Identity Clark County
opposes casino

The Clark County Identity Clark County board of directors supports a business park alternative over a Cowlitz Tribal casino and resort proposed for 152 acres near the La Center junction on I-5, reports ICC executive director Ginger Metcalf. A business park was one of six alternatives detailed in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which is being reviewed in two Bureau of Indian Affairs public hearings at 6 p.m. this evening and 6 p.m. Thursday, June 15, in Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th Street.

Metcalf said the board based its decision on the results of a membership poll conducted earlier this year. She said that 71 percent of the members who responded "strongly opposed" the proposed casino and that 80 percent of the membership felt a casino would have a negative social effect on southwest Washington.

The Cowlitz Tribe has signed local agreements with Clark County, the Ridgefield School District, the Vancouver Tourism Bureau and Clark College, detailing how it would share revenues in lieu of taxes The tribe also has a project labor agreement with the Clark County Labor Council, and has proffered an agreement to the City of La Center that would help to mitigate potential tax losses from the city’s casino-type card rooms.

High-tech research center
gets $100,000 start

U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-3rd) today said he has secured $100,000 to start construction of a hi-tech research center on the Washington State University Vancouver Salmon Creek campus.

"This funding will create jobs and spur economic development by helping existing high-tech businesses grow and attracting new businesses and researchers to our region," Baird said.

The funding will be used for Phase I development of the Washington Technology Center semiconductor and micro device user facility.

The facility will provide high-tech businesses and academic researchers in southwest Washington with local space to conduct semiconductor and micro device research.

The effort to establish a semiconductor and micro device user facility in Vancouver is part of a broader regional economic development plan being led by the Washington Technology Center, the Columbia River Economic Development Council, and local semiconductor businesses such as nLight Photonics and Sharp Laboratories. 

Vancouver earns second
consecutive diversity award

The Association of Washington Cities has unanimously selected Vancouver as Diversity Champion of the Year for the second consecutive year. The award for 2006 is for the city's continuing effort to work with the city's diverse population and for its particular program "The Diversity Project - We're Still Here!"

The city's Diversity Advisory Council has identified and implemented strategies to meet its goal of ensuring that city services are accessible and can be understood by all members of the community.

Being Diversity Champion of the Year for the second year in a row is a testament to the fact that not only do we support diversity, we are deeply committed to it," said city manager Pat McDonnell.

People

Jerry Petrick, manager of Business Services for the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, has been chosen to join the 2006 class of Marano Fellows at the Sector Skills Academy, a joint project of the Aspen Institute's Workforce Strategies Initiative, Public/Private Ventures and the National Network of Sector Partners. Petrick joins the a group of 24 fellows. Petrick was chosen for the fellowship based on his work on projects with health care, pulp and paper, metals and transportation industries over the last two years in southwest Washington. n Ken Conway has been named to a newly created position of financial services representative at the Bank of Clark County.

News briefs

Of $135,000 raised during the American Heart Association Heart Walk on June 3, 475 Southwest Washington Medical Center employees were responsible for $45,500, according to Rainy Atkins, the medical center's chief operating officer and a member of the Heart Association Board. "I was awestruck by the success of the event," Atkins said. The walk was sponsored by SWMC. n More than 30 employers are expected to participate in a “Hire-A-Vet First” job fair sponsored by WorkSource Vancouver in the organization’s Town Plaza office, 5411 E Mill Plain Boulevard. Job seekers are urged to bring resumes and be prepared for job interviews. WorkSource Vancouver is a partnership of business, government agencies, colleges and nonprofit organizations offering career services for job seekers and businesses. For further information, call Beth Hammer, 735-4979.

Calendar

The Columbia River Crossing Task Force meets at 4 p.m. today at 1434 N. Vancouver Avenue, Portland. n Port of Ridgefield commissioners meet in regular session at 6 p.m. this evening in port offices at 111 W Division Street. n The Bureau of Indian Affairs is holding two hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement regarding the proposed La Center-area Cowlitz Casino Resort. Both begin at 6 p.m. in Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th Street. The first is this evening. The second is Thursday, June 15. n Open Mic Poetry Night, led by Rivkah Loewus, is at 7 p.m. this evening in the Vancouver Community Library, 1007 E Mill Plain Boulevard. n Clark County Sammy awards will be presented by state land commissioner Doug Sutherland at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 15, in the Water Resources Education Center.                  

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

Wednesday on the air          Bravo! Vancouver: Happy Birthday Amadeus—5 p.m. CVTV     Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics (live)—7 p.m. FSN, KFXX     Tucson at Portland Beavers (live)—7 p.m. KKAD     Clark College Orchestra Spring Concert—9:30 p.m. CVTV     City Minutes (6/11)—11:30 p.m. CVTV

Town Tabloids and the weather Jim Callihan flattening the world. n Susan Wolff sleuthing. n Mike Gaston saying hello. n Mike Worthy earning recognition. n Mike Heywood doing introductions. n Tom Burkholder maintaining steadfastness. n Ray Barney making requisite stops. n Wednesday, partly cloudy, scattered showers, 68. Thursday, clouds to be pierced by sun, 70. Friday, partly cloudy, scattered showers, 69.

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