Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, Elections officials will perform a hand count of approximately 600 ballots that were randomly selected as part of a manual comparison against machine results. Results of the approximately 600 ballots will be counted in the total returns on Election Day, but for this comparison, the Port of Vancouver Commissioner race will also be counted by hand, to prove the accuracy of the ballot tabulation equipment. The procedure was recommended by the Washington Secretary of State’s Office, and is now standard procedure in Clark County. If a voter has not received their ballot, they should contact the Elections Office at 360-397-2345 or elections@clark.wa.gov. Starting Friday, Nov. 3, a voter may download a replacement ballot at clarkvotes.org. 

Last Saturday, 1,165 Clark County residents dropped off a total of 3,549 pounds of unused and unwanted medications with local law enforcement officers and volunteers. The drug disposal event was held at four locations throughout the county where a steady stream of cars waited to hand over medications and sharps. The busiest drop site was Cascade Park Kaiser Permanente, which served 518 participants that brought in 1,344 pounds of pills. All pills will be transported for incineration by the DEA. For more information on drug disposal, visit “Medications” at RecyclingA-Z.com.

Junior Symphony of Vancouver (JSV) has announced auditions for orchestral/chamber music instruments on Monday, Dec. 4. Auditions are arranged by appointment only with application. The concert for this session will be on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Auditions are open to young musicians of SW Washington and Oregon (middle school through college). Applications are online at: http://www.oregonchamberplayers.org. Call the JSV at 360-696-4084 for further information.

Dena Strong.

The Innovative Services NW Board of Directors has announced that Dena Strong has been selected to be Innovative’s new CEO beginning January 1, 2018. The board began the search for a new CEO this spring. After reviewing eight candidates, the board unanimously selected Strong, with her experience in business strategy, executive management, and organizational leadership and efficiencies to lead this 54 year old nonprofit into the future.

Strong has been Innovative’s Vice President of Client Services since September of 2016. She has a Bachelor’s from WSU Vancouver in Business Administration. Early in her professional career, she worked for fortune 500 companies in retail and banking. She spent nine years working for a custom manufacturing company, headquartered in Vancouver, where she held numerous positions, eventually working her way through the ranks to become president and CEO.

Strong will replace Launda Carroll, who is retiring after more than 33 years with the organization. Carroll will continue to be available to assist with the leadership transition and other assigned projects until her retirement on June 30, 2018.