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What You Should Know About Marine Piling

The state of Washington is fortunate enough to have some of the most beautiful waterfront properties in North America. If you live on the water and want to build a dock for your boat, you must familiarize yourself with marine piling. 

In this guide, you will learn what marine piling is, why it matters, and what the process entails. Here is what you should know about marine piling. 

It Creates Support for Marine Structures

Unless you want your marine structures to sink underwater, they will need adequate support to withstand the oceanic conditions. Many industries use piling to create ample support before constructing large structures. Marine piling is perfect for building bridges, piers, docks, and floating pontoons. Marine piling requires workers to drill underwater to create a strong foundation in the seabed for piles. 

Marine Piling Uses Numerous Materials

There are a few different materials you can use for marine piling. Some examples include wood, concrete, steel, and composite materials. 

No matter which type of material you decide to use, you must make sure it is treated for aquatic conditions. You don’t want it to rust or corrode over time. High-density polyethylene is a durable plastic material and is one of the best options for piling, which explains why the future needs HDPE plastic marine piles. However, each type of material has different strengths, weaknesses, and treatment processes.

Marine

It Keeps You Safe

Preserving the integrity of any oceanfront structure comes with its risks. As the tide rolls in and smashes waves against your marine structure, its materials will start to wear down over time. 

Whether it’s a pier or a dock, someone could get hurt if they were standing on it while it sinks underwater. Marine piling ensures that you won’t have to worry about this outcome because it is the strongest foundation available for any aquatic structure. 

Overall, marine piling can turn your waterfront property into a dream home, whether you have a boat or not. After learning what you should know about marine piling, you should consider using it for your next home renovation project. 

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CW Chamber Honors Citizen & Business Person of the Year, Students, Teachers

Camas, WA — Dozens gathered together at Camas Meadows Golf Club Wednesday evening at the Annual Camas Washougal Chamber of Commerce Awards banquet to honor students, teachers, as well as the Citizen of the Year and Business Person of the Year.

Lori Reed, president of the chamber emceed the event, which first paid tribute to two local seniors who won $1,000 college scholarships. Mary Lendvoyi was the Washougal scholarship recipient. Lendvoyi is an excellent student and athlete, and plans to attend college in Idaho.

Savannah Stephens won the college scholarship representing Camas (Camas Connect Academy). She will be attending Brigham Young University this Fall.

The Washougal Teacher of the Year is Cheryl MacIntyre, who was honored for her work as the District Math Coach. Camas nominated three teachers — Jenn Scott, Brooke Hansen and Melissa Butler — for their amazing work in the Science of Reading Team. The three teachers have helped students diagnosed and cope with dyslexia and other reading issues. Their work has been instrumental in helping kids with reading difficulties. 

Retired Staff Sergeant John Kaiser was named Citizen of the Year for his work helping local veterans. He started fishing with his dad at the age of 6. In 1997, Kaiser enlisted in the Army where he served in Kuwait, Mosul and Baghdad, where he was wounded. He medically retired in 2008. After struggling with PTSD fishing became a therapy. After fishing with an Army Buddy, Kaiser realized there are therapeutic benefits of being outside surrounded by nature and quietly fishing. 

Chamber
John Kaiser won the Citizen of the Year award.

Kaiser began to take veterans fishing and quickly became the Northwest Veteran Outreach Coordinator for Veteran Outdoors, a Texas-based organization dedicated to providing hunting, fishing and outdoor activities to wounded veterans. 

And, Marilyn Reed was honored as Business Person of the Year for finding creative solutions to grow her business — Lily Atelier — which is a women’s boutique store.

The CW Chamber Citizen of the Year award started in 1955.

Chamber
Savannah Stephens won a CW Chamber college scholarship.
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The Everyday Benefits of Smart Home Technology — Let it Save You Money

Did your energy bill recently skyrocket? Take a good look at these everyday benefits of smart home technology and see how they can help you take control.

The use of smart home technology is on the rise in homes across the globe. Understandably, there are various reasons for people to invest in these gadgets, from things like increased safety to energy management. If you’re looking to upgrade your existing devices or step into home automation, here are just a few of the everyday benefits of smart home technology to consider:

Interconnectivity 

All devices you choose can link together and improve your home’s efficiency and productivity. Connectivity with devices enables users to gain more control over their home’s security, energy, and finances. It’s essential to have a smart home hub installed to create uniformity in communication. 

Remote Monitoring 

While interconnectivity provides synchronicity, remote monitoring enables users to access their systems and home status from any device. Using a tablet, mobile device, or computer gives real-time tracking and peace of mind. Additionally, remote monitoring creates a safety net for fire, vandalism, or burglars. 

These remote benefits are a top reason to invest in a smart home system, especially for those who travel, have pets, or leave their children home for a few hours. 

Enhanced Safety 

Many homeowners turn to security systems before exploring the other areas of smart home technology. The real-time surveillance features allow homeowners to know exactly what is happening from any location. 

Therefore, interconnectivity is critical across devices because your location will not affect your ability to check in on your home. You can go to bed or on vacation and feel safe about the contents of your home. 

Energy Management 

With the rising cost of living, finding a way to decrease your expenses is challenging. Through a hub and remote monitoring investment, users gain real-time control to manage things such as thermostats, lighting, and appliance usage. 

Additionally, investing in smart plugs can help you turn things off or on remotely to ensure you are optimizing your experience and reducing use when necessary. 

The everyday benefits of smart home technology create a more dynamic experience within the home, giving homeowners more control over the things that matter most. Whether you need to upgrade or add on to your existing system, it’s never too late to consider how technological advancements can serve you. 

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Hidden Costs to Avoid During a Construction Project

Construction projects are always costly endeavors. Read on to learn what hidden costs you can avoid to help you stick to your construction budget.

Spring and summer are the seasons for construction, whether that’s for roads and highways or home additions. And with that said, any construction project worth doing is worth doing efficiently and as cost-effectively as possible.

However, keeping to a project budget can be difficult, especially when there are unexpected costs. Knowing what hidden costs to avoid during a construction projectcan help you stick to your budget this construction season.

Documentation 

Whether the project is residential, commercial, or municipal, you will need to have your paperwork in order to complete it. And many of these documents come with fees that need to be paid. 

Documents such as building permits, contracts with outside professionals, and even liability insurance can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the scope of your projects.

Improper Machine Usage 

Heavy equipment and machinery are one of your biggest investments. You will want to be aware of how to use each piece of equipment or hire a professional to use it for you to avoid common machine mistakes, such as:

  • Pushing equipment beyond its performance specifications 
  • Not storing equipment properly 
  • Changing fluids infrequently 
  • Failing to secure equipment when away 
  • Idling your machine for extended periods

All these choices can lead to hidden costs during your construction project.For instance, idling a machine can impact your project by driving up fuel costs and prematurely wearing down the equipment. 

Downtime

There are a variety of reasons your construction project may experience downtimes, such as broken equipment, inclement weather, or changed building plans. This downtime can drive up a project’s cost by increasing the cost of paying workers and renting equipment. 

While some factors that cause downtime can’t be controlled, like the weather, there are certain measures you can take to prevent downtime in your project. Be sure to perform regular equipment maintenance on machinery and hire a professional to do your building plans. 

Construction projects can be a costly endeavor. But with intentional choices and proper planning, you can help reduce costs for your project. 

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Three Questions You Should Ask Your Immigration Attorney

Remember these questions you should ask your immigration attorney during your first meeting if you want clarity and confidence when proceeding with your case.

Immigration attorneys assist in cases dealing with issues such as naturalization and fiancé(e) visas. These cases deal with sensitive issues and require careful planning and knowledge. But how do you differentiate a suitable lawyer from the rest? These are the top three questions you should ask your immigration attorneyduring your first meeting. 

How Much Experience Do You Have? 

This is a standard question you should ask when partnering with any professional, and an immigration attorney is no exception. Specifically, relevant experience comes down to how many years the professional has worked with these types of cases as well as how many cases they have under their belt. That way, you can find an experienced expert who knows the titular topic front to back.

Another clear sign of expert experience in immigration law is being a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA); this membership showcases a dedication to professionalism and ethical practices. When you’re browsing online for an immigration law firm, you’ll find many details on its website, and one of them should be its AILA membership. 

How Long Will the Process Take? 

When you’re discussing the steps of any immigration case, they can understandably seem daunting to some newcomers. An experienced immigration law firm is helpful for various reasons, and one of the reasons is the clarity it can provide. Knowing how long your case will take is an easy way to set your expectations accurately. 

For instance, when you’re researching how long obtaining a K1 visa takes, you may find a large swathe of time frames. The reason for this is that details such as correctly filing the necessary forms will affect how long the case takes. So after your attorney looks over your case details, ask how long they think the process will take so that you can plan accordingly. 

Will You Help Me Win My Case? 

Another effective way to set proper expectations is knowing how your case objectively looks to a professional. Therefore, one of the top questions you should ask your immigration attorney is: What are my chances of success in this case? Of course, lawyers are not fortune-tellers. But a reliable immigration lawyer should know your chances of success after you provide them with the proper information regarding your case.

Beyond providing clarity on the topic, asking this question also offers you a way to test your lawyer’s knowledge and integrity. Whether they see success or failure in your case, the attorney should provide you with a reason why.

Thanks to these questions, you can gain a clearer picture of how your case will proceed and whether you’re talking to the right professional. 

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Family Promise of Clark County Receives Support of 100 Women Who Care

Giving circle presents funds to organization helping homeless and low income families achieve sustainable independence.  

CAMAS, WA — Members of 100 Women Who Care Clark County presented $3,000 to Family Promise of Clark County on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at their second meeting this year. Board president Dave Cole accepted the funds on behalf of the organization. The local giving circle selected Family Promise to receive their donations at the first meeting of the year, held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Grains of Wrath in downtown Camas.

Jacilyn Margeson, board member of Family Promise and part of the 100 Women Advisory Board nominated the organization at the February meeting. Office Moms and Dads and Friends of the Washougal Library were the other nonprofit nominees at that meeting. 

Dave Cole explained that Family Promise of Clark County operates an emergency shelter program and works closely with the families it serves to help them find permanent housing. The organization also provides on-going case management services which can include resources for employment and financial literacy. 

Founded in 2018, 100 Women Who Care Clark County is a giving circle that meets quarterly and has donated over $100,000 to local nonprofits since inception. Members who attend are eligible to nominate local nonprofits to be considered for the quarterly donation. Members commit to a $100 donation to the charity voted upon by the members at each meeting.

The May meeting was held at Salud! Wine Bar in Camas and the group hopes to continue with in-person meetings throughout 2022. The next meeting will be held at Salud! Wine Bar, 224 NE 3rd Ave. Camas, on August 17, starting at 6 pm. There is an optional social hour before the meeting from 5 pm. 

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CW Chamber Names Reed, Kaiser as 2022 Business Person, Citizen of the Year

Camas, WA — The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Riverview Community Bank, has named Marilyn Reed, owner of Lily Atelier the 2022 Business Person of the Year, and John Kaiser as the 2022 Citizen of the Year.

On Wednesday, June 1, the CW Chamber will host the Annual Awards Banquet at the Camas Meadows Golf Club, 4105 NW Camas Meadows Dr in Camas. This event is open to the public. The cost to attend is $45 per person. Please contact the C-W Chamber at [email protected] or by phone at 360.834.2472 for ticket information. The CW Chamber Scholarship Winners and the Teachers of the Year from both the Camas School District and the Washougal School district, will also be honored on June 1st. For more information or for questions call 360.834.2472.   

2022 Businessperson of the Year: Marilyn Reed, Lily Atelier

Reed purchased Lily Atelier in November 2019

  • As an active board member on the C-W Chamber she regularly sponsors events and donates a gift basket to the Gift Basket Luncheon. She also serves on the Camas Days Committee.
  • Reed is an active member of the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) and supports almost all of their events. 
  • Reed supports and participates in many fundraising events for several local organizations including, Ten Grands, Dinner in White, Jack Will and Rob Center, Assistance League, Camas Educational Foundation, Camas High School Deca Program and Pink Sista’s.
  • And, she supports the education of our young community members through bi-annual internship programs run by Cascadia Technology Academy

2022 Citizen of the Year: John Kaiser

Chamber
John Kaiser

Retired Staff Sergeant John Kaiser started fishing with his dad at the age of 6. In 1997, Kaiser enlisted in the Army where he served in Kuwait, Mosul and Baghdad, where he was wounded. He medically retired in 2008. After struggling with PTSD fishing became a therapy. After fishing with an Army Buddy, Kaiser realized there are therapeutic benefits of being outside surrounded by nature and quietly fishing. 

Kaiser began to take veterans fishing and quickly became the Northwest Veteran Outreach Coordinator for Veteran Outdoors, a Texas-based organization dedicated to providing hunting, fishing and outdoor activities to wounded veterans. 

Last year, Kaiser took out over 100 veterans on the Columbia River from Astoria to Roosevelt Lake to fish. Later this year, he will take two female army vets to the Salmon Derby in Astoria. Their only expense will be the fishing license. 

Kaiser explained that these are “not just fishing trips but also opportunities to share the healing effects being outdoors has on the physical and mental struggles of veterans.” 

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Saturday’s Alleged Carjacking Suspect Appears in Court Monday

Vancouver, WA — The teen who allegedly stole a woman’s vehicle at gunpoint Saturday in Vancouver and ended up being surrounded by police near Camas Safeway appeared in Clark County Juvenile Court today. 

Jamarion L. Croxton is facing charges of first degree robbery, second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and resisting arrest. His hearing will be reviewed to determine whether he will be released from juvenile detention.

The Vancouver police said they responded at 4:30 pm Saturday at the 12900 block of Northeast 28th Street to reports of a carjacking. The 64-year-old woman told police she was unloading groceries from her vehicle when someone approached her at gunpoint telling her to give him the car keys. That boy would later be identified as Croxton.  He then sped away. 

At 5:20 pm Camas police officers found the stolen Nissan Altima at the Camas Safeway parking lot, court records state. Officers saw Croxton walking near the car. After officers approached him, Croxton ran off, according to court documents.

Dozens of law enforcement vehicles arrived at the scene and blocked off the area, and called for Croxton to surrender. See the video:

Police found Croxton about 90 minutes later hiding in the backyard of a house in the 700 block of Northeast Second Avenue. Law enforcement had the entire blocked surrounded and repeatedly called for the suspect to surrender. Officers found a handgun hidden in the weeds after he surrendered, court records say.

The woman identified Croxton as the person who stole her car, court records say.

For more than 90 minutes, Camas residents gathered to witness the scene, and rumors circulated that it was an ATM robbery. We later learned it was a carjacking.

This story will be updated.

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City of Camas Announces 4 Finalist for City Administrator Position

Camas, WA —The City of Camas has announced that four finalists have been named in the search for the City’s next Administrator.

Under the authority and direction of the Mayor, the City Administrator assumes full management responsibility for all City operations, while also implementing policy decisions made by City Council, preparing recommendations, and advising on matters requiring legislative action.

The four finalists and their brief biographies are listed below, in alphabetical order:

Jeff Niten

Jeff Niten has served as the City Manager for the City of Shelton, Washington since 2019. Prior to his time in Shelton, Niten was the Community Development Director for the City of Ridgefield, Washington and spent nine years at Clark County, Washington in various planning roles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and an Executive Master of Public Administration degree from the University of South Dakota.

Kira Peters

Kira Peters has served as the Community Services Administrator/Library System Director in the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, for the past four years. Prior to her current role, she held multiple positions for the City of Scottsdale, including the Parks and Recreation Manager. Peters holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Organizational Leadership degree from Northern Arizona University.

Administrator

Keith Stahley

Keith Stahley currently serves as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Olympia, Washington. Prior to serving as the Assistant City Manager, Stahley served as the City of Olympia’s Community Planning and Development Director. He holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Syracuse University, a Master of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University, and is an International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM).

Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas currently serves as the City Manager for the City of Amity, Oregon. Prior to his time in Amity, Thomas served as a Lieutenant Colonel and Squadron Commander in the United States Air Force. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Management degree from the United States Air Force Academy, a Master of Business Administration degree from Trident University International, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree from Air University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oregon.

The candidates will partake in a two-day interview process with various groups in and around the City, including department heads, City Council members and members of different community groups.

The public is also invited to meet the candidates and provide feedback. The Community Meet and Greet will take place, Thursday, May 12 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the Lacamas Lake Lodge.  Attendees will be able to mingle with the candidates in a more casual setting, and then provide their feedback to the City at the event, or electronically. 

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CHS Completes JV Baseball Racial Slur Investigation; Confirms Micro-Aggressions

Camas, WA — A weeklong investigation following allegations of racial slurs from Camas High School (CHS) JV baseball players against a black Skyview athlete concluded today confirming micro-aggression behavior occurred at an April 20 game. For a week, rumors have swirled about when it happened, if it happened, if it was intentional, how long the actions took place, and why the game wasn’t stopped.

A micro-aggression is a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority. CHS students have been saying on Lacamas Magazine social media sites the school does have issues with students and faculty who regularly put down racial minorities, and are frustrated administrators don’t take any action.

Camas parents who attended a 4 pm team meeting today with CHS administrators said Skyview’s claims stem from comments overheard during pre-game warmups. As the Papermakers were doing grave digger exercises they were chanting “grave diggers” as they regularly do. Skyview said the Camas players were yelling “grave n——s,” a racial insult aimed at a black Skyview baseball player.

Camas players insist they didn’t say that harmful word, but Skyview stands by their claims. Camas players felt today’s statement was rushed, and didn’t give players an opportunity to be heard. Several left the meeting feeling slighted.

Although CHS Principal Tom Morris and Athletic Director Rory Oster didn’t go into specifics in their statement, they did confirm evidence of racial slurs.

Morris and Oster issued this statement today, which was authored by Dr. Charlene Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Camas Schools:

Dear Camas Community,

You may be aware of allegations made about racist actions that took place at a JV baseball game between Skyview HS and Camas HS last week. Below is a message from Camas HS that was shared with Skyview High School athletics and administration today. 

Now that the investigation is complete, we want to share this with you in an effort to keep you informed. Please know that we cannot share information about student discipline. 

This is not how we want to be represented in our community, and we continue to be committed to our equity work.

Rory Oster, Athletic Director

Tom Morris, CHS Principal

Dear Skyview Baseball Team and Administration,

After a week of investigation, while we were not able to confirm all allegations, we do know that our players engaged in racial micro-aggressions at the April 20, 2022, JV baseball game. Their actions and the inaction of the athletes who witnessed these acts, clearly illustrate that a problem exists in our team. We are deeply sorry this occurred and apologize for the harm our players caused to Skyview team members.

Therefore, all JV games will remain canceled until the situation with Skyview and Camas JV baseball teams is resolved. Looking ahead, Camas staff will be working with its students to determine how the harm they caused can be repaired. Our plan is to engage with you to restore relationships and build a path forward. Additionally, WIAA recently created a policy around halting games when racist acts are reported; we will ensure all staff and athletes are aware of this policy and how to respond to and interrupt racist acts.

We condemn all forms of racism and will continue our work to eliminate racism in our system.

Sincerely,

Rory Oster, Athletic Director

Tom Morris, CHS Principal

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