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Politics 2021: Leslie Lewallen Running for Camas City Council, Ward 3, Pos. 2

Camas, WA — Leslie Lewallen is running for Camas City Council, Ward 3, Position 2, which is an open seat. Her opponent is Jennifer McDaniel, a former Washougal City Council member. Here are several answers Lewallen provides to Lacamas Magazine questions.

Question: Why are you running for Camas City Council?

Answer: I am running for City Council because Camas deserves better.  Camasonians deserve to be meaningfully heard and participate with transparent accountability and effective city leadership. I am ready to protect our schools, our public safety, our local business community, and our parks and environment– things we value as members of this special community all the while holding myself and our city leadership accountable to the citizens of Camas. From $78 million pool bonds to drug detox facilities being located to elementary schools and tens of millions of dollars spent on private land acquisitions citizens have been kept in the dark for too long.

Question: Why are you qualified to fill this seat?

Answer: I am a native 5th generation Washingtonian.  I graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in political science and Seattle University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate. After law school I practiced as a judicial law clerk for Chief Justice Gerry Alexander at the Washington State Supreme Court. I then went on to work as a deputy prosecuting attorney prior to joining private practice where I focused primarily on school law, and land use property rights issues. I have worked on zoning issues, land use issues, environmental issues and issues related to Washington’s Growth Management Act.  All areas of law that are specifically related to many of the City Council’s duties.

As a retired attorney, business owner and mother of four, I have the leadership, knowledge, and communication skills necessary to serve.   

Although I have never held elected office before, I believe my education, knowledge and legal and business experience uniquely qualifies me to lead Camas back on track and make it the best city it can be.  

Question: What are your priorities should you be elected to Camas City Council? 

Answer: My vision of downtown Camas urban development and the Northshore over the next five to 10 years is easy. My vision is to represent the will of the electorate. I have personally canvassed over 1,500 homes in the past three months.  I have heard from citizen after citizen that they do not want the Northshore developed. Camasonians have been clear.  They want to preserve the greenspace of our community and preserve the natural beauty that makes Camas special.  It’s time our city stops paying consultants to tell us what we want or need.  It’s time our city listened to the taxpayers.  

I believe that Camas has a unique opportunity to work together with Georgia Pacific to plan and create a healthy, vibrant space that accommodates the needs of our citizens. With a clear understanding of zoning, property laws and environmental laws, I believe that I would be a valuable resource in working together to create mixed use development in the heart of Camas.  Not only would a mixed-use development preserve the environment of our Northshore, but it would satisfy an existing infrastructure, allow for various types of housing, parking, and retail—all of which keep our valuable tax dollars where they belong — in Camas.  

You can learn more about Lewallen and her candidacy at https://www.leslieforcamas.com

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Inslee Mandates Educators Receive COVID Vaccine; Issues Indoor Mask Requirement

OLYMPIA, WA — All K-12 and higher education employees statewide, as well as some childcare providers are now required to be vaccinated, Gov. Jay Inslee said today at a press conference.

Inslee also reissued a statewide indoor mask mandate to include everyone, regardless of vaccination status. The order previously applied only to unvaccinated individuals.

Inslee’s new COVID-19 mask mandate goes into effect Monday, Aug. 23.

His educator vaccine requirement applies to:

  • K-12 educators, school staff, coaches, bus drivers, school volunteers and others working in school facilities
  • Employees in higher education institutions
  • Childcare and early learning providers who serve children from multiple households

Today’s new vaccine requirement is a condition of educator employment and applies to public, private and charter schools. Tribal schools are exempt from the order. Students are not mandated to get the vaccine. Educators and staff have until October 18 to get fully vaccinated.

Inslee said today’s announcement follows a massive surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide, breaking previous records set last September. 

The Department of Health recommends face mask use in crowded outdoor settings, such as concerts, sporting events, fairs and farmers markets.

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Clark County COVID-19 Cases Rise: 191 Per 100,000

Vancouver, WA — COVID-19 virus activity continues to increase rapidly in Clark County as the current rate has more than doubled in two weeks and is nearly four times the rate three weeks ago.

COVID-19 case rates are rising in all age groups, with the highest rates among young adults 20-39 years old, said Clark County Public Health.

Rates among 10-19-year-olds have been increasing over the last month, with the biggest increase occurring in the last two weeks. Rates for this age group are now nearing the highs during the peak of the pandemic, they said.

Low vaccination rates, more contagious variants, and increased group interactions are contributing to the rise in cases, which are largely occurring among residents who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19. Nearly 96 percent of cases statewide through July 31 were not fully vaccinated. In Clark County, nearly 97 percent of cases through June were not fully vaccinated.

Cases

• 964 additional cases (confirmed and probable) since last update

• 28,507 confirmed to date (+772 since last update)

• 2,007 antigen probable cases to date (+192 since last update) 

• 1,070 active cases (in isolation period)

• 12.1% of hospital beds are occupied by COVID-19 cases and persons under investigation for 

COVID-19 (awaiting test results)

• 68 COVID-19 cases and 2 people under investigation for COVID-19 hospitalized

Deaths

• 300 total deaths to date (267 confirmed, 33 suspect)

• 4 new confirmed deaths since last update: man in his 30s with underlying conditions, man 80+ years old with underlying conditions, man in his 70s with underlying conditions, woman 80+ years old with underlying conditions

Rates

• COVID-19 activity rate is 191.1 cases per 100,000 over 14 days (up from 120.8 per 100,000 last week). 

• COVID-19 new hospital admission rate is 6.4 per 100,000 people over 7 days (up from 3.2 per 100,000 last week)

Here are more details on the Clark County Public Health COVID-19 data webpage: https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-data 

If you’re not yet vaccinated, the health department recommends seeking a location near you today and get vaccinated.

• Search on VaccineLocator.doh.wa.gov

• Search on VaccineFinder.org

• Call 833.VAX.HELP

• Text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX)

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Inslee Requires Vaccinations For Most State Employees, Health Care Workers

Seattle, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a requirement for most state workers, and on-site contractors and volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. State employees and workers in private health care and long-term care settings will have until October 18 to be fully vaccinated.

The requirement applies to state workers, regardless of teleworking status. This applies to executive cabinet agencies, but the governor encouraged all others such as higher education, local governments, the legislative branch, other statewide elected officials and organizations in the private sector to do the same.

“It is the mission of public servants and those providing health care to serve our fellow Washingtonians. These workers live in every community in our state, working together and with the public every day to deliver services,” Inslee said. “We have a duty to protect them from the virus, they have the right to be protected, and the communities they serve and live in deserve protection as well.”

The governor made the announcement at a press conference on Monday at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle. He was joined by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Kaiser Permanente Washington President Susan Mullaney, Washington State Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah, and Seattle-King County Public Health Officer Dr. Jeffrey Duchin.

“State employees, health care and long-term care workers are extremely pivotal in the fight against COVID-19, and we hope these steps will further our goal of getting as many people vaccinated,” Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, said. “We should all be concerned with the increases of COVID-19 cases in our state and we know that vaccines are our best tool to end this pandemic.”

The announcement comes as Washington is experiencing a severe increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations in every county, due to the Delta variant, with the overwhelming majority of cases and hospitalizations being among unvaccinated Washingtonians.

Prior to the governor’s announcement, Kaiser Permanente WA mandated that it would be requiring all its employees to be vaccinated.

“The growing threat of the Delta variant has put our unvaccinated communities in a serious and precarious situation. We have at our disposal the key to ending this deadly surge and even the pandemic — vaccines,” said Susan Mullaney, president of Kaiser Permanente Washington. “As the largest integrated health care provider in the state of Washington, Kaiser Permanente has taken the important step of requiring that all employees and physicians be fully vaccinated. We look forward to working with the governor, the state, labor partners and our fellow health care systems to protect our state.”

King County leads the state in vaccinations, with approximately 81.5% of eligible residents 12 years of age and older having initiated their vaccination series, 12% higher than the statewide average as of August 2.

“No patient should have to worry about getting COVID-19 from their health care provider, period,” said Jeff Duchin, King County Public Health officer. “Requiring COVID-19 vaccination for health care personnel protects not only patients and health care workers, but also their families and our community — including those who cannot be vaccinated or do not respond to the vaccine due to being immunocompromised. I thank Governor Inslee for taking this important action as the threat of COVID-19 is increasing locally and nationally.”

This new requirement includes well-defined exemptions to the vaccine. Individuals with legitimate medical reasons or sincerely held religious reasons will be exempt. The exemptions do not include personal or philosophical objections.

To keep staff, families and communities safe, there will be no test-out option for employees. Past opt-out testing policies in congregate facilities for unvaccinated staff have not been efficient at preventing outbreaks that impact employees, clients and families, resulting in the loss of life of dedicated staff. Providing a test-out option would be both a financial burden for staff and taxpayers and ineffective at protecting the lives of Washingtonians.

Employees who refuse to be vaccinated will be subject to dismissal from employment for failing to meet legal job qualifications. The state will work with labor organizations on meeting collective bargaining obligations and adhering to civil service rules.

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$10 EZ Patent Pending Website Revolutionizes Inventor Opportunities

Camas, WA — A locally owned and operated company, called EZ Patent Pending, is launching a new website (https://ezpatentpending.com) that its founders believe will revolutionize the nation’s — and even the world’s — invention space making it very easy and inexpensive for inventors to get “Patent Pending” Status approval.

“We’re very excited about this,” said Derrick Huckvale, CEO of EZ Patent Pending. “ One of our founders, Dee Volin, who we call the “Guru”, is a very successful inventor with many patents written by him over 20 years (using his revolutionary invention-describing secrets) to his credit, that turned into profitable products that are being sold by multi-billion-dollar wholesalers and retailers like The Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, and Amazon. Just one order alone for one of his inventions from a multi-billion-dollar retailer (to a company he sold his inventions to) was worth millions of dollars, annually!! He spent decades getting ready for this moment, and we feel ezpatentpending.com would help inventors get their products described, and registered with “Patent Pending” Status very easily and inexpensively, and to the market faster.”

What is EZ Patent Pending?

It is a website that provides a service to help those people, who have no knowledge of how to describe their inventions and protect their valuable ideas with an official “Patent Pending” status, and it does it in a way that’s inexpensive (only $10 (yes, ten dollars) per complete invention description), easy (just filling out a basic form on the website, and clicking a button to have the app generate a complete invention description in under a minute using the same revolutionary invention-describing secrets (formulated over 20 years by the Guru), and it can be done by anybody who has no knowledge of how to describe their inventions and how to meet all the requirements.

Why does it change the invention opportunities?

“It provides an opportunity for people to get their idea registered with “patent pending” status simply and quickly and as easily as possible,” said Huckvale. “If people had issues with the costs of getting something drafted and registered with “patent pending” status, we are taking that out of the equation because it will be so affordable (only $10 per complete invention description, using the same revolutionary invention-describing secrets, formulated over 20 years by the Guru). 

“Most people don’t know how to describe, file, and get a ”Patent Pending” status for their inventions, so they have to disclose their idea to complete strangers, spend a great amount of money,  and stretch out the time.” 

With EZ Patent Pending, inventors could do everything easily in the comfort and privacy of their own home, they don’t have to disclose their valuable idea to complete strangers, and they could do it easily in one afternoon, and would then be able to market their product right on the same day because it would be registered with “Patent Pending” Status issued by the US patent and trademark office.

“We want to help open the doors to potential prosperity for people so that they could open up the American dream for them and their families,” said Huckvale. “Our website helps them get a complete invention description for just $10, and we plan to reach a great amount of markets.”

How does it work? Why just $10? What does it get you?

It gets a complete invention description of your idea, which is ready to be filed with the USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office).

The revolutionary invention-describing app takes the basic information you entered and automatically writes a complete invention description.  

“For example, an inventor has an invention,” said Huckvale. “He simply lists the components’ names, etc. —and simply click a button, and our app will automatically generate a complete invention description in under a minute, ready to be filed to receive an official “Patent Pending” Status.” 

“The invention is in their name and is 100% owned by them,” said Huckvale. “The website also provides free 15-minute tutorial videos showing them, step by step, how to easily enter simple information and let the app automatically generate a complete invention description in under a minute.”

EZ Patent
Derrick Huckvale, CEO, EZ Patent Pending. Photo by Lara Blair Photography.

Decades of Credibility

Volin, aka the “guru” has a 100 percent success rate with fully (on his own) patenting and selling his ideas currently sold by Fortune-500 multi-billion-dollar wholesalers and retailers like The Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, and Amazon.

Just one order alone for one of his inventions from a multi-billion-dollar retailer (to a company he sold his inventions to) was worth millions of dollars, annually!!

The guru with over 20 years of experience

For decades, the guru navigated the costly and confusing labyrinth of invention descriptions that are filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office (US PTO). He then after all these years unlocked the invention-description code. Now, he’s putting his knowledge into https://ezpatentpending.com, which allows inventors, who have no knowledge of how to describe their inventions, to easily enter simple information of an invention and let the app automatically generate a complete invention description within minutes (using the same invention-describing secrets, formulated over 20 years by the “Guru”) — for just $10 a description. These invention-describing secrets have resulted in a lot of the guru’s patented ideas being sold by multi-billion-dollar wholesalers and retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, Amazon, etc.

“We’ve made this process easy for the inventor to get their product protected very easily and inexpensively and to market faster,” he said. “We think anyone can do this, and want to encourage young inventors, women inventors, and inventors all over to visit this site and get their idea protected.”

Visit https://ezpatentpending.com and get started today.

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Public Health Issues Warning For Lacamas, Round Lakes Due To Elevated Cyanotoxins

Camas, WA — Clark County Public Health has issued warning advisories for Lacamas Lake and Round Lake due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins from blue-green algae.

Public Health collected water samples from both Camas lakes on Monday. Results revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. Warning signs are being placed at public access points at both lakes.

Cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, especially young children, and deadly for small pets that drink the water. Health officials recommend:

  • No swimming or water skiing.
  • No water contact for animals.
  • Avoiding areas of scum when using motorized boats, paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing.
  • No drinking lake water.
  • Cleaning fish well and discarding organs.

Public Health will continue to monitor Lacamas and Round lakes and, while blooms are present, take weekly water samples to test toxin levels. Signs will be updated as conditions change.

Cyanotoxins
Cyanotoxins
A warning sign at Round Lake.
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Camas School District’s BookMoBus: Every Wednesday Through August 11

Camas, WA — The Camas School District’s BookMoBus program is a weekly summer event that happens every Wednesday through August 11 at these alternating locations: Helen Baller, Woodburn and Dorothy Fox Elementary schools.

As part of the summer recovery program (which supports more than 300 students), it’s helping Camas students that need extra work on literacy. 

“For elementary school students, the summer recovery program helps students that need extra work on literacy, at the middle school level it helps them with math and literacy, and for high school it’s about credit recovery,” said Diane Loghry, CSD Director of Early Learning. “We work to provide something that’s consistent for all.”

You don’t need to be part of the recovery program to participate.

BookMoBus is made possible by generous grants came from Camas-Washougal Community Chest and General Federation of Women’s Club, and The Standard.

Run by Jen Scott, a teacher on special assignment, and high school volunteers, such as Abigail Malone and Madison Scott, the events alternate each week between the three aforementioned schools: Helen Baller, Dorothy Fox and Woodburn.

The next event is today at Helen Baller from 9 am-12:30 pm. Next Wednesday it will be at Woodburn from 9-11 am, and then at Dorothy Fox from noon-2 pm.

Students are able to check out books (on the honor system), participate in readings, and pre-K students are encouraged to pick up summer learning packets to help them prepare for Kindergarten. Parents can check out books, too.

Guest readers include school board members Corey McEnry and Erika Cox, as well as Julie Mueller, Bryan Graham, and CSD’s Interim Superintendent, Doug Hood.

BookMoBus

The librarian counted 250 people at the last BookMoBus event at Dorothy Fox and Woodburn.

“The BookMoBus program started in summer of 2019,” said Scott. “Last summer we weren’t able to do it, and so we came back bigger this year with a bus. The real goal is to encourage reading and so we provide an opportunity to keep them reading over summer. 

“Recently in the last two weeks we rolled out 200 new books. It’s coming from requests from families about which types of books interest them. I get the requests and that’s what’s getting them back into reading more. Popular requests are graphic novels, Dragon Masters, and Dog Man, which is like the Diary of a Wimpy kid series.”

Loghry said early learning classes were among the first to open last Fall, and said she’s proud of the efforts coming from teachers.

“Teachers worked really hard and they continue to work hard,” said Loghry. “They advocate to bring kids into the building. I think students learned a lot of thing this year: patience, grit, flexibility, resilience.” 

BookMoBus
Inside the converted BookMoBus.

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Clark County Public Health Recommends Indoor Face Mask Usage

Vancouver, WA — Clark County Public Health issued a statement today recommending the use of face masks in indoor settings, in conjunction with today’s guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Here is the health department statement:

Today, the CDC issued updated guidance on face coverings as more is learned about the highly infectious delta variant driving increases in virus activity across the country.

The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly effective at preventing severe illness that can lead to hospitalization and death, even among those infected with the delta variant. A small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated may still get COVID-19, but infections in fully vaccinated people tend to be mild. 

Most COVID-19 cases continue to be among people who are unvaccinated. However, some people who are fully vaccinated and get infected with the delta variant may be able to spread the virus to others. 

As a result of increased virus activity and new information about the delta variant, the CDC is recommending that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear face coverings indoors when in areas with substantial or high virus activity. Clark County is currently categorized as having substantial virus activity.

Given the current virus activity in Clark County, Public Health is recommending face coverings for everyone in indoor settings, in alignment with CDC guidance.

The Washington State Department of Health is reviewing the CDC guidance and may make updates to state guidance on face coverings. 

The CDC is also recommending everyone wear masks in K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status and community virus activity. The state Department of Health establishes the guidance for schools in our state. Public Health is awaiting updated school guidance from the state.

Getting vaccinated continues to be the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against COVID-19 and slow the spread of the virus in our community. Public Health strongly recommends everyone 12 years and older get vaccinated.

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Camas City Council Unanimously Appoints Burton as Interim Mayor

Camas, WA — Members of the Camas City Council decided unanimously to appoint Ellen Burton as the Interim Mayor of Camas.  Burton will serve in this role until the general elections in November. The City attorney will swear-in Burton at the council’s regular meeting at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 2. 

Burton, formerly serving as Camas’ Mayor Pro Tem, was one of two candidates that applied for the Mayoral position, Camas resident Jack Derington was the other. Both applicants were interviewed live during a special public meeting that allowed both in-person and virtual viewing.  This was the first opportunity for the public to attend a council meeting in-person since the COVID pandemic restricted open public meetings to remote-only.  

Each applicant was asked the same seven questions and was provided three minutes each to respond. Following the interviews, Council Members recessed to an Executive Session for discussion, after which they voted publicly, resulting in the decision to retain Burton in the role.

“I appreciate Mr. Derington for throwing his hat in the ring, he is a certainly a qualified individual and I certainly hope he volunteers in the community” Burton said.  “I’m also excited that I was selected to fulfill this position.”

Burton is no stranger to the City and has represented Ward 3 as a Camas City Council Member since 2019. Burton retired from a career in global technology and has been actively volunteering in the Camas community for almost 25 years. 

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City of Camas Launches CAP Program To Ease Utility Bill Delinquencies

The City of Camas Finance Department is looking to provide residents with a little help in the form of the Camas Assistance Program, or CAP as it’s better known.

CAP can provide financial support for eligible customers that are delinquent on a City of Camas utility bill. Qualifying households may receive one credit per twelve months towards a delinquent utility balance, up to a maximum of $250. Senior citizens may qualify and receive utility assistance twice in twelve months.

“We understand that times have been tough for many,” said City of Camas Finance Director, Cathy Huber-Nickerson. “And we also understand that for many, a little help even with one bill, can go a long way.”

Many residents may soon see a flier along with their utility bill that provides information on the program, including a quick check list to determine qualifications.  Some of those qualifications may include living in a household where income is limited or limited access to subsidized housing assistance.

Interested residents are encouraged to visit https://www.cityofcamas.us/community/page/camas-assistance-program-cap for more information.  While there, be sure to include your information in the benefit estimator to see what you may qualify for.

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