Wayne Branch and Clark
College going separate ways

The five-member Clark College board of trustees, acting largely on the basis of a 97 percent no-confidence vote by the community college faculty in May, announced yesterday the following: “The Clark College board of trustees has decided to activate the termination clause for convenience under the employee contract with Dr. Branch.

“Dr. Branch took the challenge to meet our expectations, and his accomplishments have been significant in the three years he served as president. We sincerely thank Dr. Branch for his contributions to the college and community.”

Currently Clark College’s vice president of administrative services, Robert Knight, is serving as the lead administrator at the college, according to Kim Peery chairman of the college board of trustees. Knight, who was hired by Branch, is a former Vancouver Barracks commander.

Branch is the second Clark College president whose contract was terminated in four years. Former president Tana Hassart, Branch’s predecessor, also felt the enmity of the faculty.

Branch, who gets at least a year’s severance pay, and who began a vacation today, said, “I have no regrets about coming to Vancouver. I have made many wonderful friends here.”

Vancouver Lake reopened for water activities

Vancouver Lake has been reopened for swimming, wading, and wind-surfing. The lake was closed last Friday by Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation and Clark County Public Health when regular water testing detected E. coli above acceptable levels.

“We’ve tested the water twice this week, and results from both tests indicate that E.coli levels are now within the range that’s considered safe for swimming and other water activities. We’re happy that the lake is available to recreationists in time for the expected hot weather this weekend,” reported Clark County Health officer Alan Melnick.

Pick-a-party ballot
prevails in primary

By state law, primary election voters must pick their party to vote for partisan candidates, reports Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey. The official primary election is Tuesday, Sept. 19, but mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered county voters on Friday, Sept. 1.

Candidates may file for political office Monday, July 24, through Friday, July 28.

Primary election voters, in addition to selecting either a Republican or a Democratic ballot for partisan candidates, will also receive a nonpartisan ballot that will contain judicial offices and local ballot measures. Kimsey points out that no record is kept of which ballots voters choose.

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Voters then may select candidates of their choice without regard to the candidate’s political party.

Meanwhile, all registered voters have been mailed voter identification cards with updated voter information. By mailing cards to all registered voters, the Elections Department will be able to cull invalid voters.

County has plenty of
electricity to keep cool

Although power, driven by air conditioner use is expected this weekend to reach a summertime peak, Clark Public Utilities will have no problem in meeting the demand, according to utility president/CEO Wayne Nelson.

Annual peak power use usually comes in the winter when usage can hit over 1,000 megawatts on a severely cold day. The electric system set summer record power use of 735 megawatts on June 24 this year.

Utility crews have been performing maintenance work and testing equipment to ensure reliable service this weekend, power officials said,

Tips for keeping cool without air conditioning include keeping doors and windows closed and shaded during the heat of the day, creating cross ventilation in the morning and evening by opening windows on the high and low sides of the house, and using the barbecue instead of the indoor range or oven. 

Calendar

Dirty Martini headlines the free Six-to-Sunset Concert in Esther Short Park this evening. There is no charge for the concert, sponsored by Riverview Community Bank. Food, and non-alcoholic beverage vendors will be on hand. n Because of dirty air, C-TRAN is offering free bus service tomorrow through Sunday.  

 
Taste of Vancouver, Aug. 17-20, Esther Short Park--Join the Fun!
     

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

Thursday on the air     Clark County Close Up (7/2)—4:43 p.m. CVTV    City Minutes (7/2)—5:30 p.m. CVTV    Vancouver Planning Commission (live)—6:25 p.m. CVTV    Portland Beavers at Tucson (live)—7 p.m. KKAD

Town Tabloids and the weather Nancy Millar moving up to Cedar Hill Cross Road. n Kimberly Blue saying: “Arr mateys!” n Gene Wigglesworth zeroing on another art show. n Merry Cromack working on big Sunday. n Brian Baird gives veto override a valiant try. n Thursday, sunny, 89. Friday, sunny and hot, 99. Saturday, a tad cooler, 98.

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 Engineering, Planning and & Surveying Mackay & Sposito, Jon M. Yamashita, 695-3411 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