16,000 people share Battle Ground’s “Extreme Future”

“Battle Ground,” said Mayor John Idsigna during his State of the City address last night, “is forging an ‘Extreme Future.’” The city’s future is based on shared volunteerism and cooperation among agencies, the mayor said to a packed house in the City Hall.

The mayor said the latest demonstration of the city’s progress came in the form of updated vote count from the Tuesday, Feb. 6, election that only an hour earlier showed voters in the Battle Ground School District had approved a three-year $38 million maintenance and operations levy by an over 60 percent majority.

The mayor ended his speech with a special presentation to Cassie Hubbard, who he said was an example of the spirit of the city. On two successive Halloween nights Cassie, rather than ask for candy, handed out information on the Battle Ground Food Bank and collected food for the poor. Last year she collected over 100 pounds of food for the food bank.

      Cassie Hubbard

“Our schools and children are the foundation of our success,” Idsigna said.

Highlighting the city’s near future are more than $10 million in park and recreation projects, which will bring marathons and triathlons, professional skating competition, indoor motocross events and rock climbing to the city.

“Battle Ground, the second largest city in Clark County, is definitely a destination tourist attraction,” Idsigna declared, proudly adding that construction of a Best Western Hotel will begin this year. It will be the city’s first hotel.  

Four of five ballot measures
pass the 60 percent majority test

Of five measures on the Tuesday, Feb. 6, special election ballot, only one failed at the polls, reports Clark County Elections Department.

The $7.5 million bond issue that would have paid for a new city hall and civic center in Washougal not only didn’t make the mandatory 60 percent majority for property tax measures, but failed to get a majority vote. Nearly 57 percent of Washougal voters turned the measure down.

A $90 million bond issue to build two new elementary schools and expand and modernize the Camas High School and other schools was approved, as were special levies in the aggregate of $7 million for technology expenditures.

Battle Ground voters approved $38 million in special levy maintenance and operation taxes, and Ridgefield School District voters approved just over $10 million in maintenance and operations levies.

June Berry named C-TRAN
Employee of the Year

June Berry, executive assistant and clerk of the C-TRAN Board of Directors, has been named C-TRAN employee of the year “for her professionalism, dedication to the agency and kindness.” Berry has been with the transit agency for nearly 20 years.

“June is a wonderful resource, providing a historical perspective on C-TRAN activities. She has a unique ability to make each and every person with whom she comes in contact feel important,” says C-TRAN executive director Jeff Hamm, “Her service-oriented disposition is an asset in the executive office and throughout the agency.”

In addition to her regular duties, Berry has led the overhaul of the agency’s archival system. For the past 15 years, Berry and her husband George Berry have volunteered as judges for C-TRAN’s annual Rodeo competition. The couple has two children and three granddaughters. 

Free dental care offered for kids
without insurance Saturday

Free dental care for children, 2 to 18, who do not have insurance is being offered from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, in the Clark College Dental Hygiene Clinic. The free care, part of National Children’s Dental Health Month, includes checkups, X-rays, sealants and fluoride treatments, and fillings and extractions.

The day-long clinic is sponsored by the Clark County Dental Society in partnership with Clark College, Clark Public Health, Free Clinic, Greater Southwest Washington Dental Hygiene Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Washington Oral Health Foundation.

To schedule an appointment, call 397-8020 or 397-8000, extension 7371.

Calendar

The La Center city council is meeting in a work session at 6 p.m. this evening to discuss critical areas regulations. n “Childhood Obesity: What Are Our Schools Doing About It?” is the subject of the free Forum at the Library at 7 p.m. this evening in Library Hall in the Vancouver Community Library, 1007 E Mill Plain Boulevard.  Speakers are Tannis Knight, associate superintendent, Camas School District, Mari Owens, nutrition services manager, Vancouver School District, and Don Mertz, elementary physical education curriculum coordinator, Evergreen Public Schools. Barbe West, executive director of Community Choices 2010, is the moderator. Reservations are not required. n The Home Ownership Center’s seventh annual breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in the Hilton Vancouver Washington. The speaker is Doris W. Koo, president and CEO of Enterprise Community Partners. For information on $50 tickets, call 690-4496, extension 103. n Clark County employees “Our Personal Best” recognition ceremonies begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay.  

Thursday, Feb. 8 headlines

Quay future still unclear after public forum--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

Two local women want to kill port levy for purchase of old Alcoa property--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

Battle Ground focused on the future--Columbian, Jose Paul Corona

Bill that would allow Vancouver to levy a $20 fee on motor vehicles to help pay for transportation projects gets first hearing in the legislature--Columbian, Katie Durbin

Nautilus turns in record fourth quarter--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

Ex-Poor Farm site rich in open space--Columbian,Tom Koenninger

Palestinians reach unity deal--USA TODAY, AP

North Korean nuke talks resume on positive note--Washington Post, Edward Cody

Anna Nicole Smith dead at 39--MSN, AP