COUNTY CHARTER opponent John Anderson and Charter supporter Nan Henricksen show their stances on the issue. Voters passed the Charter in the November General Election.
HOCKINSON’S KEDRICK JOHNSON (5) made this miraculous catch to help the Hawks complete an improbable comeback victory in a playoff football game on Nov. 7.
The past 12 months brought us a new form of county government, the loss of a beloved and treasured area resident, new faces in key positions and new businesses. Those are just some of the stories that highlighted the pages of The Reflector Newspaper in 2014.
Members of The Reflector’s news team took a look back at the pages of the paper’s last 52 editions and came up with a compilation of stories that offer a glimpse of what took place in the area this year.
This is not a best-of list and there are no rankings. It’s just a brief trip through the past year.
Voters pass Clark County Home Rule Charter
Clark County voters revamped the structure of county government by passing the Charter in the November General Election. The measure’s biggest impact is eliminating the three-member Board of Commissioners and replacing it with a five-member county council.
The transition to a five-member council won’t occur until Jan. 1, 2016. In the meantime, Clark County voters will elect two more council members during the 2015 primary and general elections. One of those two will be elected county-wide and will chair the council.
Beginning next month, all executive authority now held by the commissioners will transfer to Mark McCauley, who was chosen by commissioners to become the new county manager. Betty Sue Morris, the former Clark County Commissioner who took a high-profile role in supporting the Charter, called its passage “a monumental change."
Beloved North County resident Colf Hepola passes away
Historian, philanthropist and regional treasure Margaret Colf Hepola of Woodland died Dec. 6 at her Etna Road home. She was 97.
Margaret was born Margaret Leona Haller on May 27, 1917, on the Birt homestead, which is now under the waters of Lake Merwin. She attended nearby Marble Creek and Clover Valley elementary schools and graduated from Woodland High School in 1934.
A prolific writer, Margaret worked for several years at the farmer co-op store in Woodland. She met Walter E. Colf at a dance in 1940 and the couple married in 1941.
Margaret extended her interest in history to a life of philanthropy. In 1980, she spearheaded an effort to restore the Cedar Creek Grist Mill. She was active in the Clark County Historical Museum, the Cowlitz County Historical Museum, the Clark County Genealogical Society, and was instrumental in the development of the North Clark Historical Museum in Amboy.
Mark Hottowe hired as BGPS new superintendent
After a hiring process that took several months, starting at the end of 2013 and continuing into 2014, the Battle Ground School District hired Mark Hottowe as its superintendent, officially offering him the job March 24.
Three finalists had been chosen to possibly take the superintendent position, which was left vacant after former superintendent Shonny Bria did not receive an extension of her contract and received a settlement from the district. After a series of interviews and public forums with the three finalists, School Board members voted unanimously to hire Hottowe.
Hottowe officially began his role as Battle Ground’s superintendent on July 1. Since assuming this position, Hottowe has already made some changes in the district, including restructuring the communications department.
Atkins becomes Clark County Sheriff
Chuck Atkins defeated Shane Gardner in the November general election to become Clark County’s new sheriff. Atkins, who has 35 years in law enforcement, retired from the sheriff’s office in 2012 to take some time off before generating a campaign for sheriff.
He credited his experience and longevity for the victory.
“The positions I have held with the agency over the years required true leadership,” Atkins said. “During some really critical times, anything going on in the county, I was in the middle of.”
During his tenure, Atkins worked as a SWAT team member and K-9 handler as a patrol deputy; moved up to sergeant overseeing patrol deputies, the Gang Task Force and K-9 units; and was promoted to commander whose responsibilities included leading SWAT, the Bomb Unit, Gang Task Force, K-9 units and Homeland Security.
Stewart wins spot as Clark County commissioner
Jeanne Stewart, a former Vancouver City Council member, was elected to the Clark County Board of Commissioners in the general election. Her selection makes it an all-Republican commission.
Stewart trailed Democrat Craig Pridemore as early ballot returns came in, but eventually overtook the former Clark County commissioner when votes from North County were counted.
Stewart has spoken in favor of increasing options for mental health treatment, stimulating economic development and expanding the region’s transportation system. She supports programs such as drug court for some offenders rather than putting them in prison.
Federal judge rules in favor of Cowlitz Tribe
On Dec. 12, United States District judge Barbara J. Rothstein denied the appeal of the Department of Interior’s decision to acquire and hold in trust approximately 152 acres near La Center designated for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to build a casino.
The Department of Interior initially ruled in December 2010 that the Cowlitz Tribe’s land near the La Center I-5 junction could be taken into trust. That decision was appealed by a group that included the four La Center cardrooms, Clark County, the City of Vancouver, nearby property owners Al Alexanderson and Greg and Susan Gilbert, and the Citizens Against Reservation Shopping.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs then issued a new Record of Decision on April 22, 2013, which was also appealed by the aforementioned parties. Rothstein’s Dec. 12 decision denied the Plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment and granted the Defendants’ cross-motions for summary judgement.
“We’ve been waiting for this for many, many years,’’ said Bill Iyall, chairman of the Cowlitz Tribe. “There’s always been someone throwing roadblocks up in front of us but the court has agreed with the federal government, which is a good thing for us.’’
The ruling is expected to be appealed once again.
BG Walmart officially opens for business
The morning of May 21, the Battle Ground Walmart opened its doors for business, starting the day off at 7:30 a.m. with a grand opening celebration. According to Katie Zadak, store manager, a couple hundred people attended the grand opening event.
Walmart officials originally confirmed back in October 2012 that a Walmart Supercenter would be built in the city. Construction began on the store the summer of 2013. Some Battle Ground business owners and citizens voiced concerns they had with the store coming to Battle Ground, some saying it would ruin the “small-town” feel of the city and others saying it would take business away from the smaller businesses in town.
Prior to opening, Walmart hired approximately 380 associates to work at the new store. The Battle Ground Walmart is located at 1201 SW 13th Ave., Battle Ground, and is open 24 hours a day.
Stuart becomes Ridgefield city manager
Steve Stuart, a 10-year member of the Clark County Board of Commissioners, resigned his post to become Ridgefield city manager on April 14.
He replaced former Ridgefield City Manager Phil Messina, who resigned in November 2013 for personal reasons.
Stuart is a graduate of Linfield College and the University of Oregon Law School. He was one of two finalists for the Ridgefield job. Vancouver Assistant Police Chief Chris Sutter also was in the running, but council members picked Stuart after a 50-minute executive session.
Ridgefield taps McCann as school superintendent
Nathan McCann accepted the position of superintendent for the Ridgefield School District March 21, a day after meeting with area residents during a community forum at the high school. He will began the job July 1, replacing current Superintendent Art Edgerly, who announced in October, 2013, that he would retire at the end of the school year.
School board member Joe Vance said each of three finalists offered outstanding experience and skills, but board members felt McCann would be the best fit for the district.
During a previous interview with The Reflector, McCann said he was impressed with the support shown for the Ridgefield School District.
“I genuinely felt a lot of warmth and hospitality from everyone involved in the (selection) process,” he said. “I want to give considerable praise to the governing board for a well organized and detailed process to allow candidates to learn a lot about the school district at the same time they learned about the candidates. That’s a school board that’s committed to being the best school district in Washington.”
Battle Ground recreational marijuana store opens
North County got its first recreational marijuana store when Cannabis Country Store opened its doors Nov. 3. at 1910 W. Main St. in Battle Ground. It became just the third such shop in Clark County, with the other two in Vancouver.
Loren Carlson is the owner and Dale Rennaker is store manager, with seven employees to begin with but more anticipated to be hired in the future. Cannabis Country Store gets most of its product from Agrijuana, a Battle Ground grower and processor of recreational marijuana.
“Our whole idea is to promote the local economy,” Carlson said. “We want to offer as many local jobs as we can.”
Hockinson completes improbable comeback
Hockinson coach Rick Steele didn’t know how to describe the indescribable.
“I don’t know how to put it into words,’’ said Steele when asked about his team’s 24-21 come-from-behind win over Black Hills on Nov. 7 at Battle Ground’s District Stadium. “I’ve never seen this happen before. I’ve never been involved in a game like this.’’
The Hawks scored the game’s final 24 points in the last 10 minutes to improve their season record to 10-0 and advance to the state high school football playoffs for the first time in school history. Hockinson went on to defeat previously unbeaten North Kitsap in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs before losing to three-time defending champion Lynden in the quarterfinals.
The 2A Greater St. Helens League champs headed into the fourth quarter trailing 21-0 to Black Hills. But, to a player, the Hawks said they never gave up and Quentin Bodenhamer’s 23-yard field goal with 1:52 left in the game provided the final margin of victory.
The Reflector named Clark County paper of record
The Clark County Board of Commissioners voted March 18 to make The Reflector the official paper of record for the county. The decision meant, starting July 1, the county’s legal notices began appearing primarily in The Reflector.
Each year, the county is required by law to designate a paper of record for the purpose of publishing its legal notices. The Reflector and The Columbian were each recognized by county staff as qualified bidders for the designation.
After a nearly hour-long discussion, commissioners Tom Mielke and David Madore voted in favor of awarding the bid to The Reflector. Commissioner Steve Stuart voted against the motion.
“The big difference is it costs the citizens of Clark County half as much,’’ Mielke said.
“It was the right choice for so many reasons,’’ Madore said.
In addition to Stuart’s opposition, Madore and Mielke’s decision also went against the recommendation of county staff, as presented at the March 18 meeting by Mike Westerman, the county’s general services director.
