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