Pam Brokaw named executive director
of Affordable Community Environments

Pam Brokaw, former district director for U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-3rd), has been appointed executive director of Affordable Community Environments, Val Ogden, chair of the award-winning nonprofit affordable housing organization, announced today.

Brokaw has a broad background in public service, management and project development. A former newspaper reporter, Brokaw also managed the Water Resources Education Center for the City of Vancouver and was a communications specialist for Clark County.

ACE, formed in 1998, has developed three residential projects: Covington Commons, the Mews and Cascadia Village, all of which have waiting lists. ACE is working with Vancouver, Clark County, the state of Washington, community organizations and builders to build more housing for seniors and persons with physical and mental disabilities.

Just today Clark County announced it has awarded a contract to ACE to build a 24-to-40-unit transitional housing project for homeless people who are recovering from mental illness and who may also have co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.

County Clerk Jo Anne McBride retires after 26 years

Jo Anne McBride, Clark County clerk, who has often said she preferred not to be a politician, was honored with a retirement ceremony in the Clark County Public Service Center this morning, after having been elected and re-elected five times to that political office.

 A Democrat, McBride first went to work in the Clerk’s office in 1980. She was appointed to fill the final year of George Miller’s term in that office in 1985.

The perennial winner at the polls didn’t like politics at all. She summed up her feelings today: “It has been very hard on me with each election. It is very difficult not to take what said as personal. I'm so glad I won't have to do that again. I really hate to be in the public eye—just wanted to do the job.”

And do the job, she did. Technology and expanded responsibilities have given McBride opportunities to improve performances in the office. She took advantage of both.

The Clerk's office supports the Superior Court by receiving and processing court documents, attending and assisting in all court proceedings, maintaining the court's files, entering its orders, judgments and decrees. The office also maintains the record for all felony criminal, civil, dissolution, probate, mental, adoptions, guardianship and all juvenile court proceedings.

McBride says she is most proud of the Guardianship Monitoring Program that was developed two years ago, and has restored over a million dollars to minors and seniors who have had their guardianship accounts improperly spent by their appointed guardians.

She is also proud of the Family Law Facilitators Office, which was created to help people who want to represent themselves in court proceedings. The office reviews pleadings and helps explain the court process.

Retirement won’t leave McBride unbusy. “I want to be able to do more work with my church and at the new Legacy Hospital. I would also like to paint again and learn watercolor art,” McBride says.

McBride, who announced her retirement a year ago, will be succeeded by newly elected Democrat Sherry Parker in January. 

Kent Anderson named Ridgefield
Community Development director

Kent Anderson has been appointed community development director for the City of Ridgefield and will begin work on January 4, reports Ridgefield's interim city manager Justin Clary.

Anderson, who has 18 years of planning experience, has been community development director for the City of Kelso for the past seven years. While in Winnemucca, Nev., Anderson was recognized for development of comprehensive growth plans for local communities and was presented the American Planning Association’s 2000 Best of the AICP/ACSP Collaborative Projects Symposium Award and the Outstanding Small Town and Rural Planning Project” award.

Anderson holds a masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Anderson succeeds Kevin Snyder who left the city in July to pursue a career in the private sector.

Calendar

The one-man musical Herringbone, starring Taylor Askman and directed by Llewellyn J. Rhoe, continues at the Arts Equity On Stage Main Street Theatre, 606 Main Street, with performances at 7:30 p.m. this evening, Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23. Admission ranges from $8 to $24. For further information, call 695-3770. n A Taffeta Christmas, produced by Public Playhouse in association with Clark College, continues its December run in the Decker Theater in the Frost Arts Center at Clark College at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23, and a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. General admission is $16; $14 for students and seniors. For further information, call 573-4984.

Thursday, Dec. 21 headlines

Governor says Clark County needs a first-rate research university and Washington State University Vancouver is it--Columbian, Kathie Durbin

Reporter finds pockets of dark and light, struggle and joy--Columbian, Erik Robinson

Roadblock stalls Boise riverfront property sale--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

More downtown potential--Columbian, Cami Joner

Twelve-year-old gets probation in fatal hit-and-run case--Oregonian, Holley Gilbert

Bellingham consultant expected to be hired as Clark County lobbyist--Oregonian, Bill Stewart

U.S. Marines charged in Haditha murder case--Washington Post, Josh White

North Korea nuclear talks deadlocked--Washington Post, Edward Cody