Camas Washougal Watch

Levy ballots arrived to homes yesterday and today, as you, once again, to vote yes or no on spending your tax dollars to supplement the schools.

we've been impressed with Washougals efforts to get the facts out - mailing information to voters in an effort to make an intelligent decision.Even reducing taxes - If I lived in Washougal, I'd vote yes for their levy.

We can't say the same for Camas. They've chosen to send "vote Yes" promotionals and have yet to explain the details of WHY they want to raise our taxes 8%. Either they think the public is too dumb to understand, or the public is too apathetic to care (which there is some truth in that one) or they have a sense of arrogance that the public will just vote "yes" because Camas schools just ask for it.

Rumors are circulating that even IF the Camas Levy passes, there will be staff cutbacks.

Is the Board and Administration correct? Are we too apathetic to care to vote or care to add another 8% to our taxes?
When it comes to school levies, is there a tipping point when the voters so NO to $100,000+ administrative salaries, top heavy administrative employment vs. teachers and front line employees, no to 11 football coaches, and other indulgences?

Legislator calls forum to make sure that students, parents, other advocates are heard

 

OLYMPIA – “Not so fast there, Governor,” is the message a southwestern Washington lawmaker is sending out about a legislative proposal to transfer supervision of the State School for the Blind and the Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

 

            State Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver (49^th Legislative District), testified in a Senate committee hearing yesterday morning (Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010) against Senate Bill 6491, which he maintains has received “neither the appropriate level of fiscal scrutiny nor the appropriate level of public involvement.”

            Moeller has arranged a public forum this weekend to discuss the legislation. The forum will be held this Saturday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. It will take place in hearing room A on the first floor of the John L. O’Brien Building on the Capitol Campus here in Olympia. Citizens should call or e-mail Moeller for driving directions.

His Olympia phone number is 360-786-7872, his local phone number is 693-0804, and his e-mail address is moeller.jim@leg.wa.gov.

            All interested parties are invited to the forum, and staff from the governor’s office will also be there. Interpreters and Braille copies of the legislation will be provided.

The legislation, which was requested by the governor, would require that the School for the Blind, the School for the Deaf, and the State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss would become programs under the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

            Right now, the State School for the Blind is under the direction of the school’s superintendent, who works with a board of trustees. The governor appoints the school’s superintendent and the trustees. The governor also appoints the director of the Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss, as well as the center’s board of trustees.

            “I simply haven’t heard any concrete reasoning, either financial or otherwise, for making such a dramatic change in the way these two long-standing institutions are governed,” Moeller said. “There is no specific information about how such a reorganization would save money or improve services provided to these unique populations.

            “And it seems to me that proponents of this idea haven’t done enough to involve the most obvious stakeholders,” Moeller said. “Students, parents and advocates for children who attend these facilities must certainly be involved in the process.

            “I understand that there’s a huge budget and revenue crisis, and I know that we have to make some very big changes in the way we do things. But we need to be sure that we are not making changes just for the sake of making changes.” 

            The Washington State School for the Blind programs emphasize all aspects of specialized and academic training for blind students, pre-school through grades 12 and beyond.  Very similarly, the Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss provides statewide leadership, coordination and delivery of educational services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

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More information
¿ Phone: (360) 786-7872 / 360-693-0804 (District phone)

¿ E-mail: moeller.jim@leg.wa.gov

¿ Web site: http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/moeller/

A great opportunity is available through the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council for all sophomores, juniors and seniors.
 The SW Opportunity Internship Program is a 90 hour internship for those students that have a desire to work in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and or Math (STEM).

One of the key requirements to qualify for the internship is that the student must qualify for free or reduced lunch. This grant is on a first come basis and as there are a limited number of spots available. Please click on the link below to get additional details or for contact information.
http://www.camas.wednet.edu/chs/counseling/pdf/oipstem.pdf

the Port of Camas/Washougal
will call a Special Meeting Workshop for Monday, January 25th at 6:00 p.m., at the Port Office,
24 South “A” Street, Washougal, WA 98671, for the following purpose:
OPEN SESSION WORKSHOP – 6:00 p.m.
Strategic Planning for the Port
Facilitated by John White, of JD White/Berger Abam

Senate Bill 6396 before the Washington legislation would bring California-style gun-control to the Northwest and ultimately ban many semi-automatic firearms commonly owned by Washingtonians. 

In fact, SB 6396 is more far-reaching than it appears on the surface and will absolutely impact a gigantic swath of Washington firearm owners, including concealed pistol license holders, hunters and competitive pistol shooters.  As examples, consider the following restrictions that flow from the provisions of this horrendous piece of gun control legislation:

Ø     Every semiautomatic AND PUMP-ACTION rifle and shotgun that has a detachable magazine and has a pistol grip located rear of the trigger (yes, that is just about all of them) is defined as an “assault weapon” and is banned under SB 6396!

Ø      If you and your child/children are out in the woods plinking with his or her Ruger 10-22 and there are more than 10 rounds in the magazine, you are a FELON!

Ø     If you are a Concealed Pistol License holder and your semi-auto self-defense pistol contains more than 10 rounds, you are a FELON!

Ø     The use of firearms defined as “assault weapons” (see first bullet point) are banned for use in hunting!

Ø     Competitive shooters will be impacted as any semi-auto pistol that has a detachable magazine and is equipped with a muzzle brake or compensator is defined as an “assault weapon!” 

Ø     If you own a firearm(s) defined as an “assault weapon” on the date this bill becomes law, you can keep it if you are willing to allow your Sheriff to come into your home once every year to ensure you store your firearm(s) appropriately!

Senate Bill 6396 is proof that the gun-ban groups and politicians are not interested in only banning semi-automatic firearms that happen to look like military firearms.  This bill shows where they really want to go with their agenda!  This gun ban scheme will only punish law-abiding citizens and will do nothing to curb crime or keep criminals from obtaining firearms illegally.  This is not only another attack on our Second Amendment rights in Washington State, but an attack on your Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches of your home! 

Brief messages can be left for your legislators by calling the toll-free legislative hotline at 800-562-6000.  Legislators’ direct phone numbers and email access can be found by clicking on their names either here for Senators: http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/Pages/default.aspx 

or here for Representatives:

http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/Pages/default.aspx

The Port of Camas- Washougal Commissioners will meet with leaders from the City of Washougal, City of Camas and Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) on January 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting Room of the Camas Library, located at 625 NE 4th Avenue, Camas.

 

This is a rare meeting which citizen have not witnessed in many many years in our community. Local leaders talking to one another.

 

The Agenda:

 

1.) Bart Phillips CREDC presentation

a. What is the CREDC?

b. How are we managing the regional economy?

c. Questions?

 

2.) Cities and Port of Camas-Washougal

a. Current economic projects and partnerships we are working on.

b. What are our efforts for job creation?

c. Other?

 

3.) How can we work together to improve economic stability for our area?

 

4.) What is next?

 

5.) Adjourn.

 

(Meeting is open to the public. No decisions will be made.)

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Unlike Camas Schools which will hit Camas residents with an 8% tax increase if their levy is approved; Washougal Schools levy will actually DECREASE if voters approve their M&O and technology levy.

 

Washougal Schools mailed a detailed facts pamphlet out explaining, in detail, what Washougal tax payers will pay, and why, if they approve a replacement Maintenance, Operations and Technology Levy on February 9th. This report can also be found on their website at http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/levybond/levybond1.htm

The report details what a taxpayer will pay over the next four years. In a very rare display of government efficiency of mindfulness of tax dollars, the district will actually REDUCE the 2011 tax burden by $33,296 compared to local taxes currently being paid to Washougal schools in 2010.

 

$33,296 isn't much of a decrease, only about one half of one percent of the total $5 million local tax revenue but the point is very clear - Washougal schools are diligent and mindful of the local tax payers, especially during hard economic times.

 

Our hats are off to Superintendent Teresa Baldwin and her team for looking out for the kids while respecting the local citizens and businesses who "pay the bill".

 

Since the first weekend in January, yard signs have appeared all over Camas, encouraging motorist to "vote Yes Camas Schools".  Yet, with only three weeks to go before we are asked to vote on a levy to increase our taxes, voters still do not have the details of what is in this Levy. This week, parents found an oversized postcard in their mailboxes - encouraging parents again to vote "yes" for schools - but still no explanation of what or why we should vote yes.

 

Proponents rhetorically state that this is a "replacement" levy, but fail to mention the 8% increase.

According to public records,  Resolution No. 09-072011-2013 of the camas school board approved a Maintenance and Operations Levy to be presented to the voters.

 

Under a narrowly approved Bond a couple of years ago, Camas schools have been going hog wild this past year building new schools, demolishing old ones along with the historic Doc Harris Stadium - all during the Great Recession.  We always suspected the schools would hit us with a levy request to pay for the increased operational expenses to operate these new schools and this new stadium. Bonds only pay to build, not operate.

We did a little digging to try to find out what were the details of this "replacement Levy" since the schools have yet to inform us.  We found the school board resolutions presented by Ina Evers-Martin Administrator for the district.

What caught our attention was the wording that Ina Evers-Martin stated to the school board when she presented the proposal  "a resolution needs to be

approved in order to put a replacement levy on the ballot. The administrator’s recommendation is for a modest increase in the levy over a three-year period to account for a slight growth in enrollment. She expressed that

approval of Resolution No. 09-07 will provide formal approval to place a three-year replacement Maintenance and Operations Levy on the ballot for February 9, 2010. $10,400,000 (to be collected in 2011 at approximately $2.68 per $1,000.00 assessed valuation), $10,700,000 (to be collected in 2012 at approximately $2.63 per $1,000.00 assessed valuation), and $11,000,000 (to be collected in 2013 at approximately $2.57 per $1,000.00 assessed valuation).

 

What isn't discussed is the additional cost to operate all these new schools and new stadium.

It took a bit more research, which wasn't to easy to acquire, but we finally discovered the numbers of what we pay now verses the "modest increase" proposed in the new levy.

 

If approved, this levy will increase your personal property taxes 8%

We currently pay the Camas School District $9,542,309.

If this levy is approved by voters, that modest increase will pay the district 10,400,000.

 

Camas Schools has increased to levy taxes we pay an average of 6-8% each year, so if you vote yes, you are voting for more of the same.

 

Proponents argue that camas schools need the money for teachers. Opponents argue that Camas schools are top heavy with too many administrators and exorbitant salaries at the top, several earning over $100,000/year salaries.

 

Has Camas Schools done all it can to trim administrative costs?

Why is the public being delayed the details of how this levy money will be spent?

Is an 8% tax increase "Modest"?

Is an annual increase of 6-8% acceptable to you as a taxpayer? That's what we've been paying over the last three years; shall we continue the annual increases?

 

With 40% increases in Camas Utility rates during the past 10 months, plus foreclosures, job losses and the great recession, the schools can not afford to blindly assume that voters will just "say yes" merely because they ask.

 

With the start of 2010 upon us and with a new administration and renewed sense of enthusiasm, I pledge to lead the City of Washougal through some significant changes in 2010 with the advice and help of the city council, the staff and the community of Washougal.  Many of these items have already been started.

 

Increasingly Open Government.  In response to citizen suggestions a number of changes are already being made to how the City of Washougal conducts business and meetings.  First, the Consent Agenda has been eliminated at council meetings and items that would have been included in this portion of the agenda will be discussed and acted on individually as are all other agenda items. 

Second, workshop sessions will now be taped and minutes produced of these important meetings.  In addition, audio tapes will be made of executive sessions and securely stored.

I will also be allowing a public comment period during certain agenda items that are of higher interest, prior to the council taking a vote on the issue.  Too often, except in public hearings, comments are taken only at the start and end of the meetings which does not allow for helpful and timely input and comments from the public on items as they are discussed.

In regard to public record requests, it will now be the policy of the City to fulfill those requests as quickly as possible, without holding back information inappropriately.

 

Long Term Financial Planning.  Over the last few years the City has significantly increased its spending without regard to keeping revenues in line with spending.  As a result, in 2010 the City is using over 40% of its cash reserves, over $2.5 million, to balance the budget for 2010.  This will leave approximately $2.6 million in reserves at the end of 2010.  Without proper future financial planning now, it is entirely possible that the city will be out of financial reserves by the end of 2011.  That is not an option, either legally or morally.

I have instructed the finance staff, with help from other department heads, to undertake an immediate and total evaluation of every revenue and expense line item to see where adjustments can be made to reverse this trend.  While I campaigned on a pledge of not increasing any taxes or fees, it was not apparent until this fall what a precarious position the last administration has left the city in financially.

I will be asking city staff at all levels, as well as the council and members of the public to assist in this financial planning.  While there will be some significant and painful decisions to be made in how we prepare to balance the 2011 budget without use of reserves, I must say at this point that each and every portion of the city budget is on the table for discussion and evaluation.

 

Consider Zone Changes as it Pertains to Large Parcels and Commercial Areas.  I have asked the planning staff to bring forward recommendations on zoning that will encourage commercial and retail development in the downtown, along E Street and throughout the city on large tracts of land and available lots.

I intend to invest significant efforts and time in making Washougal THE most attractive and helpful place in the entire metro area to do business.  Through this process I will be asking business and industrial leaders to assist our efforts of tailoring Washougal’s codes, policies and fees to reach this goal.

 

Improve Sign Codes.  In response to suggestions over the last six months, I have directed our planning staff and planning commission to look at updates and changes to our sign codes, especially in regard to sandwich board signs that clutter the sidewalks and get left on the ground, all of the temporary side-of –the-road sign clutter and political signs.

While I want to be mindful of the needs of our businesses, I also want to balance the appearance in town and the clutter that is too often just left at the side of the road and at intersections. While city staff was previously directed to disregard portions of the City’s sign codes, I have directed that the codes be enforced until they are properly changed where appropriate.

 

Making the City Safer.  I have instructed the police department to begin a rigid enforcement of traffic laws in the City of Washougal.  While enforcement won’t be punitive, we will work diligently to slow speeds and intersection/stop sign violations through enforcement.  Stringent enforcement should be expected in all school zones throughout the city.

To assist in paying for traffic enforcement positions and to also help train officers in investigative techniques, I have also instructed the police chief to put together an out-of-state license plate enforcement program.  These efforts pay off in a number of ways.  First, through helping residents understand and comply with licensing laws, the city and state can gain incremental licensing and tax revenue.  Second, as vehicles are legally licensed in Washington, driver’s licenses also get changed to Washington licenses which help to avoid inappropriate local loss of sales tax revenue.  Third, for those individuals who continue to ignore the laws of the state, enforcement will increase revenue for the city and state through appropriate fines and fraud revenues.

 

Improving Washougal’s Whistle-Blower and Ethics Policies.  Obviously in 2009 we became painfully aware of major breakdowns in these areas that left city staff in unfortunate and difficult positions.

I have already directed appropriate staff to begin a complete reevaluation of Washougal’s policies for consideration of the city council.  I never again want any individual, elected, appointed or staff, be able to take advantage of or manipulate the system as we saw this last year.  I will be asking the council to consider changes that are far ranging and allow staff many options to report abuse and illegal activities without the fear of retribution, including the options of reporting such abuse directly to agencies outside of the city.

At the same time I will be asking the council to consider an ethics policy for all employees and elected and appointed individuals that make it extremely painful from a legal standpoint to undertake any such activities.  While even the best policies won’t be perfect, I intend to close as many possible loopholes as possible.

 

Community Beautification.  This is one of those issues that so many candidates, with the best of intentions, campaign on but are seldom successful in implementing.  I hope to not join that group.

Every community has areas that can look better and Washougal is no exception.  While keeping individual rights in the foremost of our planning, I have instructed staff to research proper and effective regulations that are used by other communities for possible consideration in Washougal. 

In the end I am hopeful that we will have success in encouraging residents and property owners to take better care of the front areas of their properties and make significant strides in decreasing some of the eyesores and blight in the community.

 

Shop Local First.  Everything good effort starts at the top.  I have instructed city staff on all levels that we will do business with our local businesses FIRST whenever it is reasonable and feasible to do so.  While I do not believe this will make a major difference in what is being purchased now, every sale helps.

With the assistance of the business community, I am confident that we will come up with a successful campaign to encourage residents to do more and more of their business in town as well.  A healthy business and retail climate will help attract a stronger, more diverse business climate.  I respectfully ask that everyone do what they can to assist the businesses in Washougal.

 

Partnerships.  I have already begun, with assistance from a number of department heads, to reestablish and strengthen healthy relationships with the Port of Camas-Washougal, the City of Camas, East County Fire & Rescue and the Washougal School District. 

With the current economic climate and the realities of government today, it is only through collaboration with our close neighbors that we will continue to be able to provide the highest and best services to all of our greater community.  I have pledged to each of these entities that Washougal is prepared and committed to be a good partner in current and future endeavors.  I believe that there are many areas where we can create new opportunities, or at the very least explore them to determine if they are viable for all.

 

These are ambitious goals, and this is just a portion of the work that I am asking the city council and staff to undertake this year.  I believe that 2010 will be an extremely pivotal year for this city, and I ask both the council and the public to assist in helping to improve Washougal for the benefit of all.

Many of this work will ultimately come before the city council for consideration and approval.  By reinstituting the council committees, I am confident that the council and staff will be able to work together to make many positive and informed changes to how the city does business.  I look forward to a much more progressive and successful Washougal.  I hope that you do as well.

 

Sean Guard
Mayor

One of the things I loathe about watching sports on TV  - especially Trailblazer Basketball that interrupts regular programming, is the 30 minute show following the game – giving you play by play “recaps” of what you just spent watching for the last three hours. So it is with newspapers and TV programs this week - focusing on 2009. In case you missed it, you lived through the Great Recession and an election where only 30% of the voters bothered to open an envelope, mark the ballet and walk out to the mail box. You saw the King of Pop die and the king of golf lose his (fill in the blank).

So instead of reminiscing, I thought I'd focus on 2010 and what we can look forward to in this coming year in Camas, Washougal and Clark County.

 

By most economists’ predictions, we can expect a slow economic recovery - expect to see job opportunities in business development, sales, technology, especially in renewable energies, medical, environmental. We continue to transition from a manufacturing focus to a knowledge society - meaning; brains and education are a hot commodity. There,  I just saved you $50 - no need to attend the CREDC's Economic Breakfast in January at the Hilton. You can thank me by donating $20 to the CWW website donation tab :)

 

Locally, politics will heat up in 2010 with the legislative, senate, and congressional races.

Jaime Herrera's seat will open for the 18th district state legislator.

Brian Baird is giving up his congressional race; our own Jon Russell and Jaime Herrera will take a run for the congressional spot.

Patty Murry's US Senate seat is open this year, so hopefully a dynamic conservative will run against her this coming year.

 

January will bring a second utility rate increase raising resident’s rates over 40% in less than a year.

Washougal will decide on the E Street Diet – roundabout, road paving.

Washougal will usher in a dynamic; results oriented Mayor who will have the chance to make positive change in Washougal. There will also enter some new blood with some smart, passionate council people.

The "tunnel to nowhere" will be completed soon.

Unfortunately, camas residents get more of the same as rampant apathy flowed through Camas - no one even bothered to challenge the Camas city council members up for re-election.

Camas will receive a new football stadium and the "field of Dreams" paid for by a narrowly passed bond two years ago.

 

Camas and Washougal schools will sell the voters on a New Levy in February. They say it’s a replacement level....keep your eyes open as things easily "slip" into the levy. How else can Camas pay the operating cost to all the new schools they built in 2009 and the operating costs of the new stadium?

 

The Port of CW will see two new commissioners ...there are high hopes for this commission. We hope they continue to clean up the port and eliminate the "good ol boys" that have cost the tax pays grief and millions of dollars.

The commissioners will be tasked to fund the safety improvements at Grove Field. Will they pander to the Johnston family who donated money to change their platforms during the election? Or will they rise above political payoffs and do what is right?

We also hope the commissioners will hire a business development person who knows how to recruit companies to the Port area.

We look forward to a few new companies moving to the area, bringing a few more jobs to the area in both Camas and Washougal.

 

We may see the rebirth of the Parker House into a good quality restaurant.

 

Questions:

Will Mayor Dennis resurrect the Camas Community Center and the Metropolitan Taxing District – thus increasing the cost of living in Camas even higher?

With 40% utility rate increases, will Camas get its new sewer treatment facility?

Will the State FINALLY start construction on HWY 14?

Will the Martini bar open in downtown camas?

Will Parkersville Park add another rock memorializing another Indian tribe?

 

We eagerly look forward to 2010 as Camas Washougal continues to grow - like it or not, with all the stretch marks associated with growth.

Camas is the highest paying taxing city in Clark County, Washougal is close behind.

Will we grow? or will we stagnate?

will outside companies find our area attractive and want to move here - bringing tax revenues and jobs with them?

 

May 2010 treat you well. May your taxes go down, may you keep your house and may your wealth increase.

 -Gary

This week’s Washougal council workshop will be on Tuesday at 5:30, not on Monday.

The agenda is basically one item, the E Street Project.  This meeting has been advertised as a meeting with possible action.  Many of the contractors and financial partners on the project will be present to give the council the latest information on what money is available for the project and how it can be used.  There will also likely be lots of Q & A involving the project, alternatives to the full project, etc.

 

It is very likely that the future of the E Street Project will be decided at this meeting this week.