The official filing deadline for political offices up for election on the November ballot came to a close on Friday. Based on the number of candidates who have filed for local positions, the races should prove to be interesting, to say the least.
There were a few surprises following the candidate filing week, which ran last Monday through Friday at 5 p.m.
Thanks to two federal staffing grants, East County Fire & Rescue will expand its volunteer and full-time paid fire fighting force. A $799,700 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide the funding to support five fill-time firefighter/emergency medical technicians.
If there was one theme that was weaved throughout the Hayes Freedom High School and Excelsior High School graduations this past week, it was that with the right guidance, determination to succeed, and a few strategically timed pushes along the way, goals that once didn't seem possible can be achieved. Hayes and Excelsior, the alternative high schools in the Camas and Washougal school districts, respectively, held commencement ceremonies that included tears, laughter and memories proud and challenging moments.
Filing week for the November General Election began Monday and ran through Friday at 5 p.m.
Clark County Home Educators will host its annual book sale Friday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at First Evengelical Church in Vancouver.
Last night the Camas City Council approved 5 to 0 an inter-local agreement that will help form the Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association. The agreement sets in motion the formation of the CWEDA, which will have a mission of expanding existing businesses and bringing new businesses and jobs to the east Clark County area.
Fisher Investments is taking steps to move forward on construction of two additional buildings on its Fisher Creek Campus in northwest Camas. Mayor Pro-tem Scott Higgins announced during last night's City Council meeting that the Fortune 500 company recently contacted the city about expediting the construction approval process for two new 30,000 square foot buildings on the 120-acre site located near 38th Avenue and Parker Street. Higgins said that the company's current plans are to get the first building constructed before the end of the year, and use 10,000 square feet of it to house its information technology department and employees.
Sometimes, some of the best ideas come out of difficult situations. And the dismal economy during the past several years has created many difficult situations. Among them is access to nutritious food options for those in need -- people who have lost their jobs, are chronically unemployed, and even homeless. For these individuals, any meal rather than a healthy meal has become the priority.
The largest local road improvement project in recent Camas-Washougal history will get underway this week with a ground breaking event. The state Route 14 safety improvement project, which is expected to take two years to complete, will kick off Wednesday as government officials turn the first shovels of dirt.
heather.acheson@camaspostrecord.com
