Library voters to get brand new
package, brand new location

After voters twice turned down proposed Vancouver community library bond projects, the most recent failing by only a few votes less than the required 60 percent majority, the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District board of trustees has come back with what sounds like a third-time-is-a-charm winning combination: a new downtown library site, renovation of the existing Mill Plain library and a boost of $5 million by an anonymous contributor.

The new measure will be on the Tuesday, Sept. 19, ballot.

Last night the trustees agreed on relocation of the main Vancouver library to a downtown site south of the historic Providence Academy Building on Evergreen Boulevard. The property, valued at $2 million, is part of the Killian Pacific Riverwest development project and is a gift to the library district if the bond issue is approved.

The new Vancouver Community Library would be a multi-level, 90,000 square-foot building. In addition, an underground parking facility would provide free parking for library patrons.

The Killian location was selected by library trustees for several reasons. The location is closer to the rapidly developing downtown area. Better proximity to downtown would also give library users convenient access to other nearby activities, such as restaurants, theaters and shopping.

The old library would be remodeled to consolidate district offices.

The bond proposal would provide for construction of a 25,000 square-foot east Vancouver library adjacent to the Firstenburg Community Center, replacing the 2,500 square foot Cascade Park Library.

Improvements at the Vancouver Mall Community Library would include wireless access and self checkout stations.

The proposed bond measure would authorize up to $43 million in 20-year general obligation bonds. The estimated cost would be 17.5 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation, or about $35 a year for a $200,000 residence.

Voters within the Vancouver Library Capital Facility Area, approved last November, will vote on the September bond issue.

Good ideas vs. duds topic of
Black Entrepreneurs Thursday

Distinguishing between good ideas and duds is the focus of Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County’s monthly business meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, in the Jim Parsley Community Center, 4100 Plomondon Street.

Presenters for the program “Generating and Marketing Profitable Ideas” are researcher Steven Beresfort and Rudy Rameriz, Service Corps of Retired Executives counselor.

Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County offer free monthly business round tables and networking. Everyone, regardless of race, residence and venture is welcome, according to Shereefa Abdullah, president of Hot Ovations Communications Coaching & Training and founder of Black Entrepreneurs. For further information, call Abdullah, 604-8583.

People

The Building Industry Association of Clark County has awarded 12 $1,000 college scholarships to 12 Clark County high school seniors. The scholarship selection was based on scholastic merit, community service and a potential career in the building industry. Winners are as follows: Kurtis Croft, Bryant Hawthorne, Kallen Hawthorne and Grant Spolar, all of Mountain View High School; Olga Bocharov and Brienna Rust, both of Battle Ground High School; Joe Intermill, Prairie High School; Kyle Nelson, Hudson’s Bay High School; Caleb Patterson, Academy Northwest; Joshua Pruitt, Skyview High School; Kane Roeder, Stevenson High School; and David Steinmetz, Clinton High School.

Calendar

The Ridgefield Economic Development Corporation annual meeting is at 6 p.m. this evening in the Port or Ridgefield offices, 111 W Division Street. That meeting will be followed ten minutes later by a regular meeting of Port of Ridgefield commissioners. n Michael J. Parks, editor and publisher of Marple’s Report, will keynote the Columbia River Economic Development Council’s  quarterly investor meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 25, in the Heathman Lodge. n Ridgefield glass artist David Schwarz is the presenter for the Lunch With the Challengers at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, May 25, in E. B. Hamilton Hall, in the Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes Road, in Vancouver Barracks. The series sponsored by The Club at the Historic Reserve features local personalities and their achievements.

Headlines at home and from around the world: (Click on the headlines below for the rest of the story)

Wednesday on the air         Portland Beavers at Nashville (live)--4 p.m. KKAD    Clark County Close Up (5/7)—4 p.m. CVTV    City Minutes (5/21)—4:30 p.m. CVTV    Bravo! Vancouver: Happy Birthday Amadeus—5 p.m.      CVTV    Baltimore at Seattle Mariners (live)--7 p.m. FSN, KFXX    Hazel Dell Parade of Bands (5/20)—7 p.m. CVTV    Clark County Hall of Fame (9/12)—9:30 p.m. CVTV    Work Style in New Millennium (5/3)—10:31 p.m. CVTV    Community Foundation Annual Luncheon (5/4)—11:30 p.m. CVTV

Town Tabloids and the weather Al Bauer says strawberry patch almost ready for picker. n Candi Erlich rejoining crowd. n Nancy Simons and Cheri Cole making a pair. n Tony Sayess redefining friendly. n Scott Barbour bouncing back.n Skeets O’Connell hale, hearty and uncomplaining. n Royce Pollard basking. n Wednesday, showers tapering off, cloudy, 63. Thursday, expect more showers, sunbreaks, 62. Friday, a few more showers, a little sun, 61.

Accounting Caley & Associates, James Caley CPA, 695-0065 Peterson & Associates, P.S., Certified Public Accountants, 574-0644 Tax Advisors, PLLC, CPAs Property Tax/Cost Segregation 750-6884 Attorneys Miller Nash LLP. Steve Horenstein, 699-4771 Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, Lisa Lowe, 694-7551 Banks Bank of Clark County, 993-2265 First Independent Bank, 699-4200 West Coast Bank, 695-3439 Beauty and Wellness Iduhair & Company Salon Retreat, Celinda Rupert, 735-1249 Charitable Gift Planning Barbara Chen CFP, Clark College Foundation, (360) 992-2659 David DiCesare, The Community Foundation, (360) 694-2550 Jim Forkner, FAHP, SWMC Foundation, (360) 514-3182 Elson Strahan, CFRE, President, Historic Reserve Trust (360) 992-1835 Cosmetic and Family Dentistry Earl C. (Duke) Simpson, DDS, PS, 993-0300 Construction Management and Development Andersen Construction Co., Inc. Bob Durgan, (503) 720-5234 RSV Construction, Ron Frederiksen, 693-8830 Credit Unions Columbia Credit Union, 891-4000 iQ Credit Union, 992-4242 Development/Investments Killian Pacific LLC, 567-0625 Prestige Development, Elie Kassab, 993-0010 Human Resources Consultation O'Neill & Associates, Paula Johnson, 606-2961 Insurance Services Keenan Insurance Services, Brandon M. Keenan, 213-1500 Investment and Retirement Planning First Pacific Associates, Mark Martel, CFP, (360) 254-2585 Public Relations Hunt Communications Tom Hunt, 693-8180 KMac & Associates LLC, Kathy McDonald, 607-8059 Rocky/Hill & Knowlton, Krista Hildebrand, (503) 248-9468 Real Estate Coldwell Banker Commercial Wally Hornberger, 699-4494 Norris Beggs & Simpson, Roger Qualman, 699-7181 Retirement and Inheritance Planning Andy Nygard, CFP, (360) 695-6431 Signs Security Signs, Designed to inform and sell! Carol Keljo, 817-9959 Speaking and Training Kathy Condon, Career Communications, 695-4313 Window Washing Quality Window Washing, Dave Beecher, 256-7370