“Today I submitted my letter of resignation to Governor Gregoire effective immediately,” wrote former State Rep. Richard Curtis in an Oct. 31 prepared statement. “While I believe we’ve done some good and helped a lot of people during the time I served in the legislature, events that have recently come to light have hurt a lot of people. I sincerely apologize for any pain my actions may have caused. This has been damaging to my family, and I don’t want to subject them to any additional pain that might result from carrying out this matter under the scrutiny that comes with holding public office.”
Curtis, 48, was first elected to the state legislature in 2004, representing the 18th District as a La Center Republican.
His legislative career ended less than a week after an incident in a Spokane hotel room which remains under investigation by Spokane police and prosecutors. He was in Spokane for an Oct. 24-26 Republican planning session in advance of the next legislative session.
Curtis filed a report with Spokane police alleging that Cody Castagna, who police say is a known male prostitute, had stolen his wallet following a sexual encounter, and then attempted to extort money from Curtis by threatening to disclose their homosexual relationship.
Castagna said he met Curtis in the Hollywood Erotic Boutique in Spokane about 1 a.m. Oct. 26, and that Curtis agreed to pay him for sex. Curtis denied the allegations of solicitation.
“I was not soliciting a prostitute,” said Curtis Oct. 29. “I broke no law.”
“I was the one who called the police,” said Curtis. “Obviously that means there was something done wrong to me.”
As of Nov. 5, officials in Spokane had not decided whether to charge Castagna with extortion, Curtis with solicitation, both or neither.
Spokane police investigated the matter, working over the weekend to interview people at the Davenport Towers, Hollywood Erotic Boutique, Curtis, Castagna, and several people who knew or knew of Castagna.
Versions of events given to police by Curtis and Castagna varied.
Both said they met about 1 a.m. Oct. 26 at Hollywood Erotic Boutique, an adult movie business, and discussed getting together. Both said Curtis offered Castagna $100 “to help him out for gas,” and gave Castagna cigarettes and his cell phone number.
Both say Castagna called Curtis about 3 a.m. when Curtis was at the Northern Quest Casino and they agreed to meet at the Davenport Towers. Both said Curtis then gave Castagna $100 and the two had sex on the hotel room bed.
The two stories diverged at that point.
Curtis said he woke up about 7 a.m. to find Castagna and his billfold gone. Castagna said Curtis had offered Castagna $1,000 to perform a certain sex act, which he did. Castagna said he woke Curtis up to get his $1,000, and Curtis gave him his billfold as collateral. Curtis later left $200 in an envelope for Castagna at the hotel desk.
Both told investigators that Castagna called Curtis about the rest of the $1,000. Castagna threatened to publicly expose Curtis’ gay lifestyle if he was not paid the additional money, reports show.
Investigators interviewed the employee of the Hollywood Erotic Boutique who worked Oct. 25-26 and who has been employed there since Aug. 7. The clerk said Curtis had been in the store three separate times. She referred to Curtis as “the cross dresser.” She said Curtis was clean and well-groomed. She said Curtis confided in her that he was married and had children.
During the Oct. 26 incident, the clerk said Curtis told the clerk about the lingerie he was wearing under his clothing. He asked the clerk to help him hook one of the buckles for the garter holding up his stockings, which she did, she told investigators.
Investigators recovered Curtis’ driver’s license from a gas station attendant. They found his billfold in a dumpster.
More than once Curtis asked investigators to discontinue their work in order to keep the matter quiet.
On Oct. 27, investigators called Curtis who said he had wrecked his car and was in Cle Elum. In that conversation, Curtis denied that he offered Castagna $1,000 for a certain sex act. He also asked investigators why they were continuing their work if they had recovered his billfold. Curtis said he might need to hire an attorney to have all records of the incident sealed.
Police reportedly got search warrants to seize surveillance video at the hotel and at Hollywood Erotic Boutique.
Curtis moved from New Mexico to Washington about 11 years ago, and worked for the Vancouver Fire Department until about one year ago. He served on the La Center city council until shortly after being elected to the state legislature. He had previously served in the U.S. Air Force.
Curtis said Oct. 29 that he did not recall some of the details of the incident with Castagna. He said he didn’t remember exactly what happened.
Officials react to resignation
“I am very disappointed by the news reports of the conduct by Rep. Curtis last week in Spokane,” said state House Republican leader Richard DeBolt in a prepared statement. “After discussing this matter with House Republican leaders, he (Curtis) has submitted his resignation which we feel is best for everyone involved. The troubling details continue to emerge, however, it has become clear that he can no longer effectively represent the constituents who elected him. We pray that Richard and his family have the strength and support they need to meet the personal challenges they face.”
State Republication Party Chairman Luke Esser also issued a statement: “Rep. Curtis did the right thing by resigning today, as it was clear he could no longer effectively represent either the Republican Party or his constituents. We wish the Curtis family all the best as they work to rebuild their lives.”
“Now we as a party must focus on our responsibilities to the citizens of the 18th District while we begin the process of selecting their state representative,” added Esser. “I have already begun consulting with local party officials in Clark and Cowlitz counties along with our House Republican leadership team and we are committed to working together with all deliberate speed to see this vacancy filled by an outstanding candidate. The 18th is a strong Republican district and we are confident that our party will be able to hold onto this seat.”
The state Republican Central Committee will provide a list of three nominees to replace Curtis to the county commissioners in Clark and Cowlitz counties, and then one nominee will be jointly appointed by the commissioners of both counties. If the two county boards of commissioners are unable to agree on an appointment, the Governor will make an appointment.
“This is clearly a troubled and painful time for the Curtis family,” said Steve Stuart, chair of the Clark County board of commissioners. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We hope they will gather the support and resources they need to resolve the situation in their best interests.”
Who might replace Curtis?
Former state representative Tom Mielke said Nov. 1 that he has received several phone calls about returning to the state legislature. He did not indicate whether he would seek appointment to the seat.
Camas city council member Liz Pike has also expressed interest in the appointment.
Pike is a candidate for mayor of Camas and said last week that her first choice is to serve Camas as mayor. If she is not successful in the Nov. 6 general election, said Pike, she would pursue the state House of Representatives seat.
Former Clark County official Rich Carson said he will also persue the position.
Clark County Weed Management has expanded its responsibilities to include work on Conservation Futures lands acquired by the county over the years, and may add further weed control work in the future.
County officials want Weed Management to handle weed control work now being done by other departments, including work at the Fairgrounds, weed work done by the sheriff’s office, and possibly weed control work done by Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation.
Philip Burgess, who heads the county’s Weed Management Program, said his staff works with both noxious weeds that are toxic to animals, as well as “obnoxious” weeds that are invasive but not necessarily toxic.
Burgess said he has turned his attention this fall to blackberry vines which fall into the “obnoxious” category.
To control blackberry vines, said Burgess, crews first spray the vines with a product that contains triclopyr such as Crossbow or Garlon 3A.
“This is an excellent time of year for spraying berry vines,” said Burgess, in part because a second spray application will likely not be necessary.
Once berries are set on the vines, said Burgess, the plant starts taking carbohydrates into the rhizome (root) to be stored for next spring. Once spray is applied during or shortly after the berry season, the leaves begin to yellow in 7-10 days.
Then, said Burgess, crews apply annual rye grass seed to help control various weed seeds that have likely fallen through the vines and are lying on the ground below. Those weed seeds may be dormant because of the berry vine canopy. The rye grass creates a new canopy to hold back the growth of various weed seeds.
Once the spray takes affect and the rye grass germinates, said Burgess, crews can use a brush hog to mow down the vines. The mowing could be done within days of spraying and grass planting, or could be done the following spring. The vines could be mowed first, said Burgess, and the grass seed planted immediately thereafter.
Burgess said rye grass is used for this purpose because it germinates quickly and dies back in June. It comes up annually if not cut down, he said.
“If we do blackberries right,” said Burgess, “we can eliminate vines completely from that root system.”
Burgess said blackberry vines, classified as a fruit by state officials, have as many roots underground as they do vines above ground. Berry vines can extend for 20 feet, he said.
Burgess has headed the Clark County weed management program for 18 years, starting when he was the only staff member. His department now has two divisions and some 26 employees, nine of whom are full time, and a bi-annual budget of about $785,000. The department also has 12 volunteers.
Burgess praised the Clark County commissioners for their support of weed management work. “This group of commissioners has gone after weeds,” said Burgess.
Clark County Weed Management Department has a Terrestrial Division headed by Ron Hendrickson. That division deals with weed management on lands away from water, including county rights-of-way, gravel pits, medians, the Fairgrounds, Camp Bonneville, and the county-owned Chelatchie Prairie Railroad.
The Natural Resources Division deals with weeds on wetlands, mitigation projects, and other lands near or related to water.
Weed Management works to control weeds in advance of county construction projects such as controlling weeds and reducing the dispersion of weed seeds when roads are built. For example, Weed Management crews worked on weeds along NE 72nd Ave. about three years in advance of work to widen and realign that road.
Department gains tractor
Dr. Ron Crockett, an agronomist who worked for Mansanto for several years, has joined the Clark County Weed Management Program as a field inspector.
Crockett has donated a 1983 Kubota 4-wheel drive, 27-horse power tractor to the Department, complete with brush hog. The tractor will be used to mow blackberry vines, among other things, said Burgess.
Burgess described Crockett as “the world’s leading authority on Roundup,” a Monsanto product.
Burgess said he has been able to obtain used and castoff equipment for his staff to use, including sprayers no longer used in other departments, some vehicles and other equipment. He is on the lookout, he said, for a trailer to be used to haul the donated Kubota from site to site.
Weed Management crews worked last week at a 100-acre site owned by the county near Daybreak Park where they sprayed thistle and blackberries. Clark County commissioner Marc Boldt, a former farmer, helped out at the Daybreak site by driving the Kubota with brush hog to cut down both berry vines and thistle.
Boldt confirmed the intention of county officials to consolidate weed management and spraying activities in one department. Would that consolidation be done with the agreement of Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation? “I don’t care,” said Boldt.
Boldt said weed management at parks outside Vancouver could readily be handled by the county’s Weed Management Department.
Clark County Weed Management provides advice to the general public on weed control matters. The Department also introduces biological agents into the county to help control certain weeds. Crews had brought in the cinnabar moth to help control tansy ragwort, a noxious weed. They are now bringing in the Flea Beetle for the same purpose.
The Flea Beetle was released on an area of tansy Nov. 2 at 92nd Ave. near NE 179th St., said Burgess, with the help of an official from the state.
Burgess may be reached at 921-0664. The county Weed Management office may be reached at 397-6140.
Brandy Slagle
Staff reporter
David Reeves said he resigned from his position as Battle Ground finance director Sept. 4 after being asked to leave city employment. When he left, he said, he was never told why.
Reeves was responsible for the implementation of the city’s financial policies, preparation of the budget, and creating thorough financial reports for the public, city staff and council members.
Despite receiving glowing performance evaluations, favorable state audits, and numerous professional awards, Reeves was called into a meeting with city manager Dennis Osborn and city attorney Brian Wolfe and offered incentives to quit.
In exchange for salary through December, Reeves agreed not to sue the city, among other agreements.
The exit interview of a financial audit performed by the Washington State Auditor’s office was performed Aug. 31. Reeves said it was clear to him when he left the office after the exit interview that was his last day of work. He made an annoucnement to staff members that he was leaving his position the following Tuesday after Labord Day weekend.
Reeves said he was never told why he was being asked to leave and was expressly told that city officials would not give him a reason.
Osborn said he could not comment on personnel issues.
Reeves has his own theories about the situation.
“The environment was such that I could no longer work there,” he said. “Decisions were being made that made it impossible for me to continue working for the city.”
Reeves said that several conflicts with Osborn may have contributed to his departure.
In one incident, he said, Osborn wanted to gift city funds to a private contractor without going through a legally-required open bidding process. That incident involved the construction of Rasmussen Blvd. where developer Michael Achen had agreed to build a half-width street and use his equipment to build the other half if the city paid for the work.
Reeves said he contacted a state auditor on the matter who affirmed his position that the work must go out to bid.
Osborn said that he explores many options and avenues to getting projects done with his department heads, and only pursues options that are approved by legal council.
“If the department heads tell me ‘No, that can’t be done’ then we don’t do it,” he said. “Some people might be made uncomfortable by that.”
In a second incident, Reeves said, Osborn wanted to seek voter approval for a property tax increase and then borrow against that new tax to build city projects. Reeves said it was not legal to borrow against a “lid lift” and that his view eventually prevailed.
Osborn confirmed that he did explore that option and found it would not be possible. He is researching bond options to bring before the council for approval.
Another incident was noted in a management letter by the Washington State Auditor’s Office and involved an overcharge of building permit and plan fees totalling about $88,000. The error occurred due to the set up of the software system that calculates fees, which was new to the city in 2000. The miscalculation only affected buildings with an assessed valuation of over $1 million and included 18 permits. The bulk of the money belonged to the Battle Ground School District at about $57,000, said Reeves.
Osborn, he said, balked at the idea of refunding the money and suggested the city file an insurance claim for the “loss.”
Reeves said the issue was discussed in an executive session where he presented the item to the council who advised the money be returned.
Only items involving personnel, property issues or potential litigation can be legally discussed in closed executive sessions.
Osborn said after conferring with legal council it was decided the issue did invite potential lawsuits on the city. He added that he could not discuss the conversation between Reeves and council outside of the executive session.
City staff had found the error before the auditor did.
Osborn said his focus is on getting projects done for the city and making sure staff is compliant with state statutes.
Osborn denied that any of the reasons Reeves mentioned contributed to his departure from city staff.
“I try to find a way to get things done,” he said. “As long as it’s legal. Money is hard to come by and the list of projects that need to get done is always long.”
Finally, Reeves said, he might have been asked to leave his position to make room for another applicant.
The application process for the finance director position closed Oct. 31.
By Ken Vance
staff reporter
A state administrative judge has ruled that a boundary dispute between the La Center and Ridgefield school districts needs to return to a regional committee for further deliberation.
Judge Andrea Conklin ruled that a Feb. 6 decision by the special regional committee of Educational Service District 112 was arbitrary and capricious and that the committee did not comply with existing procedural requirements.
The committee’s February ruling was appealed by the La Center School District. A schedule for the further deliberation has yet to be determined. Both school districts have requested clarification on the next step of the process and are awaiting a response. Tim Merlino, of ESD 112, indicated his office is expecting instructions from the judge regarding the regional committee’s next step.
“We felt that there were some flaws in the process and that the decision needed to be reviewed,’’ said Mark Mansell, Superintendent of La Center schools. “What this ruling means is the process is still alive for us to address a gross imbalance of industrial development that will have a significant impact on our district.’’
Earlier this year, Clark County extended La Center’s urban growth boundary to I-5 at the La Center junction. That decision awarded new commercial and industrial land to La Center, including land that is currently inside the Ridgefield School District.
Once that area is developed, it will provide a significant tax base for the Ridgefield School District, not La Center.
As a result, La Center asked the regional committee to adjust the school boundary between the two districts to reflect the changes in the urban growth area. By a 4-3 vote, the regional committee ruled against La Center’s request. On March 7, La Center filed an appeal of that ruling.
Arguments on that appeal were held on September 20 and Conklin signed her ruling on Oct. 4. The Ridgefield School District was allowed to appeal the judge’s decision, which it did. However, that appeal was denied, confirming the matter will return to the regional committee.
“At this time, we are going to let the process continue,’’ said Art Edgerly, Superintendent of Ridgefield schools. “Our board of directors is adamant about what we feel is in the best interest of the Ridgefield School District.’’
If La Center were to prevail in its request for the boundary adjustment, about $47 million of assessed value would be transferred from the Ridgefield schools to the La Center district. Ridgefield would receive about $7 million in value as a southern piece of land in the La Center district would transfer to Ridgefield.
In La Center’s original plea to the regional committee, Mansell pointed out that in fall 2006, Clark County records showed La Center had 30 commercial and industrial acres. Ridgefield had 868. After the county established the urban growth boundaries in June of this year, La Center increased to 49 commercial and industrial acres and Ridgefield increased to 3,027.
La Center’s request to the committee would result in the city increasing to 644 acres, leaving Ridgefield with 2,382.
“Those boundaries were established in the 1950s,’’ Mansell said. “The rivers of commerce have changed. We are bracing for significant growth as a result. We think the appropriate time to do that is right now, instead of 10 years from now when it is all developed.’’
Edgerly entered the debate in July when he assumed the position as Ridgefield’s superintendent. He counters Mansell’s position with the argument that citizens inside the Ridgefield district have purchased homes due, at least in part, to the desire and expectation that their children will attend Ridgefield schools.
“It is still our land; it is still within our school boundaries,’’ Edgerly said. “We want to protect those boundaries. People purchase homes in the school district where they would like to see their children and grandchildren attend. We want to honor that.’’
Alice Perry Linker
staff reporter
They leaned over the maps laid out on the table, looking at existing roads and giving ideas for a better way for drivers to move through Woodland.
During an Oct. 30 meeting, a citizens advisory committee discussed problem streets and intersections, especially the intersection of I-5 and SR-503 where cars and trucks line up several times a day waiting to get through.
Ann Sylvester of Parametrix, a consulting firm hired to conduct a citywide 25-year transportation study, presented committee members with two population projections, one from the city’s comprehensive land use plan and the other from a “comp plan plus” that shows greater growth.
Sylvester’s projections show that under the comprehensive plan, the city will have 3,260 homes and 6,238 jobs by 2025, compared to 1,790 homes and 2,908 jobs in 2004 when the plan was written.
Sylvester said the city’s current growth indicates more jobs and houses will occur than projected under the plan. The Parametrix “plus” figures show that by 2025 the city will have 3,959 homes, an increase of 121 percent over 2004. The numbers for jobs remains the same under the “comp plan plus” projections, an increase of 151 percent.
The $375,000 Parametrix study, coordinated by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (COG), is expected to be completed by mid-2008. Funds for the study come from the Washington Department of Transportation, the federal government and the city.
Members of the committee represent Woodland businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, industry and the diking district. One member, Dennis Johnson, represents the residents of the east side of Woodland. The committee meets to discuss ideas presented by Parametrix but does not meet regularly. Jerry Sorrell of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum COG said the next meeting is expected to be scheduled for the first or second week of January.
The advisory committee faces issues ranging from improving I-5 interchanges to finding ways for residents to move easily from the east to the west side of Woodland to improving railroad crossings. Sorrell said the costs for various improvements have not been calculated but a projection is expected by January.
Committee member Jim Donald suggested a third I-5 interchange at Scott Avenue, but Sylvester said, “You won’t get that. They’re too close together and the feds won’t allow it.”
Other ideas included widening the interchanges, improving and increasing access roads, and closing the I-5/ SR-503 interchange and building a new, more efficient interchange at Scott Avenue.
Extending Atlantic and Pacific avenues to intersect with Dike Access Road was also discussed, as was a Scott Avenue overpass across I-5. Committee member Larry Schlecht suggested that Robinson Road become an arterial street.
Funds are available for the city to add turn lanes along SR-503 at intersections east of Goerig Road where subdivisions are being built. The city has a little more than $1 million in grants and matching funds, insufficient to complete the project that is to include turn lanes at Hillshire, Insel and Gun Club roads. The COG’s Sorrell said the cost could be closer to $7 million.
“This analysis will help the city put its money where it will do the most,” he said.
Development on the city’s southwest side was also discussed, as was the issue of railroad crossings on West Scott Avenue and Goerig Street. Ideas of creating a Scott Avenue overpass across the railroad and of tunneling the railroad under Scott Avenue were discussed, but Sylvester said the risk of flooding could be too great for a railroad tunnel.
The committee’s discussions partly resulted from ideas and wishes expressed during a community open house in August. Sorrell said another open house is expected to be scheduled in early 2008.
A collectable, historical photo calendar is being offered again this year by the Friends of the Woodland Community Library.
The calendar has photographs of Woodland pioneers, a photograph of Dr. Hoffman on his horse Billy, a picture of an early Woodland community band, and a photo of the insides of a Woodland grocery and general merchandise store.
The cover shows 10 Oregon Pioneers of the Lewis River. Cover photos were taken from an old photo album titled, “Oregon Pioneers of the Lewis River.”
Woodland was once part of the Oregon Territory before the formation of the Washington Territory in 1853. Washington became a state in 1889.
The cover pictures are labeled as they were in the album with their first and middle initials, their last name, their age in 1900, and the year they arrived or were born in the Lewis River area. Women, if married, used their husband’s name.
The album was once owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jessie J. Guild of Woodland, and passed down through the generations. Photos were loaned by Osa May Taggart, a descendant of the Guild and the Klady families.
Each photo has a caption with information about Woodland history.
This will be the fifth annual historical calendar produced by the Friends of the Woodland Community Library. Some copies of the 2006 calendar remain, but calendars for all other years, including 2007, have been sold.
All five calendars have historic photos of the Woodland area and people.
The calendars can be purchased for $15 each at the Book Store, Snowflake Bazaar, Woodland Chamber of Commerce, and Woodland library.
The historical calendar will also be available at the 11th annual used book sale set for Fri.-Sat., Nov. 9-10, at the Woodland Grange Hall, 404 Davidson, Woodland.
The used book sale will take place 5-7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. Sale organizer Erin Thoeny said “tens of thousands of incredibly nice books of all subjects” will be offered for sale, many in like-new condition. All books have been donated and none are library discards.
The sale will conclude with a bag sale 3-4 p.m. on Saturday.
Profits from the used book sale and sale of the historical calendar will go toward library programs, including a building fund for a new library.
Information is available by calling Erin Thoeny, vice president of the Friends of the Woodland library, 225-7133.
Alice Perry Linker
staff reporter
Jon Gaston believes he has a good idea for a development on vacant land on the slopes of Green Mountain Road.
His goal is to get the Woodland City Council to agree with him.
Gaston was scheduled to ask the council for the third time on Nov. 5 to approve