Councilmember Jollota to be honored by police and children's justice center

Members of the Arthur D. Curtis Children's Justice Center (CJC) and the Vancouver Police Department will be honoring Pat Jollota, for her work in supporting the criminal justice community on behalf of public safety and children at risk, from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Dec. 2, at West Precinct, Pat Jollota Community Room, 2800 Stapleton Road. Call 397-6002 or e-mail suzanne.cannon@clark.wa.gov to RSVP.

Leavitt applauds Columbia River Crossing Project refinements

Columbia River Crossing (CRC) staff have recently presented the details of project refinements that result in approximately $650 million in cost savings.

Vancouver Mayor-elect Tim Leavitt says: “It appears there is good progress being made to move this important project forward. I applaud CRC staff for taking a hard look at cost-saving measures and balancing those with the goals of the project.”

Leavitt and other project partners have expressed ongoing concerns about the feasibility of the proposed $4 billion improvement. “I’m committed to ensuring that a project moves forward–a project that is affordable, socially and environmental sensitive, and which sets the stage for our region’s economic prosperity,” says Leavitt. “Each and every citizen in Southwest Washington and the Portland metro area will benefit, either directly or indirectly, from an improvement to the I-5 bridge and nearby freeway interchanges.”

Those with questions for the Mayor-elect are encouraged to call 609.4846, visit www.leavitt4mayor.com, or email leavitt4mayor@gmail.com.

Karen Stanley earns certification

Karen Stanley of RE/MAX equity group, Inc., has completed and received certification through the Certified Commercial Investment Member Training Institute at a seminar which she attended in Seattle, in market analysis for commercial real estate. Through this training, Stanley is able to establish value in sales of commercial real estate, as well as lease negotiations for clients. Stanley is also now a recognized expert in the disciplines of commercial and investment real estate.

Vancouver Public Schools to purchase fraud protection service

As a result of the recent breach of security in a data system containing employees’ personal information, Vancouver Public Schools is purchasing fraud prevention and identity restoration coverage for all affected persons for a one-year period from the date of the event.

The coverage will include unlimited fraud prevention and resolution services (e.g. hotline support, resolution services, insurance claim processing support) and identity theft insurance up to $25,000. The fraud protection service will be extended to all current and former employees whose personal information was compromised by the security breach.

The district continues to work with WSIPC, Educational Service District 112 and Vancouver Police Department computer forensic detectives on the investigation. Vancouver detectives warn district employees that opportunistic criminals may prey on identity theft fears through phishing scams. They caution employees not to release bank account passwords or credit card numbers over the phone or via e-mail in an unsecured manner.

Replacement levy for maintenance and operations of schools

The approved maintenance and operations levy from February 2006 will expire in 2010, and Vancouver Public Schools will have a replacement levy on the ballot February 9, 2010.

The replacement levy would continue local funding for basic education and maintain current programs and services.

Levy dollars are essential to pay for the following items: teacher and support positions, classroom supplies, textbooks and equipment, instructional technology and software, school safety and security, maintenance of buildings and grounds, staff training and professional development, support for programs of choice, extended

day/year learning, education for students with special needs, extracurricular activities and intramural sports, technology support in schools, substitutes (teachers and classified staff), portable classrooms, utilities, insurance and fuel, and student transportation.

To be approved, the M & O levy needs a 50 percent majority of yes votes. In Clark County, elections are vote-by-mail. Ballots will be sent to voters on January 22.

News Briefs

Vancouver Business Journal held its Accomplished and Under Forty luncheon recognizing the 17 class members of 2009. The Class of 2009 are Nicole Fox Bisconer, Mike Bomar, Courtney Givens, Leah Greenwood, Otto Guadardo, Tim Foley, Meeka Kullberg, Mary Mattix, Trent Martin, Greg McGreevey, David Parker, Paris Powell, Tim Probst, Erica Rainford, Jill Sasser, Ed Turk and Jennifer Werdel. The Kyle Corwin award was also given to Tony Bacon at the event. <> Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell invite the community to attend a federal funding symposium, which will feature information on federal grants and the appropriations process, at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at WSU Vancouver, room ADM 110, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue. RSVP by emailing workshop@murray.senate.gov. <> Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation dinner and silent auction will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, Hilton Vancouver, 301 W. 6th Street. This event is to raise money for vital programs, services, and building projects in communities served by FVRL Libraries. Tickets cost $60. To reserve a seat, call 699-8846.

Calendar

Humane Society for Southwest Washington is having its Humane Society Holiday Pet Portraits event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15, Humane Society, 1100 NE 192nd Avenue. Santa will pose with pets, and $25 dollars gets you a CD with high resolution images. For more information, call 693-4746. <> A lung cancer benefit bowl-a-thon will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 14, at Big Al’s, 16615 SE 18th Street, to raise awareness. For individual and team registration, visit www.bowlathon.net/event/capbowlathon or call 623-9032. <> Commemorate National American Indian Heritage Month from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, by discovering how native people used resources for play and daily living at Water Resources Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way. Call 487-711 for more information. <> Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, featuring guest conductor Richard Rintoul, will be performing Beethoven’s grand “Eroica” symphony at 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th Street. Call 735-7278 for more information. <> SW Washington Wind Symphony will be playing music from around the world at its Music: Language of the World concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Union High School Auditorium, 6201 NW Friberg-Strunk Street. For more information, call 574-8386. <> City Council meets for workshops from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m., in City Council chambers, 210 E 13th Street, Vancouver. <> The Washougal City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, Council chambers, 1701 C Street. Call 835-8501 for more information <> City Council is holding a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, in City Council chambers, 109 SW 1st Street, 2nd floor, Battle Ground. For more information, call 342-5008. <> Port of Camas-Washougal meets for an executive session at 3 p.m., followed by an open meeting at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, in the Community Room at the Municipal Court Building on C Street.

Friday on the air

 

Reversing the Flow: Big Dams, Power, and People in Global Perspective, Morning Sessions (11-7)—3:29 p.m. CVTV

Suicide Prevention—6:24 p.m. CVTV

Press Conference Mayor Elect Tim Leavitt (11-11)—6:25 p.m. CVTV

Clark County Land Use Hearings (11-12)—7 p.m. CVTV

 

 

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Friday, November 13, 2009 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

New bridge needed ASAP, business owners tells Jacks--Columbian, Julia Anderson

Engineers propose a cheaper Columbia River Crossing--Columbian, Erik Robinson

Vancouver Kmart closing--Columbian, AP

NASA: Water found in moon crater--USA Today, Dan Vergano

Death penalty will be sought for 9/11 defendants--USA Today, Kevin Johnson and Mimi Hall

'Spokesjerk' revolution fails to materialize: FreeCreditReport.com front man sticks to his guns--Huffington Post, Arthur Delaney