Vancouver council to
talk B&O Tax Monday

Among other items on a crowded agenda that the Vancouver City council will face Monday evening is the issue of reinstating a business and occupation tax, the receipts of which would almost all go toward transportation improvements.

The city currently has a business license tax, but it does not levy any tax on business receipts and has not done so since phasing out its gross receipts tax on businesses at the beginning of the century. Eliminating the so-called B&O tax was one of the carrots that the city offered when it was courting a vast area east of Vancouver for annexation.

This year, the city has wrestled with plans to provide more adequate annual funding for transportation needs, mostly keeping up with improvements, although not for major capital projects.

The proposal before the council at its 7 p.m. meeting is to reestablish the B&O tax at a rate of $1.10 per $1,000 gross receipts, which would graduate to $1.50 on $1,000 gross receipts by 2010. Businesses with gross receipts under $50,000 a year would be exempt. The new proposal would reduce the annual license fee from $125 to $75.
 
The proposed tax would raise $8.8 million in 2007, and $12 million in the year 2010.

A final hearing on the proposal would occur on Monday, Nov. 13.

Raspberry Fields Park
dedication is Saturday

A grand opening, complete with elected officials and speeches, is scheduled to begin at noon Saturday, Nov. 4, at the new Raspberry Fields Park at NW 114th Street and NW 36th Avenue.
 
The 4.3-acre neighborhood park, formerly known as Erickson Farms Park, is the second to have been completed with funding from the voter-approved Greater Clark Parks District.
 
Park features include asphalt and concrete trails, a basketball half-court, playgrounds and picnic tables.

Attendees are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys being collected as Christmas gifts by Felida and the NE Hazel Dell
Neighborhood Associations.

CVTV to cablecast
election results

CVTV will cablecast the only live local general election night coverage, beginning at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, reports Jim Demmon, CVTV Cable Television manager. The live cablecast will originate from Gaiser Hall at Clark College.
 
Live results and candidate interviews will be conducted by Donna Mason, CVTV executive producer, and Colleen Kawahara and Kim Kapp. Daily Insider publisher Tony Bacon will offer commentary.
 
CVTV is cablecast on channel 23. The live coverage will also be available at www.cvtv.org.

News briefs

The greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is recruiting a communications and public affairs coordinator position. Requirements for the position, which reports directly to the chamber president/CEO, are a four-year degree in communications or journalism, at least one year’s experience, excellent writing skills, and computer skills including, if possible, Dreamweaver competency. Responsibilities include being the staff person for the chamber’s Public Affairs Committee, doing research and writing reports. For further information, call Chamber president Beth Quartarolo, 567-1050.

Calendar

The Slocum House Theatre presents Chekhov’s The Sea-gull at 8 p.m. tonight through Sunday, Nov. 5, with a matinee at 4 p.m. Sunday. The Slocum House Theatre is at 605 Esther Street. For further information, call 696-2427. n “Weather Moods,” a juried exhibit by 34 local artists, opens with an artists reception at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, in Gallery 21, 1013 Main Street. For further information, call 699-4744. n Arts on the Boulevard is having an artists reception for Harry Wheeler and Honna Sheffield this evening between 5 and 8 p.m. in the gallery at Columbia Street and Evergreen Boulevard. Light refreshments will be served. There is no charge. n Herringbone, Arts Equity’s one-man musical is playing at the Main Street Theatre, 606 Main Street at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday, Nov. 4. For further information, call 695-3770. n The Power of the Purse Brunch & Auction, presented on behalf of Vancouver Lifeline Connections, is at 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 4, in the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Silent and oral auction items range from gifts and jewelry to overnight hotel accommodations. Tickets are $25 each. For further information, call Joyce Malin, 737-8502. n A benefit for Educational Opportunities for Children & Families is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, in the Parker House Restaurant, 56 S 1st Street, Washougal. The $75-per-person evening includes wine tasting, auctions, dinner and live music. Further information is available by calling Cheryl Hangsleben, 567-2705.

Friday headlines

City trees getting greater protection--Columbian, Erik Robinson

No charge, no ticket but case not closed--Columbian, John Branton

Salmon Creek traffic gets urgent attention--Oregonian, Bill Stewart

Portland Art Museum showing "greatest hits" of ancient Egypt--Columbian, Brett Oppegaard

VA research musters Rx for veterans' inner wounds--Oregonian, Dee Anne Finken

Oregon winds blow in Kulongoski's favor--Oregonian, Jeff Mapes

Seattle voters face ballot measure to increase property taxes for roads and bridges--Seattle P-I, Angela Galloway

Web archive is said to reveal a nuclear primer--New York Times, William J. Broad

Israeli forces kill two Palestinian women shielding trapped gunmen--Washington Post, Scott Wilson

Bush blasts Democrats during Missouri visit--Washington Post, William Branigin