Library bond issue gains chamber endorsement

The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce board of directors has unanimously endorsed the Fort Vancouver Regional Library bond measure slated for the Sept. 19, 2006, ballot, reports board chairman Mark Brandon. The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce represents nearly 1,500 members.

Other organizations that have endorsed the $43 million proposal are Identity Clark County, the 49th Legislative District Democratic Central Committee and the Clark County Democratic Central Committee.

The proposed new 90,000 square-foot, stand-alone main library at the corner of Evergreen Boulevard and C Street, across the street from the historic Academy Building, would contain more than twice the space of the existing library building. It would also provide free covered parking.

The bond issue would finance replacement of the 2,500-square-foot Cascade Park Library with a library facility ten times larger at the Firstenburg Community Center on NE 136th Avenue.

In addition, bonds would pay for technological improvements in the Vancouver Mall Library, including additional filtered internet computers, wireless access and self-checkout.

The estimated average annual cost for the owner of a $200,000 home, if the measure is passed, would be $35.

Twice the district has asked voters for approval of bonds for replacing the aging library facilities at Mill Plain Boulevard and Fort Vancouver Way. Voters gave the district 59 percent approval twice, but the measures died because of the 60 percent supermajority rule on property tax issues.

Six local high-tech companies
take Clark College training

Clark College’s Workforce Development & Continuing Education unit is providing specialized educational opportunities for employees at six local high-tech companies as a result of a $95,000 grant from the state Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Participating in the ten-month courses, which provide 200 hours of customized training for managers, supervisors, engineers, production workers and support staff, are the following: Tensolite, nLight Photonics, WaferTech, Panasonic, Saint-Gobain Crystals and Silicon Forest.

According to Lisa Edwards, the college’s executive dean of the job skills program, the customized training provided by Clark College is directed toward improving process control, quality and productivity.

Museum presents writer Elizabeth
Woody in free after hours program

Elizabeth Woody, a founding member of Northwest Native American Writers Association and winner of an American Book Award in 1990 for her first collection of poems, Hand into Stone, is the featured speaker at the Clark County Museum’s free after hours programs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, in the museum at 1511 Main Street. Woody is also the director of the Indigenous Leadership Program at Ecotrust, Portland.

Woody and local writers will read from works that involve the Columbia River, its history, flora, fauna and people. For further information, call museum director Susan Tissot, 993-5679.

Oregon patrolman stops semi driver
doing 89 MPH on way to Vancouver

An Oregon State Police trooper driving an unmarked Aggressive Driving Enforcement Plan patrol car stopped and cited a truck driver at 89 mph Wednesday afternoon north of Eugene. The driver was attempting to catch up with other vehicles transporting the Steely Dan entourage and equipment in route to Vancouver, for tonight’s concert at the Amphitheater at Clark County.

Bail was set on the citation at $469.00.

The Oregon State Police Aggressive Driving Enforcement Plan campaign utilizes unmarked street-appearing police packaged cars to help deter and stop aggressive driving violators. Enough said.

People

Debbie Blair, Vancouver, has been presented a check by Wells Fargo for her $681 monthly mortgage payment because of her 350-word essay about home ownership. As one of the monthly contest winners, Blair is eligible for the contest's $250,000 grand prize. The essay contest,  which is called The Great American Homeowner Challenge, continues through December, according to Wells Fargo. For further information, go to

www.wellsfargo.com/challenge.

Calendar

The New Blue Parrot Theatre presents Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing at 7 p.m. this evening, tomorrow evening and Sunday, July 30, in the Washburn Performing Art Center at Washougal High School, 1201 39th Street. Further information, 696-1155. n Riverview Community Bank’s Six-to-Sunset concert series  presents The Retros in Esther Short Park this evening. The Retros are billed as “The West Coast’s premiere ‘80s and New Wave Resurrection Band.” The concert is free. Food and non-alcoholic beverage vendors are on hand. n Steely Dan/Michael McDonald play the Amphitheater at Clark County at 7:30 p.m. this evening.  

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     City Minutes (7/23)—5:30 p.m. CVTV    Clark County Planning Commission (live)—6:30 p.m. CVTV    Oklahoma at Portland Beavers (live)—7 p.m. KKAD    Vancouver Land Use Hearings (7/18)—11:45 p.m. CVTV

Town Tabloids and the weather Al Angelo occupying seat of honor. n Denny Heck pulling chains. n Dean Sutherland taken in. n Arch Miller taking bow. n Jeannie Firstenburg making moves. n Larry Bekkedahl biding time. n Sam Jones telling correct story n Lynn Degerstedt not offending. n Lee Davis getting results. n Thursday, clouds and sunshine, 86. Friday, mostly cloudy, 76. Saturday, cloudy, good sailing winds, 73.

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, 607-8959 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