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Opinion

September 3, 2013

A review of the state operating budget

Now that we've had time to review and digest the state's new 2013-15 budget, how did lawmakers do? As with all budgets there are good and bad items included, though the biggest policy success was that lawmakers allowed the 2010 "temporary" tax increases to remain temporary and to expire as promised on July 1. The enacted budget also includes revenue and spending projections that balance in compliance with the state's new four-year balanced budget requirement.

August 27, 2013

Summer’s end stirs mixed emotions

With warm summer weather still basking our area and school age children enjoying summer activities, it's hard to grasp the fact that the first day of school is less than a week away. But that's exactly where we are on the calendar as summer begins to wind down. The first day of school in Camas and Washougal is next Tuesday, Sept. 3. For students, parents, teachers and school staff, the thoughts and emotions that come to mind this time of year likely range from sadness to eager enthusiasm for the new school year. Most students, for example, would probably be glad to take another month of vacation, in exchange for returning to the classroom with the September sun still shining bright.

August 27, 2013

Letters to the Editor for Aug. 27, 2013

Leave the bees alone There is a honeybee hive in the cedar tree next to the pond at Lacamas Shores. It is on the Lacamas Heritage Trail, which my family frequently hikes. The bees mind their own bee business and are a joy to watch for us seniors and our grandchildren. Today, I found that again someone is trying to kill them by stuffing up the hive entrance with foaming plastic insulation.

August 20, 2013

Small cities deserve their own seats at the C-Tran table

During the past three months, Clark County elected officials who are part of the C-Tran Board Composition Review Committee have met a handful of times to discuss the possibility of changing the C-Tran Board's power structure. In a nutshell, several of the smaller cities represented on the Board -- including Camas and Battle Ground -- have expressed strong interest in having their own seats. Currently, smaller cities are grouped together in twos, with Camas-Washougal, La Center/Ridgefield, and Battle Ground/Yacolt each sharing a seat. Vancouver and Clark County each have three seats.

August 20, 2013

Letters to the Editor for Aug. 20, 2013

EIS will look at bigger picture This is a letter about the EIS for the proposed coal export terminal in Bellingham. Recently there has been a debate about shipping coal through the Pacific Northwest. The coal would travel from Wyoming through the Columbia River Gorge and up the coast to the proposed Cherry Point Terminal in Bellingham. This terminal would be the largest in North America and require about 18 trainloads of coal a day to travel through here.

August 13, 2013

Expect a busy election season

Now that the Primary Election has come to a close, local political watchers have begun to eye the upcoming General Election. And based on the number of candidates and issues that will be on the ballot, it's going to be a busy election season.

August 13, 2013

Editorial assertions about youth not based on facts

The July 30 Camas-Washougal Post-Record editorial "Is today's gridlock turning off tomorrow's leaders?" is an example of why such articles appear on the opinion pages of the newspaper. Unfortunately, several assertions are based on assumptions, not facts. The article suggests young people 18 to 25 years of age want no part of public service and the voting process because they "see so many power struggles, so much political posturing, nastiness and gridlock at all levels."

August 13, 2013

Letter to the Editor for Aug. 13, 2013

Citizen wants answers to coal train issues Washougal was my home for 52 years until my recent retirement. I still feel that Washougal is my home town.

August 6, 2013

Saving Camp Melacoma

More than 100 acres of open space, plenty of fresh air, lots of room to roam, completely natural surroundings. For many city dwellers, even small cities like Camas and Washougal, these aren't things they get to experience on a day-to-day basis. But fortunately, it's not necessary to travel too far find to find them. And thanks to the efforts of one local couple, a popular youth summer residence camp will be preserved for current and future generations to have this kind of special outdoor experience for many years to come.