June 24, 2014
A focus on health and wellness
Caring for the body and mind. These are topics that are so important, yet are so often ignored by many of us on a daily basis.
Caring for the body and mind. These are topics that are so important, yet are so often ignored by many of us on a daily basis.
Former state senator supports Graser I have known John Graser since he was a high school student of mine.
On Saturday, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Schick-Ogle Post 4278 joined with Boys Scouts and Cub Scouts to offer the Camas-Washougal community its first public flag retirement ceremony in many years.
Preliminary estimates for 2015 indicate that Washougal is projected to have a deficit of $322,000 in our general fund. This preliminary estimate is an improvement over earlier estimates, resulting from continued prudent fiscal management and a recovering economy. When I first took office in January 2010, we had a deficit of $1.5 million. In that first year, we erased that deficit by implementing more conservative budgeting practices and through expense reductions. In fact, we ended 2010 nearly $300,000 to the good.
Decades ago, when many of us were just kids, making the annual outdoor school trip as a sixth-grader was a rite of passage. In what was often the first time away from home, we cooked hamburgers on homemade Bunsen burners, slept in sleeping bags in old "rustic" cabins, ate meals together, shared chores to keep the camp running smoothly, sang songs and maybe most importantly learned about nature and interacted with each other in new and different ways.
It is a great honor to receive this recognition, named for such an inspirational person. I recall Florence's kind words of encouragement and support, as well as her smile. It is also special for me to be nominated for this award by Mayor Scott Higgins and City Administrator Pete Capell, with supportive letters from Bill Barron, Roger Knapp, Brent Erickson and Bill Dygert, all of whom have done much to support and promote parks, open space and trails.
If you haven't seen Camas High School junior Alexa Efraimson's race that captured a state title and set a national high school record, you're missing out. It's nothing short of incredible. The teen running sensation owned that race from start to finish. Determination was written all over her face and evidenced in her consistent, powerful stride that never once wavered. It took her 4 minutes, 33.29 seconds to run 1,600 meters (four laps) around the track.
Former county clerk supports Graser Who is John Graser you ask? Let me tell you.
The call has been put out by local cities and a school district that are in need of citizen volunteers to immediately fill council, commission and board seats. Camas-Washougal residents who get involved in these local groups truly have the opportunity to have direct impacts on a wide variety of issues that affect their communities. In addition, getting involved presents a chance to have a greater understanding of how local governments really work. Right now, there are four local positions available by appointment.
Let's face it. We're spoiled. Even in our tough economy, most Americans enjoy a myriad of conveniences we take for granted. We awake to a warm house, turn night into day with the flip of a light switch, jump into a hot shower, get dressed and grab a cup of fresh brewed coffee before heading to work in our car or on the bus. On the way home, we stop at the grocery store to pick up a few items from the 40,000 choices offered there.
