Kelly Punteney retiring after
35 years with City of Vancouver

Kelly Punteney, the driving force in the development of trails in southern Washington, in particular in Vancouver and Clark County, is retiring after a little over 35 years with the City of Vancouver. Punteney’s successful efforts in developing a regional trail system have been recognized nationally.

Punteney says after nearly four decades of public service he will pursue opportunities in the private side of community development. Lisa Goorjian will take the lead role as city-county trails and greenway manager.

Punteney, currently Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation trails and greenway developer, will be honored by fellow employees and friends at a reception from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, in the Water Resources Education Center.

Punteney is being honored at a $40-per-person dinner that evening in the Hilton Vancouver Washington. That function will be a fundraising event for the Tidewater Cove Jetty, a Punteney project that offers extraordinary views of Mt. Hood, the Columbia River and Portland International Airport. For further information, call Dan George, 619-1121.

Don Benton named ranking Republican on state
Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee

State Sen. Don Benton (R-17th) has been chosen to be the ranking Republican member of the State Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Benton will also serve as a member of the Senate Transportation and the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committees.

Benton, a small business owner and Concordia University graduate, is serving in his third term in the Senate. He also served one term in the House of Representatives.

Loaves and Fishes to expand
service for Clark County seniors

Loaves & Fishes Centers, the Meals-on-Wheels organization, have received a $151,250 grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust to expand meal services for seniors in Clark County, reports Loaves & Fishes executive director Joan Smith.

Portland-based Loaves & Fishes began serving Clark County seniors last January and today operates in eight locations in the county. The Leupke Senior Center currently serves meals five days a week, while other locations throughout the county are in operation only one or two days. The grant will allow the organization to increase the number of days other sites will provide meals for seniors, according to Smith.

Meyer Memorial Trust was created by the late Fred G. Meyer, who built the chain of retail stores bearing his name, but the trust is not associated in any way with Fred Meyer Inc., the retail enterprise. 

Holtzman Twins Special Care Nursery
gets $50,000 grant from Will Rogers Institute

Southwest Washington Medical Center’s Holtzman Twins Special Care Nursery has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Will Rogers Institute to purchase two ventilators for the nursery, which provides specialized care to newborns with critical health issues.

The Will Rogers Institute is a national charity dedicated to the support of pulmonary research and the development of new treatments and cures for lung diseases and disorders.

News briefs

Garbage and recycling collections in Vancouver and Clark County are one day later than usual for Saturday, Jan. 6. The regular schedule resumes Monday, Jan. 8. But in Camas garbage will be collected as usual, except for Monday, Jan. 1, in which instance it will be picked up Tuesday, Jan. 2. n The Insider erred, as it was pointed out by Bill Bland, in identifying George C. Marshall as Supreme Commander of the Allied Armies during World War II. This distinction rightly goes to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Marshall, who was a five-star general at the end of World War II, went on to be come Secretary of State from 1947 to 1949, and in 1951 he served as Secretary of Defense. He was Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army during the second World War. Eisenhower, also a five-star general, succeeded Marshall as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army in 1945. Eisenhower was elected 34th President of the United States in 1952. n Deadline for nominations for tourist awards for southwest Washington is 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, reports Kelly Sills, Clark County economic development manager. Nomination forms can be found by going to www.southwestwashington.com/pdfs/CCTA_
Distribution_Flyer.pdf.

Wednesday, Dec. 27 headlines

Washougal revitalization hinges on February bond issue--Columbian, Dean Baker

County residents eligible for flood aid--Columbian, Michael Andersen

Chronis Restaurant serves 250 free Christmas meals--Columbian, John Branton

Will 2007 be the year of the casino?--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Vancouver gasoline prices highest in the nation--Columbian, Courtney Sherwood

Time to hold 'em of fold 'em at GP--Columbian, Julia Anderson

Airport noise study back in people's court--Oregonian

Tributes pour in for Ford--USA TODAY, Bill Nichols and Tom Vanden Brook

Writing an end to Watergate--Washington Post, Bob Woodward

John Edwards in running for president in 2008--USA TODAY, AP

Dow surges past 12,500--USA TODAY, AP, Joe Bel Bruno