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September 24, 2013

Study looks at utility rate increases in Camas

A consultant study recently recommended that Camas consider raising its utility rates during the next five years to help fund items including future capital improvement obligations, and investment in maintaining the current system. Angie Sanchez Virnoche and Sergey Tarasov, of the consultant company FCS Group, provided the Camas City Council with the results of the recent study of water, sewer, storm water and sanitation utility rates.

September 24, 2013

School district sets levy amounts

The Washougal School District has set amounts for its upcoming three-year maintenance and operations levy, as well as a technology levy. Current levies are due to expire at the end of 2014. These were approved by voters in 2010 and provide additional funding to areas such as school safety, textbooks, special education, sports, music and technology. The levies will go before district voters in February 2014. The M&O levy will be set at $6.3 million, which is 23 percent more than the current $5.09 million levy. Additional levy dollars are needed to maintain current programs for increasing enrollment, and fund expanded learning opportunities and programs, such as all-day kindergarten district wide, summer school, instructional coaches and safety improvements at all buildings, according to business manager Brian Wallace.

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 17, 2013

ECFR district voters will decide on capital projects bond

East County Fire and Rescue is asking voters to approve a bond on Nov. 5 that would support the purchase of fire apparatus and equipment, and support repairs and improvements at three of its stations. The $1.275 million, 20-year capital projects bond would fund two new fire engines, one brush truck, new fire fighting and medical equipment, an emergency generator at Mount Norway Station 94, parking lot repair at Sunnyside Station 93 and a water well at Livingston Mountain Station 92. It is estimated that the bond would cost taxpayers 9 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. This means that the owner of a $300,000 home would pay approximately $27 per year.

September 17, 2013

School district enrollment numbers increase

The Washougal School District will be hiring additional staff, including a new kindergarten teacher, due to higher-than-expected enrollment numbers in the primary grades. After the first week of school, full-time (FTE) enrollment in the district was 2,975, which is 57 more students than projected. Most of the growth was at the kindergarten through second-grade level at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary School. There will be a half-time kindergarten teacher added, and a full-time teacher for a first- and second-grade combination classroom. "It's an exciting time," said Mary Lou Woody, principal. Enrollment numbers at the high school were also slightly higher than last year. "There weren't any big surprises," said Brian Wallace, district business manager. "We expect enrollment to increase slowly over the next few years. This has been the trend in Washougal the past three years." Enrollment last September was 2,887 FTE.

September 17, 2013

Officials will report on Camas schools, city government, and the C-W port

Citizens invited to attend 'State of the Community' on Sept. 24 The City of Camas, Camas School District and Port of Camas-Washougal will host a joint 'State of the Community' event Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Camas High School Theatre, 26900 S.E. 15th St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the event, which will include presentations from representatives of the three entities, followed by an open house where the public will have the opportunity to mingle with and ask questions of elected officials and staff.

July 16, 2013
Photos provided by Connie Jo Freeman Freeman described the Home of Love as "an oasis in the midst of chaos." The orphanage provides housing and education for 87 girls, ranging in age from 5 to 18. Chennai, India, is a city with a population of 12 million.

Camas-Washougal residents visit orphanage in India

Ten area residents recently traveled to India to show care and support at an orphanage for girls. The travelers, primarily from Bethel Community Church, in Washougal, included Connie Jo Freeman. They visited the Home of Love, which provides housing and education for 87 girls, ranging in age from 5 to 18. The children are either orphaned or from parents who are too poor to care for them. "Unlike most orphanages, when the children turn legal age they are not turned out to fend for themselves," Freeman said. "They have college to look forward to, financially provided by Home of Love."

July 16, 2013

Public input will help shape waterfront property

The Port of Camas-Washougal is seeking input from area residents as it plans to revitalize some of the former Hambleton Lumber Company site. The plan is to include a park and a trail at 335 S. "A" St., Washougal, that will connect to other area trails in the future.

July 16, 2013

Camas continues efforts to secure C-Tran Board seat

A proposal mentioned at the recent C-Tran Board Composition Review Committee meeting has Camas Mayor Scott Higgins feeling optimistic that a change could be on the horizon. At the end of last Tuesday's meeting Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart suggested a new configuration of the C-Tran Board that would reduce Clark County's representation, and give Camas, Battle Ground and Washougal their own seats. Stuart proposed that a possible makeup could maintain three seats for Vancouver, and then have two for Clark County, one each for Camas, Battle Ground and Washougal, and one combined seat for the three smallest jurisdictions -- Ridgefield, La Center and Yacolt.