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Washougal hires state fraud manager as director of finance

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 02:36:32 +0100

By Marissa Harshman
Columbian staff writer

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Jennifer Forsberg, Washougal finance director

Map

Hybrid

The city of Washougal has hired the state fraud manager who investigated the city earlier this year as its new finance director.

Jennifer Forsberg, 35, has worked for the Washington State Auditor’s Office for the past nine years. Prior to becoming fraud manager for the state department four years ago, Forsberg worked as an auditor and supervisor at the department’s Vancouver office.

Mayor Sean Guard expects the city council will finalize Forsberg’s contract, including her salary, during an executive session Monday. She is set to take over as Washougal’s top financial officer sometime during the week of July 26, once she fulfills prior commitments with the auditor’s office.

Guard admitted the hire was a bit ironic but said the decision seemed natural.

“If I’m the CEO of the city of Washougal, and I happen to be, and you’re looking to make sure certain things never happen again, golly, let’s make the person in charge of the house someone who knows what’s going on,” Guard said.

Forsberg oversaw the several-month fraud investigation in the city of Washougal that wrapped up in March. The state department launched the investigation after revealing in an earlier audit the city was unable to account for about $100,000 in revenue from city events. The auditor’s office was unable to determine if a misappropriation of public funds occurred because of the city’s insufficient record-keeping. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office launched a criminal investigation at Guard’s request. The investigation is ongoing.

Forsberg replaces Jeffrey Bivens, who was fired in December after failing to obtain insurance coverage. Assistant finance director RJ Stevenson has filled the position in the interim.

Forsberg graduated from Washington State University with a degree in business administration and is a certified fraud expert. She has lived in Washougal for the past six years with her husband and three children.

In addition to her experience with the auditor’s office, Forsberg said she brings her high ethical and moral standards to the city.

“I understand completely that we report to the citizens and they have high expectations,” Forsberg said. “I want to meet those and, hopefully, exceed them.”

Forsberg said the audit showed citizens the effect of handling city business improperly. The past problems should also make the community more willing to accept changes.

“Knowing how the city operates obviously helps and knowing what steps need to be taken in the future, it’s going to be a great opportunity,” she said. “The audit was finished a while ago, and the city’s already made huge steps forward.”

But Guard said the city still has more changes to make within its finance department. Forsberg will work with Guard and City Administrator David Scott to fine-tune travel and expense reimbursement policies, city credit card policies, accounts payable and finance policies, among other issues.

The city went through two rounds of applications and interviews before hiring Forsberg. About 30 to 40 people applied for the position. Guard said the hire should send the message to residents that the city is “flat out not going to tolerate things anymore.”

“There really shouldn’t be anybody in town wondering if we’re fixing things,” Guard added. “With a hire like this, I think it shows we’re in the business of fixing things.”

Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.

Ann Rivers – Republican or Democrat? – The Label Doesn’t Matter to Her – She Just Wants ...

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:38:06 +0100

By Gary Wiram, Red County Contributor

This past Friday, at a “Meet The Candidates” event, I had an encounter with Ann Rivers, who is running for State Representative in Washington’s 18^th Legislative District. Although I could share a lot of interesting details about this event and that encounter, what really matters is that this experience served as a reminder to me that there are a significant number of serious questions that I’ve heard about Ann Rivers, which remain unanswered. Considering the very short time left before voters get their Primary Ballots and start voting, I decided I should do what I can to make sure voters in Washington’s 18^th Legislative District are aware of these questions, in order that they may fully scrutinize this candidate.

As far as I recall, I’ve only written about Rivers once, in an article that covered We The People’s (WTP) vetting of her and two other candidates. The questions raised in that article, which remain unanswered, are:

Organized Labor’s Support for Rivers– During the appointment process to replace former State Representative Richard Curtis (the process that ended up appointing Jaime Herrera), Cowlitz County Commissioner (D) Kathleen Johnson commented that she “has never seen so many members of organized labor come lobby for a Republican candidate” and that they are “confident that Rivers would work across the aisle and represent their interests.” These statements can be heard on the audio archive at the Cowlitz County Courthouse. You can also hear this audio on a “more entertaining” link I was sent - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGW7L0wkLHE.

Rivers’ Loyalty to Party Affiliation– Magnifying the questions raised by the preceding topic, at a Battle Ground School District Board meeting on May 30^th of 2008, Rivers stated that she has “distanced (herself) from the Republican Party” and that she has “taken a middle-ground approach”, when she was asked how she is involved with the Republican party. This is substantiated by the minutes of that meeting.

Additional questions that I’ve heard about Rivers, since the time of her WTP vetting, that remain unanswered include:

Rivers’ support of Vanessa Duplessie (D) in opposition to Jaime Herrera’s candidacy for State Representative – It has been reported that, after Jaime Herrera won out over Rivers, in the process necessary to replace State Representative Richard Curtis, Rivers and her "Aide de Camp" in her current campaign, joined in an effort supporting Vanessa Duplessie (D), the opponent Herrera defeated in her re-election, as State Representative.

Rivers’ dishonesty and non-performance, as a lobbyist for the Battle Ground School Board – In December, 2008, Rivers convinced the Battle Ground School Board to hire her, as a lobbyist. It’s reported that, in doing this, she claimed to be a licensed lobbyist. Later the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) fined Rivers for her claim and forced her to register as a lobbyist, in fact. Although Rivers was paid to do this job, there is no record of her actually meeting with 18^th District Legislators on behalf of the Battle Ground School Board.

Rivers’ role in shoving the cost of the Clark County Amphitheater down the throats of the taxpayers – I’ve only recently started to get details on this. Watch for me to report on this further, as I seek to get the whole story.

The questionable sources of Rivers’ campaign funding – To my knowledge, there has been no polling to indicate how any candidate is doing in the current race for State Representative in Washington’s 18^th Legislative District. Yet, Rivers consistently refers to herself as “the front-runner”. In doing this, she points to old-style-politics gauges like, “Who has the biggest fundraising total?” Unfortunately for Rivers, the details she is required to report to the PDC on her fundraising indicates that she’s not getting much support from within the 18^th … or even from the town where she lives … Jon Russell, the candidate Rivers is running against, who Rivers appears to be willing to attempt to trash at any cost, has raised more money in her hometown than she has. And the sources that are listed lead one to wonder about the true interests of those who have contributed to her campaign. One of the most recent reports on this shows the following:

For cash contributions totaling $32,700:

$ 9,180 from out of state for 29% of the total

$ 8,205 from Legislative District 18 for 26% of the total

$ 23,865 from out of District for 74% of the total

$ 1,850 from PAC’s (Special Interests) all out of District, most out of State

$ 595 1.8% from her home town, La Center

One of the most curious aspects of “Republican” Ann Rivers’ fundraising is the fundraising she has done with former Democrat Speaker of the House, Joe King.

The Company She Keeps

In my upbringing, I was taught that you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. Although the concerns I’ve listed up to now may seem troubling, I find this to be the most troubling concern about Ann Rivers. She has chosen to keep close company with some pretty despicable characters.

Chief amongst these is the person I previously mentioned as Rivers’ "Aide de Camp." The Columbian reports the relationship between these two as “friends and business associates.” All I know is that, everywhere I see her, I see him. He was lurking at the back of this past Friday’s “Meet The Candidates” event, he was skulking about at her WTP vetting and I’ve seen him at community parades, driving his truck, with her campaign sign standing in the truck bed.

Beyond this, the only thing I’m certain of, regarding this individual, is that his life seems consumed with hatred for Rivers’ current rival for State Representative, Jon Russell and her previous rival for the job, Jaime Herrera. As you might expect, I’ve looked for the basis for this hatred and I can’t find any sane reason behind it. Of course, it’s not uncommon to see “sparks fly” in politics when candidates are being competitive with their differing views. That’s not what this is, though. It’s mean, hateful, and destructive and it’s beyond the pale. The evidence of this is overwhelming. When that became obvious to me, I made the decision that I would refuse to associate with this individual in any way. I’m coming as close to breaching that commitment here, as I ever have, by offering you a link to a Website set up by someone who seems to be as concerned about this person as I am about “his boss”. - http://kellyhintonwatch.blogspot.com/ - Check it out and judge for yourself.

Why?

Regardless of any responses Ann Rivers may make to these matters being raised here or whether the list of these sorts of concerns gets shorter or longer, I find it troubling that such a list of substantive concerns even exists, relative to a candidate for elected office. For me, the overriding question in this regard is, “Why?” – i.e. “Why these behaviors, in the first place? … What is the motivation behind such behaviors?” In considering that question, I realized that, ironically, Ann Rivers may have provided the answer in her closing statement at last Friday’s “Meet The Candidates” event. She said, “My life is about service. This is the next step.” As I reflected on Rivers statement, in the light of the litany of issues I outlined here, my thought is, “If Ann Rivers’ life is about ‘service’, it seems it’s more specifically about ‘self-service’. Voters should be especially wary of what she has in mind to take for herself and her associates, with the “next step” she’s campaigning for.

Cross Post: Red County

Washougal council passes resolution supporting Arizona law

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:13:55 +0100

Wash. lawmakers urged to take similar stance on immigration

By Marissa Harshman
Columbian staff writer

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Washougal, WA — The Washougal City Council passed a resolution Tuesday night supporting the Arizona immigration law and urging Washington state lawmakers to pass similar legislation.

The council approved the resolution 5-2, with council members Molly Coston and Paul Greenlee in opposition. The resolution encouraged state representatives in the 15th and 18th legislative districts, who represent the city of Washougal, to sponsor and enact immigration law similar to the law in Arizona.

Councilman Jon Russell, who sponsored the resolution, said illegal immigration affects everyone, from large metropolitan areas to cities of 13,500, like Washougal. Public safety, health care and education take the brunt of the financial burden resulting from illegal immigration, he said.

“It’s important for local municipalities to let their legislators know how they want them to vote in Olympia,” Russell said.

Greenlee said he voted against the resolution because he doesn’t believe weighing in on an Arizona law is city business. He considered the resolution partisan politics.

“This strikes me as outside the scope of the city and, frankly, outside the scope of the state of Washington,” Greenlee said. “It’s not up to the state of Washington to support or oppose a law in the state of Arizona. …And it’s certainly not city business to support or endorse a law in the state of Arizona.”

Coston could not be reached for comment.

Russell said a citizen approached him and asked the council to voice its position on the immigration law. Russell discussed the idea with Councilwoman Jennifer McDaniel and they agreed the council should take a stance, Russell said. Russell said the decision was not motivated by his current bid for an 18th Legislative District seat.

“I certainly do support Arizona’s right to defend their borders,” McDaniel said. “I would also support the Washington state Legislature if they passed a similar law.”

The Arizona law, which is set to go into effect July 29, requires police, while enforcing other laws, to question a person’s immigration status if there is a reasonable suspicion the person is in the country illegally. Being in the country illegally will be a state crime under the new law.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law. The federal government will also ask a judge to grant an injunction to block the law from taking effect later this month.

Russell said the lawsuit is a political maneuver by the White House. McDaniel called the lawsuit a mistake.

“I’m embarrassed that our federal government is suing a state,” McDaniel said. “I think they should be ashamed.”

Other cities across the country have shown their support by passing similar resolutions, including Long Beach. The Woodland City Council considered a similar resolution last month, but the resolution failed 4-3.

Russell said he watched the discussions and decisions in other cities before suggesting a resolution at the council workshop June 28. The council discussed the issue at the workshop and took action near the end of Tuesday’s regular meeting.

“One of the things we learned from Woodland is when you go out and say, ‘This is what we’re going to do,’ it hypes the issue and you’re not able to have a common sense discussion,” he said. “So we didn’t make a big production out of it before we did it.”

Russell said a handful of people commented on the resolution at the workshop — most supporting the action — but nobody spoke up during the public comment portion of the Tuesday council meeting.

Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.

Here is the text of the resolution:

CITY OF WASHOUGAL, WASHINGTON RESOLUTION

A resolution to encourage State Representatives of the 15^th & 18^th Legislative Districts to sponsor legislation in the next legislative session similar to the immigration law recently adopted in the State of Arizona.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the State of Arizona enacted legislation in the form of Senate Bill 1070 relating to local enforcement of federal immigration laws; and

WHEREAS, this law establishes that violating federal immigration law is a state crime as well; and

WHEREAS, this law authorizes state and local law enforcement officers, if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that someone is an illegal aliens, to determine the person’s immigration status; and

WHEREAS, this law mirrors existing federal laws; and

WHEREAS, similar immigration legislation is currently being considered in eighteen other states; and

WHEREAS, illegal immigration places enormous financial stress on the resources of all states and many cities; and

WHEREAS, Passage of such a law in the State of Washington is needed and appropriate;

RESOLUTION

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF WASHOUGAL AS FOLLOWS:

The City Council herby encourages our State Representatives in the 15^th & 18^th Legislative Districts to sponsor and enact an immigration law similar to the State of Arizona.

Adopted in an open public meeting this 6^th day of July 2010.

CITY OF WASHOUGAL

NO MORE TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:01:47 +0100

Camas and Washougal beef up as well.

New cell phone-driving law takes effect June 10

The Washington State Patrol says there will be no grace period when troopers start enforcing the new ban on texting or talking on cell phones while driving.

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. —

The Washington State Patrol says there will be no grace period when troopers start enforcing the new ban on texting or talking on cell phones while driving.

Chief John Batiste says it will be fully enforced "from day one" June 10 when it becomes a primary traffic offense.

It has been a secondary violation for two years. Batiste says drivers have had enough warning to use handsfree devices and not text while driving.

Since the initial law went into effect in 2008 troopers have issued 5,900 warnings and written 3,000 tickets to drivers stopped for some other offense.

Herrera Kicks-off Congressional Campaign

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 06:05:25 +0100

State Representative Jaime Herrera marked the beginning of her campaign for U.S. Congress at the Hilton in Vancouver, WA. Here is an excerpt from publicola.net on the event:

Herrera, currently a state Rep from the 18th District, took the stage. She focused on the high levels of unemployment in the 3rd district—southwest Washington— and, above all, she criticized the federal government for out-of-control spending.

“They really do think they know better how to spend your money, how to raise your children, how to run your businesses,” said Herrera in front of about 325 supporters, by her campaign’s estimate. “I do believe that the American dream, which is to pass on a greater way of life for a younger generation, is at stake,” Herrera said.

Herrera derided the climate bill passed in the house last year, saying the bill would add substantially to people’s energy payments in a time of economic crisis, comparing it to an income tax increase and mentioning she was saving to buy a home with her husband. She also derided the health care legislation signed into law back in March as a government mandate on what should be a consumer decision. (Democratic incumbent Baird voted for the climate bill and the health care bill.)

Herrera also talked up her state House vote against the repeal of I-960, which required a two-thirds majority to raise taxes (the Democrats succeeded in suspending I-960). “During my time in the state legislature, I have fought against wasteful government spending,” Herrera said. “I worked to build an environment where businesses and families can grow and prosper.”

Sources tell cwwatch that she raised $20,000 at the event.

With Jaime running for Congress, Jon Russell, Owner of Columbia Gorge Medical Center & Washougal City Councilman is seeking to replace her as our next State Representative in the upcoming Republican Primary. Here is his website: www.electjonrussell.com

Will Washougal follow thru & will Camas fix their overtime issues?

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 05:14:43 +0100

Camas, Washougal consider consolidating their fire services

Joint efforts could reduce duplication, ease staff shortages

By Marissa Harshman
Columbian staff writer

Saturday, May 29, 2010

City officials in Camas and Washougal are once again looking into ways to consolidate fire protection services.

Washougal Mayor Sean Guard requested the two cities explore options for joint services in an attempt to gain efficiency. At this point, Guard said, city officials have had only preliminary discussions and have not determined how a consolidated service may work.

“Right now, we are asking both fire chiefs to look at how the joint resources of personnel, stations and equipment can tactically be used to bolster area-wide fire responses,” Guard said in a news release.

A working group, including fire chiefs, personnel and city officials from Camas and Washougal, has been assembled to research the issue. Last year, Washougal’s professional firefighters decertified their union and joined the Camas fire union. A representative from the union, the fire departments and Washougal’s volunteer firefighter association will also take part in the group meetings. Guard expects the group will have a clearer idea of whether joint services would be cost-effective and what changes could be made within the next two months.

Before making any changes, Guard said the cities will take several issues into consideration, including maintaining Washougal’s volunteer fire department, retaining a sense of identity and providing at least the current level of service in a cost-effective manner. Both cities’ human resource departments are also researching how a consolidation would affect employee salaries and benefits.

Joint efforts could not only reduce duplication but also provide relief when either department faces staffing shortfalls.

Earlier this year, Washougal Chief Ron Schumacher and three firefighters were out on medical leave. Those absences left the department with just six professional firefighters, the minimum required to maintain 24/7 service, Guard said. The Camas department has 40 firefighters, plus Chief Leo Leon. It already provides ambulance service to Washougal.

When Guard ran for mayor last fall, he pledged to bring Washougal back to the table to discuss fire service consolidation and look for ways to make city services more efficient. These discussions, Guard said, achieves both of those goals.

The city of Camas also expressed a desire to consolidate services. In the city’s 2010 budget, one fire department goal was to develop plans to consolidate resources with neighboring jurisdictions to eliminate duplication of efforts, improve service and reduce costs.

The two cities have consolidated other services in past years. Currently, they share emergency medical, animal control and municipal court services.

“In reality, with our mutual aid agreements we already assist each other on major fire situations and our departments interact a lot when it comes to medical calls,” Camas Mayor Paul Dennis said in a news release. “This is a very natural potential consolidation of services with the potential to benefit both communities for years to come.”

Washougal is still asking voters to approve a replacement operations levy this fall for emergency medical services. The levy does not affect consolidation discussions, which pertain only to fire services, Guard said.

Rossi vs Murray

Tue, 25 May 2010 01:47:21 +0100

By Associated Press

OLYMPIA - A Republican official said Monday that Dino Rossi plans to enter the Washington state race against Democratic Sen. Patty Murray this week.

The official said that Rossi — a two-time candidate for governor — is hiring staff and is preparing to make his widely anticipated campaign official on Wednesday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private campaign plans.

Republicans had been courting Rossi and national Democrats have been criticizing him in hopes of keeping him out of the Senate race or rough him up by the time he's officially in.

But Rossi has been in no rush to start campaigning ahead of the Aug. 17 primary. Complicating the GOP effort has been Sarah Palin's endorsement of another GOP candidate, former football player Clint Didier.

The late start means Rossi will have to aggressively tap his supporters to raise the money needed to mount a viable campaign against Murray, who won her last campaign by a comfortable margin.

Rossi is best known politically as a runner-up, losing governor's races to Democrat Chris Gregoire by a handful of votes in 2004 and a wider margin in 2008. But some recent polls have suggested a close race with Murray, and national Republicans have been recruiting Rossi for weeks.

Mary Lane Strow, a consultant of Rossi's who was his spokeswoman in the 2004 race, refused to confirm or deny Rossi's entrance into the race, other than saying that he would make some type of a statement midweek.

Murray was first elected to the Senate in 1992's Year of the Woman. She ran that race as an unassuming "mom in tennis shoes" but has since climbed to the No. 4 spot on the Democratic leadership team. She faced a relatively weak Republican field before Rossi entered the race and had almost $6 million in her campaign account as of March 31.

As the state's senior senator, Murray has aided powerful homegrown interests such as the Boeing Co., which is the state's largest private employer. She also has delivered federal spending to all corners of the state and is known for a special focus on veterans' issues.

"With every campaign Sen. Murray has ever run, she's not worried about who's running against her," said spokeswoman Alex Glass. "She's going to continue to do her job to get up and fight for working families of Washington state every single day."

Democrats have been anticipating a Rossi campaign and began attacking his background in real-estate investment weeks before he officially entered the race.

Camas Fire Department Employee Charged with Misappropriation of Narcotics

Tue, 11 May 2010 20:33:47 +0100

On 05/07/2010 Camas Police arrested Bradley C. Allen, sixty years of age and a resident of Camas, Washington, and charged him with two violations connected to misappropriation of controlled substances from the Camas Fire Department. Allen was booked into the Clark County jail on one count of procuring a legend drug without a prescription and one count of delivery of a substance in lieu of a controlled substance.

Allen holds the position of Paramedic Captain at Camas Fire Department, where he has worked for the last 22 years. One of Allen’s duties is to manage the stock of medical supplies used by Camas Fire Department. After his arrest, Allen was immediately placed on administrative leave by City officials.

This case began when Camas Fire Department officials notified Camas Police that a Schedule II controlled substance, Fentanyl Citrate, was missing from their stock room. Camas Fire Department officials also reported finding additional vials of Fentanyl Citrate with broken tamper seals.

Camas Police are working closely with Camas Fire Department on certain aspects of the investigation which are on-going.

There is no additional information to release at this point.

Manslaughter charge dropped against Camas hunter

Sun, 09 May 2010 05:09:33 +0100

By Laura McVicker
Columbian staff writer

Friday, May 7, 2010

A Skamania County judge Thursday dismissed a first-degree manslaughter charge against a Shahala Middle School teacher accused of accidentally shooting and killing a bear-grass picker in 2008.

Superior Court Judge E. Thompson Reynolds said there wasn’t sufficient evidence that Craig A. Sjoberg, 57, of Camas fired his rifle in a reckless manner and caused the Nov. 1, 2008, death of Juan Cortez Rojas.

The Tacoma worker was picking grass in the Skookum Meadows area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. He was shot once in the right shoulder.

While Sjoberg admitted he had fired his rifle that day — the first day of elk-hunting season — defense attorney Steven Thayer said he was prepared to bring evidence to trial that showed his client could not have fired the shot that killed Rojas.

Sjoberg had fired his rifle 750 yards and over a ridge from where Rojas’ body was found.

“It became increasingly apparent over the course of our investigation that the state couldn’t prove the manslaughter charge,” Thayer said.

As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Sjoberg entered a no-contest plea in Skamania County District Court in Stevenson to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful discharge of a firearm. He was not given any jail time or fines.

Instead, District Court Judge Ron Reynier ordered Sjoberg to be placed on bench probation for two years and to speak about hunting safety at six hunter-education classes. He also must reimburse the victim’s burial expenses, Thayer said.

Reynolds’ order called for the dismissal with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled, because of “insufficiency of evidence and in the interest of justice.”

“This was a hunting accident, not a crime,” Reynolds told the attorneys.

A Skamania County chief deputy prosecutor assigned to the case, Christopher Lanz, did not return phone calls seeking comment.

On Nov. 3, 2008, Skamania County sheriff’s deputies released information to the media about the shooting and said they were seeking a person of interest. A story in The Columbian gave a physical description of a man named Craig seen “hurriedly” leaving the area at the time of the shooting.

After reading the newspaper story, Sjoberg left a message for a detective, saying he might be the person officers described. He told investigators he thought he was shooting at a three-point elk and missed.

A detective obtained a search warrant for Sjoberg’s home and found a Remington 760 rifle and .30-06 cartridges.

A firearms expert at a crime lab later ruled the rifle could not be excluded as the weapon that fired the fatal bullet — but it also could not be matched.

Thayer filed a motion for dismissal on Jan. 11. Thursday, prosecutors also sought dismissal of the case.

Sjoberg teaches math at Shahala Middle School in the Evergreen school district. Upon his Nov. 17, 2008, arrest, he was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. He returned to school in fall 2009.

“Craig’s really relieved to finally have this ordeal behind him,” Thayer said. “He’s back teaching, which means everything to him.”

Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.

Camas Schools violate Students' Rights

Sat, 08 May 2010 18:42:58 +0100

Our daughter is a Camas School District 5th grader. A couple weeks ago she was thrilled to have newly-done bangs of different colors. Then the Principal confronted her, not discreetly and privately, but in front of her peers in the lunchroom, where he made her take off her knit cap, shamed her for her hair, and made her feel two inches tall.

A District-wide elementary school rule claims that “Hair gels or dyes, unnatural in color, are not acceptable. These colors may include blue, pink, green, etc.” Similar rules have been found unconstitutional (Massie v. Henry, McNew v. Surry County School Board, see also Jesse Doyle, VA). Moreover, the District actually approves bright hair colors to express “spirit” on “spirit days,” and the middle schools have no such rule at all.

District “Mission and Beliefs” states, “We believe that each student has worth and dignity as a human being and deserves to be treated with respect in every situation.” Helen Baller’s newsletter advises students to “Respect the dignity, privacy, and freedom of all individuals.” The Principal has repeatedly confronted our daughter, most recently to decry the insufficiencies of a flower clip worn to cover the fading remnants of hair dye. Harassment and disrespect for the student is the real obstacle to learning here, not hair.

We hope this message encourages other parents to defend students’ constitutional right to wear their hair any way they wish.

index

Washougal hires state fraud manager as director of finance

Ann Rivers – Republican or Democrat? – The Label Doesn’t Matter to Her – She Just Wants ...

Washougal council passes resolution supporting Arizona law

This is timely in regards to the national debate. Glad to see other cities have also joined the discussion.
Here is the link to the story.

Washougal council passes resolution supporting Arizona law

Wash. lawmakers urged to take similar stance on immigration

NO MORE TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

Herrera Kicks-off Congressional Campaign

Will Washougal follow thru & will Camas fix their overtime issues?

Camas, Washougal consider consolidating their fire services

Joint efforts could reduce duplication, ease staff shortages

Rossi vs Murray

Camas Fire Department Employee Charged with Misappropriation of Narcotics

Manslaughter charge dropped against Camas hunter

No sufficient evidence that middle school teacher killed bear-grass picker

Camas Schools violate Students' Rights

index

Washougal hires state fraud manager as director of finance

Ann Rivers – Republican or Democrat? – The Label Doesn’t Matter to Her – She Just Wants ...

Washougal council passes resolution supporting Arizona law

This is timely in regards to the national debate. Glad to see other cities have also joined the discussion. Here is the link to the story.Washougal council passes resolution supporting Arizona law

Wash. lawmakers urged to take similar stance on immigration

NO MORE TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

Herrera Kicks-off Congressional Campaign

Will Washougal follow thru & will Camas fix their overtime issues?

Camas, Washougal consider consolidating their fire services

Joint efforts could reduce duplication, ease staff shortages

Rossi vs Murray

Camas Fire Department Employee Charged with Misappropriation of Narcotics

Manslaughter charge dropped against Camas hunter

No sufficient evidence that middle school teacher killed bear-grass picker

Camas Schools violate Students' Rights

This is timely in regards to the national debate. Glad to see other cities have also joined the discussion.
Here is the link to the story.

Washougal council passes resolution supporting Arizona law