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WEDNESDAY FEB. 1, 2006 Mayor urges Vancouver to think
In a speech devoid of innuendo, to an audience loaded with dignitaries, including at least two commissioners from the County of Clark, Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard delivered his annual State-of-the-City address in the Hilton Vancouver Washington convention center this morning based on the theme, Think Big. “Think big will help Vancouver identify and honor its uniqueness. Thinking big will instill in our residents and businesses a sense of pride that they are part of a community that is always looking to create a brighter future. Thinking big will take Vancouver to the places we dream of. The best is yet to come,” The mayor declared. He added: “There are some who have wondered whether think big refers to the city’s annexation proposal. To be perfectly honest, that thought did cross my mind briefly, but it in no way dictated today’s theme. “The fact is, that we are a big city and it is time we acknowledge it, embrace it, plan for it and make it work to our advantage.” It was 40 minutes into the mayor’s hour-long address before he addressed the issue of a potentially huge (16,000 acres) annexation currently thwarted by Clark County commissioners who last week dissolved the State Boundary Review Board of Clark County, effective limiting current annexation plans to 823 acres south of Fourth Plain Boulevard east of Vancouver. “Annexation is part of good growth management, Pollard said, “and is one way we can think big for our community. Annexation brings continuity and predictability to areas that have a complex mix of governments providing services to them. The county does a great job at what they are chartered to do but cities are the best mechanism to serve urban areas. “The county commissioners’ recent decision to eliminate the boundary review board, without a public process, took us by surprise. And their call for a public vote on the issue is puzzling given that the best opportunity for voters to have a voice on the issue is before county commissioners expand the urban growth boundary.” The mayor continued: “I want to emphasize that the commissioners’ action will not defer our overall annexation plan. It is still out intention to bring areas of Vancouver’s urban growth boundary into the city and will do so using the legal methods that are available to us. We are committed to good growth management and annexation is simply the right thing to do for our residents, or community and out future. “People have asked us what the city gets out of annexation? Why are we pursuing it?” Everyone should keep in mind that the land in question is inside a boundary that was set by the county, with their full understanding that eventually, it would be come part of the city. Our goal is to ensure a balanced mix of uses that includes, in addition to residential development, commercial and industrial development that will create jobs for out citizens rather that the sprawl we are seeing in the county now.” “Annexation is not a question of want,” Pollard stated, “it is a question of us fulfilling our responsibility to the residents of the urban growth boundary.” The mayor said that the city will continue to hold annexation information fairs in urban growth areas. Five were held last month. Pollard said, “we want residents of those areas eager to become out citizens.” The mayor allotted one paragraph in his speech to the controversial subject of the proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort near La Center: “We have shared our concerns with the Cowlitz about their proposal and will continue to exercise due diligence and engage in discussions with them about all of the potential impacts to our community. We are advocating a thoughtful public process that fully engages our community on all of its issues related to this casino.” Otherwise the mayor’s address stressed three goals: Building the community. Enhancing accountability and outreach. Focusing on the future. Port to buy Cadet industrial
property; The Port of Vancouver today approved an agreement with the state Department of Ecology to buy 11acres of contaminated industrial property including the Cadet Manufacturing Inc. plant north of Lower River Road and take to charge of cleanup of that site and a second groundwater contaminated industrial site south of Lower River Road. Contamination from the two sites were co-mingled in groundwater resulting in a multi-million dollar clean-up process that is ongoing. The port also agreed to lease the Cadet facility to that company which manufactures electric heaters and employs more than 100 persons. More than $13 million has already been spent on cleanup work and it is expected that it will take an additional $22 million to complete the project. “This agreement allows the cleanup of one co-mingled site to be better coordinated and to occur more quickly,” according to port executive director Larry Paulson. “In addition, we are acquiring property that is contiguous to the port’s current operating facility to promote jobs and economic development.” People State Rep. Bill Fromhold (D-49th) has been selected by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs as the Legislator-of-the-Year for 2005. In his third term as a state legislator, Fromhold is chairman of the Select Committee on Pension Policy, and is an advocate of policies to ensure the solvency of the state’s retirement systems.
Headlines
at home and from around the world:
Clark County Historical Museum opening its biggest exhibit--Colmubian, Dean Baker Wettest January since '70--Columbian, Erik Robinson Marilyn Herbster claims her $360,000 quinto prize--Columbian, Justin Carnici Vancouver-based UMD Technology acquires Santa Clara Company--Vancouver Business Journal Dennis Roberts to preside over Clark County Association of Realtors--Columbian, Cami Joner Not too late to signup for Russ Dyer's nonprofit Lose It Challenge--Columbian, Mike Bailey Seattle Man gets $100,000 for "best idea since sliced bread"--Seattle P-I, Kristin Dizon
Iranian president vows defiance on nukes--USA TODAY, AP
Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam updates every
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