Posted by CW Moderator on Sunday, January 23, 2011,
Camas, Wash. (January 20, 2011)Downtown Camas has a ‘new movie theater operator’ and tenant for the Liberty Theatre which is scheduled to reopen in March.Greg L. Goforth, commercial real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial, Jenkins-Bernhardt & Associates,represented the owners and landlords of the Liberty Theater, Gary and Marilyn Webberley, and the new Liberty Theatre operator, Rootstock Capital Management LLC – Rand Thornsley, for this partnership.
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, January 4, 2011,
In :
Washougal Issues
We just got email confirmation from someone attending the Washougal City Council Meeting tonight....He observed the whole meeting and not a word out of the public about Sean Guard's run-in with the law. The citizen reported that the only comment made about the episode was from Councilman Delevar (sp). It's time to move on people. Next Topic Please. Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, December 31, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
With pressure from CWWatch Blog the Camas Washougal Post Record had no choice but to report some of the mysterious facts surrounding Mayor Sean Guard's run-in with the law. Here is the link: http://www.camaspostrecord.com/news/2010/dec/30/washougal-mayor-accused-using-emergency-lights-chr/ I must say this article is a strange departure from the other articles written about this situation. It's almost like a set of talking points written in story form. You decide.
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, December 30, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
According to the CC, this is a copy of an internal email sent to every City of Washougal staff member before the story broke in the Columbian. Enjoy.
Start Email---------
Just so you are not surprised tonight or tomorrow, I am told that there may be a news story about a traffic stop that I was involved in while in a city vehicle.
On Christmas Eve I was taking a needy family (mother and two children) home from a Christmas present shopping trip. While on I-5, I was behind a vehicle in the lef...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, December 30, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
Have you ever been outside on a warm summer night and heard the crickets chirping? The lazy sound of chirping crickets is the same sound being heard from the Camas-Washougal Post Record. The story on Mayor Sean Guard broke on Monday and the Post Record did not print it in Tuesday's paper. They still haven't posted anything on their website as of Wednesday, December 29th. Chirp, Chirp, Chirp Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, December 30, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
We are trying to stay current on the news regarding Mayor Sean Guard's latest run-in with the law. Here are the news sources running the story currently. We will provide more links as news develops.
We have a few questions, because the story is a little bizzare.
1.) Why was the Mayor traveling alone with a female adult and two children? (Columbian) We get the whole charity thing, but was the woman in the vehicle his wife or not?
We are not saying that the Mayor was doing anything scanda... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, December 21, 2010,
In :
CW Port Issues
The remaining remnant of the RiverWalk debacle, Scot Walstra in leaving the Port after three and a half years serving as Business Development Director. Scot is a nice guy, unfortunately he was hired at the beginning of a turbulent time that brought a head to Port commissioner corruption, ending in the ouster of two commissioners during the 2009 election. After the new commissioners took over, the Port attorney, who orchestrated much of the Port shenanigans, left in early 2010.Scot was hired i...
Posted by CW Moderator on Sunday, October 17, 2010,
In :
Community
Voters should reject Initiative 1098
he first of two planned Fisher Investments office towers has started rising out of the ground in west Camas. But executive Ken Fisher said Friday he would not move his company of 1,155 employees to Clark County unless Washington’s voters soundly reject Initiative 1098, a state ballot measure that would tax the incomes of people who earn $200,000 or more.
Fisher, 59, has hinted for three years that the $30 million Camas complex could be his company’s next...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, October 12, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
Washougal City Council to Consider a Resolution Banning Red-Light Cameras in City Limits
By: Jon Russell, Mayor Pro Tem, Washougal City Council
This resolution will be brought forward by Councilman Michael Delavar:
Michael states:
“With this resolution, the City of Washougal is sending the message that we reject the propagation of cameras everywhere. The Police Officers of the City of Washougal do a fine job keeping law and order on the streets of our city. The last thing we ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, September 23, 2010,
Building Industry Association of Clark County Makes Endorsements For General Election, 2010
The Board of Directors of the Building Industry Association of Clark County (BIA) has voted to endorse several candidates in this fall’s election. The complete list includes:
2010 General Election Endorsements:
49th District Representatives: Bill Cismar Pos. 1 and Craig Riley Pos. 2
18th District Representatives: Ann Rivers Pos. 1 and Ed Orcutt Pos. 2
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, September 17, 2010,
If you are like many of us, you were hit up at Safeway for your hard earned money to help to "acid victim" .....how do you feel? A little cheated? angry that she dupped us all?
Although this is very unfortunate, I hope people don't become to cynical or jadded that they stop helping others in need. sometimes our giving doesn't end up in the hands of those who need it. Often times, it does. -GW
Vancouver, WA — The Vancouver Police Department announced at 4 p.m. that Bethany Storro has admitte...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, August 13, 2010,
Hearth Washougal
We had the opportunity to dine at Hearth Restaurant,
Washougal’s newest restaurant which opens August 18th.
Probably the smartest thing a restaurant can do is have a “soft
opening” the week before so they can work the kinks out.
Something strange I’ve never experienced before was that you
can see their menu on their website, so I pretty much had an idea of what I was
going to try….when we arrived, they had a different menu. A little
disappointing.
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, July 22, 2010,
In :
Beyond CW
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 18th 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. Consi... Continue reading ...
Washougal, WA — The Washougal City Council passed a resolution Tuesday night supporting the Arizona immigration law and urging Washington state lawmakers to pass ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, June 9, 2010,
In :
Community
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 "fr...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, June 3, 2010,
In :
Beyond CW
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...
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 prelimina...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, May 25, 2010,
In :
Community
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...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, May 11, 2010,
In :
Camas Issues
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, wher...
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 ca...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, May 8, 2010,
In :
Schools
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, g...
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, May 5, 2010,
In :
CW Port Issues
In the four months of a new Port commission, the public is seeing positive efforts to move the Port forward 1) Allowed the public to comment after each item at Port meetings,
where the prior commissioners made the public wait until the end of the
meetings.
2) Moved the Port meetings to the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month so
they will not conflict with city council and fire district meetings.
Allows the public to attend more meetings -- if they want.
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, April 27, 2010,
In :
Schools
This is just a quick reminder that the Board will be taking input on possible
areas for budget reductions at a listening post tonight at 7:00 p.m. Please
note: in its front page article this morning, The Columbian incorrectly stated
the listening post would take place at Helen Baller. It is at Grass Valley in
the gymnasium.
No board decision or action will take place at this
event. Topics will include:
• Reductions in athletics; •
Implementation of half-mile or one mile walk zones; ... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, April 22, 2010,
In :
Community
Several tax changes will take effect as early as May 1, assuming Gov.
Chris Gregoire signs into law the tax package sent to her by the Legislature.
Bill 2ESSB 6143 temporarily increases the business and occupation tax rate on
services beginning May 1. Another bill, ESHB 2493, increases cigarette and most
other tobacco taxes May 1. The legislation also extends the sales tax to candy
and bottled water beginning June 1, increases the beer tax starting June 1, and
imposes a carbonated bev... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, April 22, 2010,
In :
Schools
Submitted by Concerned Camas Parent:
On 4-26-10, the Camas School Board will vote on whether to change the kindergarten schedule from half day every day to alternate day full day (two and a half days one week, two days the next).
EVERYONE OPPOSED TO THIS CHANGE NEEDS TO LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
The kindergarten year is critical and serves as a major transition from home to school. Daily attendance establishes continuity. The board can be reached via e-mail at:
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, April 16, 2010,
In :
Community
Why I am supporting David
Castillo for US Congress
David Castillo is a successful
businessman who lives in Olympia with his wife and four year old son. His
resume is impressive including work with the Department of Homeland Security,
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the US Department of Labor. He is a
Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments. As a successful businessman,
David Castillo understands the needs of small business and big commerce, and
the importance of...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, April 15, 2010,
In :
Camas Issues
Ken Fisher of Fisher
Investments confirmed today that they are moving forward on
construction of their 115,000 square
foot 4-story building - Camas campus for several hundred investment
advisors. The average salary of the advisors is well over the statewide
average (more like double the state average).
In this tough economic environment, Camas and east Clark County
is very lucky to have this California
based company moving their operations and key employees to our area.
There will be ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, April 9, 2010,
In :
CW Port Issues
In
what has been seen as a malicious, revengeful attempt to strip the former Riverwalk
principals of everything they own, at a continued legal cost to the taxpayers –
“The Port of Camas-Washougal announced
Thursday it has dropped attempts to recover fees from its legal battle with
Riverwalk on the Columbia LLC. The company has no assets to recover, said Dave
Ripp, the port's executive director. Last year, the port sued for the $607,852
in attorney's fees it spent in legal arbitration over...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, April 9, 2010,
In :
Community
A timber company owned by the Confederate
Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation has filed suit against the Hambleton
Lumber Co. of Washougal,
Wash., The Hermiston Herald reported
today. In a legal complaint filed March 15, the company claims it delivered
about 185 loads of logs to Hambleton Lumber between September and November of
2009 but the sawmill has not paid for the product. Warm Springs
Forest Products
Industries is seeking $230,000 in compensation for the logs, plus interest and
ot... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, April 6, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
Mayor Sean Guard announced today that the City of Washougal has
offered the position of City Administrator to Mr. David Scott of
Vancouver, Washington.
Mr. Scott, 47, is currently the Director of Development Review Services for the City of Vancouver. He has been with the City of Vancouver for eleven years and prior to that time was the Building Official for the City of
Tigard, Oregon for six years and was the Commission Secretary for the
City of Los Angeles from 1986-1993. He holds a Bachelor...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, April 6, 2010,
In :
CW Port Issues
At special
meetings held March 9th and March 30th the [Port of CW] Commissioners met in the public with
consultant BergerABAM, to continue the process of updating the Port‟s Comprehensive
Plan by reviewing the current Plan, discussing long-term strategic planning,
and inviting public input. Each meeting lasted nearly three hours and, due to
in-depth discussion and extensive public input, a few topics still remain for
consideration.
You’re invited to
the next special meeting on April 13t...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, March 23, 2010,
In :
Beyond CW
Living in a "liberal" state,and seeing Patty Murry standing next to Pelosi in jubilant celebration of the Health Care Bill, I was pleasantly suprised to read a news report in the columbian today:
"Washington AG to join lawsuit over new health care bill
Washington is among ten states that plan to file a lawsuit over the federal health care legislation approved yesterday, according to Bloomberg news. The states will challenge the constitutionality of the health care overhaul, saying it will pla...
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, March 22, 2010,
In :
CW Port Issues
On March 9th the Commissioners met with consultant BergerABAM during a special public meeting, to continue the process of updating the Port’s Comprehensive Plan by reviewing the current Plan, discussing long-term strategic planning, and taking public input. This meeting lasted nearly three hours and, due to the in-depth discussion of the issues, several topics remain unaddressed.
On March 30th the Board will hold another special meeting with the consultant to continue discussion and complete...
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, March 22, 2010,
In :
Community
After a harrowing day that saw a bloc of pro-life Democrats agree to compromise on abortion language, House Democrats cemented a victory for President Obama with a 219-212 vote for the Senate's massive health insurance overhaul.
Thirty-four Democrats voted against the bill. Obama will likely sign it on Tuesday.
The House had yet to vote on a "reconciliation" bill aimed to "fix" provisions in the Senate bill that House Democrats opposed but viewed as better than nothing.
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, March 19, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
"At this point
the investigation with the SAO has been closed for all intensive
purposes. The information is now in the hands of the Clark County
Sheriff’s Office for follow-up and investigation to see if there are any
actions that may be pursued as a criminal investigation." Sean Guard Mayor
March 19, 2010
"In regard to the Special Investigation by
the State Auditor’s Office, the SAO
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, March 16, 2010,
In :
Community
Youth from the Camas and
Washougal area are invited to attend a Summer Aviation Camp at Grove
Field. The first camp for children ages 10 to 14 will be held from 9:00
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22nd through Saturday, June 26. The second
camp is for ages 15 and older on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, June 29, July
1 and July 3 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Grove Field is located 1 mile
northeast of Camas.
Both age group camps are
designed for the aspiring young aviator who wants to l...
Corruption finally exposed and dealt with. The PSE Chapter President of Camas, Jennifer Gurule, was forced to resign at the general membership meeting held 3/09/10. Had she not resigned the membership was prepared to present a petition with the required # of signatures to force her out. The distrust of this person and the PSE board dates back to August 2009 when their own union forced protech bidding...why...because Jennifer\'s job had been eliminated. ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, February 26, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
In an article written Friday ByMarissa Harshman of the Columbian
www.columbian.com
“The Washougal City Council plans to do
away with a resolution pledging its commitment to revitalize downtown. But
Mayor Sean Guard said the move does not mean the city is backing out if its
promise to give the area a face-lift.
Instead,
he said, repealing the resolution will remove restrictions on commercial
businesses trying to locate in Washougal.
The
resolution was passed in September 2005, when th...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, February 26, 2010,
In :
Community
In an audio call
from the “less than professional” David Castillo campaign, the audio recordings
begin by spewing his slime attacks against Jaime Herrera. Pitching himself as a
man of integrity, experience and leadership, he came out of the gate showing
his character flaws today.
According
to his last FEC report Castillo has taken special interest money for his
campaign, yet attacks Herrera for raising money from special interest groups.
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, February 25, 2010,
In :
Community
This has been an unfortunate week for the taxpayers of this state.
Yesterday, the governor signed Senate
Bill 6130 into law. This suspends the Taxpayer Protection Act of
2007 (I-960).
I fought against this legislation and joined my Republican colleagues and
moderate Democrats in voting against it. With the will of the voters pushed
aside, Democrats are now free to raise your taxes.
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats shared their 2010 supplemental operating budget
and it included $918 million in n...
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, February 24, 2010,
In :
Schools
Banners and flyers met Camas school employees on their way to work today. Seems at least some people aren't happy with the Camas School District's choice of construction contractors...so Mike Nerland gets the blame for "desecration of the American way of life". .. Sure is an interesting way to put a company out of business....blame the school superintendent ....so will the school district bow to the extortion tactics of the Council for Carpenters?
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, February 23, 2010,
In :
Community
WASHOUGAL- Jon Russell, Republican Candidate in Washington's 3rd
Congressional District is announcing his departure from that race. In doing so,
he is giving his endorsement for that race to State Representative Jaime
Herrera. He will be formally announcing his candidacy for Washington State's
18th Legislative District on March 8th in his hometown of Washougal.
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, February 17, 2010,
In :
Community
Thank you to those of you who contacted Senate leaders to tell
them not to gut Initiative
960, the initiative that protects taxpayers by requiring a
two-thirds vote of the Legislature to raise taxes. Now, we in the House have
received this legislation -- Senate
Bill 6130. And we will not do so quietly.
I just
came out of a meeting with Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) and Minority Leader
Richard DeBolt (R-Chehalis), along with my fellow Republican Floor Leader
Charles Ross (R-Naches).... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, February 5, 2010,
In :
Community
Majority
party in Olympia sets the stage for tax increases
Dear Friends
and Neighbors of Camas - Washougal,
The Washington State Senate has introduced a bill that affects voter-approved Initiative 960. The legislation, Senate Bill 6843, was just introduced
today and is already scheduled for a public hearing in
the Senate Ways and Means Committeethis afternoon at 1:30 p.m
The voters approved Initiative 960 in 2007. The Initiative requires any tax
increase to be approved by either a 2/3 v...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, February 4, 2010,
In :
Schools
The State Auditor’s Office today published
two audit reports of K-12 school districts in Washington.
We examined the Learning Assistance
Program for fiscal years 2007 and 2008. The
program provides support for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who
need assistance with reading, writing and mathematics. Funding is primarily
based on a school district’s poverty level. LAP funding increased from $6
million during the 1979-80 school year to $94 million for 2007-08, when nearl...
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, February 3, 2010,
In :
Schools
Recently
I submitted some questions to Camas School District Superintendent Mike Nerland
to help me understand the upcoming CSD levy. One question was a concern about
an apparent contradiction of CSD documents that has contributed to the confusion
of many voters. Secondly, as a taxpayer, I very interested to see HOW my tax
dollar is spent - what percentage id allocated towards basic...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, January 28, 2010,
In :
Beyond CW
“It seems to me that we owe
Oregon voters a big thank-you. They breathed new life yesterday into the notion
that Yes indeed, folks, a progressive public policy still commands
respect.”
“In approving Measures 66 and 67
on their Oregon ballot, our friends across the river endorsed fundamental
principles embraced by a lot of our own Washington people. Call it Washington
values. It’s our commitment to keeping both a reliable safety net for citizens
and families in need of assista...
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, January 25, 2010,
In :
Camas Issues
Signs appeared Monday throughout Camas echoing the sentiment of
over-taxed property owners dissatisfied with the Camas School Districts’ Levy
increase under the ruse of a “replacement” levy.
Levy
proponents have done a good job of encouraging voters to “Vote for Scho...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, January 22, 2010,
In :
Schools
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... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, January 22, 2010,
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 Sup...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, January 22, 2010,
In :
Community
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 li... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, January 22, 2010,
In :
CW Port Issues
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
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, January 18, 2010,
In :
Community
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, hunt...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, January 16, 2010,
In :
Community
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 ye...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, January 16, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
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 T...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, January 14, 2010,
In :
Camas Issues
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...
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, January 6, 2010,
In :
Washougal Issues
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 num...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, December 31, 2009,
In :
Community
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 ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, December 28, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
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 proj...
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, December 28, 2009,
HANG UP! OR FACE A TRAFFIC
VIOLATION AS A-
PRIMARYOFFENCE!
In nearby Oregon, come January 1, it
will now be a primary traffic offense, carrying a minimum of $142 fine, for
talking or texting or using a hand held communication device while driving.
This is unlike Washington
State, where it is at
present, a secondary offence only. That is, Washington State
violators will not be c...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, December 26, 2009,
In :
CW Port Issues
One would
think that there was a lesson to be learned from the Riverwalk fiasco, one of
which was; Read a contract before signing it.
In an
11th Hour push by exiting Port Commissioners Hargrave and Carroll and supported
by Port Executive Director Dave Ripp and Port attorney Shawn McPherson - the
Fab Four tried to push through a $2,000,000 land purchase within the Industrial
park l...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, December 24, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
The Parker House Restaurant, a
fixture on the shores of the Columbia River in
Washougal for decades, has been purchased and plans are being unveiled for the
site.
Plans for the property
include remodeling or removing the existing two-story restaurant and building a
possible new, three-story restaurant with outdoor patios.
The new restaurant will be
called the Black Pearl o...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, December 22, 2009,
In :
CW Port Issues
As Port Commissioner Bill Ward said tonight at the closing
of the Port Meeting
“This is an end of an era, and a new one is beginning”
It truly was an end of an era as the last public meeting of
the Port Commissioner Alan Hargrave and Jim Carroll will be replaced by commissioners
elect Bill Smith and Mark Lampton.
I was surprised and pleasantly pleased by Bill Ward who
stopp... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, December 22, 2009,
Rumors that the Parker House may become a new upscale restaurant continue to take shape.Employees were seen loading equipment out of the Parker House today and the noone was to be found during dinner hour. A dark building....a common scene to old timers of the CW area.
The evolution of the Parker House would require a very “complete” remodel with leaving almost nothing of the old structure in place, but constructed with a taller edifice and one fully taking into consideration this outstan... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, December 21, 2009,
In :
Community
Elizabeth
Bernstein wrote a memorial article recently in the Wall Street Journal. The
article isn't memorable as a potential Pulitzer, but because it brought back a
few memories of my 25 years of wedded bliss.
"Last
year, Lindsay Demma Gibson was thrilled to find a stocking and, under the tree,
several carefully wrapped gifts from her husband Christmas morning.
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, December 18, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
West
Columbia Gorge Humane Society
Unfortunately there is inaccurate information being
circulated in regard to the relationship between the City of Washougal and the West Columbia Gorge Humane
Society.This memo is an attempt to
correct some of that.
First, the current action being proposed was not through the
direction of the Washougal City Council.It was at my direc...
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, December 16, 2009,
In :
Community
18th Legislative District State Representative Jaime Herrera
announced her candidacy to succeed Brian Baird in Congress from Washington’s
Third District.
Herrera, 31, Camas, was
appointed to the legislature by local Democrat and Republican county
commissioners to fill a vacant seat in the legislature in 2007. Last year she
was elected with 60% of the vote from her district which includes parts of Clark
and Cowlitz Counties. Her legislative committees include Health Care,
Transport...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, December 10, 2009,
In :
CW Port Issues
[if !mso]
The Port of Camas-Washougal released
the results of a recent public survey that asked local citizens for input on
communication preferences and opinions on port properties such as the popular
marina, Grove Field airport and the industrial park.
“We’re pleased that so many
people took the time to respond to our survey and provided valuable input and opinions
about the...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, December 10, 2009,
In :
Community
VANCOUVER- 3rd District Republican Candidate for U.S.
Congress, Jon Russell, applauds Brian Baird's decision to not seek another term
to Congress.
"When Baird was first elected to Congress the Federal Government had
budget surpluses. After Baird's12 years in Congress, we are now running over
1.7 trillion dollar deficits, thanks in-part to Brian Baird's voting. His
resignation unde...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, December 10, 2009,
Martha Martin, in a run for the position of ECFR
commissioner was told by a sweeping majority of voters in the primaries that
she wasn’t their choice to become commissioner of the ECFR. Instead,Mike Berg was chosen by the people.
Since she wasn’t elected, now she has the chance to get the
position by being appointed and has submitted her application and resume for
considerati...
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, December 9, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
Jeffrey
Bivens, now former Finance Director for the City of Washougal
was
notified Monday that he does not qualify for the job he was hired for as
Finance Director of the City of Washougal.
The
Washougal council as the employer, in essence changed the job description of a
current employee by requiring the position of Finance Director to carry a bond
of $2.5 million.
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, December 8, 2009,
In :
CW Port Issues
Port Commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to move forward with plans to improve the safety of Grove Field.
"Monday's approval will allow the port to seek $10 million in Federal Aviation Administration funding to improve safety standards at the airstrip, owned by the Port of Camas-Washougal. Pilots say the upgrades are necessary to the airport, west of Northeast 267th Avenue between Ninth Street and Hathaway Road. A minority few of Its neighbors object to plans that appear to enlarge the airport.
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, December 8, 2009,
In :
Community
With the worldwide economy still mired in a semi-historic slump, some savvy cyber-attackers are departing from the usual raft of Santa Claus e-cards and reindeer-in-the-living-room themed multimedia codec attacks in favor of threats engineered to suck in those people desperate for a few extra bucks to add to their holiday budgets.
More people than ever are likely to be wondering how they're going to shell out for holiday cheer this year and predictably attackers ... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, December 8, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
Camas is
not the only community soon to be saddled with steep increases in water and
sewer rates. Washougal is looking at a 14% increase for the new year.
This fact
has incensed some citizens. In these times of very high unemployment, huge job
loss, skyrocketing health insurance rates, and recent drastic drops in property
assessment values, a notice that water and sewer rates to ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, December 1, 2009,
In :
Camas Issues
Camas Increases Utility Rate 40.8% in 9 months.
January 1st is your next hit.
Public Meeting December 7th
When I received my last utility bill from the
city of camas, my rates had increase so much; I crawled under the house to see
if I had water gushing from my pipes.
No such luck. That, I could have fixed. But the
continued plundering of my wallet by the City of Camas is ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, November 25, 2009,
By KRISTEN WYATT, Associated Press Writer Kristen
Wyatt, Associated Press Writer –
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — There could be less jingle in
the Salvation's Army's hallmark red kettles this season. The charity is testing
kettles that take debit and credit cards.
The
growth of so-called "plastic kettles" comes as fewer shoppers carry
cash. Bell
ringers who stand outside stores d...
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, November 25, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
WASHOUGAL-
Jon Russell, Republican for U.S. Congress, is pleased to announce that
for the first time in the City of Washougal’s history, the City Council
has passed an ordinance to cut property taxes. Russell, a Washougal
City Council Member, sponsored the ordinance, which will cut property
taxes by 1% for fiscal year 2010. Monday evening, the Washougal City
Council passed Russell’s ordinance unanimously.
“I
am honored to have led this charge to put more money in the pockets o...
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, November 23, 2009,
In :
Community
My Thanksgiving Holiday Rant:
This weekend, five days
before Thanksgiving, I stopped at the store to pick up some last minute
groceries for the big day of overindulgence of food and family.
As I walked up to the front
doors of the store, what do I hear? The ringing sound of those annoying
Salvation Army bells!
Instantly, my pleasant
attitude changed from friendly to annoyed. I t...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, November 21, 2009,
In :
Community
The number of Washingtonians with no health insurance will soon reach 1
million, according to a report today from state Insurance Commissioner Mike
Kreidler. Kreidler also predicts that the cost of uncompensated medical care in
the state will reach $1 billion annually by 2011. In seven years, the cost of
uncompensated care including uncollected medical debts and charity care by
hospitals and other health providers, has increased by over 80 percent from $457
million in 2002 to a projecte... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, November 19, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
Department heads at the City of Washougal notified Mayor Pro-Tem Molly Coston and Mayor-Elect Sean
Guard today that they would not be accepting cost of living
increases for 2010.
Department heads were notified in September by former Mayor Stacee Sellers that she was requesting a 3% cost of
living adjustment for all of them in the 2010 Budget.
Posted by CW Moderator on Wednesday, November 18, 2009,
In :
Community
I kept thinking that I would get over my disappointment and anger with
Congressman Brian Baird. As a moderate Democrat I have tried to understand his
lack of support for progressive issues and President Obama, but I don’t.
Right now, at this time in history he has turned to the
right in a Congressional District that overwhelming voted Democratic.It is time for him to go.
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, November 16, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
WASHOUGAL, Wash. -Mayor Stacee Sellers announced today that she was resigning
after losing her re-election campaign, even though she was supposed to serve
out her term until January 1.
Recently, council members voted unanimously to publicy censure Sellers and last
week Mayor Stacee Sellers had not returned any of councils phone calls or
emails there was a lot of talk about the coun...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, November 14, 2009,
In a contentious campaign issue that surfaced during the Port
Commissioner race; Lynn Johnston,
owner of the Johnston Dairy land has sent out a rally cry to residents of LaCamas Shores
and fern prairie residents to condemn the Grove Field
Airport.
If you recall, Lynn Johnston and family own property adjacent to their
airport and donated campaign funds to Port Commissioner candidat...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, November 5, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
As reporting on KOIN TV News tonight, Mayor Sellers was loading you a U-Haul when they arrived and ducked out of sight to avoid the press. Sellers is avoiding phone calls and emails and has basically gone "underground". see full story on
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, October 31, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
In an article written by Marrissa Harshman of the Columbian tonight: The Mayor issued an apology and plan to deal with shortcomings.....The Washougal City Council passed a resolution Friday night expressing
its disapproval of Mayor Stacee Sellers’ behavior and lack of effective
communication.
The censure vote will not result in Sellers being
removed from her position; it is only a record of the council’s
dissatisfaction. The council unanimously approved the resolution, and
Sellers said she ... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Friday, October 30, 2009,
In
anticipation of a city council meeting
tonight at 5:30 to decide what action the city should take against Mayor Stacee
Sellers, the press have swarmed around city hall already (12:00noon)
We are told that Mayor Sellers just came out of a meeting with auditors and
ordered the press to all leave or she would call the police.
She announced that there
will be a press release issued...
Posted by CW Moderator on Thursday, October 29, 2009,
Is there something in the water out here in boony-ville? Seems the auditors even need to be audited!
"The state auditor’s office launched an investigation of Skamania County Auditor J. Michael Garvison this week after the county’s former prosecuting attorney released expense reports that he said showed Garvison has billed county taxpayers for tens of thousands of dollars in questionable travel expenses in recent years.
As of September, Garvison, 38, had billed the county about $32,000 for ... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, October 27, 2009,
In :
CW Port Issues
In August, Port Commissioner candidates Lampton and Smith were accused of “flip flopping” as they changed their minds about supporting Grove Field and instead, publicly announced opposition to the Grove Airport improvements and the proposed FAA funding project. Information supplied from a group of concerned citizens who audited the candidates, surfaced donors and dates that coincides with this “flip flop”. Donations to Smith of $500 from Lynn Johnston, $500 twice (total of $1,000) fro... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, October 24, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
The Audit reports will be released Monday morning sometime. The Washougal City Council Meeting will be packed as people see and hear the council discuss the extensive findings of the State Auditor. Be there.
-Gershon Excerpts from the State Auditors Report:
The City cannot account for funds collected during
several City-sponsored
community events and made questionable expenditures
and ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, October 17, 2009,
The Port of Camas-Washougal invites the community to attend the upcoming commission meeting scheduled for November 2 as the board nears a critical decision about the future of Grove Field Airport.
“We’re excited that we have finally reached the point where research and opportunity are at an intersection making it the ideal time to make a decision about the funding, maintenance and safe operation of the airport in the years ahead,” said David Ripp, port executive director. We have learned ... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, October 17, 2009,
As all of you should know by now, I
am opposed to the current E Street “Road Diet” plan currently proposed by the
City. If current city council votes are any indication, it appears that many of
the current council are opposed to it as well.
As many of you who are interested in
this project know, there is a nearly $2 million funding “gap” in this project.
In other words, the mayor appears prepared to sign contracts for the project
ev...
Posted by CW Moderator on Tuesday, September 29, 2009,
In :
Washougal Issues
Washougal Mayoral candidate Sean Guard has planned a town hall meeting, open to
all of the public, scheduled for Thursday October 8 at 7 PM at the Washougal
Community Room.
“I have invited Mayor Sellers a number of times to sit
down and discuss planning a debate or town hall meeting, but the mayor has
refused to respond to recent invitations. As a result I have planned this town
hall meeting and have invited the mayor to also attend and
participate.
Posted by CW Moderator on Monday, September 28, 2009,
In :
Beyond CW
By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Writer
There's no kill switch for the Internet, no secret on-off button in an Oval Office drawer.
Yet when a Senate committee was exploring ways to secure computer networks, a provision to give the president the power to shut down Internet traffic to compromised Web sites in an emergency set off alarms.
Corporate leaders and privacy advocates quickly objected, saying the government must not seize control of the ... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, September 26, 2009,
In :
Beyond CW
Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA-8), has launched an investigation into why AARP has so much love for the Health Care bill HR3200.
"I just can't understand how the leading voice for America's seniors would support a bill that cuts $156 billion from millions of their members' health benefits," said Reichert. "Are they being honest with their members? Is there a hidden motive behind their support for these reforms that would cut member benefits? These are questions I posed to AARP directly earlie... Continue reading ...
Posted by CW Moderator on Saturday, September 26, 2009,
In :
Camas Issues
In the spring of this year, we came out opposed to a nearly 20% utility rate increase proposed by and eventually approved by the City of Camas Council. Mr. Brachmann discussed proposed water, sewer, stormwater and sanitary rate increases for 2010-2013 at the Camas Council meeting in September. The City only approved the rates for 2009 and will be reviewing the addiional rate increases at the October 5th Council meeting. There are some suggested discounts to be considered for seniors and low i... Continue reading ...
A
Public Responsiveness Rating has been added to the CONTACT Page of
public officials who are most likely to respond to your questions,
concerns about community issues: Poor; Doesn’t return call or emails. Ignore citizens questions
Below; can do better – Hit or miss. May respond to your calls but may lack answers too.
Good Job; Responds most of the time to either email or phone call questions
Great Job; Returns phone calls and emails. Responds to questions, answers questions. Open and transparent.
If you see something we should post, have a tip, have a question or want to contribute an article: please email it to our moderators - Gershon Shohan or Gary Wayne You can contact us confidentially at moderator@cwwatch.com
IMAGINE YOURSELF DEBT FREE
Dave Ramsey Financial Workshop Coming to Washougal.
Public is invited.
Join us for this 13 week workshop that teaches families to beat debt, build wealth.
Place: St. Matthew Lutheran Church
17th and Washougal River Rd.
Thursdays starting Jan.21st
Time: 6:30pm
Child care is provided
Cost: $93/family for materials
Pre-Register: 360-835-5533
stmattewlcms@comcast.net
"Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of 'crackpot' than the stigma of conformity. And on issues that seem important to you, stand up and be counted." - Thomas J. Watson
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed here represent only their respective authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of the other contributors to this website
The remaining remnant of the RiverWalk debacle, Scot Walstra in leaving the Port after three and a half years serving as Business Development Director. Scot is a nice guy, unfortunately he was hired at the beginning of a turbulent time that brought a head to Port commissioner corruption, ending in the ouster of two commissioners during the 2009 election. After the new commissioners took over, the Port attorney, who orchestrated much of the Port shenanigans, left in early 2010.Scot was hired i...
Higher health care bills ahead - Hits Camas immediately.
Camas and Washougal beef up as well. 
Rumors that the Parker House may become a new upscale restaurant continue to take shape.Employees were seen loading equipment out of the Parker House today and the noone was to be found during dinner hour. A dark building....a common scene to old timers of the CW area.
Martha Martin, in a run for the position of ECFR
commissioner was told by a sweeping majority of voters in the primaries that
she wasn’t their choice to become commissioner of the ECFR. Instead,
Port Commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to move forward with plans to improve the safety of Grove Field.
WASHOUGAL, Wash. -Mayor Stacee Sellers announced today that she was resigning
after losing her re-election campaign, even though she was supposed to serve
out her term until January 1.
“We’re excited that we have finally reached the point where research and opportunity are at an
"I just can't understand how the leading voice for America's seniors would support a bill that cuts $156 billion from millions of their members' health benefits," said Reichert. "Are they being honest with their members? Is there a hidden motive behind their support for these reforms that would cut member benefits? These are questions I posed to AARP directly earlie... 
In the spring of this year, we came out opposed to a nearly 20% utility rate increase proposed by and eventually approved by the City of Camas Council. 
