victim who was a resident of a nursing care facility prior to his death in March 2006.

Information gathered during an investigation by Adult Protective Services earlier this year was turned over to Battle Ground police, according to Lt. Roy Butler of the Battle Ground Police Department.

A subsequent follow-up investigation by Battle Ground detectives led to the search warrants and Tweedell's arrest, according to Butler.

COP KILLER GUILTY OF MURDER TWO

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

After about five hours deliberation, a jury of four men and eight women found Robin Schreiber, 45, guilty of second degree murder.

Prosecutors had asked the jury to find Schreiber guilty of aggravated first degree murder which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without release.

Second degree murder carries a minimum 10-year sentence.

The lesser finding is because jurors believe that when a drunken Schreiber left his home armed and suicidal on the evening of July 30, 2004, he did not intend to kill a police officer. It wasn't until he actually plowed into the driver's side of Sgt. Brad Crawford's patrol car that he caused the officer's death.

The jurors also found Schreiber guilty of being armed with a firearm when he committed the crime of murder, which adds five years to the sentence.

They also found that Schreiber knew Crawford was on duty as a law enforcement officer when he killed the sergeant. That allows Superior Court judge Robert Harris to impose a longer prison time, including life.

Throughout the three and one-half week trial, the defense has maintained that Schreiber was suicidal and too drunk on bourbon and beer at the time to form an intent to kill Crawford.

Officers responded to Schreiber's Brush Prairie area home on July 30, 2004, when his live-in girlfriend Kim Mortensen called 911 to report that he was suicidal, had been drinking and was armed.

Schreiber took off in his 7,500 lb. Ford F-250 truck across a field when he saw his driveway was blocked by officers, and headed west on NE 114th St. with at least three patrol cars in pursuit.

A rifle and several rounds of ammunition were found in the truck after it crashed.

Witnesses said Crawford saw Schreiber leaving and drove to the L-turn at NE 124th Ave. where he parked southbound off the shoulder to keep vehicles out of the area.

Seconds later, Schreiber slammed his truck into the side of the car so hard it took the body off the frame and compressed the driver's seat to seven inches wide.

Prosecutors said Schreiber deliberately killed Crawford, and witnesses testified that they heard and saw Schreiber accelerate and swerve into the patrol car.

Defense attorney Tom Phelan had asked jurors to find his client guilty of first or second degree manslaughter which denotes negligence or an accident. He said Schreiber never intended to hurt anyone.

Crawford, 49, left behind a wife, five children and six grandchildren.

Sentencing is set for Thurs., July 27.

COURT OF SEVEN TO REIGN OVER TERRITORIAL DAYS

Seven young women will serve as royalty during the 45th annual Territorial Days Celebration set for Thurs.-Sun., July 6-9, in Amboy.

The celebration marks the 120th anniversary of the Amboy post office, established in 1886.

This year's court consists of seven eighth graders who have graduated from Amboy Middle School or Green Mountain School.

Brandi Beckstad, daughter of Sharon Beckstad of Longview and Dale Beckstad of Vancouver, is an honor student and on the leadership team at Green Mountain School. She has competed in horse shows, enjoys animals and plans to study large animal veterinary in college after completing studies at La Center High School.

Maggie Campbell enjoys archery, basketball, camping, hunting, and barrel racing with her horse. The daughter of Cliff and Carrie Campbell, Maggie plans to attend Battle Ground High School and pursue an education in medicine.

Marcy McDougall is the daughter of Roger and Becky McDougall of Woodland. She is an honor student at Green Mountain School. She is active in girl scouts. She enjoys swimming, riding her horse, and playing the guitar. She plans to study writing.

A career in the medical field is planned by Maggie Morris, daughter of Pete and Jess Morris of Woodland. Maggie is an honor student at Green Mountain School where she plays softball and basketball. She also enjoys volleyball, wake boarding and riding all-terrain vehicles.

Alexis Nelsen is the daughter of Ron and Lori Nelsen of Woodland. She is an honor student at Green Mountain School. She enjoys baseball, camping, swimming, softball, and water sports. She hopes to travel in the future.

Meggan Pitner is the daughter of Don and Jeanie Pitner of Battle Ground. She is an honor student at Amboy Middle School and plans to attend Battle Ground High School. She is active in her church youth group, and enjoys dance ensemble, singing, and horseback riding.

Amanda Sudan, daughter of Tonya and John Howell of Amboy and Jeff Sudan of Ridgefield, attended Amboy Middle School and will enroll at Battle Ground High School in the fall. She has been active on yearbook staff. She enjoys scuba diving, horseback riding, caring for livestock on the family farm and spending time with friends.

BRIDE ARRIVES FOR WEDDING ON HORSEBACK

Rochelle Smith, daughter of Jeff and Linda Smith of Amboy, married Kyle Yancey of Battle Ground in a June 25 ceremony at Rock Creek Horse Camp in east Clark County.

The bride arrived for the ceremony aboard Brumby, a 23-year-old Appaloosa, led by her father.

The bride enjoys horses and has been active in trail riding. Both she and her new husband plan to join a search and rescue group to continue their interest in horses.

Both bride and groom graduated from Battle Ground High School in 2004. The bride selected her sister, Coleigh Smith, as maid of honor, along with friend Ruthie Shirley as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Tina Goff and Ann Taylor. The bride works at Old Town Battle Grounds, a coffee house.

Yancey, son of Mike Yancey and Julie Yancey, both of Battle Ground, works at Les Schwab. Preston Clinton served as best man, with groomsmen Bobby Mason, Jared Crouch and Dustin Turner.

The couple plan a honeymoon to Yellowstone National Park. They are at home in the Woodland area.

CHELATCHIE TRAIN TO OFFER LIMITED RIDES

A "Back on Track" special set for Sat., July 29, will open the delayed and limited season of rides aboard the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad.

Bryan Baker, president of the volunteer Battle Ground, Yacolt and Chelatchie Prairie Railroad group, said the 2006 schedule will include monthly special events through October, plus Christmas tree trains in December.

Reservations are recommended for all rides, except opening day July 29. Reservations are required for some outings.

Here is this year's schedule of rides. All rides will begin in the Yacolt station.

Sat., July 29

Rides are slated for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sat., July 29, billed as "Back on Track."

The train will travel from Yacolt to Basket Flats with a stop at Moulton Falls. The 1 1/2 hour round-trip includes a trip through a 300-foot tunnel and time for a walk at the falls.

For these trips only, cold soda and water will be provided.

Prices are $12 adults, $11 seniors, $8 ages 5-12 and $6 ages 2 and up.

Sat., Aug. 19

A train robbery event, with horses, outlaws, guns and a timber company payroll, is set for Sat., Aug. 19, with runs leaving Yacolt at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. A Texas-style barbecue is planned for the 2 p.m. outing, with chicken, brisket, beans, coleslaw, potato salad, dessert and drink.

Prices for the 11 a.m. (no barbecue) run are $15 adults, $14 seniors, $10 youths and $8 children ages 2 and up. Prices at 2 p.m. will be $32 adults, $31 seniors, $20 youths and $10 children ages 2 and up. Children will have hotdogs instead of chicken.

Reservations are required for the train robberies and must be prepaid.

Sat., Sept. 23

Autumn color and fall foilage will be on the agenda Sat., Sept. 23, with runs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hot cider on board.

Prices are $12 adults, $11 seniors, $8 youths and $6 children ages 2 and up.

Sat.-Sun., Oct. 28-29

"The Headless Horseman is haunting Moulton Falls."

This special Halloween event features horses, a scary tunnel, and old-fashioned games for children at Moulton Falls Park.

Apple bobbing, candy-filled haystack, and ring toss are planned, along with complimentary coffee, hot chocolate and cider.

Prices are $15 adults, $14 seniors, $10 youths, and $8 children ages 2 and up. Reservations are suggested.

Christmas tree trains

Christmas tree trains will run Sat.-Sun., Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17, leaving Yacolt at times yet to be determined.

At Moulton Falls, riders will find Santa with a gift for each child, complimentary beverages, and Douglas Fir and Noble fir trees. Prices have yet to be determined. Reservations are required and must be prepaid.

Baker said the 2006 schedule is limited due, in part, to the late start, caused by delays in gaining access to the track through Clark County, and to an insufficient number of volunteers.

"We have enough volunteers to fill all the positions," said Baker. "But we can't give a day off."

Fuel prices also restrict the number of tourist rides the railroad can afford to offer, said Baker.

Information and reservations can be made by calling 686-3559.

EDITORIAL:

UTILITY GAINS INSURANCE SETTLEMENT; MORE IN DISPUTE

The commissioners of the Cowlitz Public Utility District have accepted a $25 million settlement from an insurance company nearly four years after a canal embankment failure damaged the Utility's Swift No. 2 hydroelectric project on the North Fork of the Lewis River.

The settlement from Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange will be shared with Lloyd's of London, another of the three insurance companies with which the Utility carried insurance.

The Utility's hydro facility located east of Cougar was damaged April 21, 2002, when a canal embankment failed and water, soil and rocks inundated the powerhouse and the adjacent SR-503.

Lloyd's of London provided $70 million in coverage in 2004. Two other insurance companies--Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange and TIG Insurance Company--denied coverage. The Utility went to court.

The Utility's latest estimate of repair to Swift is $128 million, of which $85 million has been recovered through two insurance companies. Some $6 million of the total is for improvements to the hydro project that are not subject to insurance, said Utility spokesman Dave Andrew. Those improvements involve turbine efficiency, a fishing pier and other matters, said Andrew.

Lloyd's 2004 settlement agreement with the Utility provided that Lloyd's would pursue payments from the other two insurance carriers and would share any future insurance proceeds with the Utility.

Lloyd's will receive $10 million of the $25 million from Federated under the 60-40 split arrangement.

The $25 million settlement from Federated was the limit of the policy, said Andrew.

Under the sharing arrangements, said Andrew, Lloyd's uses its resources and industry knowledge to pursue settlements with the other carriers, and takes the risk of not obtaining settlements.

In March 2006, an Order of Summary Judgment by the U.S. District Court sided with Cowlitz PUD it its claim against Federated and TIG Insurance. A motion of reconsideration filed in May by the insurance companies was denied by the court, leading to the settlement with Federated.

A trial on the Utility's claim against TIG Insurance is set for Sept. 6, 2006, in U.S. District Court in Tacoma. Andrew said that trial is only on the dollar amount of the settlement, not on whether coverage exists.

The policy value with TIG is $75 million, said Andrew, but about $40 will be sought because other expenses have been covered.

To cover its losses, said Andrew, the Utility used the $70 million from Lloyd's and borrowed $43 million. The Utility also used some reserves.

In addition to construction costs at Swift 2, the Utility paid about $29 million in added costs to purchase power while Swift 2 was out of operation.

Andrew said the hydro plant loss has not resulted in any rate increase for Utility customers.

Repair and reconstruction work at the hydroelectric project is mostly complete, said Andrew. The facility began producing power in February 2006.

"This is a big day for Cowlitz PUD and its customers," said John Searing, president of the Utility's board of commissioners. "It has taken a lot of time and energy to convince Federated that this is a covered loss and we are thankful that it (Federated) has decided to pay the full value of the policy."

MESSMORE SETS RUN FOR CONGRESS

Michael Messmore, a Toledo Republican, has announced his intention to run for the U.S. Congress from Washington's third congressional district, challenging incumbent Democrat Brian Baird.

"Baird talks a good line but he has not accomplished anything for the third district," said Messmore.

Messmore pledged to work for more jobs in the district, if elected to the Congressional post.

Messmore said he is displeased with the quality of people that voters have sent to Congress from around the country.

Messmore said he would sponsor--not co-sign as Baird does--legislation designed to bring jobs to Lewis and Cowlitz counties, areas that are depressed.

"Baird is responsive but not responsible," said Messmore. "He doesn't accomplish much other than returning phone calls. I think I can make a more effective use of the time available."

Messmore called for securing U.S. borders and enforcing immigration laws. He criticized Baird for, in his view, supporting an open borders policy.

Messmore favors a guest worker program, and supports allowing those illegally in this country to gain a path to citizenship.

Messmore said federal agencies could be more responsive to citizens. He included the Corps of Engineers in this category.

Messmore said he supports I-933, an initiative that would require compensation for landowners when the government reduces the development potential of their properties.

Messmore worked as an airplane pilot and captain for 34 years. He served on various posts in the pilots' union, including chair of a committee that examined the books of Delta Airlines. That group recommended pay cuts for the struggling air carrier.

While working as a pilot, Messmore also operated an international manufacturing company, construction companies and real estate firms.

Messmore moved from southern California to southwest Washington 22 years ago. He and his wife, Ann, have one daughter, Anastasia, 13.

"We love southwest Washington," said Messmore who lives on the Cowlitz River east of Toledo.

Messmore can be reached at 693-8490.

BG FLOAT GROUP, CHAMBER SEPARATE

The Battle Ground rose float project, which has been conducted by a committee of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce for about 15 years, is once again a separate entity.

Bill Tucker, secretary/ treasurer of the newly-formed Battle Ground Rose Float Corporation, said the float was a project of the Chamber primarily for insurance reasons.

Under new insurance procedures, said Tucker, the insurance cost is the same whether or not the Chamber is involved.

Tucker, who with his wife, Louise, chaired the project for seven years before turning it over to Don and Marlene Brown, said rose float finances have always been separate from the Chamber.

The float is constructed entirely by volunteers, with supplies and equipment purchasd with money raised from the sale of fireworks, Portland rose festival pins, a quilt raffle, and a flower sale.

Tucker said the rose float group will deal directly with city officials for use of a building in which the float is constructed. The group pays rent for use of the former Chamber of Commerce building at Fairgrounds Park.

Tucker said the new Rose Float Corporation is a non-profit state corporation. Federal recognition as a non-profit corporation is being sought, he said.

The Corporation is headed by Don Brown, with Tucker, Marlene Brown, Sandra Helyer, Barbara Evans, Elaine Hertz and Fred Cavazos on the board of directors.

The financially-struggling Chamber of Commerce has borrowed money in recent years, using rose float assets as collateral.

Tucker said the project will remain in the hands of volunteers who will make decisions about design and decoration.

The float won the sweepstakes award in the 2006 Portland Grand Floral Parade, the top award in the parade and the highest of the numerous awards the Battle Ground entry has claimed.

Battle Ground has entered a float in the Portland parade each year since 1955.

Tucker can be reached at 687-3619.

BRIA TO REMAIN IN BG DISTRICT

Shonny Bria will remain as superintendent of the Battle Ground School District.

Bria applied last week for the position as superintendent of a school district in Arizona. Officials there decided to promote a current employee to superintendent.

Bria said she interviewed with the 5-member board of directors of the Glendale Union High School District near Phoenix. She also met with a 15-member panel of principals and others.

Bria said the Glendale Union High School District has never hired a female superintendent and has, for the past 25 years, always promoted people from within to become superintendent. This year was no exception, she said, as the board hired a current, male employee.

Bria, 58, has served as Battle Ground superintendent for eight years, having previously been a superintendent in Arizona. She commuted to Battle Ground during her first two years as Battle Ground superintendent.

Bria said her husband, Gary, has accepted a job in Arizona. In addition, Bria noted that retirement benefits in the Arizona educational system are more lucrative than in Washington.

Gary and Shonny Bria continue to own a home near Phoenix.

Bria said she knows of another vacancy in a Phoenix-area superintendency in another year. She said she remains interested in relocating to Arizona, but for now, "I'm here 100 percent."

NEW SYSTEM WILL HELP PREVENT SEWAGE SPILLS

A new monitoring system, approved by the Woodland City Council, will help prevent sewage spills like the one that occurred earlier this year.

The Council voted to spend $140,000 on a new telemetry system to monitor the city's 12 lift stations.

The spill that happened when equipment malfunctioned affected a landscaped area of an apartment complex, said Scott Brunson of the city's public works department. There was no spill into the Lewis River or other body of water.

"If we'd had the new system, the spill probably would not have happened," he said.

Construction on the telemetry system will begin this summer, he said. City employees will install the system. Brunson said he does not know when installation will be complete.

Under the new system, each of the city's lift stations will use radio frequencies to send information to a home base, which will then automatically dial a number notifying public works employees of a problem.

"The old system is antiquated and relies on phone lines to send information," Brunson said. "This is a technological improvement over the old system."

The Woodland City Council approved the new system at its June 19 meeting.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

The Woodland School Board is expected to adopt a 2006-07 budget that is 11 percent higher than the current budget.

The district board is scheduled to adopt the budget during a meeting set for Wed., July 12, 7:30 p.m., in the district's Community Meeting Room, 800 Third St.

A substantial portion of the $2 million increase will come from the state's per-pupil apportionment, said Stacy Brown, business manager. The increase reflects the growing enrollment in the district, she said.

District voters approved a four-year, $2.13 per $1,000 levy in March.

The total budget is $18.3 million, with nearly $500,000 of that going to salaries for eight-and-a-half new teaching positions.

Brown said the third, fourth and fifth-grade classes will grow by one room each, giving seven classrooms for each grade.

A math-science teacher will be added at the high school, and a half-time science teacher will be assigned to the middle school. Another foreign language teacher will join the high school faculty.

A half-time kindergarten-eighth grade reading coach will be added, and the special education department will gain a half-time psychologist and half-time resource room teacher.

"This is the most number of teachers we've added in years--maybe ever," Brown said. "We're growing short on space."

The budget calls for a total of 132 certificated staff (teachers and librarians) and 100 classified employees such as classroom aides, custodians and office personnel.

District salaries and benefits are budgeted at nearly $11 million.

Enrollment grew by more than 6.5 percent, or 129 students, from April 2005 to May 2006, but the board has projected only a 1.3 percent increase during the current year ending in June 2007.

The district absorbed students from a new 123-home subdivision last year, Brown said.

"We see nothing of that magnitude for the coming year," she said.

At the end of the 2005-06 school year, 2,077 students were enrolled.

The district has resorted to "creative ways" to find space for the additional teachers and students. Another portable building with two classrooms will be added at the high school, and the assistant superintendent's office will become a classroom at the middle school.

At the intermediate school, with grades four through six, the "great space" will become a classroom.

The city began imposing school impact fees on new residential construction in January, and Brown said the district has received about $50,000 in impact fees since then.

The budget year begins in September, but the new levy will not become effective until 2007.

"We've tried to be very conservative in our budgeting," Brown said. "For the past couple of years, we've known the growth was coming."

Copies of the budget may be seen at the district office, 800 Third St.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Clark County residents with interests in agriculture will have at least one more chance to speak out about a proposed countywide habitat conservation ordinance.

The commissioners have delayed action on the agricultural portion of the ordinance until after Tues., July 11, when they will have a public hearing.

Commissioner Marc Boldt said changes in the wording of the ordinance brought about the decision to delay action.

The original ordinance contains a default plan, requiring certain buffers and other protection in sensitive areas, for farmers who do not submit a protection plan.

"We changed that to say that if you don't have a management plan, you're subject to the regular ordinance," he said. "The Farm Bureau then said they prefer the default because it's between the management plan and the regular ordinance."

The proposed plan will return to the default provision.

The county's current habitat ordinance exempts agricultual activities altogether.

The commissioners approved the development portion of the ordinance June 20.

The draft ordinance allowed the construction of one residence on a lot without a habitat protection plan. The final version allows a house and an outbuilding, such as a detached garage, said Joel Rupley of the county's Environmental Species Act department.

The ordinance is designed to protect riparian and uplands habitat, including rare trees and plants as well as aquatic life.

Residents with agricultural interests have opposed the ordinance saying that it is too restrictive for farming.

The ordinance, required under the state's Growth Management Act, establishes setbacks from streams and protects certain upland areas from development.

Under the ordinance, land that may lie within sensitive habitat must be analyzed through a protection plan.

Copies of the ordinance are available on the county's Web site, www.clark.wa.gov/longrangeplan/projects/critical-areas.html.

Comments on the amended ordinance may be e-mailed to boardcom@clark.wa.gov.

For information, call Joel Rupley, 397-2022, Ext. 1.

DEIS FULL OF ERRORS SAYS LA CENTER LAWYER

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

A document covering the expected impacts from a proposed Cowlitz tribal casino is full of errors, according to a lawyer hired by the City of La Center.

In his report to the city council July 28, Karl Anuta said that errors such as describing the wrong intersection and reporting an incorrect growth rate for La Center fill the draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

Anuta will submit his written response to La Center's attorney Dan Kearns. Kearns said during the meeting that he will discuss Anuta's written report individually with each council member.

The discussions will not be public, based on the attorney-client "work product" rule, Kearns said.

The city must submit its comments on the DEIS to the Bureau of Indians Affairs by July 14. The council tentatively set a meeting for Wed., July 12, but did not indicate if it would be an open public meeting.

In an interview after the meeting, council member Dale Smith said he was "confused" by the procedure.

"I don't know if the discussion will be public," Smith said. "It sounded as if the attorney has some misgivings about an open discussion on a preliminary draft. If we share the draft in a public meeting, it becomes an open document, but it may not be the final document."

Mayor Jim Irish said the closed session was allowed under "attorney-client privilege." He deferred to Kearns for an explanation of the law that allows an executive session on this topic.

Kearns could not be reached for comment before The Reflector's deadline.

In a related matter, Anuta has submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act for individual comments submitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and others to the BIA.

"I hope they produce the documents," he said.

Anuta recommended that the city send the Cowlitz a proposed memorandum of understanding "that lays out the things the city thinks are necessary to mitigate all impacts."

"If you don't lay it out, there is an argument that you didn't give all this information," He said.

The draft EIS, several volumes thick, analyzes environmental, economic and transportation impacts on the surrounding communities and natural areas.

"The traffic analysis was so bad," Anuta said. "The BIA lost one case because it didn't do an analysis of traffic."

Anuta accused tribal officials of failing to show how all listed impacts would be mitigated.

"The mitigation in the EIS is really bad," he said. "It just lists mitigations. (The document) has to evaluate each."

The impacts from a large casino on schools and traffic flows are also not analyzed, Anuta said, and the law enforcement analysis is "poor."

The DEIS does not include the city's growth rate of 10 percent, but instead uses the county growth rate of 2.4 percent.

"None of these are irreparable problems," Anuta said. "If you go back and fix them, you can produce a valid DEIS."

The city will face "some hard choices" if the final EIS does not reflect the requested changes, Anuta said.

The BIA recently led public hearings and received verbal comments on the proposed casino.

The Cowlitz Tribe hopes to build a casino and resort on 51 acres on La Center road west of the I-5 interchange. La Center has consistently opposed the Tribe's plans, saying a casino would bankrupt the city's cardrooms.

OBITS:

HELENMARIE MILLER

Helenmarie F. Miller, 75, died June 27, 2006, in Vancouver.

Miller was born Sept. 11, 1930, in New York City, and grew up in Duluth, MN. She moved with her family to Vancouver as a teenager and graduated from Providence Academy in 1948. She spent the next 15 years as Sister Mary James at a monastery in Minnesota. She returned home in the mid-1960s and moved to San Jose, CA, where she worked for the Santa Clara Valley Transit District until retirement in 1990.

Miller then moved to Battle Ground where she was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Therese at St. Thomas Parish in Camas.

Miller was an avid reader and loved games. She lost her sight but still listened to books provided by libraries.

Survivors include sisters Margaret Culbertson of Battle Ground, Patricia Sanks of Camas, and Mary Craven and Kathleen Rayburn, both of Olympia, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A mass celebrating her life will be held Sat., July 8, 2 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

MILDRED SCHEI

Mildred Iva (Kane) Schei, 91, died June 28, 2006, in Vancouver.

Schei was born Sept. 24, 1914, in La Center, and moved to the family homestead near the present-day Tri-Mountain Golf Course.

Schei walked to a one-room school in West Pioneer. She graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1932. She then lived with her aunt Julie in Portland while attending business college for two years.

Schei worked as an assistant to the superintendent of Ridgefield schools. She married Ansgar Schei on Nov. 6, 1937, and moved to her current home in 1952.

Schei served as an enemy aircraft spotter during World War II. She was active in PTA, cub scouts, Junior Women's Club and the Presbyterian Church. She was chair of the foreign exchange student program for several years

Survivors include husband Ansgar Schei, at home in Woodland, brothers Don Kane of Ridgefield and Cliff Kane of Vancouver, sons Donald Schei of Portland and Eric Schei of Vancouver, and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Mon., July 3, 11 a.m, at the Woodland Presbyterian Church in Woodland, with the Woodland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Southwest Washington Medical Foundation, and Vascular and Heart Center of Excellence, P.O. Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668.

MARK HARPER

Mark William Harper, 59, died June 25, 2006, in Vancouver.

Harper was born Jan. 28, 1947, in Portland. He enjoyed sports, the beach, and spending time with his family.

Harper was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Harper. Survivors include father John Harper, widow Arlinda Margaret Harper of Gladstone, sons Troy Harper and John Harper, daughter Julie, brother Jerry Harper, and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Sat., July 8, 12:30 p.m., at Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, Vancouver.