COUNTY, CITY LEADERS BOO CASINO STUDY

Pungent criticisms from Clark County and La Center

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Officials of Clark County and area cities have panned an environmental report on a proposed Cowlitz tribal casino near La Center as "inadequate."

Criticism of the report, a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), was especially pungent in letters to federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officials from officials of Clark County and La Center.

The deadline for comment on the DEIS was July 14.

The impact statement was prepared for BIA by Analytical Environmental Services, a Sacramento, CA firm, on behalf of Cowlitz tribal leaders.

The report was prepared to reveal impacts and alternatives to the development of a hotel/casino project about two miles west of La Center at I-5 and NW 319th St.

The "EIS is poorly prepared," said a letter from Clark County commissioners. The analysis, said the letter, "manipulates and excludes data in a manner which minimizes the impact of a major economic proposal,"

Clark County project manager Marlia Jenkins said information is missing from the report and assumptions don't follow good principles of analysis.

The transportation analysis suffers from similar problems, said Jenkins.

Clark County commissioners said the document does not adequately describe alternatives or impacts.

A letter from La Center mayor James Irish to BIA officials said the draft document hardly touched upon City or public concerns expressed at previous public meetings.

"Ignoring public comments...is not only unlawful, it is also bad public policy," said Irish.

The letter, much of it based on research by a hired legal consultant, said population estimates in the DEIS are "grossly inaccurate."

In the letter, mayor James Irish said the DEIS fails to adequately address land use and traffic issues, potential housing demand, law enforcement, waste treatment and the loss of most of the city's income from taxes on private card rooms.

The document falls far short of exploring cumulative effects of a casino project, said Irish.

Irish said the DEIS assumes that the Tribe and City will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding, but a currently proposed agreement doesn't "in any way come close" to mitigating revenue losses to the City.

"We are distressed that there are so many deficiencies in the DEIS," said Irish.

Ridgefield city council members in a letter to BIA officials also said the DEIS was inadequate.

Council members said the document understates population data, fails to address an intergovernmental agreement between La Center and Ridgefield, and inadequately addresses transportation, school and other socio-economic issues and impacts.

In their letter, Ridgefield council members said that if an alternative site in Ridgefield is selected, the Tribe should be required to submit a new application for reservation trust status and a new DEIS with a 90-day comment period.

City of Woodland mayor Doug Monge told BIA officials that the DEIS does not address issues specific to Woodland, including effects on local businesses, drain on emergency services, and impacts on housing, schools and infrastructures.

Cowlitz County commissioners cited similar concerns.

In some letters, officials asked that their concerns be studied and addressed in a final EIS.

Irish asked that BIA officials and the Tribe "rework" the DEIS and issue a Supplemental DEIS for public comment and review.

Clark County commissioners "strongly" recommended a "thorough re-analysis of alternatives," including one that would provide a mix of land uses, that is retail, office, light industrial and a casino) with higher paying jobs.

Battle Ground officials did not submit a response to the DEIS.

Cowlitz tribal spokesman Phil Harju said preparation of the DEIS was thorough and done by professionals. It was an open, public process during which everyone can make comments, he added.

A final impact statement is expected by the end of the year, with tune-ups as necessary, said Harju.

Harju said fears about an alternative site are unfounded. All tribal efforts have been site specific to 152 acres west of La Center at I-5, he said.

BG LIBRARY PROMOTERS SEEK BOARD HELP

Don and Jane Higgins, who co-chair a fundraising effort for the construction of a new Battle Ground library building, have asked the trustees of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District to allocate a portion of a 2005 budget surplus to the project.

Don Higgins suggested that half of the so-called "found" money could be allocated to the Battle Ground construction fund, with the other half remaining in the district budget.

In April, library district executive director Bruce Ziegman told the board that about $1.5 million had been identified as surplus in the budget current year's budget.

The board designated expenditures for about a third of the money, leaving about $1.2 million which was placed in the library's building contingency fund.

Officials said the surplus resulted from unanticipated tax revenues, interest income, and the under expenditure of budget amounts.

Higgins suggests about $600,000 be earmarked for the Battle Ground building project.

In addition, Higgins has asked board members to budget the proceeds from the sale of a former church building in Battle Ground to the construction fund.

The church building, acquired by the library district, was twice the subject of a bond election. Voters turned down the funding proposal both times. The library district subsequently sold the building for $530,000, said Higgins.

That money may be used for either construction of a new Battle Ground library building or equipment and furnishings for the new library, said Higgins.

Ziegman said the $530,000 could be used for any aspect of the new Battle Ground library, including construction.

Building fund could come together

Higgins said the planned new Battle Ground library, to be located east of SE Grace Ave. at Rasmussen Blvd., is slated to be 13,000 square feet at a cost of about $2.1 million.

Developer Dennis Pavlina has pledged $951,400 toward the library construction cost, leaving the fundraising group to raise about some $1.2 million.

The library is to be located in a portion of a larger building. The rest of the building, said Higgins, could be acquired for library use at some point.

So far, said Higgins, about $100,000 has been raised through pancake breakfasts, donations, and a dinner event.

The $600,000 in budget surplus money, plus the proceeds from the church building sale, could get the shell of the new library built, said Higgins. That would leave interior walls, ceiling, flooring, plumbing and other finish work which Higgins estimated at $500,000.

Don and Jane Higgins, plus other Battle Ground library supporters who attended the trustees' July 10 meeting, expressed their support for the upcoming library construction bond election in Vancouver.

That measure, set for a vote in September, would pay for the construction of a new downtown Vancouver library, a new east county library, technological improvements at the Vancouver Mall library, and books, said Ziegman.

Remodeling of the current Vancouver library into an operations and book processing center would be funded at a later date, said Ziegman.

Battle Ground city council member Bill Ganley suggested that the trustees ask voters to increase the district's regular property tax rate from 42 cents to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Ziegman said such a funding request would be considered at a later date.

"No one has solved the facilities' problem in Battle Ground despite 22 years of trying," Higgins told the trustees. "Neither we the Friends (of the Battle Ground Library) nor the you the trustees have delivered for middle and northeast Clark County."

"When an unexpected savings from 2005 surfaced this spring, we felt that mid-county had a claim on at least part of it," added Higgins. "We can see how we can jump start the project, reduce total expenses, and more directly assure the project's success."

Higgins explained that the new library construction estimates did not include about $630,000 in inflation and contingencies that could be avoided if the building were constructed sooner.

Higgins emphasized that, once the building is constructed, the library district will receive an asset that cost about $1.1 million but is immediately worth over $2 million.

Jerry King, chair of the Board of Trustees, said the Battle Ground funding request would be considered at a later date, possibly October.

"Right now we're all working on the new Vancouver library, of course," said King. "The whole district has to prosper together. Battle Ground has to be the next thing to be considered."

"You have our support, understanding and approval," added King. "You have no Battle Ground board members, but you have seven advocates for Battle Ground," said King of the 7-member board of trustees.

HUMANE SOCIETY TO SELL BG PROPERTY

Officials of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington have decided to build a new, larger facility near their current location in Vancouver rather than move to Battle Ground as had been planned several years ago.

Dolorosa Margulis, a member of the Humane Society board, said the board decided to sell the three acre site on SE 199th St. in Battle Ground that the organization had purchased about eight years ago.

Fundraising is now underway, said Margulis, for construction of a shelter more than twice the size of the current facility.

The 3.4 acre Battle Ground site is listed for sale at $640,000 with Norris, Biggs and Simpson. Agent Garrett Harper said the property is located just west of the railroad tracks on the south side of 199th St. It is zoned light industrial, said Harper, who can be reached at (360) 690-4529.

Margulis said Humane Society board member Steve Oliva of Vancouver has committed to buy the property if another buyer is not found on the Humane Society's timetable.

Margulis said the Humane Society board concluded that building near the current location would be more cost effective than moving to Battle Ground. "It's easier to keep it where it is," said Margulis, a Portland resident who owns a farm near Battle Ground. "People know where it is."

Margulis said some dog kennels have been updated and could be retained at the present site.

A dinner and auction will be held Sat., Oct. 21, at the Hilton Hotel Vancouver to raise money for the new shelter building.

Donations of auction items are invited until Sept. 22.

The evening will include silent and live auctions, and entertainment by Portland blues musician Norman Sylvester.

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington works to relieve suffering among animals and prevent cruelty to animals. The Society cared for over 13,700 orphaned animals in 2005.

Information about the dinner and auction, and about donations, is available by calling 750-0847.

UTILITY BORROWS MONEY, REFINANCES DEBT

Clark Public Utilities has sold $7.5 million in bonds to pay for improvements to its water system.

The bonds were sold to Lehman Brothers at an average interest cost of 4.5 percent and will mature at various times over the next 20 years.

Utility spokesman Mick Shutt said the revenues would be used in 2007 and 2008 to pay for construction of another reservoir, 2-3 more wells, and upgrades to water mains.

"Market conditions were very favorable," said utility commissioner Carol Curtis. "Interest rates were lower than we expected and were actually about the same as they were during our last sale in 2003."

Shutt said the utility pay for about 60 percent of new construction work with borrowed money.

The utility also refinanced about $6 million in outstanding water system debt, reducing interest cost from 5 percent to 4.3 percent, which will result in a savings of about $200,000 over the next 10 years.

The bonds are tax-exempt and available through brokerage companies.

CHAMBER TERMINATES TWEEDELL

The Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce has terminated Terri Tweedell as its president.

Cheryl Yarwood, chairperson of the Battle Ground Chamber, announced July 12 that the Chamber board of directors had voted unanimously to terminated Tweedell.

The termination followed charges against Tweedell for theft involving an elderly male victim.

Tweedell said July 10 that Chamber officials had asked her to resign but she had refused. "I've done nothing wrong," she said.

Tweedell was arrested June 29 on allegations of first and second degree theft from Jaroslav Sedivy, 74, who Tweedell had befriended last year.

Tweedell entered a not guilty plea on July 11.

Clark County prosecutor Art Curtis charged Tweedell with taking money and property from Sedivy before and after his death on March 7, 2006. Charges involve writing checks on Sedivy's bank account, using Sedivy's credit cards for her own personal gain, and being in possession of items of Sedivy's personal property.

The Battle Ground police department executed search warrants at both Tweedell's Battle Ground home and the Chamber of Commerce office.

Records show police located some items that had reportedly belonged to Sedivy, including a ring with a dark stone, a Bible or other older book in a language other than English, a brown, wood chest, a blue, velour recliner, and a five-foot, brown, wood armoire. None of the allegations of theft involved assets of the Chamber of Commerce.

Prosecutors also charged Tweedell with the unlawful practice of law involving the preparation of Power of Attorney documents which affected Sedivy's legal rights.

Prosecutor Art Curtis said the people who signed the documents as witness and notary did not actually witness Sedivy sign the documents.

Neither the witness nor notary were charged in the matter.

Tweedell said July 10 that she planned to move from her Battle Ground home to a home she owns in the Orchards area of Vancouver, allowing her children to occupy her Battle Ground residence at 1912 NW 3rd Court.

Copies of the Power of Attorney documents were not yet available to this newspaper.

Clark County prosecutor Art Curtis said the likely sentencing range if Tweedell is convicted is 0-90 days in jail for Theft 1, while the maximum is 10 years. The maximum for Theft II, said Curtis, is five years. Charges of acting as an attorney are a gross misdemeanor, he said.

EDITORIAL:

PLANKHOUSE SELLING SURPLUS LUMBER

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Friends of the Plankhouse volunteers will sell surplus lumber left over after construction of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

Plankhouse coordinator Peter Gebhardt said cedar boards for plankhouse projects were milled on-site by a portable mill.

Left over lumber, about 6,000 board feet of rough-cut cedar boards, will be sold to help the non-profit organization offset milling costs, said Gebhardt.

Gebhardt said lumber for sale are boards six feet to 12 feet in length, and one or two-inches thick. He said all lumber will be sold for 50 cents per board foot.

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse, a replica of Chinookan village lodging, was completed and opened to the public in March 2005 on the Refuge.

Gebhardt can be reached at 887-4106 for more information about the lumber sale.

GRANT SNUFFS WEEDS IN RIDGEFIELD

Bill Myers

staff reporter

A National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant is credited with going a long way to eradicating unwanted weeds from Gee Creek in Ridgefield.

Interim city manager Justin Clary said the $12,500 grant paid the Northwest Service Academy for eight AmeriCorps volunteers who are completing a second year of work on the Gee Creek Rehabilitation Project.

Payment was made at the rate of $560 per day, said Clary.

Volunteers zeroed in on non-native, invasive weeds in areas bordering the creek, using safe herbicides to throttle Himalayan blackberry, English Ivy and Japanese knotweed.

Clary said a main project focus was a section of Gee Creek between Pioneer St. and Main St. Some work was completed on private land after receiving permissions from property owners.

Japanese knotweed was first noticed in the Gee Creek system near the upper end of Abrams Park. The plant, a highly aggressive and invasive species, grows to a height of seven feet or more in a single season. The plant spreads through seed, roots and pieces of the plant.

Northwest Service Academy is a non-profit environmental service and leadership development organization that partners with community-based organizations, government agencies and schools to address environmental issues in Oregon and Washington.

More than 200 part and full-time AmeriCorps volunteers participate in Academy projects.

Elderly often targets of greed

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Members of a recently-formed task force in Clark County want to prevent vulnerable adults from getting ripped off by greedy friends or relatives.

Vancouver attorney Jessica Dimitrov, who helped form the Clark County Vulnerable Adult Task Force, said Washington law RCW 74.34.005 specifically protects vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or abandonment.

The law authorizes the state Department of Social & Health Services and law enforcement agencies to investigate such complaints.

Formation of the task force, with a representative from the state Attorney General's Office and members of state and local social welfare and law enforcement agencies (including major crimes detectives), brings focus on financial abuses, said Dimitrov.

Clark County prosecutor Art Curtis, a member of the task force, said elder abuse is increasing with the aging of baby boomers. Cases of financial abuse need to be prosecuted where appropriate, he said.

A recent example of abuse now in the hands of Clark County prosecutors involves a father charged with 18 felony counts of theft for allegedly taking more than $200,000 from a developmentally-delayed son.

In another case, Battle Ground police allege that Terri Tweedell, president of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce, took assets from a now-deceased man she had befriended.

In her Vancouver practice, Dimitrov specializes in cases involving financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. She has worked on such cases for 11 years, and teaches other attorneys on the subject in Washington State Bar Association continuing education classes.

Dimitrov said that all too often, children or grandchildren will, without knowledge of other close family members, use powers of attorney, wills, quit-claim deeds or purchase and sale agreements to take assets from an elderly person who lacks the capacity to give consent.

A goal is often to remove assets so a parent or grandparent will qualify for medicaid, said Dimitrov. This is done to shift costs of rest home care to taxpayers who pay the medicaid bills, she said.

Dimitrov described how a daughter, without notifying two siblings, depleted the assets of her elderly mother.

The daughter began helping her mother when Mom began suffering memory lapses. The daughter convinced Mom to add the daughter's name to the mother's bank account.

As the mother's condition worsened, the daughter wrote to her mother's physician, telling him that her mother had Alzheimer's Disease and was frequently getting lost. The daughter urged the doctor to examine her mother and provide a written report.

The doctor examined the mother and diagnosed, "Alzheimer's type dementia."

Three months later, the daughter, with help from a friend in the real estate business, prepared a power of attorney and a quit claim deed. They took the mother to Mom's bank, and the mother signed her home over to the daughter, "for love and affection."

The daughter and her husband then moved into Mom's home. They had a $60,000 addition added for living space, but within two months placed the mother in a care center.

The daughter and her husband then began spending the balance of the mother's savings.

Two siblings, concerned about their mother, began inquiring about their mother's condition and her funds that would be needed for her care.

When the daughter with power of attorney refused to provide information, the siblings contacted Dimitrov.

Dimitrov said she filed a petition for guardianship on behalf of the siblings, and filed a complaint against the real estate agent for the unauthorized practice of law.

A civil court ordered the errant daughter to return assets to Mom's estate.

Dimotrov described another case involving two sons who were co-trustees of an aging parent's estate.

A "springing" power of attorney activated when one of the sons was able to get a physician to diagnose dementia, said Dimitrov. The son, without the knowledge of his sibling, took $500,000 from the estate in six months.

A reluctance by parents or grandparents to file criminal charges against relatives who have taken their assets makes prosecutions difficult, said Dimitrov. Victims of family members are more inclined to resort to civil actions.

Friends and acquaintances can also let greed show in such situations, said Dimitrov.

Dimitrov described a situation in which an elderly woman gave a hair dresser power of attorney.

In another horror tale, an man in his 90s, after a female caregiver provided him with nude pictures of herself in provocative poses, gave her power of attorney over his estate and named her beneficiary of $50,000 in his will. She allegedly told him, "I'm the only one who loves you."

Civil actions in the above cases brought partial remedies.

Tips to avoid problems

Dimitrov said senior citizens, while still in possession of all mental faculties, should hire a competent attorney. The attorney should be a will, trust or estate specialist, and the senior should visit the attorney alone, outside of influence of family members, she said.

Next, seniors should choose a person or persons they trust completely to handle their affairs.

This is usually, but not always, a close family member, said Dimitrov. A power of attorney or appropriate trust document should be executed by the attorney.

"No one should pick an offspring just because he/she is a son or daughter," said Dimitrov.

Dimitrov said that whoever is selected needs to have the ability to handle finances. They should not have a history of bankruptcy or convictions for felonies, she said. The person or persons designated should have stable work and personal histories.

Dimitrov said both competency and a willingness to take on the responsibility of managing someone's financial affairs are important. "An untrustworthy person in charge of an estate can be devastating and the legal system might not be able to recover all losses," she said.

Getting power of attorney, will or other legal forms from the Internet may seem like an easy way to save a legal fee, but such self-help could ultimately be very costly, said Dimitrov. Get such work done by a professional even if it costs $200, she said.

In such documents, "It is important for a person to give only the authority that he or she wants to give," said Dimitrov.

For example, a senior may intend to sign a power of attorney to authorize an agent only to pay bills and keep accounts balanced. If the power of attorney is not properly constructed by an attorney, the sky could be the limit.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Farms operating on land zoned specifically for agriculture must file a habitat protection plan under a new ordinance approved July 11 by the Clark County commissioners.

The commissioners are expected to sign the habitat conservation ordinance Tues., July 18.

Commissioner Betty Sue Morris asked that land zoned agriculture be exempt from the plan requirement, but commissioners Steve Stuart and Marc Boldt voted to reject that motion.

"If a farm is on resource land, it should have a farm plan," Boldt said. "We have this ordinance to protect habitat in our county."

Boldt said that commercial farms are already required to follow certain rules such as providing safe food, paying a minimum wage and abiding by state Department of Ecology regulations.

"As long as I farmed I was under those rules," he said. "This would have been the nicest one (rule). It is our place to say that we need good habitat. I'm for farm plans all the way around."

Farms that operate in non-agriculture zones will be required to conform to the regulations governing the zone in which they are located.

Enforcement of the ordinance will begin in July 2007.

The commissioners will draft the guidelines and, during the coming year, the county's Endangered Species Act staff will meet with area farmers to write the implementation plan.

The commissioners approved most issues covered in an amendment requested by the Clark County Farm Bureau.

The amendment's introduction will include a statement requested by Morris that the conservation of agriculture and the conservation of species habitat is balanced.

"I want to keep pounding that point," Morris said.

Jim Malinowski, a Clark County resident, asked that the county take a "soft versus a hard-nosed approach" to implementation.

"Work with landowners, encourage them to enhance the habitat," he said.

He asked that the county conduct an annual review to learn if county staff "is treating people the way you expect to be treated."

The state requirement that existing farms follow the habitat conservation rules is being challenged by Clallam County and is before the Washington Supreme Court, said county attorney Rich Lowry.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

The La Center School District is set to buy 17 acres for a proposed elmentary school.

District Superintendent Mark Mansell said the district has an agreement to purchase the land from Tauno Alanko, Elsie Gusey and Elvie Walker for $650,000. About nine acres are buildable, he said.

The property along 14th Avenue at Bolen Road lies adjacent to the La Center city limits, but Mansell said he expects the city's westward growth to occur in that area.

"We think that site will be the center of the western part of La Center," he said.

Conversations with community members will begin soon, Mansell said.

"We might put something on the ballot next spring," he said. "The voters will have to approve a bond eventually (to build a school)."

Mansell said the district would like to work with adjacent landowners and developer Altius Corp. to provide the infrastructure necessary for a school.

"If we could get them to come together, and get a decision by the developer to put in infrastructure with capacity to allow the school to hook in for free, the developer would get another subdivision and the land would come into the city," he said. "I think there's a way to benefit the landowners and the developers and have a big win for the taxpayers."

In April, Mansell predicted that the La Center School District enrollment could double in 20 years.

"We're really full at the elementary school," he said. "This property will work for us. An elementary school is the only building that will fit our needs that we can afford."

Mansell said the district has not yet decided how the elementary program will be divided.

"There are lots of questions," he said. "We're looking forward to conversations with the community. We need to have members of the community share their thoughts."

If approved by Clark County, a proposed change in the city's urban growth area would bring Ridgefield School District property--including land at La Center Road and I-5--into the La Center urban growth boundary.

Property at the interchange has been zoned for commercial and industrial uses, but the La Center School District will not benefit from the growth unless the district's boundaries are changed.

Administrators from the two school districts have begun talks that may result in changes, Mansell said.

The two school boards eventually will discuss proposed changes, he said, and recommendations will go to a regional board.

"We hope to have an answer between Thanksgiving and Christmas," Mansell said.

Should the commercial and industrial land at the La Center interchange be transferred to the La Center School District, "that will change how the property will be paid for," he said.

Finding affordable property has been challenging, Mansell said.

"(These) sellers want to see a school there," he said. "It's been very difficult--developers are willing to pay the price."

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

The Woodland City Council has sent the Bureau of Indian Affairs a list of concerns regarding the proposed Cowlitz tribal casino.

The letter, authorized during a June 20 meeting, says there is no objection "to the Cowlitz tribe's right to secure a reservation or to obtain economic viability."

The Cowlitz tribe proposes to build a casino and resort on 51 acres at the interchange of La Center Road and I-5. The Department of Interior has been accepting written comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement. The deadline for written comments was July 14.

A few Woodland residents expressed concerns about the proposed casino during a public hearing in June.

The effect on law enforcement and fire protection could be a major issue, said Woodland Mayor Doug Monge. Woodland police and fire departments have mutual aid agreements with La Center and Ridgefield, he said.

The actual impact on emergency services is hard to predict, he said.

The city council's letter mentioned "impacts on our local school system" but did not provide statistics on prospective enrollment.

Woodland School District Superintendent Bill Hundley said the school board has taken no position on the proposed casino.

Other issues addressed in the letter:

** "competitive environment for our local businesses;"

** "increase in housing demands due to lack of affordable housing in neighboring communities;"

** demand on infrastructure "will place a strain on existing tax revenues."

"The draft EIS fails to consider and discuss these and other potential adverse impacts on the Woodland community, and also fails to consider any alternatives that would eliminate such impacts," the council wrote.

The letter becomes one of the comments and will be considered when the final EIS is written.

OBITS:

ORMOND PHILLIPS

Ormond Lee Phillips, 83, died July 10, 2006, in Tacoma.

Phillips was born Nov. 9, 1922, in Hartford, Kentucky, and lived in Battle Ground for 11 years.

Phillips enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and working in the yard. He worked as a long-haul truck driver.

Phillips was preceded in death by his wife, Cloreine "Renee" Phillips, in 2003. Survivors include niece Marilyn Travers of California.

Interment was at Memory Memorial Park Cemetery, Vancouver, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

JEAN SALO

Jean Merrill (Brown) Salo, 80, died July 15, 2006, in Vancouver.

Salo was born Sept. 13, 1925, in Springfield, MO, and lived most of her life in Santa Maria and Grass Valley, CA. She lived in Battle Ground the last six years.

Salo was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Otto A. Salo, in 2005, son Jeff Salo in 2004, and granddaughter Michelle Patterson in 1968. Survivors include daughters Sue Blackburn of Battle Ground and Connie Evans of Portland, son Greg Salo of California, brother Jim Brown of California, two nieces, 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Cremation and burial will take place in Red Lodge, MT, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

Anita Berry, 53, died July 14, 2006, in Vancouver.

Berry was born Sept. 4, 1952, in Vancouver. She was an excellent seamstress and opened her own business at a young age.

Berry enjoyed gardening, cooking and crafting. She was knowledgeable about skin care and cosmetics. She had worked at Bon Marche in Kelso and Meier and Frank in both Portland and Vancouver. She enjoyed helping others. She also enjoyed her many pets.

Survivors include daughters Heather Stewart and Holly Huston, both of Woodland, sons Jared Huston of Portland and Jordan Wigington of Vancouver, sister Lillian Johnston of Longview, and four grandchildren.

Services were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Vancouver, with the Woodland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

ERLYSE STEINBRENNER

Erlyse Eilene (Champine) Steinbrenner, 85, died July 12, 2006, in Portland.

Steinbrenner was born Dec. 14, 1920, in Ceylon, MN, attended Minnesota schools and graduated from Jackson High School in Minnesota. She earned a bachelor's degree from Macalester College and medical technician credentials from Charles T. Miller Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

Steinbrenner worked for 10 years in hospital and clinic laboratories as a medical technologist.

Steinbrenner served as a cub scout den mother, girl scout leader, and past master and secretary of the Lincoln Creek Grange. She was a founding member of the Lewis County Day Care for Older Adults and was a docent at the Mount St. Helens' Visitor Center on Johnson Ridge.

Steinbrenner enjoyed winters in Desert Hot Springs, CA, and summers at her home in Ridgefield. She was active in Red Hot Quailettes, Red Hat Club in California, and Club Red in Centralia. She enjoyed traveling and gardening, and was a fan of the Seattle Mariners.

Steinbrenner served in various church capacities. She was a member of St. Anthony's Episcopal Church in California and All Saints Episcopal Church in Vancouver.

Steinbrenner was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Steinbrenner, in 2003. Survivors include sons Peter Steinbrenner of Wyoming, David Steinbrenner of Centralia and Joe Steinbrenner of Ridgefield, daughter Judy Phillips of Centralia, and seven grandchildren.

Inurnment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Chehalis.

VERA TAFT

Vera Lou (Lane) Taft, 74, died July 9, 2006, in Vancouver.

Taft was born March 26, 1932, in Yakima, attended schools in Yakima, and lived in the Yakima valley most of her life until moving to Vancouver in 2002 and then Battle Ground also in 2002.

Taft had worked for many years sorting apples in the Yakima valley. She served with the foster grandparents program in Yakima.

Taft enjoyed camping, cooking, crocheting, playing cards and bingo, and spending time with her family.

Taft was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Charles Taft, in 1984, and sisters Nadine Schuller and Juanita Brooks, both in 2006. Survivors include daughters Judy Greeley of Selah, Sharon Bruner of Nebraska, and Cindy Olhoft of Battle Ground, son Dwight Taft of East Wenatchee, sister Myrtle Williams of Renton, 12 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Mon., July 24, 2 p.m., at Mallard Landing Assisted Living, 813 SE Clark Ave., Battle Ground, with graveside service at Terrace Heights Memorial Park in Yakima on July 28, noon.

Davies Cremation & Burial Services is in charge of arrangements.

LINDA WOOD

Linda (Schnabel) Wood, 58, died July 10, 2006, in Vancouver.

Wood was born June 2, 1948, in Portland, grew up in Yakima and graduated from West Valley High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Portland State University.

Wood spent the last 33 years in La Center. She enjoyed traveling, gardening and spending time with her family.

Wood was preceded in death by her father, Loren Schnabel. Survivors include husband Arland Wood of La Center, mother Evelyn Cunningham of Oregon, son Jeff Wood of Vancouver, daughter Pam Neal of Vancouver, sisters Penny Reed of Oregon and Carol Irvin of California, and two grandchildren.

Services were held at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, with Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.

ELEANOR JEAN EDWARDS

Eleanor Jean (Idler) Edwards, 63, died July 10, 2006, in Vancouver.

Edwards was born July 10, 1943, in Vancouver. She graduated from Hudsons Bay High School and was married in 1961. She traveled for several years with her Air Force husband, living in Japan and several states in the U.S. She returned to Vancouver in the early 1970s.

An accounts payable clerk, Edwards worked for about 20 years for the Freightliner Corporation.

Edwards enjoyed her

grandchildren and her two dogs, and she loved to read. She was a member of Hillcrest Nazarene Church in Vancouver.

Edwards was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, David Edwards, and brother, Walt Idler. Survivors include daughters Cindy Keltner of Portland and Suzy Griffee of La Center, brother Russ Idler and sisters Patricia Edwards and Donna Edwards, all of Vancouver, step-sons Scott and Ted Edwards and step-daughter Char Edwards, all of Vancouver, and six grandchildren.

Hillcrest Nazarene Church officials conducted memorial services. Park Hill Cemetery of Vancouver handled interment arrangements.