There certainly seems to be something special about growing up in and graduating from high school in a small town like Washougal. It's a community with many familiar faces, as some would say "everybody knows everybody." That includes students, teachers and administrators. And from the athletics boosters to the PTA, many parents are also actively engaged in school activities, in and out of the classroom.
The City of Camas and Port of Camas-Washougal have both recently committed financial support for laying the groundwork to take part in the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program. The final piece of the puzzle is now in the Washougal City Council's hands. On April 15, Port commissioners voted 3-0 and on Monday the Camas City Council voted 6-0 to enter into a professional services agreement with the Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association. The document outlines the process and financial commitment for working with consultants to establish a Community Development Entity, a move that is necessary to take part in the New Markets Tax Credit Program, which could support local economic development projects.
A federal tax credits program has the potential to have a number of positive impacts on local economic development, by setting the stage for new private sector investment and the creation of new jobs to Camas and Washougal. Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association Executive Director Paul Dennis recently proposed to Camas and Washougal city councils and the Port of C-W Commission the idea of taking part in the U.S. Treasury's New Markets Tax Credit Program.
Kelly Slauson's optimistic nature is contagious. Within a few minutes of meeting her, it's very plain to see that this 20-year-old college student is most definitely a "glass is half full," kind of gal.
The Camas City Council voted last night to extend a zoning moratorium relating to the establishment of marijuana production, processing and retail sales facilities. The moratorium gives city staff time to "review and determine the local implications of the state rules, and to assess impacts and potential liabilities under federal law, and to determine an appropriate regulatory framework under those laws." The moratorium is an extension of the one put into place in November 2013.
A little girl whose book was stolen years ago will soon have a replacement in her hands. This "little girl" is actually the well-known bronze statue that sits on one of the benches that surround the fountain located at Northeast Fourth Avenue and Cedar Street in downtown Camas. When it was first installed in June 2002, the girl was holding a book, also made of bronze. Just a few weeks later, the book was damaged and then repaired. It was later stolen again and never replaced. That is, until now.
For the past several months, Camas-Washougal Post-Record staff members have been working diligently behind-the-scenes to update and redesign the newspaper's website. The results of those efforts were finally unveiled yesterday, and the new website launched to the public. The website has an updated look and feel, and there are a number of new features that will allow visitors to find the information they are looking for faster and easier than before.
Camas has a history mystery on its hands. In 2013, a Georgia-Pacific paper mill engineer was cleaning out his desk in preparation to move to a new office, when he reached his hand deep into a drawer and accidently discovered what appeared to be a small black book. Printed on its spine in gold colored lettering was "Kodak negative album," and inside were approximately 100, 3 by 4 inch negatives along with a log detailing the month and day the photos were taken.
While in some parts of Camas modern homes, industrial buildings, and newly built businesses are the norm, with a little imagination stepping into downtown Camas can be like taking a little step back in time. In the shadow of the Camas paper mill, tree lined, two-lane streets are home to small, quaint shops. It's a cozy, comfortable place, where there's an easy camaraderie among business owners, employees and visitors.
A former Camas-Washougal area resident is the Clark County Democrats' top choice for appointment to the Clark County Commission seat being vacated by Steve Stuart. On Friday during a meeting of the Democratic Central Committee, Craig Pridemore received the most votes, followed by Kelly Love Parker, Vancouver Chamber of Commerce executive director and retired labor leader Ed Barnes. According to Washington state law, the central committee of the party held by the resigning county official submits a list of three names in order of preference to the remaining county commissioners -- Tom Mielke and David Madore -- who have 60 days to select a replacement from the list. Stuart is a Democrat. If an appointment is not made during that time, Gov. Jay Inslee makes the appointment.
heather.acheson@camaspostrecord.com
