ENGINE COULD LEAVE BG UNDER OWN STEAM

A steam locomotive sold by the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce to a Longview man could be running and leave Battle Ground under its own steam power by spring 2007.

That's the plan by the locomotive's new owner, Brian Fleming of Longview, who acquired the engine for $1, the same price the Chamber of Commerce paid when it acquired the locomotive from the city of Vancouver.

Fleming said he has crews working on the locomotive 5-6 days a week. On hot days, the crew works on the running gear, said Fleming. When the weather cools, work will resume on the interior of the boiler.

Fleming, 24, said he has not yet obtained approval from either Clark County, owners of the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, or contract railroad operator Eric Temple of Columbia Basin Railroad, to move over the county-owned track.

Fleming said his plan is to use the locomotive to run steam-powered tourist rides on a track in western Montana.

Fleming said he has been a volunteer with two other steam locomotive tourist rides, one at Mt. Rainier and the other in Portland. He owns some passenger cars, he said.

Fleming moved the locomotive out of Battle Ground city's Fairgrounds Park Aug. 2 to a leased location across the street. Work will be done there, said Fleming, until the locomotive is operational, likely late spring 2007, he said.

Fleming said a building in which to work on the locomotive would be advantageous, as would a pit below. But, he said, the work will be done with neither.

Fleming said he expects to be able to run the locomotive at "walking speeds" over the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad to Burlington Northern tracks, and from there, accompanied by a diesel locomotive, to Montana.

Fleming said the wooden bridge over Salmon Creek, which is part of the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, may need repair to accommodate the heavy locomotive.

Fleming works as a machinist in Longview.

Eric Temple of Columbia Basin Railroad could not be reached for comment.

VANCOUVER WOMAN DROWNS AT MOULTON

Angle M. Mosso, 19, of Vancouver, drowned in the East Fork of the Lewis River Aug. 13 after diving from rocks at Moulton Falls County Park.

According to Sgt. Tim Bieber of the Clark County sheriff's office, Mosso dived from rocks near the foot bridge in the park and did not come to the surface.

Friends jumped in and found her, pulled her from the river, and determined that she was not breathing.

Paramedics worked on Mosso but were unable to revive her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mosso was not wearing a flotation device. Bieber said there was no sign that alcohol was involved.

COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED ON CASINO

Federal officials recently extended the comment period on the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's draft environmental impact statement.

Comments, originally due July 14, may now be submitted until Aug. 25.

Bureau of Indian Affairs spokesman Gerald Henrikson said comments submitted between July 14 and public notice of the extension are considered "valid and timely."

The extension was granted at the request of U.S. congressman Brian Baird.

Citizens opposed to the development of a casino/hotel project near La Center asked Baird to request an extension after tribal officials modified a fee-to-trust application originally submitted in 2004.

Comments should be mailed to Stanley Speaks, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Portland, OR, 97232.

ADDITIONAL INDUSTRIAL, RESIDENTIAL LAND PROPOSED

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Woodland area property zoned for industrial activity may change to residential use, and property zoned for agriculture may become industrial under two plans submitted to the city.

After discussing the need for new industrial land, the Woodland City Council voted Aug. 7 in favor of annexing 47.5 acres near Guild and Robinson roads and placing it in industrial reserve. The proposal will now go to the Cowlitz County Boundary Review Board.

Another 44 acres near the intersection of Pekin and Whalen roads is being considered for low-density residential.

Owned by George Tsugawa and Theresa Wasel, the Whalen Road property is in the county and zoned for heavy industry, but part of it is in agriculture. The application requests that the land be added to the city's urban growth area.

The city must change its comprehensive plan to permit the zone changes for both properties. The Whalen Road application will go to the city planning commission and council, and if the city votes to add the Whalen Road property to its urban growth area, the application will next go to the county for consideration.

Public hearings have not been scheduled.

According to the Cowlitz County assessor, the four lots within the Whalen Road property have a market value of some $592,650. Susan Westervelt of the assessor's office said the future value of the land cannot be calculated until the size of each residential lot has been set.

"Residential land is valued by the buildable lot," she said.

Before development begins, the land must be annexed by the city. Skip Urling, agent for the landowners, said the process could take up to a year.

The Robinson and Guild road property proposed for industrial reserve lies near land owned by the Port of Woodland. The county has listed the market value at about $3.4 million.

The land is owned by Calvin and Marilyn Dickerson and Curt Sorenson.

The proposed annexation brought mixed reviews from the city council.

Council member Jim Tone questioned the city's need for additional industrial property.

"I want to see the statistics" regarding vacant industrial land, he said.

Council member Bruce Summers supported the annexation.

"The city's industrial land is filling up," he said. "Our goal is to bring in living-wage jobs. I can see the industrial park filling. If we don't add industrial land soon, the prices will be so high nobody can afford them."

Tone and council member Darwin Rounds voted against the annexation.

Alan Engstrom who represents the Robinson Road landowners said that after the property is annexed, "you may see an application for an industrial flex zone."

ASSESSOR MAILS PROPERTY VALUE NOTICES

The Clark County Auditor's Office mailed 113,084 Notices of Value on Aug. 8 to residential property owners in the county.

These values were established using sales from 2005 for the Jan. 1, 2006 appraisal date. They will be the basis for computing 2007 property taxes.

Notices for commercial and residential new construction will be mailed later this year.

Notice of Value are mailed to property owners each year and are based on the requirement that all property be appraised at market value. Market activity during 2005 caused property value changes from 10 percent to 50 percent for residential homes.

Property owners are encouraged to contact a residential appraiser at the Assessors Office if they have questions or would like to discuss the new value they have received.

Although several issues concerning values are resolved at this point, the property owner must file a petition with the Board of Equalization within 60 days of the date the notice was mailed to protect their right to further appeals.

For more information on assessed property values, contact the Assessors Office at 397-2391. For more information on the appeals process, call the Board of Equalization at 397-2337.

BG COUNCIL GIVES NOD TO 280-ACRE ANNEXATION

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Battle Ground city council members are expected to approve an ordinance Mon., Aug. 27, that will stretch the city limits by 280 acres.

Dubbed the Eastside Annexation, the expansion includes 55 land parcels, 39 housing units and 113 people. The assessed value of the area is $10.8 million.

However, it nearly didn't happen. The discussion during an Aug. 7 meeting centered on the fact that a pre-annexation agreement from property owners was not in place.

The agreement would hold off any residential development until the end of 2008 when the Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade is finished. Battle Ground's share of capacity is limited and can't handle unplanned hook-ups.

City planner Brian Carrico said he hadn't seen a final version of an agreement that property owners would not connect to the sewer system through development.

Council members said they would vote "no" on the annexation until that agreement is in place.

"That tells me they're not interested," council member Alex Reinhold said. "They need to play by the rules."

Carrico said city staff hadn't pushed the issue, but were relying on the initiating parties to bring it together.

Nick Jolma, the petitioning property owner, said he was hearing "all kinds of inaccuracies."

"This is all news to me," he said and added that they were given a draft to edit and asked for help several times.

Jolma said he believes there wouldn't be a problem with other property owners because it's not a development-driven annexation. Residents just want to be in the city limits, he said.

But Robert Sullivan, who lives on NE 152nd Ave., told council members he doesn't want his property included and neither did a few of his neighbors.

"I can't afford to pay any more taxes," he said, "and my neighbors don't want it either."

Deputy mayor Sandra Barnes said she wouldn't support the annexation unless 100 percent of the owners agreed to not develop land.

City manager Eric Holmes brought clarity.

"The council's interest is the sewer and the need to plan ahead for land if it develops," Holmes said. "If the council wants it protected with annexation, an Urban Holding zone would do it."

"Getting a 100 percent agreement would be a steep hill to climb for the petitioner," he said. "We can use a different tool and achieve the same end."

Council members accepted the idea and told staff to move forward with preparing an ordinance for approval at the next council meeting.

Mayor John Idsinga said, "It's in the best interests of us to move forward with the document with Urban Holding in place. Bring the ordinance on Aug. 21."

Once approved, the boundary of Battle Ground would expand 30 days later.

BG MAY STRETCH SOUTH ALONG HIGHWAY

Council members want corridor for development

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

At an Aug. 7 meeting, Battle Ground city council members considered a request by two landowners to annex nearly 420 acres into the city limits.

Developers Mike Achen and Virginia Lear make up the 10 percent of assessed valuation of property owners needed by state law for council members to consider the request.

What's next is for Achen and Lear to gather approval from the other 50 percent of assessed value property owners on a petition--again, according to state law. If successful, council members indicated they will likely approve the annexation.

Urban holding to be lifted

The portion of land in question is mostly served by the Clark Regional Waste Water District which includes the Meadow Glade Sewer Service area, and also has Clark County water service.

Except for about 35 acres north of NE 199th St., Battle Ground's sewer capacity issues do not come into play with the proposed annexation.

Achen originally approached council members in April to

lift the Urban Holding zone which prohibits development on and around his property.

Because the land is still technically under County jurisdiction, council members want a say in how that area is developed if they lift the holding zone. As a result, they directed staff to pursue annexation last spring.

The area has a value of nearly $17 million. It is made up of 92 parcels and contains 45 dwelling units and about 140 people.

Based on a property tax rate of $1.80 per $1,000 in assessed property value, the area is expected to generate about $30,000 per year in revenue for the city.

"Like the pincer of a claw"

The area to be annexed has a strange shape, people at the recent council meeting said.

The boundary skirts the Meadow Glade area because residents there aren't interested in being part of the city.

"Comments from Meadow Glade [in the past] have not been positive," said council member Bill Ganley. "That's why the map looks the way it does."

"It started out looking cooler," added council member Alex Reinhold. "But it changed as people asked to be in."

But to Meadow Glade resident Dick Rylander, the design appears ominous.

"This looks like the pincer claw of a crab trying to squeeze and grab [Meadow Glade]," he said.

Rylander also criticized the council for reaching for land. He objected that only two property owners make up the 10 percent required for a petition.

"Two property owners with simply commercial interest in dollars and cents, and County versus City," he said. "It's about who wants control of the playground."

In a letter to this newspaper, Rylander said he and his wife returned to the area last year and built a home near Battle Ground because they were drawn by the mix of rural charm and the ability to shop locally.

"Little did we know that there has been a belief that Battle Ground should grow and grow and grow," he wrote.

"It appears that the Battle Ground city council believes they must gobble up as much land as possible to protect it against future development that doesn't meet their plans," Rylander wrote. "They also appear focused on increasing city revenue as much as possible."

Rylander likened the council's ideas as a major push to release PacMan to start eating up the land.

"Key to economic base"

Council members said they want to be proactive in providing jobs for citizens in the area.

"I think this 503 corridor is key to providing an economic base for our city," Ganley said.

"I agree," mayor John Idsinga said. "This provides us with planning certainty for this area. To save large parcels for jobs, this is what it's going to take."

Deputy mayor Sandra Barnes agreed, saying "503 is a main state highway. It's meant to be commercial. I think we should go ahead, move this along as soon as we can."

WOODLAND SHORT OF PARKS, STUDY FINDS

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Woodland has less than eight acres of parks, although it should have nearly 30 acres, according to a plan prepared for the city's park board.

The board will meet Wed., Aug. 16, 7 p.m., in the City Hall Annex, 230 Davidson Ave., to discuss the draft park and recreation plan. The meeting is open to the public but is not a public hearing.

Once approved by the park board, the plan will be submitted to the city's planning commission for a public hearing, probably in October, said Justin Erickson of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (COG). After that, the plan will go to the city council for final approval.

According to the plan prepared by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum COG, there should be more than six acres of public parkland for every 1,000 residents.

Woodland, with a population of 4,730, has less than eight acres of city-owned developed parks, although the city owns property in the wetlands and flood plain of the Lewis River.

The study did not identify any prospective park property other than the city's undeveloped land adjacent to the river.

"The board stopped short of saying how the city should acquire land," Erickson said. "Our purpose was to lay out the needs."

The study notes that the greatest amount of park acreage is west of I-5, while residential development is growing on the east side.

Erickson said finding acreage for a park on the east side will be a "challenge."

"Land there is just hard to find," he said.

Two small parks, the .20-acre Kenneth Bjur Memorial Park and the .30-acre Eagle Park, lie east of I-5. The Woodland Intermediate School playground and ball fields are open to the community when school is not in session or when school activities are not scheduled.

Woodland charges a $1,175 per-dwelling-unit impact fee for parks, and developers may reduce or eliminate the fee by donating open space for parks, Erickson said.

Horseshoe Lake Community Park at 6.5 acres, and Hoffman Neighborhood Park with .5 acre, are on the west side.

The park plan calls for a master plan for Horseshoe Lake, with parking and street improvements, as well as improving the boat launch, by 2009. The plan recommends the acquisition of land to expand Horseshoe Lake as a recreation area.

The development of an indoor swimming pool is also recommended by the plan, possibly at Horseshoe Lake Park. No target date is set.

The plan "encourage(s) the Woodland School District, Woodland Swimming Pool and Recreation District, private community clubs and organizations to develop swimming facilities."

During a recent survey of Woodland residents, 80 percent said they would use a pool if one were built.

The survey also showed that most respondents want additional hiking and riding trails in the Woodland area.

The Woodland Community Swimming Pool Committee recently signed an agreement with the YMCA of the Columbia-Willamette to operate a pool after one is built.

Other objectives noted in the park plan are:

** Develop at least two more neighborhood parks and one more community park by 2012;

** Write a plan for developing about 25 acres of city-owned land adjacent to the Lewis River into a community park by 2008;

** Replace or remodel public restrooms and kitchen facilities at Horseshoe Lake in 2007;

** Work with the school district and non-profit organizations to develop new walking, biking and jogging trails around Horseshoe Lake and throughout the city.

Copies of the Woodland Park and Recreation Plan are available at the City Hall Annex, 230 Davidson Ave.

Voters in Cowlitz Fire District 1 voters get a break in the September levy request.

The district had originally set $1.50 per $1,000 of property value as the new levy, but an increase in overall property valuation has allowed the district to lower the request to $1.25 per $1,000.

The measure will appear on the Sept. 19 ballot and would become effective in 2007.

The current rate is 92 cents per $1,000.

If the levy is approved, the owner of property worth $200,000 would pay $250 per year, up from the current $184.

Fire Chief Bill Grimm said that "costs have outstripped revenues" since the earlier levy was approved. The state has allowed a 1 percent increase of the levy each year, less than the rate of inflation.

"The increased cost of operation has gotten to us," Grimm said.

The district serves a 35-square-mile area surrounding the city and extending as far as Merwin Reservoir. Fire District 1 operates with 29 volunteers, a paid chief and a paid secretary.

In addition to rising costs, the district has faced increasing demands on its service as the number of emergency calls has steadily increased with the rising population.

Grimm said the district has answered 185 calls since the beginning of this year.

"We're averaging a call a day," he said.

The Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant has won a top award from the state for the third consecutive year.

Kelly Susewind of the state Department of Ecology presented the city's plant manager Mark Morgan with the outstanding wastewater treatment plant award during the Aug. 7 city council meeting.

"You have an outstanding operations staff," Susewind said. "Your operations crew is one of the best in the state."

The Woodland plant is one of 46 statewide to receive the award. Susman said the state has about 300 municipal sewer plants.

Three years ago the plant was improved to handle a population of up to 10,000.

"This plant has execeptional capacity," said interim public works director Jim Hough.

COUNCIL TURNS DOWN REQUEST FOR FIRE OFFICER

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

The Woodland Fire Department will have to wait until the next budget year for another paid position.

The City Council voted 4-1 on Aug. 7 not to fund a proposed training officer position despite the recommendation from the city's human resources committee, headed by council member Jim Tone.

Only council member Bruce Summers voted for the new position.

During the council discussion, Tone said the position had not been included in the 2006 budget.

"Again, this is a budget amendment," he said. "I can't support that."

The budget proposed for 2006 contained funds for a fire training officer, as well as money for another city clerk, a civil engineer and a police officer.

At the end of 2005, the council froze all wages and new positions for two weeks, and after that, the council decided to consider a budget amendment for each new position.

During the year, the council has allocated funds for all positions except the fire training officer, although a city engineer has not been hired.

"We authorized the position," said Mayor Doug Monge. "At the beginning of the year, no new positions were funded."

The council postponed discussion on the fire training officer several times as council members waited for a decision about civil service requirements. Fire Chief Tony Brentin said the position would be under civil service.

Commenting on the council decision, Brentin said, "I'm disappointed, but that's their decision and we have to abide by it."

Under the proposal, the fire training officer would have been paid $4,943 monthly or $14,800 plus $5,700 in benefits and uniform for the last three months of the year.

The civil service commission is charged with setting standards and developing a list of qualified applicants.

In his presentation to the council, Brentin said, "Training is really key for citizen volunteers. Training separates them from your next-door neighbor."

In another fire department matter, the council voted 4-1, with Tone opposing, to accept a donation of a vehicle trailer from the Volunteer Firefighters Association.

The trailer, costing about $3,400, will be used to transport the department's antique engine, a 1928 Peter Pirsch pumper, to parades and other events.

The city will pay about $300 a year to insure the trailer.

"There's only a limited amount of taxpayer money for those things," Tone said. "The council needs to decide whether we want to save these things."

EDITORIAL:

SALE TAX HIKE COULD FUND DRUG PROGRAMS IN COWLITZ COUNTY

The Cowlitz County commissioners will take public comments Tues., Aug. 22, 7 p.m., in Kalama, on a proposed sales tax increase to fund drug programs.

The public forum will take place at the Kalama Community Center, 166 N 2nd St., Kalama.

The measure could appear on the general election ballot in November.

The proposal would add two-tenths of a penny (0.2%) for eight years to strengthen drug enforcement, prosecution and treatment programs.

If approved, the tax would raise about $2 million annually.

Over half of the tax revenues would be spent on criminal justice, including additional law enforcement officers, prosecutors and court personnel, and added capacity to incarcerate drub abuse offenders.

About 12% of the revenues would be used to expand adult and juvenile drug courts, and enhance random home visits and drug testing requirements.

Another 10 percent would provide funds for citizens who voluntarily seek substance abuse treatment.

About 20 percent of the forecast revenues would be used for education and prevention programs.

Information is available from Stephanie Dunn, administrative coordinator with the Cowlitz County commissioners, (360) 577-3020.

ARMSTRONG TO TEACH IN CHINA

Tom Armstrong will teach English in China over the next nine months.

Armstrong, a retired firefighter and EMT, is a resident of Battle Ground and a former candidate for Clark County commissioner.

Armstrong will leave Aug. 22 for Yantai, China, where he will teach English at a business and technical college.

"I'm just loving my neighbors," said Armstrong. "The world has shrunk."

Armstrong has a history of serving in troubled and impoverished parts of the world.

After retiring from fire and medical service in 1997, Armstrong, and his wife, Donna, traveled to Croatia where they helped establish a medical clinic.

Armstrong then made three trips to Albania.

Then beginning in February 2002, Armstrong made four trips to Afghanistan of up to two months each where he lived with families and assessed the medical condition of low-income people. He provided some treatment while conferring with doctors on other courses of action.

In China, Armstrong expects to teach English four days a week while living in a campus dormitory, then live with a family in an outlying area and again provide medical assessments to needy people.

Armstrong said Yantai is about 300 miles from Beijing and has a population of about 600,000. The college has 80,000 students on several campuses.

Armstrong said he will teach four classes daily for 45 minutes each.

Armstrong said he holds a teaching certificate in fire science and he is an EMT.

Armstrong will receive $350 a month, plus room, utilities, computer and phone. He will buy his own food and pay part of his travel expenses.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Armstrong, 60.

Armstrong was encouraged to pursue the teaching post by a friend who had done the same.

Armstrong will be provided with a teaching manual, and will develop his own lesson plans. He will teach conversational English. Students in the classes, mostly ages 19-20, have had 3-5 years of English, Armstrong believes.

Armstrong will fly from Portland to San Francisco, and from there directly to Beijing. A six-hour train ride will take him to Yantai.

Armstrong said the summer weather in Yantai is similar to southwest Washington but more humid. The December-January period, he said, is the "monsoon" season, with as much as 45 inches of rain.

Tom and Donna Armstrong have four children and five grandchildren.

BRIA CONVINCED TEXAS JOB RIGHT FOR HER

Battle Ground School District superintendent Shonny Bria says she can make a difference in the Corpus Christi (TX) Independent School District and is ready to go to work there.

"I have the tools that can help them," said Bria. "I'm dedicated to collaboration, bringing everyone to work together."

Bria was selected last month as the only finalist for the Corpus Christi job. She and district officials are in the middle of a legally-required 21 day period during which both determine "if it's a good marriage," as Bria describes it.

So far, not everything has been rosy.

The Corpus Christi school board went to court to affirm that the list of applicants could be withheld from public view. They then selected Bria without naming any other finalist, an action that raised the ire of The Caller-Times newspaper in Corpus Christi.

The paper accused the district of acting in secret.

"I'd like the district to be transparent," said Bria. "What we have been able to do up here would work (there)."

Bria is aware of limited public access to schools in Corpus Christi. "I think they are trying to change that."

Bria said she will take her policies of openness and public involvement to Texas, probably with Battle Ground district spokesperson Kelly O'Brien at her side.

O'Brien could end up splitting her consulting chores between the two districts, at least temporarily.

"No one down there knows that facilitation means," said Bria, referring to O'Brien's skills in managing public meetings.

Bria also noted that the door to the Corpus Christi's superintendent's office is located in what appears to be a solid, panel wall. Only those who know where to push on the right panel can open the door, she said.

Bria said she will have an open-door policy.

The Corpus Christi district needs help academically as well. "They have several schools that haven't made AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) in several years," said Bria. AYP is a federally-mandated academic achievement program.

Bria said the Corpus Christi district spends about $7,000 per student, more than twice the amount spent in Battle Ground.

Bria's replacement

Bria suggested that the Battle Ground board members put all their visions about a superintendent into a basket and then go out and look for a person who meets that description.

If asked by the board, said Bria, she would suggest that they look at deputy superintendent Diana Gilsinger as an interim superintendent. Gilsinger came with Bria to Battle Ground from Arizona.

Bria said she will ask the Battle Ground board to renew O'Brien's contract as a consultant information specialist. "This district must retain their policy of openness," said Bria. "She is cool in tough, tense situations. "You can only do that if you are an expert."

During several whirlwind days in Corpus Christi, Bria met with various groups, including business leaders, civic leaders, Boy Scouts, Optimists club, 60 principals, American GI Forum, and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

About 75 percent of the 39,000 students in Corpus Christi are Hispanic.

Bria said she talked about "my vision and belief that all children can learn," and that people should "never limit or restrict themselves" in academic achievement.

Bria said the goal should be that 100 percent of students will achieve the goal, not 80 percent. "Who will identify the other 20 percent," questioned Bria.

Bria also talked to groups in Texas about the interview process that brought her to this point.

"The more I get to know the people, the more comfortable I am in moving there," said Bria. "People need to be able to express what's important to them."

"The people are so nice," said Bria of those she has met in Corpus Christi. "They care about their children and their community."

The Corpus Christi board voted 5-2 in favor of Bria. One of the dissenters--board president Manuel Flores--has changed his mind. "I believe that Dr. Bria, at this point, is a good fit and I'm saying that from the bottom of my heart," said Flores.

Bria said that, once she relocates to Corpus Christi, she will enroll in an immersion Spanish course.

Contract remains

Bria said she has not yet discussed the terms of a contract with the Corpus Christi board.

It is important, she said, that her contract provide that the board cannot meet without her present, a provision in her contract in Battle Ground.

The contract must also indemnify her once she leaves Corpus Christi employment.

"I told them this would be my last superintendency," said Bria, who served in Battle Ground for over eight years, and whose two prior stints were of 7.5 years and 10 years.

Bria could retire after five years, but has no plans to do so, she said. When she does retire, said Bria, the retirement system in Texas would recognize her prior 16 years as a superintendent, and she would receive some benefits from Washington as well.

Looking back

Bria said that in retrospect, the Battle Ground board could have proposed a levy of $2.19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in the first vote, then passed the measure the second time around. While the dollar amount sought may be have been too high, Bria said she has no regrets about the four year term.

The latest results from tests administered in April 2006 have not yet been released, but Bria said she has seen the preliminary report and she is very pleased. Those results could show that the Battle Ground district continues to achieve the "Annual Yearly Progress" criteria.

"I love this district," said Bria of Battle Ground. "Some of the greatest moments I've had in my life have occurred over the last eight years," she said.

Bria gave examples of recognition given to the Battle Ground school board as tops in the state, and her own success at being named the best superintendent.

"Every single year we've made academic gains," said Bria. "This district has teachers that are so dedicated and good. It's a good district."

BG COUNCIL TO CONSIDER CHANGE IN FIREWORKS RULE

Battle Ground's law dealing with the time period for using fireworks apparently violates state law.

Staff learned this year that the time period that state law allows fireworks to be lit is from noon on June 28 to noon on July 5.

But Battle Ground allows using them until noon on July 6. The city's regulation about sales falls into line with state rules, however, according to a memo from Brian Carrico, community development director.

In addition, city council members will consider an ordinance regarding the sales and use of fireworks at New Year's holiday.

Currently, citizens fall under state law only.

If council members create an ordinance for the end of year holiday, it won't go into effect for one year, so this year would not be affected, Carrico wrote.

For more information or to make comments, call 342-5004.

BG SHREDS DISTRICT IMPACT FEE PLEA

Double-levy failure blamed for school board's request

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

The Battle Ground city council said "no" Aug. 7 to a school district plan to more than double impact fees on new housing.

"You're not going to try to balance your budget on the backs of Battle Ground citizens," council member Lisa Walters told District representatives during an Aug. 7 council meeting.

"I'm amazed," Walters said. "What would that do to our growth?"

Deputy Battle Ground School District superintendent Diana Gilsinger appeared stricken as she listened to council members tirade against the proposed hike from the current $3,000 to $7,636 in 2007, and $8,290 in 2008 for single family homes.

School board members also want to increase multi-family home impact fees from $1,000 to $2,264 in 2007, and to $2,471 in 2008.

However, an impact fee committee recommended to the board a hike of only $6,104 and $1,813 in 2007, then $7,412 and $2,228 in 2008.

During a public meeting in June, school board chairman Sam Kim told committee member Steve Madsen, "Well, you say the District is not forward thinking enough, Mr. Madsen. Maybe this will be forward thinking enough for you."

The District has a capital facilities plan that looks to 2012 and plans for growth. Impact fees on new housing help pay for building schools and facility improvements.

The state's calculations for the District's impact are the higher numbers that the board adopted.

Board members also believe that growth should pay for growth and not put the burden on all taxpayers to fund capital facilities plans.

There have been several years when the school district chose not to increase fees, despite the new housing construction in the city and rapid growth.

"The vast majority of the [impact fee] committee were more comfortable with the lower numbers," said board member Cecil Schlecht said, who voted "no."

His reason is that raising impact fees as high as proposed could give the impression to citizens that the board is trying to make up for the recent double-levy failure.

"My number one goal is passing a levy this (school) year," Schlecht said. "We have to have that. My fear is levy failure."

Board member Fred Striker could not be reached for comment.

"This is extreme"

Although Clark County planning commission members okayed the District's request, the Battle Ground council wants to see lower numbers.

Mayor John Idsinga said they may consider the $6,000, but fears that may even be too high.

The council also instructed Gilsinger to take back feedback that says, "sell your surplus land."

The District owns an old brick bus barn and other buildings on high school property in Battle Ground.

Gilsinger said she is working with real estate agents.

"This is extreme, it needs to be moderated," council member Chris Regan said. "You need to address the fundamental issues and pass levies. If the school board is sitting on land that's not part of the future, it needs to be sold."

"Don't put it on the taxpayers to foot the bill," he added.

Perhaps what rankled most is that since 1993, school board members have had opportunities to raise impact fees in increments each year to take advantage of Battle Ground's rapid growth. But they have chosen not to do so.

From 1993-1999, the single family impact fee was $750 with the multi-family set at $203.

It wasn't until 1999 that the board adopted a new capital facility plan and chose to adopt impact fees of $1,400 and $560 respectively, even though the state said the impact would be in the $5,000 and $2,000 range.

In 2001, a revised plan was adopted. Although the impact was calculated at $4,425.95 and $2,032.25, no change was requested or adopted.

Another revised plan was submitted in 2003. The maximum recommended fee was $4,351.04 and $1,450.41, yet the school district requested $3,000 and $1,000, which is the current rate.

New single family housing projects from 1996 to the end of 2005 were 3,094. Multi-family construction was 182, according to information from the city's Community Development Department. The population increase during that time frame is estimated at 9,945, according to the document.

After another revised plan was adopted last year, board members still chose to keep the current rates.

In November, then-assistant superintendent Lynn Hicks and attorney Marnie Allen told the County commissioners that the District would not raise the impact fee.

Minutes from that meeting show that commissioners questioned them about why they wouldn't ask for the maximum impact fee.

Commissioner Betty Sue Morris said, "The question is, what is the rationale that goes into a significantly lower impact fee than the maximum would be? The board has stated that the burden would have to shift to the private sector for a lot of the capital facilities plans because the public sector simply doesn't have it."

Morris suggested that any school district representatives coming before the board should be prepared to answer questions about the policies that are behind decision to impose something less than the maximum allowed fees.

Allen responded that the board doesn't want to collect the maximum amount because of the affect it would have on affordable housing in the county.

"That does bother me," council member Alex Reinhold said. "For the last two years, Lynn Hicks smiling and saying `No, we don't need any money.' This is a huge jump. I don't support that high of a fee, especially after no one asking for more money all those years. They blame city growth for the growth problem in schools, yet they could have done something about it and didn't."

"I'm a huge supporter of growth pays for growth," Walters said. "They missed the boat. Growth has happened, they missed out on fees. The fee is too high. Growth is not as lucrative as it was."

"This takes out of the equation kids trying to buy homes," Idsinga said.

"I wonder," Walters said, "that if the levy hadn't failed, would we be here tonight?"

Reinhold said, "It seems to me that on the heels of a double-levy failure, the fees are up to deal with it. This doesn't sit well with me, especially since last year they said, `No, we don't need more money.'"

Idsinga said he supports schools and education, but "It's going to take some long convincing to get me to agree. Probably the stickler here is that we were not involved in the process [of coming up with numbers]."

Gilsinger apologized and told them that was an oversight and shouldn't have happened.

Schlecht said the board hasn't discussed yet what their response to the council will be, but he wants to move on.

"What happened is past and we can do nothing about that," Schlecht said. "Hopefully the board can do what's right in the future. I think we will."

District representatives will also make presentations and requests to the Yacolt town council and County commissioners.

4-H UNHAPPY WITH CITY LEASE FOR LAND

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

"I was pretty darn angry when I left that meeting."

Louise Owen, an Area IV 4-H leader, is unhappy about a lease agreement with the City of Battle Ground that council members approved Aug. 7.

The lease is for the 40 by 80 foot plot of land the 4-H building in Fairgrounds Park sits on.

Terms of the month-to-month lease beginning Sept. 1 include a monthly payment of $82.18 to cover a lease holder excise tax, insurance for $2 million in coverage, and a termination date of Aug. 1, 2008. The lease can be terminated by either party with a 60-day notice.

A report from public works director Sam Adams said the fair market value of the land is $640 per month, but because of the volunteer work with youth that 4-H does, the rent amount will be reduced.

At the end of the lease agreement, the building and any improvements become city property unless 4-H officials remove it all within 60 days.

"Sam and I had communicated that we were not ready to make a decision because we were busy with getting ready for the Fair," Owen said. "We asked him to hold off until after the Fair. He gave us a copy of the draft just before the Fair. I was the only one who could go to the council meeting because of the Fair. And I wasn't allowed to speak."

Clarence Petty, Area IV vice president, said, "They approved it without us talking. They knew we were busy. I really don't have much to say."

City officials and 4-H volunteers have been at odds ever since plans were announced to renovate Fairgrounds Park and remove the 4-H building during Phase II work, slated to begin in 2008.

The building sits in the middle of a planned Great Lawn area which will include playground equipment, a climbing wall, extension of a trail system, picnic shelters and more bathrooms.

Phase II will also include construction of a 10,000-15,000 square foot building which will include space dedicated to Rose Float activities and rooms available for rent to various groups.

There will be space in the building for 4-H, but 4-H leaders want an exclusive building.

In a letter to mayor John Idsinga, Petty said Area IV members are 450 strong, with 110 leaders and at least 1,000 parents and grandparents, several in the Battle Ground area, and most children attend Battle Ground schools.

Owen said that although city officials were "very lenient" to waive the $640 market value rent, she isn't sure how the group will be able to afford the $82 rent, along with $2 million insurance coverage, which is about $300-$400 annually, and the $3,000 needed to get power and water turned over to 4-H since the city won't pay for that anymore.

Petty says 4-H raises enough money to do what they need to do in preparation for the Fair each year and other events.

The group hasn't had much time to talk since the council's motion, Owen and Petty said, so they are not sure what will be decided.

"We're not ready to sign yet," Owen said. "We do have some issues. We won't sign anything until we've all had time to talk and see if they can tweak it."

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

The badly decomposed remains found about one mile from Moulton Falls Park in dense forest have been identified as Robin Richards, 52, of Vancouver.

The Medical Examiner's office used medical and dental records to identify her body.

Richards, who had also lived in the Ridgefield and La Center areas, went missing about three months ago when she had no income and was given an eviction notice from her apartment.

Richards' vehicle was found near Moulton Falls, and a search was conducted in the area with no luck.

Clark County Sheriff's Sgt. Tim Bieber said there is no evidence of foul play, and he suspects Richards committed suicide based on her behavior prior to her disappearance and the way the scene where she was found was left.

Bieber said her clothing was neatly folded in a backpack and her glasses folded and put in her shoes.

"Often before people kill themselves they tidy up," he said. "This was consistent with that. It's pretty common."

No weapon was found at the scene. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

OBITS:

NELLIE WHITNEY

Nellie Ann (Gularski) Whitney, 68, died Aug. 8, 2006, in Woodland.

Whitney was born Nov. 23, 1937, in Pittsburg, PA, and lived in Woodland since 1978. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, flower gardening, fishing and the outdoors. She also enjoyed helping at Woodland Elementary School. She was a member of Living Hope Church of Vancouver.

Whitney was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Whitney, in 1999, and son Franklin Householder in 1994. Survivors include sons David Householder of Vancouver and Levi Householder of Woodland, daughters Kathy Fry and Virginia Spear, both of Woodland, brothers Frank Gularski of Arizona and Stan Gularski of Pennsylvania, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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

VIVIAN HUNTLEY

Vivian Genevieve (Carver) Huntley, 86, died Aug. 11, 2006, in Vancouver.

Huntley was born May 1, 1920, in Homer, NE, and lived in Clark County for 42 years, the last two in Vancouver. She had previously lived in Woodland.

Huntley was a laundry worker in care facilities. She enjoyed reading and fishing for catfish.

Huntley was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth O. Huntley, in 1999, and a daughter, Georgetta McGregor, in 1965. Survivors include son Roger Paul McGregor Sr. of Iowa, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Private interment will be at Park Hill Cemetery, Vancouver, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

ROBERT BEAMON

Robert "Bob" Beamon, 74, died Aug. 10, 2006, at home in Battle Ground.

Born April 16, 1932 in Kansas City, MO, Beamon spent most of his working years in California. He was a machinist at the Bendix Corporation in Los Angeles.

Beamon and his wife moved to Amboy in 1968 and to Battle Ground in 2000.

An avid fisherman for much of his life, Beamon also enjoyed playing pool. He was involved in the Territorial Days celebration in Amboy for 26 years.

Beamon was preceded in death by two sisters. Survivors include widow, Betty Beamon, daughters Linda Burch of Colorado, Cindy Berndt of North Dakota, and Teri Savala of Vancouver, son Dennis Beamon of Amboy, brother Richard Beamon of California, sister Hazel Bates of Colorado, 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial is scheduled for Sat., Aug. 26, 1 p.m., at 511 SE 2nd St., Battle Ground, in the recreation room.

Davies Cremation and Burial Services is in charge of arrangements.

GLENN FERGUSON

Glenn Clair Ferguson, 72, died Aug. 7, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Ferguson was born April 12, 1934, in Fullerton, CA, and lived in Battle Ground for 30 years. He previously lived in California.

Ferguson enjoyed woodworking, landscaping, gardening and large family gatherings. He was an owner/operator for Schneider National trucking company for 20 years, with over two million miles over the road.

Ferguson was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Kelly, in 2001. Survivors include sons Butch Ferguson of Battle Ground, Jeff Ferguson of Vancouver, Glenn Ferguson of Tennessee, Gary Ferguson of Oklahoma and Randy Ferguson of Missouri, daughters Laura Nichols of La Center, Sherry Alexander of Battle Ground and Jean Griffin of Vancouver, step-son Paul Kelly of Vancouver, step-daughters Anna Brendla, Christina Grendahl and Heather Rushing, all of Vancouver, and Sue Garritano of Battle Ground, brothers Arthur Ferguson of Kansas and Leslie Ferguson of Oregon, 21 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, was in charge of arrangements.

EUNICE KRAFT

Eunice "Maxine" Chamberlin (Whitney) Kraft, 88, died Aug. 9, 2006, in Bremerton.

Kraft was born Jan. 20, 1918, in Marmarth, ND, grew up there and in Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Bremerton High School. She attended business college in Seattle. She worked for the U.S. Department of Fisheries in Ketchikan, Alaska. She also worked at the Harrison Hospital in Bremerton. She owned and operated the Wigwam Tavern in Gorst for many years.

Kraft enjoyed traveling, weaving, fishing, hunting, clamming, shrimping, crabbing, mushroom picking and camping.

Kraft was active in the Port Orchard Methodist Church, D.A.V. Ladies Auxiliary Post 5 in Bremerton, and the Seattle Weavers' Guild.

Kraft was preceded in death by first husband, Earl L. Chamberlin, in 1975, second husband, Willis J. Kraft, in 1978, and a granddaughter. Survivors include daughter JoAnn Gates of Battle Ground, sons Ernest Chamberlin of Port Orchard and Jerry Chamberlin of Gig Harbor, three grandchildren, a niece and a nephew.

A memorial service will be held Mon., Aug. 28, 1 p.m., at the Port Orchard United Methodist Church, Port Orchard, with Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home, Bremerton, in charge of arrangements.