State Senate Education Committee sets
day-long public meeting at ESD 112

The state Senate Education Committee, along with staff members from both the Senate and House Education Committees, have scheduled a 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, public meeting in Education Service District 112 offices, 2500 NE 65th Avenue.

The agenda includes the following: Discussion of ESD 112 work with school districts and other education partners. A report from the Camas and Battle Ground School Districts about “better-than-predicted” student achievement. A discussion of the Southwest Washington Childcare and Early Learning Consortium on school readiness and kindergarten initiative.

Education officials will also discuss with legislators the Clark College and Lower Columbia College high school completion pilot project.

The session ends with a field trip to the Clark County Skills Center for a discussion of the Center for Career and Academic Achievement, a drop-out retrieval program operated by the school districts in Clark County and EST 112.

The session will give legislators a first-hand look at how their decisions affect educators, students and communities, says ESD 112 superintendent Twyla Barnes. For further information, call 786-7422.

Broadway loses one-way status Sunday

Broadway, one block east of Main Street, Vancouver, which has been a one-way southbound downtown street since the 1970s, will become a two-way street Sunday, Sept. 23.

The Broadway conversion is linked to C-TRAN’s coming system wide service changes, and to a new retail strategy being developed for Main Street. Also linked to the Broadway change is the projected closure later this year of C-TRAN’s downtown transit center on 7th street, between Broadway and Washington Streets.

The two-way traffic pattern will be between 6th and 15th Streets. Parallel parking will be available on the west side of Broadway and angle parking on the east side.

Planning to return Main Street to two-way traffic continues as part of the city’s Main Street Improvement Project.

Clark Public Utilities water rates could
go up to accommodate conservation

Clark Public Utilities’ commissioners Tuesday agreed to a two-tier water conservation rate system that would put in place a 60 percent rate increase on residential water use above 3.600 cubic feet per month.

According to Doug Quinn, director of water services, most residential customers would not pay more for water than they do now.

Quinn says that the effect of the proposed rate change won’t be known until after it is put in place. If the higher rate would encourage conservation, utility income could decrease, if the rates produce little conservation, utility income would increase.

Quinn recommended that the rates be reviewed within a year. Utility commissioners are expected to take action on the proposal next month.

Scott Coffie and Chris Concannon honored as
2007 Clark College exceptional classified staffers

    

Scott Coffie and Chris Concannon, information technology specialists who serve Clark College students, faculty and staff through eLearning and the Internet have been designated 2007 Exceptional Classified Staff honorees at Clark College.

Coffie is described as the backbone of the college eLearning department. Coffie, who has been at Clark College for 26 years, has played a major role in shaping Clark College’s media and technology presence.

Concannon is the Clark College webmaster. Concannon works with, supports and assists nearly every department and unit at Clark College. He as been with the college since 2000.

Registration to vote in Nov. 6
general election open

Prospective voters for the Nov. 6 general election may submit registration forms by mail through Saturday, Oct. 6, and may register in person at the County Elections Department, 1408 Franklin Street until Monday, Oct.

22, reports Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey.

Mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered voters in early October.

The off-year general election will include state ballot measures, local nonpartisan elective offices, including cities, towns, school districts, fire districts and port districts, and other smaller taxing districts.

Calendar

A public hearing on proposed increases in the Clark County traffic impact fee program is at 6:30 p. m. this evening in the Battle Ground City Hall, 109 SW 1st Street. For further information, call 397-6118, extension 4017. 

Headlines Wednesday, Sept. 19