Columbia Credit Union Promotes Michael Florea to SVP/Chief Information Officer

Columbia Credit Union President/CEO Steve Kenny has announced the promotion of Michael Florea to senior vice president, chief information officer. Florea will supervise information and technology services at Columbia, leading the strategic development and management of information resources and planning.

Florea has worked in the credit union’s Information Technology department for the past 11 years, serving most recently as the interim chief information officer for the last nine months.

“Michael has been instrumental in managing Columbia’s information and technology efforts,” says Kenny. “His expertise will help Columbia prepare for the technological challenges of the future.”

Prior to his time with Columbia, Florea worked in the information technology industry for 20 years and gained financial experience at a local community bank while managing their computer network.

“I have enjoyed working for the credit union these past 11 years, and I look forward to helping Columbia provide members with first-rate technology services,” said Florea.

A native Oregonian, Florea currently resides in Vancouver with his wife, Jeanette, and their two children. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, astronomy and playing the drums.

CRC tolling study committee meets Dec. 7

The Columbia River Crossing Tolling Study Committee will meet Monday, Dec. 7, to hear results of new tolling scenarios and listen to public comment.

Tolling scenarios are used to study how different toll rates would affect traffic patterns and funding. Toll rates and polices will be set in the future by state legislatures and transportation commissions.

This meeting’s agenda includes both a presentation on new tolling analyses added after receiving public and agency input on the scenarios discussed this summer and an update on tolling outreach activities. The agenda is available at http://www.columbiarivercrossing.org/FileLibrary/Tolling/TSC_Meeting_Materials_120709.pdf

The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Washington Department of Transportation SW Region office, 11018 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver. Public comment is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Comments can also be submitted in writing. All tolling related comments received by Dec. 11, 2009, will be included in the committee’s final report to the Oregon and Washington legislatures in 2010.

County commissioners to consider stormwater accord with state

After months of detailed negotiations, Clark County and Washington Department of Ecology staffs have drafted a tentative agreement that could bring the county into full compliance with the state’s stormwater regulations and the county’s Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit.

The agreement also would support implementation of the county’s updated stormwater ordinances, which were adopted last January. County commissioners will discuss the proposed agreement during a 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 work session. They may then set a Tuesday, Dec. 15, public hearing to consider testimony and take action on the agreement. Both meetings would take place in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

The Department of Ecology already has accepted the county’s stormwater approach and updated ordinances, except on the issue of managing the quantity of runoff during a major storm, an issue commonly referred to as flow control. The proposed agreement could resolve the March 17 violation notice the state issued to the county regarding flow control.

News Briefs

Join Steven Webb, superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools, at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, for his third patron tour of this school year. Webb will greet tour participants at the Bates Center for Educational Leadership followed by a brief presentation about Vancouver Public Schools. Guests will travel by school bus to Truman Elementary and Franklin Elementary School. This month's tour will showcase each school's program of choice. Truman will feature the Challenge program and Franklin the new Chinese Immersion program. Guests will be invited to stay for a lunch prepared by culinary arts students, following the school visits. Lunch costs $4. RSVP with your name, address, phone number and if you would like to stay for lunch to Gary Yarne, 313-4720, or e-mail patrontour@vansd.org. Visit www.vansd.org for more information. <> The Christmas Sojourn concert, featuring pianist Thomas Rheingans, with guest artist Nancy Wood, is at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets are $12 for matinee performances, $16 for evening performances, and $20 for Council for the Homeless benefit ticket. Admission includes dessert and beverages provided by Trader Joe’s. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/7674, by calling 800-838-3006, or at the door. Heritage High School Choirs under the direction of Joel Karn will also be featured in the evening concert.

Calendar

A First Tuesday Presentation sponsored by the Vancouver Planning Commission is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. today Dec. 1, in City Council chambers, 210 E 13th Street. <> Civil Service Commission meets 5 p.m. this evening, Dec. 1, in City Council chambers, 109 SW 1st Street. Call 342-5008 for more information. <> The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council Board of Directors meet at 4 p.m. this evening, Dec. 1, in the 6th floor training room of the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street. <> Ribbon-cutting for the grand opening of Rand Jeweler is being held at 5 p.m. this evening, Dec. 1, 112 E Evergreen Blvd. Wine, soft drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be available. For more information, call 694-2588. <> The La Center City Council is having an open house about the possibility of annexing portions of the urban growth area, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. tonight, Dec. 1, in La Center City Hall, 214 East 4th Street. Contact Eric Eisemann at 750-0038 for more information. <> Various school holiday activities are taking place starting with Covington Middle School, which is having a holiday drive. Toys, clothing and personal items will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 11 Fircrest Elementary School is accepting non-perishable food donations now through Friday, Dec. 18. Evergreen Public Schools will celebrate the holidays with concerts, performances and charitable events. For more information, visit http://www.evergreenps.org.

Tuesday on the air

 

Suicide Prevention (11-9)—4:47 p.m. CVTV

Clark County Board of Commissioners (live)—5:55 p.m. CVTV

Vancouver Housing Authority: Housing Matters (11-1)—9 p.m. CVTV

VPD All Access: Neighborhood Police Officers—9:30 p.m. CVTV

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (11-15)—10 p.m. CVTV

 

 

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Leavitt: Exempt locals from I-5 bridge tolling--Columbian, Erik Robinson

Vancouver vigil at 6:30 p.m. to honor fallen officers--Columbian, Kathie Durbin

Burn ban ordered in Clark County--Columbian, Craig Brown

Obama to send 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, start withdrawing forces in 2011--Washington Post, Scott Wilson

General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson resigns--Washington Post, Peter Whoriaskey

Fed needs to 'Start giving a red hot damn about the American public,' says Sen. Whitehouse--Huffington Post, Jeff Muskus

Woods cited for careless driving; no criminal charges--USA Today, Steve DiMeglio

D.C. Council takes first vote on same-sex marriage--USA Today, AP