Camas-Washougal Post-Record

September 24, 2013

Washougal approves development agreement

A public hearing regarding the development of the former Hambleton Lumber Sales LLC site attracted more than 40 people to the Washougal City Council meeting last night. After almost two hours of public comments and council discussion, council members approved a development agreement with the Port of Camas-Washougal and Parker's Landing LLC, for the land located at 335 S. "A" St. The vote was 6 to 1, with the opposing vote issued by Caryn Plinski. Prior to that, she and councilman Paul Greenlee voted to postpone a decision on the development agreement. That motion failed 5 to 2. Earlier, Plinski said the waterfront development could be "an amazing thing to add to Washougal." "I want a park, trail, restaurants and shops," she said. "I'm not sure I'm ready to pass it tonight."

September 24, 2013

Mark Hamrick, Port of Camas-Washougal harbormaster (right) chats with Tom Welinski, of Camas (left), at the port marina. In August, Hamrick provided transportation and assistance when Welinski pulled a muscle in his back while sailboating. Hamrick said every day brings a new challenge. "You never really know what's going to happen when you go to work or when you're not there for that matter," he said. "Your phone can ring at any time for almost anything. It can get exciting at times, or go for days or weeks without an event." Hamrick was hired by the port in 2005, in the role of maintenance assistant. He was promoted two years later.

C-W Port Harbormaster Mark Hamrick feels fortunate to be able to help others

Mark Hamrick's job as harbormaster at the Port of Camas-Washougal marina is one that he enjoys immensely."What we have is a small city on the water," he said. During a recent walk around the 350-slip marina, Hamrick said there is never a typical day. "I can't imagine doing anything else," he said. As a harbormaster, he spends approximately 70 percent of his time outside. Hamrick was hired by the port in 2005, in the role of maintenance assistant. He was promoted two years later to harbormaster.

September 17, 2013

City reviews agreement for former lumber mill site

A mixed-use development, along with trails, public access to the Columbia River and possibly housing, are expected to be among the components of the former Hambleton Lumber Sales LLC site. The Port of Camas-Washougal and Parker's Landing LLC are requesting the Washougal City Council consider a development agreement for the land located at 335 S. "A" St. The LLC is represented by Lance Killian, of Killian Pacific, a commercial real-estate development and investment company. Killian Pacific has created The Crossing and Evergreen Marketplace, in Washougal, as well as the Grand Central and Riverstone Marketplace developments, in Vancouver.

September 11, 2013

Cliff Free, division chief of emergency medical services with the Camas-Washougal Fire Department, pauses as Firefighter/Paramedic Ben Silva rings a bell and retired Fire Capt. Larry Saari looks on in front of C-W Fire Station 171, in Washougal, Wednesday morning. The tribute to the thousands of people who died as the result of terrorists' acts Sept. 11, 2001 included comments from Free, Saari, Fire Chief Nick Swinhart and Washougal Mayor Sean Guard. "Twelve years ago, a horrible act happened to our great nation," Saari said. "Today we will have time to think about all those who were lost, far too early in life and of the heroes who did what they had to do to save so many lives." Trumpet player Isaac Hodapp, a sophomore at Camas High School, performed "Taps." After the ceremony, a complimentary breakfast was provided by members of the East Clark Professional Firefighters. Saari and staff members placed more than 300 small American flags along the entryway to the fire station Tuesday. The streets of downtown Camas and Washougal were also lined with flags installed by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Schick-Ogle Post 4278.

Honoring heroes

The anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists' attacks was remembered in the Camas-Washougal communities Wednesday.

September 10, 2013

Washougal reviews development agreement for former Hambleton Lumber site

A mixed-use development, along with trails, public access to the Columbia River and possibly housing, are expected to be among the components of the former Hambleton Lumber Sales LLC site. The Port of Camas-Washougal and Parker's Landing LLC are requesting the Washougal City Council consider a development agreement for the land located at 335 S. "A" St. The LLC is represented by Lance Killian, of Killian Pacific, a commercial real-estate development and investment company. Killian Pacific has created The Crossing and Evergreen Marketplace, in Washougal, as well as the Grand Central and Riverstone Marketplace developments, in Vancouver.

September 10, 2013

Wilbert Kalmbach, a World War II veteran, encountered a 2-year old girl with her parents at the WWII Memorial, in Washington, D.C. She told him, "Thank you for serving," and her father said, "These are the veterans I told you about, remember?" Kalmbach is a retired Camas paper mill employee.

Wilbert Kalmbach participates in Honor Flight

A retired Camas paper mill employee recently had an opportunity to visit several sites in Washington, D.C., as part of the Honor Flight program. Wilbert Kalmbach, a World War II veteran, and his daughter Maria Dunn saw The Lincoln Memorial, Air Force and Marine Corps memorials and a Vietnam memorial that honors the nurses who served. They also witnessed the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Kalmbach, 86, remembered an especially emotional moment at the WWII memorial. He encountered a 2-year old girl with her parents. She held a small American flag and had a red ribbon in her hair. "Samantha said, 'Thank you for serving,' Kalmbach recalled. "Her daddy said, 'These are the veterans I told you about, remember?'"

September 10, 2013

Proposition 1 has supporters and critics

Washougal voters will have an opportunity during the Nov. 5 General Election to decide whether they want the city to continue its current mayor-council with a city administrator form of government or change to a council-manager form. Committees were recently appointed by the City Council, to write statements for and against Proposition 1. The proposition would change the form of government. With a council-manager plan, council members appoint a city manager, and that person appoints and directs the department heads. A city manager can be removed by a majority vote of the council.

September 3, 2013

Contributed photo
Brian Kashas and Joseph Graves are the new owners of Workshed. The company's services include website design and development, social media profiles, search engine optimization, content creation, email marketing, business development and process improvement.

Local business owners purchase Workshed Interactive

Two local men have bought a local company, with the intention to keep it local and help other local businesses succeed. Joseph Graves and Brian Kashas have purchased Workshed Interactive from Bret and Shannon Van Horn. "Brian and I had been searching for a way to work together, and Workshed had built each of us a website," Graves said. "When we heard from Bret and Shannon that they'd be moving on, we felt like the Workshed brand of craftsmanship was a good fit with our personalities. "We both appreciate good design and enjoy problem solving," he added. "This was something we could do together, add our own business philosophy, and maintain our existing businesses Joseph Graves Capital Management and Evolutn Design." Workshed is located at 1887 Main St., Ste. 204, Washougal. For more information, email team@workshed.com or visit www.workshed.com.

September 3, 2013

Former Congressional aide hired by the CREDC

The new manager of investor relations for the Columbia River Economic Development Council worked three years as the district director for U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell. Kimberly Pincheira served in a similar capacity for former Congressman Brian Baird. "She brings a wealth of relationships and experience with local businesses and governments which will be important to our organization," CREDC Board Chair Bill Dudley said regarding Pincheira.

September 3, 2013

A crew from IGO Films recently shot footage at the Camas Farmer's Market, for a Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association project. The videos of the C-W area are intended to explain the quality of life to business and industry leaders.

Film crews capture essence of C-W area

The Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association is involved in a video project, designed to showcase the area to prospective tenants of office and industrial spaces. "The intent of these videos is to present them to business and industry leaders looking to locate in the Camas-Washougal area," said CWEDA President Paul Dennis. "I can tell them about the size and type of buildings and land available, but it is more difficult to explain the quality of life here. These short videos will do just that." One video will focus on Camas, and one will concentrate on Washougal. Another video will include both communities. The C-W videos will be featured online at www.cweda.org and in a digital magazine that is being worked on by students at Washington State University-Vancouver. For more information, call 607-9816 or email paul.dennis@cweda.org.