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May 14, 2013
Outstanding contributions
The Camas-Washougal area is home to many fundraisers that aim to generate money and awareness for any number of worthy causes.
The Camas-Washougal area is home to many fundraisers that aim to generate money and awareness for any number of worthy causes.
Concerns about state testing
Recently, Gov. Jay Inslee proposed several tax increases to the Legislature in a time that state revenues are increasing. That's a combination of factors that will hurt consumers and retailers. Just last month, Inslee's chief economist, Steve Lerch, described Washington state consumer confidence as fragile. Recent payroll tax increases and rising gasoline prices do nothing to encourage companies to hire or consumers to spend, which would help the economy recover faster.
Children in Third-World countries often live lives that most of us couldn't even imagine.
Paid, volunteer firefighters deserve recognition I have been a volunteer victim at Port of Camas-Washougal emergency drills three times now, including at events held at the industrial park, the airport and the marina. Each time has been fun, rewarding and educational.
Citizens expect government to be fiscally responsible. Regarding the Columbia River Crossing, legislators are being asked to allocate $450 million toward a $3.5 billion mega-project. The CRC has spent $170 million so far on a $50 million "maximum" contract to design a replacement bridge. We've not purchased the first steel I-beam or poured any concrete footing.
When an errant SUV crashes through your picture window, you may not notice that your barbecue tipped over and caught your house on fire. So it is with the U.S. economy these days. All the focus on our national debt, sequester cuts and federal tax increases is obscuring a smoldering problem in the states. Declining tax revenues, budget deficits and underfunded pensions have legislatures scrambling for revenue. Many states are taxing and borrowing more just to make ends meet.
Nearly one year ago, the mayors of Camas and Washougal, along with nearly 500 residents of the local communities, embarked on a weight loss challenge and friendly competition between the two cities. "Camas and Washougal on a Diet" began with an event at Capt. William Clark Park. Mayors Scott Higgins and Sean Guard stepped up to do what most of us wouldn't dream of -- get weighed in public, and then have those numbers announced over a loud speaker for all to hear. For that alone, these two people deserve a round of applause.
WFD volunteer program in trouble? I write this letter in an attempt to convey my thoughts and fear in regards to the consolidation of the Camas and Washougal fire departments.
Yesterday, an event that took place thousands of miles away, shook this country -- deeply. As of this morning, reports are that three people were killed, including an 8-year-old boy, and more than 175 people were injured when two bombs detonated near the finish line of the popular Boston Marathon.