LEVY FAILURE PROMPTS SPORTS FEE SPIKE

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

As of July 31, high school students in the Battle Ground School District who participate in sports pay doubled fees.

In a July 28 meeting, the District Board of Directors approved the plan after a tense, nearly three-hour meeting.

Board member Cecil Schlecht voted against the plan. Member Sam Kim was absent.

Last year, students were charged $50 per sport. This year, fees range from $65 to $100, depending on family income, multiple family members, and if a students participates in more than one sport. Those students who qualify for the reduced lunch program may take part in a sport for $85. If a student receives free lunches, the fee is $65. If there are multiple children and/or sports, the fee is $65 per student per sport.

A Pay-to-Play committee made up of parents, teachers, concerned patrons and coaches, came up with the plan over meetings the last few weeks.

Of those 18, 13 supported the current plan which also asked the Board to give about $115,000 to Prairie High School to supplement its sports programs. That's down $2,000 from the $117,000 the Board funded last year out of levy money.

The actual amount may change depending on the gap between fees generated and what it takes to run the program, said Kelly O'Brien, District communications consultant.

Battle Ground High School will lose its $117,000 from last year. Fees alone will support the programs, officials said.

Prairie will receive support because student athletes participate in state competitions more often than Battle Ground, and Battle Ground has a larger student body with more Associated Student Body (ASB) income, said Mary Beth Lynn, District finance director.

ASB revenue, some of which supports sports, is dropping every year, largely due to state-mandated nutrition requirements that have virtually eliminated the sale of soft drinks and candy in schools, Lynn said. Water, juice, and healthy snacks are now offered.

"It's a sad state of affairs, but selling pop and candy used to support a lot of sports," she said.

Budget faces possible $3 million deficit

Board members felt rushed to make decisions on athletic fees because ASB offices in both high schools were set to open in two days.

In addition, numbers are still being crunched for a budget that is due by state law no later than Aug. 31.

Board member Karen Lehman moved to accept the committee's recommendation regarding sports fees and the District's help for Prairie, but the board left the door open to "revisit" the issue after the budget is adopted for the 2006-2007 school year.

"We can always come back and change [fees]," Lehman said. "It's the only thing I can think of as a compromise."

"The crucial problem before we settle on any issue is balancing the budget," said member Fred Striker. "We have to work and it will have to be give-and-take in other areas. The latest figure I heard is there is a $3 million shortfall in the budget. After the budget, [fees] could increase or decrease."

However, Schlect said the $42,000 generated in sports fees between the two schools last year seemed like a small enough amount for the District to fully fund it this year.

"I feel the District needs to fund sports," he said. "I challenge the District to find the money and keep fees the same."

Battle Ground High athletic director Butch Blue and principal Tim Lexow challenged the board to not make sports dependent on levy money at all.

Most school district's fund sports out of their general budgets, they both said.

"I've been kicking myself continually for not bringing it up during the levy proposal," Lexow said. "I don't think it's right that it's a levy line item."

"What's the message we send to volunteers, students and coaches when we say `We're not going to support you, you have to be self-supporting?'" Lexow said.

One general concern from the committee is that fewer students will sign up for sports because of cost. They anticipate a 10 percent drop in applications.

Fewer players means lower attendance at games, less concession stand revenue and less ASB card sales, said one parent.

One student told board members that last year there weren't enough people to cut from those who tried out for the baseball team.

"I'm afraid there may be no baseball this year," he said.

Blue said that he asked former employee Lynn Hicks about two months ago about the District's philosophy regarding extracurricular activities.

"She said they haven't developed one," Blue said. "We need a philosophy that assigns some sort of worth to extra curricular activity."

"I agree about the philosophy," Lehman said. "It's an area of work."

Committee member Russ Wadleigh verbally said board members were trying to go through children to hurt people who didn't vote for the levy.

"Your levy failed, and a lot of people have a lot of reasons, but your levy failed," he said. "Don't punish these kids for that."

"Hurting kids to send a message to their parents is a horrible thing to do," Wadleigh said. "You gotta charge more so people will vote for the next levy."

He also said that if board members don't think sports are good for children, they should throw it out. "If it's good, don't charge them to play and make it available for everyone, using emergency reserve funds.

"You're greedy," he added. "You asked for too much money. The board screwed up. You voted for bonuses for administrators but now you're going to charge kids to play sports?"

Committee members Sue Cranke and Vicky Sparks said Wadleigh did not speak for the group when he charged the board with intentionally hurting children.

"I don't remember discussions in the committee about hurting kids," Sparks said, "or showing voters they'll be penalized for a `no' vote. It's a reality, not a punishment. It's not the committee's intent to hurt."

O'Brien commended the citizens for their work.

"There's a lot of passion, a lot of care, a lot of emotion attached in the committee," she said. "They were able to pull together and explore this in a professional manner."

Striker closed the meeting with this comment: "In a perfect world and perfect funding by the state, we wouldn't have this problem."

Employment continues without pay as lawyers set date for hearing

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Ridgefield city council members agreed July 27 to stop paying salary and benefits to former city manager George Fox.

According to a City document, Fox was receiving monthly salary and expenses totaling $14,935.72.

Acting on a recommendation from city attorney Michael Wynne, council members approved a letter to Fox ending payments effective July 24. The letter announced a change in employment status to "Unpaid Administrative Leave."

Fox was served June 23 with a council resolution to remove him. On July 18, Fox filed for a hearing before the City Council. A hearing is allowed by state law.

State law, RCW 35A.13.140, says, "...a final resolution removing the manager shall not be adopted until a public hearing has been had." The law makes no specific reference to ending or continuing salaries.

Attorneys representing both parties are attempting to set a date and rules for a public hearing.

Fox's attorney Donald Greig recently said the health of his client is adversely affected by stress and must be considered when setting a date.

Council frustrations

Some council members want to hurry things along.

When Clary presented Wynne's recommendation, council member David Standal said the law says the council can set the date for a hearing. "I'd like to set a date at our convenience," he said.

"If we don't put our feet down, this could drag out a long time," said council member Scott Hanson.

Mayor Gladys Doriot said, "I don't understand why we can't give a date, with the frustrations we and citizens have..."

"Then we'll just continue to pay him," said Clary.

"This (action recommended) would stop paying him," said council member Chad Sessions.

Council members then agreed to take the action recommended by Wynne.

"I would just as soon err on legal advice," said Doriot.

CRAWFORD KILLER SENTENCED BY COURT

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

In what is described as a "very emotional courtroom," Robin Schreiber was sentenced July 27 to 29 years in prison with two years credit for time already served.

Schreiber, 45, was found guilty late last month of second degree murder in the death of Clark County Sheriff's Sgt. Brad Crawford.

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.

Clark County prosecutor Art Curtis chose not to seek the death penalty with support from Crawford's family.

The standard sentencing range for second degree murder is 10-18 years. An aggravating factor of being armed with a deadly weapon adds five years.

Prior to his sentencing before Superior Court judge Robert Harris, Schreiber listened to testimony from his family and Crawford's family in a hearing that took nearly three hours.

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

Schreiber took off in his 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.

Crawford, just seconds ahead of Schreiber, drove his patrol car to a bend in the road at NE 124th Ave. to keep traffic out of the area.

Witnesses said Schreiber accelerated and aimed his truck toward the unmarked car. He slammed into the side of the car so hard it came off its frame and compressed the driver's seat to seven inches wide. Crawford's body was on the passenger side and partially out the window.

Officers used the winch on Schreiber's truck to pull the car out enough to free Crawford. He was taken by Life Flight to a hospital in Portland. He died a few hours later.

Prosecutors said Schreiber deliberately killed Crawford in a premeditated act.

The defense said Schreiber was guilty of first or second degree manslaughter because it was negligent and an accident because of his frame of mind and that he was drunk.

Jurors decided that although Schreiber deliberately killed the sergeant, it was not premeditated.

They also found Schreiber guilty of being armed with a firearm when he committed murder, an aggravating factor in sentencing.

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

While in prison, Schreiber must undergo mandatory alcohol/substance abuse treatment.

Chris Torrens and

Heidi Wallenborn

A design for a second K-8 campus in Battle Ground was approved July 18 by Battle Ground School District board members.

The new school is to be built on nearly 60 acres east of Battle Ground sometime in 2008. The location is south of NE 209th St. between NE 127th and NE 176th avenues.

The design is almost "cookie cutter" from the one being used to build a new K-8 campus on the corner of NW 20th Ave. and NE 239th St., on what was formerly the Cresap family property. Those schools, called Daybreak Middle School and Daybreak Primary School, are expted to open in 2007.

"It's very similar," said Kelly O'Brien, District communications consultant. "There will be some difference because the terrain is different, but we anticipate is to look exactly the same."

Board members chose to use the design twice to be cost effective by saving on architectural fees, O'Brien said.

The school, at an estimated cost of $23.1 million, will be paid for with a $99.6 million bond that voters approved in March 2005.

The campus will consist of three buildings with a total of about 119,500 square feet. One building will house grades K-4 and preschool students, another grades 5-8, and a third will be a commons building.

The K-4 building will be two levels with 16 classrooms, four alternate classrooms, two kindergarten classrooms, and a pre-school room. It will also house administrative and conference rooms.

The grades 5-8 building will consist of 12 classrooms, three alternate classrooms, four science and math classrooms, one life skills room, and administrative and conference rooms.

The commons area will be central to the other buildings and accessible from both. It will feature a cafeteria, presentation space, tech and media centers for all grades, two gyms and locker rooms. It will also house choir, band, and drama rooms.

During the board meeting, members also approved a new cafeteria design for Laurin Middle School.

The $1.4 million project will be about 8,000 square feet and house about 700 students in four grades. Completion date is March 2008.

For more information, call Kelly O'Brien at 904-1233.

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

A request to bring 280 acres into the city limits of Battle Ground will be heard a third time on Mon., Aug. 7, by Battle Ground city council members.

A public hearing is set for 7 p.m., in council chambers on the second floor of city hall, 109 SW 1st St.

If council members approve, an ordinance making the annexation formal will be brought back for a vote at the Mon., Aug. 21 meeting, said city manager Eric Holmes.

A Notice of Intent to apply for annexation from more than 10 percent of current landowners was received by City officials on Dec. 7, 2005, and accepted by council members at a meeting on Jan. 16 this year.

However, of some concern is the current hold on sewer availability for future development.

In January this year, city planner Brian Carrico said that because of the city's limited sewer capacity, he recommended rejecting the petition for now.

However, he suggested that property owners could sign a pre-annexation agreement to not develop land until Phase IV of the Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, which would increase sewer capacity, is finished in 2009.

Council members agreed. However, an agreement had not been signed as yet to limit residential sewer hookups, according to Adrienne DeDona, city spokesperson.

The Eastside Annexation, with 55 parcels, 39 dwelling units, and 113 people, is located on the north side of NE 199th St. The Battle Ground Commerce Center is on its west and NE 157th Ave. on the east. The north side will follow Charles Goodard Rd. until the beginning of NE Charleston Drive.

The current zoning for the parcel is urban holding. If annexed, the zoning will change to current approved zoning for the city, which is a combination of residential, mixed use, and light industrial.

In order for the petition to be approved by state law, property owners totalling 60 percent of assessed valuation must approve annexation.

They have provided such a petition, said mayor John Idsinga, so council members will determine at the public hearing whether to go ahead. They are expected to discuss at that time what to do about a sewer contingency agreement with the property owners, DeDona said.

If approved, the Eastside Annexation will be part of the city within 30 days of the ordinance passing.

About 90 relatives of the late L.I. and Bessie Nichols gathered July 21 for a first-ever reunion, honoring their parents who were a part of north Clark County history.

The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Lemuel Irvin Otis Nichols, referred to both as "L.I." and as "Nick," and his wife Bessie (Smith) Nichols, held a four-day reunion, including a gathering at Lewisville Park near Battle Ground.

L.I. and Bessie Nichols owned and operated the Rock Creek Store from 1936 until 1945s, offering gas, oil, groceries and barrels of penny candy, recalls their daughter Gail Golden, now a resident of Ridgefield.

The Nichols came from Oklahoma to the Clark County area.

L.I. was master of the Fargher Lake Grange and a scout leader.

After the war, L.I. turned the store over to two of his sons-in-law who had served in the military. He and Bessie bought the Amboy Store which was located near the present-day North County Historical Museum. That store burned in 1953, said Golden, and her parents moved to California.

The Nichols had seven children, all of whom attended the reunion: Verda Smith from Oklahoma, Ginger Bryant from Alabama, Jack Shaha, George Nichols and Fran Weeks, all from California, Betty Wing from Oregon and Golden.

The family also includes 28 grandchildren of L.I. and Bessie, and 53 great-grandchildren.

Bessie had three children before she married L.I., and together they had four more, the last when Bessie was age 43.

"Dad carried a lot of people on credit," recalled Golden of her father's business practices. The former Rock Creek Store was sold and closed, said Golden, even though a sign remains identifying it as a former place of business. The store was located at what is now the corner of SR-503 and Gabriel Rd., Battle Ground.

Golden also recalls rationing and the need for coupons to buy meat and certain other products.

Four of the Nichols children graduated from Battle Ground High School, the first in 1938 and the last--Golden--in 1950. Three others graduated from schools in California.

L.I. Nichols died in 1952 at age 62, and Bessie died in 1993 at age 93.

BG DISTRICT STADIUM GAINS NEW SURFACE

A new, all-weather surface has been installed at District Stadium at Battle Ground High School at a cost of about $1.1 million.

The school board approved the project on Jan. 14, and gave the go-ahead to borrowing about $1.7 million on April 1, 2006. The work was begun in January 2006 and completed June 30.

District spokesperson Kelly O'Brien said the natural grass surface was inadequate. "An upgrade was needed to meet the needs of students, athletes and those participating in physical education classes," said O'Brien.

"In order to preserve the financial investment made and make the best use of public dollars," said O'Brien, "the District has set a schedule for open use of the track and field."

During the summer, the track area is open to the public Fri.-Tues., 12:30-8:30 p.m. O'Brien said evening and weekend hours will be available in the fall with a schedule to be developed later.

Public access is based on when District staff is available to oversee track use, said O'Brien.

Atlas Track and Field Turf of Tualatin, OR was the winning bidder.

O'Brien said two types of surface materials were considered. The board approved the FieldTurf 2.5' Monofilament Series because of longer life expectancy, said O'Brien.

O'Brien said the two District high schools have priority for using the new turf. Others may apply to use the field. "We will be working in the near future to update our facility use procedures and fees," said O'Brien.

O'Brien said that about $490,000 of the borrowed money was used to repair siding at Maple Grove Middle School. She said about $141,000 of the borrowed money remains, with plans for its use still under consideration.

O'Brien said board members continue to listen to public suggestions on further improvements to District stadium, including work on the scoreboard and improved seating.

O'Brien said the $1.7 million loan is at 3.65% for five years. The debt will be repaid with general fund dollars, said O'Brien.

UTILITY HIKES MANAGER'S SALARY

Wayne Nelson, CEO/general manager of Clark Public Utilities, now earns $178,400 a year.

The utility's board of commissioners approved a 4% increase in Nelson's salary last week, boosting his pay from his prior rate of $171,600 effective July 1.

Nelson also receives a monthly car allowance of $400, and 24 days a year of vacation. He is allowed to convert 100 hours (12.5 days) of sick leave to vacation annually.

"Wayne has provided strong leadership for the utility," said Carol Curtis, president of the board of commissioners. "We're particularly pleased that he's been able to keep intact the utility's strong senior management team. And we're extremely pleased by Wayne's efforts to build a strong relationship with the Bonneville Power Administration."

"We're very pleased that under Wayne's leadership, residential electric rates haven't increased for more than three years," added Curtis.

Utility spokesman Mick Shutt said Nelson's salary is lower than rates paid at similar utilities.

Shutt said that the director of utilities in Tacoma, which provides electric service to about the same number of customers as Clark, earns about $243,000 annually.

Officials planning improvements to the I-5 interstate bridge have reduced their options to 11 alternate courses of action, plus the no action alternative, and will study those alternatives through year's end.

Barbara Hart, spokesperson for the Columbia River Crossing study group, said the alternate "packages" were presented to the Task Force studying river crossing issues on July 12.

The next meeting of the Task Force is set for Wed., Aug. 16, 4-6:30 p.m., at the OAME building, 4134 N Vancouver Ave., Portland. Information is available from Barbara Hart, 816-2163, and on the internet at www.

columbiarivercrossing.org

Consultants will use traffic models to determine the impacts of each "package" on traffic and other considerations, said Hart.

Later in the year, said Hart, the elements of the "package" solutions could be grouped differently to maximize problem-solving capability.

Five of the packages involve the construction of a new, supplemental bridge downstream from the existing I-5 twin bridges, while leaving the current bridges in place.

Five other packages involve replacing the existing bridges with a nearby new bridge location either east or west of the current structures.

Another package uses transportation system management to solve traffic problems, but does not include new bridge construction.

And the last option is the "no action" alternative and leaves the situation as it is today.

The 12 alternatives are summarized below.

Alternative 1

This is the "no action" option, leaving the bridge, traffic lanes and transit situation as they are today.

Alternative 2

This alternative involves no construction work, and retains three general-purpose lanes in both directions. It includes "system management" and "demand management" (TSM/TDM) actions such as incentives to use options other than cars, telecommuting, shifting work hours, on/off ramp regulation and transit encouragement.

All alternatives discussed below also contain these system management and demand management actions.

Alternative 3

Under this alternative, a supplemental bridge would be constructed downstream from I-5 for both arterial and transit traffic. Interstate traffic would remain on the existing bridges in general purpose lanes. Hayden Island interchange on I-5 would be removed with access to Hayden Island from the new arterial. Light rail would be extended to Vancouver on the new bridge. Southbound traffic on the new bridge would end up on surface streets.

Alternative 4

Under this alternative, a supplemental bridge would be constructed downstream from I-5 for I-5 traffic with both general purpose and managed lanes. (Managed means a range of controls from lanes dedicated to trucking, to HOV lanes to lanes that have special uses during certain hours of the day). Congestion pricing is part of the plan. The western existing I-5 bridge would carry light rail. Existing Hayden Island interchange would be removed in alternatives 3-7, and reconfigured in alternatives 8-12). No direct access to Hayden Island from I-5. Managed lanes on I-5 for HOV and/or freight. Existing eastern bridge would carry arterial (local) traffic.

Alternative 5

Under this alternative, a downstream supplemental bridge would carry I-5 traffic in both general purpose and managed lanes. Existing westerly I-5 bridge would carry bus rapid transit in exclusive lanes, and easterly bridge would carry arterial traffic. Mill Plain, 4th Plain, SR-500 and 39th St., and Hwy 14 interchanges would be reconfigured. (These interchanges would be reconfigured in alternatives 4-12 as well). No light rail.

Alternative 6

This alternative includes a supplemental, downstream bridge which would carry I-5 traffic in both general purpose and a managed lane. Existing bridges would carry arterial traffic and bus rapid transit in both dedicated lanes and general purpose lanes.

Alternative 7

This alternative includes a supplemental, downstream bridge which would carry I-5 traffic in general purpose lanes. Buses would operate in mixed traffic. Existing bridges would carry arterial traffic in north and southbound directions as at present.

Alternative 8

Alternatives 8-12 involve the replacement of the existing I-5 bridges.

Under alternative 8, a new I-5 replacement bridge would be constructed downstream from the current alignment for I-5 traffic in both general purpose and managed lanes. Light rail would be extended to Vancouver and Clark College. Express buses would operate in managed lanes. Congestion pricing is part of this plan.

Alternative 9

This alternative is the same at Alternative 8 except it does not include express buses and adds a managed on-ramp lane for freight in some locations.

Alternative 10

This alternative involves a new I-5 replacement bridge located upstream from the current alignment, with bus rapid transit and no light rail.

Alterative 11

This alternative involves a new I-5 replacement bridge located downstream from the current alignment, with bus rapid transit in both managed and general purpose lanes.

Alternative 12

This alternative involves construction of a new I-5 bridge located upstream from the current alignment with express buses operating in general purpose lanes.

Next step: evaluation

Kris Strickler, lead project engineer with the state Department of Transportation, said the 12 alternatives would be evaluated and modified over the next several months, leading to the development of 2-4 alternatives by 2007.

Lead project consultant Jay Lyman said a transportation model, developed jointly by Metro in Portland and the Regional Transportation Council, would be used to simulate traffic patterns with each alternative.

Lyman said travel time and cost are factors in the model that help determine how many people would ride light rail or bus rapid transit.

The model employs a value for people's time, said Lynam, and predicts that people of certain income would choose transit under alternate conditions of time and cost.

Even though buses would uses dedicated lanes in some alternatives, they would also us general purposes lanes and therefore not have the same travel times as light rail, said Strickler.

Strickler said cost would also be a factor when the alternatives are evaluated.

The approximate construction and operating costs of each alternative will be estimated, said Strickler, as alternates are evaluated.

Hart said public open houses will be held in 2007. Public comments are invited at each meeting of the Task Force as well.

EDITORIAL:

POOL GROUP INKS PACT WITH YMCA

The Woodland Community Swimming Pool Committee has entered into an agreement with the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette to operate a pool in Woodland once it is constructed.

Both Bob Hall, president of YMCA of Columbia-Willamette, and Benno Dobbe, president of the Woodland Community Swimming Pool Committee (WCSPC), expressed pleasure with the Memorandum of Understanding.

"This partnership between the YMCA and WCSPC clears the path for us to begin raising the additional capital funds needed to build and furnish the facility," said Dobbe. "Our goal is to build a debt-free project from the start.

"Also, we will be raising funds to financially assist those who can't afford the fees, which is important to meeting community needs."

"We are really enthused to be a part of this project and to have the opportunity to partner with WCSPC to bring a pool and recreation center to the community," said Hall. "Horseshoe Lake Park is the best location in Woodland for this recreational project and an ideal setting for families to enjoy what will be a wonderful facility."

Dobbe said the YMCA has a history of successfully operating health and fitness centers. "We are very, very excited about this development.

"We've never claimed to be pool experts," said Dobbe of his fundraising group. "It's good to get the pool experts on board.

"There is a tremendous amount of community support for this project," said Dobbe, who said the first attempt to build a pool in Woodland dated back to the 1950s. "To have the YMCA as a partner will not only held us fund and build the pool, but also operate the facility once built. This partnership is as good as it gets."

Dobbe said the partnership will attract support for the pool project. The YMCA is the largest operator of pools in the world with nearly 2,000 in the United States, said Dobbe.

Dobbe said the first phase of the project will be an 18,000-20,000 square foot structure with a leisure pool, locker room, fitness area, meeting rooms, exercise rooms, kitchen, offices and a child care center.

Dobbe said a construction cost estimate for Phase I is not yet available.

Dobbe said previous court challenges to the location of the pool at Horseshoe Lake Park have been dealt with, clearing the way for fundraising and construction. He said construction could begin in 2007.

EMS DISTRICT SEEKS $1.41 LEVY

The Emergency Medical Services district that serves northeast Clark County will ask voters to approve a levy that will lower residents' property tax obligation.

Clark Country EMS District 1 will request a $1.41 three-year levy during the Sept. 19 primary election.

The last levy, approved four years ago, was $1.50 per $1,000 of property value.

District Chief Tom McDowell said the district's increase in population helped lower the levy rate.

"We're going down; that's good," he said.

The 2006 budget is $1.3 million. Recently the district spent $100,000 to purchase a rescue rig to replace a 1993 vehicle with 200,000 miles. No capital projects are planned for the near future.

The district's territory includes View, Amboy, Yacolt, Chelatchie, Heisson, Fargher Lake and the Cougar area in Cowlitz County.

The District has four rescue rigs and eight paid paramedics. Two full-time rigs are housed at Yacolt and Fargher Lake.

A part-time rescue rig is located during the summer at Cresap Bay on SR 503 near Cougar. The Cresap Bay rig "was busy through the weekend," McDowell said.

In addition to providing ambulance service, District 1 provides search and rescue in Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties.

"We cover about 500 miles in Clark and Cowlitz counties," McDowell said.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Improvements to Lewis River Road may come within a few years, but Woodland commuters probably will have to wait as long as 15-20 years to see improvements to the city's two I-5 interchanges.

"When you impact the freeway traffic, they (Washington Department of Transportation) get very excited about it," said Rosemary Brinson-Siipola, transportation planner-manager for the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (COG).

The COG has received $506,000 to begin a study to create a transportation plan for the Woodland area including the I-5 interchanges at SR-503 and Dike Access Road. Brinson-Siipola said the study will take about 18 months to complete.

"I think our analysis will show traffic backing up on the freeway in a few years," she said.

The transportation study will also analyze the intersection of East Scott Avenue and Old Pacific Highway and railroad grade crossings on Guild and Peking roads.

Development of a plan for the interchanges will include public comments and ideas, and the resulting plan will lay out funding partnerships, Brinson-Siipola said.

"At the interchanges, there will be nothing done for 10, 15 or 20 years, because you could spend $50-$100 million," she said. "There's not one dime allocated. This is a real critical process, and we are nowhere near construction."

Residential and commercial developers are not required to pay transportation impact fees to the city. The city council recently rejected a move to institute the fees that are designed to pay for increased use of streets and highways.

"That sets them back," Brinson-Siipola said about the city's lack of impact fees. "Local funding has to be found somehow. When we come back with our plan in 18 months, we'll ask what the city can do."

If transportation impact fees were in place, widening and putting signal lights along SR-503 in the city limits could "almost be fully funded with the houses on the books," said Woodland Mayor Doug Monge.

As new developments occur adjacent to the state highway, developers must provide improvements along their land. If a new subdivision fronts on the road, the developer must install sidewalks and turn lanes at entries to the subdivision.

Developers could pay for these improvements by placing funds into one account for an overall SR-503 upgrade, Monge said, or each developer could make improvements individually. He said the city has not decided which way to proceed.

The city has also received about $855,000 for SR-503 improvements from federal transportation funds. No state transportation funds have been allocated for SR-503 through Woodland.

"We don't have enough (money) to begin," Monge said. "It will take $3-$4 million to buy property, do the widening, striping."

The cost of widening, striping and placing traffic signals along the state highway has been estimated at $4 million.

In its six-year transportation improvement program, the city also identified the need for local connector streets from SR-503 to Gun Club Road to Insel Road at an estimated cost of $970,000, and improvements to Fifth Street and South Pekin Road at an estimated cost of xxx.

The total estimated costs for all improvements are $6.5 million.

Applications or pre-applications for as many as 650 new homes, most on the east side of Woodland, have been submitted to the city.

VOTERS MAY GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO APPROVE POLICE-FIRE BUILDING

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Woodland voters may get another chance to approve a funding for a new building for the city's police and fire departments.

The city's facilities committee is expected to ask the city council on Mon., Aug. 7, to approve a proposed $5 million bond issue that would go to the voters in November.

Voters defeated a $5.6 million bond issue for a public safety building in May 2005.

The city has bought property at Scott Road and Old Highway 99 east of I-5. Mayor Doug Monge said about $80,000 worth of improvements need to be completed before a building can be constructed there.

Monge said the eastside site was selected because of the city's growth east of I-5.

The building, if approved, would house both fire and police departments and give the city a second fire station.

Although fire department offices would be moved to the new building, some fire equipment would remain in the station on Davidson Street.

"The response times to the east side would be much better," Monge said. "This not only expands our police and fire protection, it gives the city the ability to grow. The two work together."

If the city council approves the bond measure, the city will sponsor town hall meetings and officials will meet with Woodland organizations to discuss the need for a new building, Monge said.

The earliest construction could begin would be late 2007 or early 2008, he said.

In the meantime, the city has rented space in a building at 226 Davidson Ave., next to the city annex, to house public works department employees. The city will share the building with attorney Janna Lovejoy.

The city has agreed to a monthly lease at $650 for 500 square feet.

During the council meeting July 17, some members expressed concern about sharing a building and renting space, but all members except John J. Burke voted to lease the space.

"I don't know if this is the right idea," Burke said. "I don't like renting a building; I don't like sharing space."

Darwin Rounds also objected, but he said, "I don't like it; I don't think anybody likes it, but we've got to do something."

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

La Center has taken over operation of its sewer plant from Clark Public Utilities.

The city began operating the plant on Aug. 1 and is expected to begin design work for an expanded wastewater treatment system soon.

The City Council voted to set the sewer rates at $41 monthly, up from the $35 charged by Clark Public Utilities.

The system development charge paid by owners of newly-constructed homes will increase from $5,000 to $7,200.

Public Works Director Jeff Sarvis said that the current treatment plant, while adequate to serve the existing population, will soon reach capacity and will not be adequate to serve new subdivisions, such as the multi-use development planned for the Timmen Road-La Center Road intersection.

Clark Public Utilities last expanded the system capacity in May 2004 when it opened a $4.5 million treatment plant. Sarvis said the city will receive a $1 million loan from the state public works trust fund to design a larger plant.

The design will take about a year, he said.

Cascade Design Professionals, the company that analyzed the existing system, said last year that the cost of upgrading the sewer system would exceed $5.5 million by 2014.

To complete the acquisition of the $8.3 million sewer system required the city to pay $1.2 million in outstanding revenue bonds and assume a $3 million debt from the public works trust loan, said Mick Shutt, public utility spokesman.

The city has hired two employees, a supervisor and a plant operator, Sarvis said.

Clark Public Utilities will continue to operate the city's water system.

The city has asked Clark County to allow expansion of the urban growth area to the I-5 interchange where the Cowlitz Tribe has proposed to build a casino. The Tribe has not said whether it will construct a separate wastewater treatment system or buy into a city system.

Industrial zones are also planned for the interchange area, and Sarvis has said the city must be prepared for new industrial development.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Urban development along Northeast 119th Street may continue while the City of Vancouver appeals a Clark County decision to remove the property from urban holding designation.

In June, the county opened 1,100 formerly restricted acres at the south end of the Battle Ground School District to development. The action gave the green light to a combination of commercial and residential development.

The City of Vancouver filed an appeal July 20 with the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board. No date has been set for the board to hear the appeal, said Laura Hudson of Vancouver's long-range planning department.

"We want to make sure the plan for growth is done the right way," Hudson said. "We want to make sure there are no unintended consequences for the people coming in and for the people already there."

The properties released for development lie between 119th and 99th streets and 152nd and 172nd avenues.

Hudson said that under state law, the county can "continue to approve and accept development even if there is an appeal."

In May, the Battle Ground School District expressed concerns to the county commissioners about the student enrollment that could be generated by residential development, and the commissioners set a requirement that a suitable school site must be found before development can begin.

"The district is in a wait-and-see mode," said Kelly O'Brien, school district spokeswoman. "We'll prepare as best we can."

Vancouver's Hudson said the city is asking the hearings board to delay lifting the urban holding designation "until there is a plan that includes sewer treatment, water, storm drainage, roads, police, fire and schools.

"There is no sewer service there now," Hudson said. "Clark Public Utilities can extend water to the area but the lines aren't as large as the city would extend."

Transportation is an important issue, Hudson said.

"There is a fair amount of commercial development along 117th Avenue, but the road system is not there," she said. "We need to look at and see how to provide transportation and how you're going to pay for it."

At the time the commissioners lifted the urban holding designation, they set conditions that included preparing development agreements between the various builders and the county.

The resolution requires developers to pay "enhanced fees" and make short-term road improvements. The amount of fees has not yet been set, said Rich Carson, the county's community development director.

Pre-applications for development have been received by the county, but nothing can be done until after impact fees have been established and a site for a school has been identified, a process that could take between 45 and 60 days, Carson said.

The county's urban holding designation allows land to be held until infrastructure is available for commercial or residential development.

Accepts chief position in Kalama

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Bruce Hall, the Ridgefield chief of police placed on paid leave on May 18, resigned his position on July 21.

In a brief letter to interim-city manager Justin Clary, Hall said he accepted a full-time chief of police position at a neighboring city.

Interviewed on July 26, Hall said he accepted an offer to become the chief of police at Kalama, where he worked as a part-time consultant since 2003.

Hall said he "needed to move on to better his life."

Clary said Hall's resignation will bring to a close an outside investigation into management of City police operations at a savings to taxpayers.

City officials would not give further details concerning the investigation, launched at City direction by an independent investigator in late May.

Ridgefield city attorney Michael Wynne, who is also city attorney at Kalama, said Kalama city council members approved Hall's employment.

STATE APPLAUDS RIDGEFIELD, WOODLAND

High fives for wastewater treatment plant workers

Bill Myers

staff reporter

State Department of Ecology officials are high-fiving City of Ridgefield and Woodland wastewater treatment workers.

A recent Ecology letter said both wastewater treatment plants were among 46 of 305 plants in Washington that earned "Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant" awards in 2005.

State officials presented the award to Ridgefield officials on July 27. They plan to make the Woodland presentation at a city council meeting on Aug. 7.

The awards are given to cities that achieve full compliance with conditions of state discharge permits.

This makes three years in a row for the Woodland plant, said City wastewater treatment plant manager Mark Morgan. Ridgefield also made the grade in 2004.

"Meeting the requirement isn't easy," said Morgan. He said plant operators must meet Ecology requirements and send several reports each month on bio-chemical oxygen demands, suspended solids, Ph factors, fecal coliform and ammonia.

Cities meeting permit standards had no spills into Washington waters during 2005, said Ecology public information manager Sandy Howard. The cities also passed every environmental test and analyzed samples according to Ecology requirements, she said.

Wastewater treatment plants treat household sewage and industrial waste all day, every day, said Howard. Ecology issues permits that limit discharges into lakes, river or marine waters or onto the ground.

"I am impressed by the extraordinary effort demonstrated by the staff at these 46 treatment plants," said Ecology water-quality program manager Dave Peeler.

TRANSIENT FOUND DROWNED IN RIVER

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

A 60-year-old transient man was found dead July 27 in the East Fork of the Lewis River in Woodland.

Melvin Sharp, described as balding with a long, gray beard, was found about 11:30 a.m. by a fisherman in a boat.

Sharp was submerged under water and held in place by a snag tree, according to a Woodland police bulletin. His body was found behind Fisherman's Depot in the 1200 block of Lewis River Rd., Woodland.

A medical examiner's report listed the cause of death as accidental drowning.

Two days prior on July 25, Woodland police were dispatched to 1455 Hoffman St. on the report of a suspicious person drinking from a paper sack near businesses.

That person was Sharp, according to a police report. Sharp told officers that he tries to go where no one will see him but he gets called in as a suspicious person and the police show up.

Sharp assured the officer he would not drink in public anymore, the report said.

Two Vancouver residents were injured July 29 when the water toy they were in behind a boat collided with a pillar of the I-205 bridge in the Columbia River.

Ken Warren, 57, of Brush Prairie, was driving a 19-foot 1978 Cobalt ski boat about 5:30 p.m., pulling a two-person water toy with back support, according to a bulletin from the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses said that as Warren was making a turn near the bridge on the north side of Government Island, he appeared to misjudge the distance between the water toy and one of the bridge pillars.

When the water toy hit the pillar, Warren's son and daughter-in-law, Troy Drieling, 37, and Kim Drieling, 23, were ejected.

Kim Drieling was knocked unconscious and suffered back injuries, and Troy Drieling suffered a leg injury, the bulletin said. Both wore life jackets.

Nearby witnesses ran to their boats and drove out to help the couple, the report said.

The couple were transported to an area hospital by ambulance.

Witnesses said that the boat did not appear to be going too fast or driving recklessly, the bulletin said. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor.

According to the bulletin, driver inexperience may have been the reason for the crash. No charges are pending.

CANDIDATES FILE FOR OFFICES IN CLARK, COWLITZ COUNTIES

Candidates lined up for the fall election cycle last week during the July 24-28 filing period.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) will face two Republican challengers in Michael Messmore of Chehalis and Daniel Miller of Olympia.

Fifteen people want to be U.S. Senator from Washington, including incumbent Maria Cantwell (D-Edmonds).

Republican Mike McGavick (Seattle) has the endorsement of his party.

Others filing for the position include Mohammad H. Said, Barry Massoudi, Mike the Mover, and Michael Goodspaceguy Nelson.

State House of Representatives

In the 17th legislative district, incumbent Jim Dunn (R) will face Democrats Pat Campbell and Jack Burkman, and incumbent Deb Wallace (D) will face Republican Paul Harris (R). All are from Vancouver.

In the 18th District, incumbent Ed Orcutt (R) of Kalama is being challenged by Democrat Julie McCord of Camas, and incumbent Richard Curtis (R-La Center) will face Democrat challenger Jonathan Fant, also of La Center.

Clark County

In Clark County races, incumbent county commissioner Steve Stuart (D) will face Republican challenger Bruce Hagensen, and assessor Linda Franklin (D) is challenged by department employee Bill Jameson (R).

Marcine Miles and Sherry Parker, both Democrats, and Republican Baine Wilson will vie for county clerk, a position being vacated by incumbent JoAnne McBride.

Incumbent sheriff Garry Lucas (R) is being challenged by Timothy Shotwell (D). Both are residents of Vancouver.

Prosecuting attorney Art Curtis, auditor Greg Kimsey, treasurer Doug Lasher, and all six district court judges are unopposed.

An extended filing period continues through Fri., Aug. 4, 5 p.m., for Democrats filing for Clark County auditor, and for Republicans filing for prosecuting attorney and treasurer. Candidates for these positions will need the endorsement of their political parties. Information, 397-2345.

Jim Malinowski of Amboy will challenge incumbent Carol Curtis of Vancouver for a position on the Clark Public Utilities board of commissioners, a non-partisan post.

Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County commissioner Jeff Rasmussen (R-Longview) will face challengers Axel Swanson, Elizabeth Webb and Chuck Wallace, all Longview Democrats, and Republican Ken Spring, also of Longview.

Cowlitz Public Utility District commissioner Mark McCrady will be opposed by John Searing and Howard Meharg in the non-partisan race. All three are from Longview.

All other incumbents in Cowlitz County government are unopposed for reelection. Pursuant to state law, candidates endorsed by their parties may file by Fri., Aug. 4, for positions in which no one from that party filed last week.

Battle Ground School District superintendent Shonny Bria is the sole finalist for the position of superintendent of the Corpus Christi Independent School District in Texas.

Corpus Christi officials and Bria have agreed to a 21-day negotiation period during which time Bria will determine if she will accept the position.

Bria said she will spend two days this week in Corpus Christi and two days the following week. She was not certain when the 21-day period ends.

School starts in Corpus Christi on Aug. 7.

Bria said that, if she accepts the position, she won't leave Battle Ground until the district's 2006-07 budget is finalized, including changes due to the levy failure. "I have a responsibility to this district," said Bria. "I won't leave until we have a balanced budget sent to the state."

Bria said she applied for the Corpus Christi position about July 4.

The Corpus Christi Independent School District has about 38,000 students, about three-quarters of whom are hispanic. The 7-member Corpus Christi school board voted 5-2 in favor of Bria.

Bria said she has not yet questioned the two board members who voted against her.

Bria said retirement benefits in Texas are the same as Arizona and Colorado, and are more lucrative than Washington, a factor that led Bria to previously apply for positions in Arizona.

Family considerations

Bria said she is interested in the Texas position because her husband's parents are both in ill health and live in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Bria's husband, Gary, is telecommuting from Battle Ground to a job in Phoenix, AZ. Both want to be closer to her husband's ill parents, said Bria.

Corpus Christi is about a 35-minute commuter flight from Ft. Worth, said Bria.

Bria said the Corpus Christi board had kept the application process confidential. "I literally had a police officer escort me into an elevator, put in a card, and take me to a certain room where I met the board," said Bria.

The whole process was confidential, said Bria. "I was rather uncomfortable," she said.

Bria said she has yet to see an organizational chart for the Corpus Christi district, a budget, or the results of a curriculum audit. "I haven't had an opportunity to ask them my questions," said Bria.

A Corpus Christi newspaper criticized the secrecy surrounding the selection process for a superintendent. The newspaper complained that the trustees "shut out the public."

The district obtained a court order relieving it of a previous ruling that ordered the district to release the names of finalists, according to the Corpus Christi Caller Times newspaper. "The district has the cover of state law that allows, but doesn't require, it to release only the name of the person to whom the district will offer a contract," wrote the newspaper.

"How can the trustees, much less the public, know which candidate is the best qualified for the job if the board, working in a process kept under wraps, doesn't know, or doesn't care to communicate the long-term direction it wants to set," added the newspaper editorial. "The trustees' defense that applicants' confidentiality must be protected is bogus. The closed process allows the trustees' private agendas, rather than the public's interest, to guide the search. The trustees have treated the public shabbily in a too-secretive process that deserves the utmost transparency."

In a letter to Battle Ground School District employees, Bria said she and her husband need to be closer to his failing parents. She stressed her commitment to Battle Ground during the budget negotiation process and expressed appreciation for staff efforts.

Bria has been superintendent of Battle Ground schools since 1998. She was previously with the Pendergast School District in Arizona for nine years, five as superintendent.

Battle Ground school board chair Sam Kim could not be reached for comment on succession planning. Diana Gilsinger is presently deputy superintendent in Battle Ground.

OBITS:

MILLIE DISTEFANO

Mildred "Millie" Rose DiStefano, 58, died July 4, 2006, in Battle Ground.

DiStefano was born Feb. 26, 1949, in Stockton, CA, and lived in LaCenter before moving to Battle Ground 25 years ago.

DiStefano worked as a bartender at the Place Tavern, Phoenix and Battle Ground Inn, all in Battle Ground. She loved animals and enjoyed gardening.

DiStefano was preceded in death by her mother, Jackie DiStefano, in 2003, father Frank DiStefano in 1985, and brother John DiStefano. Survivors include sons Robert Mobley of Vancouver and Jim Robertson of Yacolt, sister Janeene DiStefano of Woodland, and brother Charles DiStefano of Ridgefield.

Layne's Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Arthur Eugene Reeves, 80, died July 28, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Reeves was born Sept. 17, 1925, in Gordon, Nebraska, and lived in Umpqua, OR for 25 years before moving to Battle Ground two years ago.

Reeves worked as an auditor for SDA Conference.

Reeves enjoyed woodworking, gardening, hiking and Bible study. He loved his grandchildren. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Reeves was preceded in death by his first wife, Arlene Reeves, in 1977, son Kenyon Reeves, and brother Orville Reeves. Survivors include widow Judy Reeves, at home in Battle Ground, sons Linden Reeves of California, Curtis Reeves of Tennessee, Evan Reeves of Oregon, and Vincent Reeves of Colorado, daughters Dea Vickers of Oregon, Dianna Bell of Idaho and Didi Rubert of Washougal, brothers Lloyd Reeves of Kettle Falls and Richard Reeves of College Place, 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Tues., Aug. 1, 3 p.m., at Hockinson Heights SDA Church, Brush Prairie, with interment at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland. Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, is in charge of arrangements.

GEORGE WILLIS

George Franklin Willis, 88, died July 25, 2006, in Vancouver.

Willis was born July 14, 1918, in Arvada, CO, and lived in Clark County for 35 years, the last 33 years in Battle Ground.

Willis enjoyed woodworking, hunting and fishing. He was a member of the VFW and Disabled VFW. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Willis had worked in construction.

Survivors include widow Victoria Willis, at home in Battle Ground, son James Willis of Walla Walla, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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