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Stories by Heather Acheson

email icon heather.acheson@camaspostrecord.com

May 17, 2011

South Dakota man will become new CFD chief

The current chief of the Watertown, S.D. Fire Department has been selected to become the new leader of the Camas Fire Department. It was announced on Friday that Dominick J. Swinhart was chosen from a pool of five top candidates who went through a recent in-person interview process in Camas. The field was narrowed to two by May 5 when Mayor Paul Dennis and Mayor Pro-Tem Scott Higgins interviewed Swinhart and Clark County Fire District 3 Deputy Chief Scott Sorenson.

May 17, 2011
The Camas Public Library will soon be closed on Saturdays, from May 28 to Sept. 3. The action is a result of budget cutting measures approved by the City Council in December 2010.

Budget cuts lead to library closures beginning May 28

In one of this year's most publicly visible impacts of a whittled down budget, the Camas Public Library will be closed each Saturday from May 28 through Sept. 3. According to Library Director David Zavortink, Saturdays were selected for the closure because library data indicates that this is the day of the week, particularly during the summer, that produces the lightest foot traffic and lowest circulation. In addition, on this day of the week there is often no scheduled library programming and public's use of meeting rooms at the downtown facility is low.

May 17, 2011

Camas mayor pinpoints May 31 for resignation

Paul Dennis announced last night that his last day as Camas mayor will be May 31, as he resigns to accept the position of director of the newly formed Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association. It was announced by the Port of Camas-Washougal last week that after a process that involved interviews with three finalists, Dennis was the top choice to lead the organization. At that time Dennis -- principal of Cascade Planning Group -- said he planned to leave the mayor's seat.

May 10, 2011

Dogs and cats need community’s support

The West Columbia Gorge Humane Society has been an integral part of the local community for many years. Despite having to deal with a number of financial ups and downs over the years, this vital organization has continued to survive, and maintain its focus of helping care for and find home for dogs, cats and other domestic pets that are often times unwanted, lost or carelessly discarded.

May 10, 2011

Dennis tapped to lead economic development group

Camas Mayor Paul Dennis and the company he owns have been selected to lead the newly formed Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association. Port of Camas-Washougal Commissioner Mark Lampton said Monday that Dennis, principal of Cascade Planning Group, rose to the top after three finalists were interviewed on Friday. His proposed appointment to the position of economic development director of the CWEDA is pending the approval of the Camas and Washougal City Councils, and the Port of Camas-Washougal Commission.

May 10, 2011

Camas narrows fire chief search down to final two

Two top finalists are in the running to become the new leader of the Camas Fire Department. Mayor Pro-Tem Scott Higgins met with Scott Sorenson, current deputy chief of Clark County Fire District 3, and Dominick Swinhart, current chief of the Watertown, S.D. fire department on Thursday for final interviews. The two were selected from a list of five finalists for the position. They went through what City Administrator Lloyd Halverson described as an "extensive" interview process last Tuesday and Wednesday. The process included a community open house event, two panel interviews, city tours, lunch with CFD employees, and dinner with City Council.

May 10, 2011

Candidate filing week for upcoming election begins June 6

Candidate filing week is quickly approaching, and several local political seats will be up for re-election. Filing week is Monday, June 6 through Friday, June 10. The primary election will be held Tuesday, Aug. 16. The top two candidates in each race will move on to the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General Election. The filing fee is 1 percent of the office's annual salary. Positions that receive no salary have no required filing fee. Positions on the Camas and Washougal City Councils have a one-year residency requirement.

May 3, 2011

EMS services in east county should change

The Camas and Washougal city councils are going to have some tough decisions ahead, when it comes to the method of providing emergency medical services in east Clark County. For more than 30 years, EMS services in Camas, Washougal and the East County Fire and Rescue district have been supported through a voter-approved levy. Up until recently, monies from this source were reliable and relatively stable. This year, however, the fund is facing a $310,000 deficit, with the primary culprit being a reduction in assessed property values.