Casino DEIS hearing doesn’t draw 

The spacious concert hall at Skyview High School could have accommodated another 1,000 people Wednesday evening. Only a sparse crowd showed up to voice opinions on the proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort near La Center. BIA Hearings continue at 6 p.m. tonight.

Whereas perhaps a thousand people attended the first public hearing held by the Bureau of Indian Affairs last spring, last night’s first of two public hearings on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the BIA drew fewer than 200 persons, and not many more than two dozen spoke for or against the Cowlitz Tribe’s casino and resort planned for an I-5 location near the La Center junction.

Steve Horenstein, attorney for Cowlitz, said the lack of a crowd suggested that the public’s interest in the issue is waning.

Nevertheless, those who spoke in opposition to the over $500 million casino, resort, tribal community and commercial project outnumbered those who spoke in favor of it. Yet, the biggest round of applause came from testimony offered by Larry Patella, perennial Vancouver city council critic, who said that the issue boiled down to the good old boys versus the Indians.

The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and Identity Clark County both oppose the casino project, mainly because they feel that the 152 acres on the interstate highway would better suit the community if it were to become a business park instead.

The hearings last night and at 6 p.m. this evening in Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th Street, are part of the BIA process to determine whether the Cowlitz tribe can claim the property as reservation land on which Indian gambling is permitted. If permitted, the casino would be the biggest on the West Coast.

Comments on the DEIS will be accepted through July 14, at the BIA Portland headquarters.

A final ruling is expected in 2007.

Gov. Gregoire addressing
Clark graduates this evening

Gov. Chris Gregoire is the keynote speaker for the 2006 Clark College graduating class, members of which will be getting their associates degrees in ceremonies at 7 p.m. this evening in the Amphitheater at Clark County.

Of the governor’s participation in education, Clark president Wayne Branch says, “Gov. Gregoire has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating a world-class educational system from early childhood through higher education.”

During the current school year Clark, the third largest community and technical college in the state, will have provided 1,136 students with associate degrees and certificates.

Columbia Springs annual summer solstice
celebration has events for all ages

Activities ranging from a guided bird walk to a worm composting class are being offered during the Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center’s annual summer solstice celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 17, on the center grounds at 12208 SE Evergreen Highway.

Everything is free, reports center executive director Jane Van Dyke, except for lunch, which will be provided at a modest cost.

The center is sponsored by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Clark Public Utilities, City of Vancouver, Evergreen Public Schools, Clark College and Clark County. For further information, call 882-0936.

Author Bill Alley to sign
Pearson Field history

Vancouver author and Pearson Air Museum manager and curator Bill Alley will be signing his new book, Pearson Field: Pioneering Aviation in Vancouver and Portland between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17, in Pearson Air Museum, 1115 East Fifth Street.

Published by Arcadia Publishing, the 128-page collection of photographs is a visual history of Pearson Field, Vancouver's 100-year-old airport, which is often described as the oldest active airfield in the country. The book retails for $19.95.

Junior Symphony of Vancouver
fundraising concert is Saturday

The Junior Symphony of Vancouver, conducted by Timoteus Racz, presents a fund raising concert of Bach, Handel, Mozart and Bizet at in the Columbia Arts Center, 400 W Evergreen Boulevard. Saturday, June 17.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for a silent auction. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and may be acquired at the door or by calling 696-4084, extension 5.

People

IQ Credit Union has granted $1,000 scholarships to the following college students: Ben Alexander, Jennifer Brown, Lauren Hale, Lauren Jensen, Aaron Jensen, Alexandria Proudfoot and Amelia Schenck.  

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Thursday on the air         City Minutes (6/11)—4:31 p.m. CVTV    HMS Winnipeg Welcoming Ceremony (6/13)—5:31 p.m. CVTV    Clark County Planning Commission (live)—6:30 p.m. CVTV    Tucson at Portland Beavers (live)—7 p.m. KKAD

Town Tabloids and the weather Kim Cederholm. promoting white-water rafting.n Allan Brettman taking all the notes necessary. n Robby Horenstein preparing for advancement. n Barbara Kerr checking dance card. n Ray Johnson working the news side. n Nancy Baker making requisite stops. n Thursday, clouds to be pierced by sun, 70. Friday, partly cloudy, scattered showers, 69. Saturday, mostly cloudy and dry, 74.

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