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Camas Mayor Pro Tem Issues “Red Ribbon Week” Proclamation — Starts October 23

Camas, WA — At Monday’s Camas City Council Meeting, Mayor Pro Tem, Don Chaney declared the week of October 23-October 31 “Red Ribbon Week,” to bring awareness and support to the fight against drugs. The Lewis and Clark Young Marines were presented the proclamation, after which they handed out red ribbons attached to cards asking citizens to wear the ribbons for the remainder of the month.

Here is the full text of Chaney’s proclamation:

“WHEREAS, communities across America have been plagued by the numerous problems associated with illicit drug use and those that traffic in them; and

“WHEREAS, there is hope in winning the war on drugs, and that hope lies in education and drug demand reduction, coupled with the hard work and determination of organizations such as the Lewis and Clark Young Marines of the Marine Corps League to foster a healthy, drug-free lifestyle; and

“WHEREAS, governments and community leaders know that citizen support is one of the most effective tools in the effort to reduce the use of illicit drugs in our communities; and

Ribbon

Red ribbons are being handed out to citizens.

“WHEREAS, the red ribbon has been chosen as a symbol commemorating the work of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent who was murdered in the line of duty, and represents the belief that one person can make a difference; and

“WHEREAS, the Red Ribbon Campaign was established by Congress in 1988 to encourage a drug-free lifestyle and involvement in drug prevention and reduction efforts; and

“WHEREAS, October 23-31, 2018, has been designated National Red Ribbon Week, which encourages Americans to wear a red ribbon to show their support for a drug-free environment;

“NOW THEREFORE, I, Don Chaney, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Camas, do hereby proclaim October 23-31 , 2018, as: “Red Ribbon Week” in the City of Camas, and urge all citizens to join me in this special observance.”

To learn more, visit www.LCYM.org

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Arts Ambassador Scholarship Recipients Honored at Black Pearl

Washougal, WA — The 2018 Arts Ambassador Scholarship recipients were honored at the recent Enspire Arts Celebration Gala, which was held Saturday at the Black Pearl. The Arts Ambassador Scholarship Program is a newly established program offering $500 scholarships towards instruction in any art form and available for students in grades 6-12 throughout Clark County.

Each recipient of a scholarship will provide an arts based community gift to serve the residents of Clark County. Enspire Arts sought students dedicated to their craft, having a strong desire to keep learning and a motivation to enrich the lives of others. Some students have already had several years of study and some are just beginning their formal instruction. Yet, in all of them there is potential to make a positive and meaningful contribution to the community of Clark County.

Aaron Greene is a senior at Union High School and his community gift will be creating a Peer to Peer String Instruction Program to support the school’s orchestra, as well as provide free lessons to those that may otherwise not have access.  In its first year, the program will have 4 tutors, serving 10 students.

Zoe Hill is an 8th grade student at Jemtegaard Middle School and her community gift will be Reaching Others Through Art.  Zoe will be creating a series of comic drawings highlighting the mental dialogue associated with certain mental conditions. This artwork has the potential to open the doors for discussion with local youth and the challenges they are facing.

Zayah Shore is a 7th grade student at Liberty Middle School and her community gift will be Sharing the Love of Music.  Zayah is zealous to encourage young students to give music a try. She plans to visit elementary classrooms to share what it’s like to learn a new instrument and to encourage kids not to be a afraid of a challenge.  

Zachary Lipinski is a junior at Heritage High School and his community gift will be Connecting with Others Through Music.  Zachary’s love of music has drawn him to want to become an orchestra teacher. Zachary will be providing free public music performances around Clark County.

Cassidy Watson is a junior at Camas High School and her community gift will be The Joy of Dance.  Cassidy is a talented young dancer and is excited at the opportunity to share her joy of dance with others.  Cassidy will be offering three contemporary dance workshops to youth around Clark County.

For more information regarding Enspire Arts, their programs, ways to get involved and making a donation, please see www.enspirearts.org

The 2019 Arts Ambassador Scholarship application period will open March 2019.

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From left: Aaron Greene, Zayah Shore, Cassidy Watson, Zoe Hill, and Zachary Lipinski.

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Student From Nepal Grateful to Rotary, WSU for Educational Opportunities

Vancouver, WA — With help from the Vancouver Rotary Foundation and a Swiss-funded school, Navraj Lamichhane, or “Raj,” of Nepal, is living his dream, and plans use his education to improve the quality of life in his native country.

After completing two years of college in Nepal, Raj arrived in Vancouver nearly three years ago to continue his studies at Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver where he recently earned a Business Administration Degree with a certificate in professional sales.

“I was the scholarship recipient from the Vancouver Rotary Foundation, and was paid through grants and other scholarships, and directly from WSU,” said Raj. “I got a sponsor from Switzerland, and she helped me through the first semester. Her name is Birgit Krneta, with Bright Horizons Children’s school in Nepal, which is a Swiss-funded school, and everyone has a sponsor. I had her as my sponsor and she paid for my education and she paid for my first semester at WSU Vancouver. After that, I was able to get the remaining funds.”

Raj also received support from Beverly Questad, who assisted with room and board. The two originally met in Nepal during a teaching abroad program. Questad, a Skyview High School teacher, traveled to Nepal to teach and train.

“I was planning to come to America at that time, and we started talking and she really liked my drive,” said Raj. “She offered free room and board, which is close to the WSU Vancouver campus. When I came here I got full scholarships, and that’s how I was able to get it all done.”

His interest is in renewable energy and improving the quality of life in developing countries — and is putting his focus on new, improved cooking stoves that are more efficient, and healthier. Back in Nepal they cook everything inside with antiquated cooking stoves that create toxins and smoke in the home.

“I learned about energy through Winrock International, which is based in Arkansas, and they promote renewable energies worldwide,” said Raj. “They teach, and do proposals, train people, work with local banks, and help local businesses secure financing. I worked with them as a paid research intern for two years, and I learned about solar home systems. During my internship with Winrock is when my interest in America emerged. It really fascinated me. America is a great country as they have diverse thinking. I wanted to study here and I was really in need of those kind of connections.”

Upon arrival in the United States, Raj heard about the Rotary scholarship, and applied. After several interviews, he received the $4,000 scholarship.

“I love that Rotary is doing international things,” he said.

Raj is making plans to earn his MBA, and is currently looking at several schools. He wants to start classes in 2019.

After that, he wants to become an energy expert, and plans to eventually return to Nepal, but still travel the world bringing energy solutions to the developing parts of the world. In Nepal, they often face 18 hours of energy blackouts each day, which is a huge struggle.

“I want to work in project management and bring good products to help people in these places,” Raj said. “I want to first gain work experience in the United States and stay here for 5-10 years and then set up my own company in Nepal. I want to help in different ways. I love my country but I want to get established here. I want to get all this experience and go back and help.”

Nepal

Raj wants to market new, more efficient stoves in Nepal and other developing countries.

The 26 year-old has two older sisters and one younger brother, who only attended school through the 7th grade. He was raised in Kathmandu, but was born 2.5 hours away — in rural Nepal. There aren’t a lot of jobs there for people who don’t have an education, and the nation has a massive unemployment problem.

“Renewable energy is a way to a healthy life,” Raj said. “It’s a way to progress and sustainability. It’s a way to empower people. I think there are ways we can think critically — in different ways. Like using solar cars, and it’s just healthier.”

He said that solar home heating systems and modern cooking stoves are key to their progress.

He plans to bring newer stoves to market, because their current models are making women and children sick, given that most women stay at home in Nepal.

“With new cooking stoves, we can eliminate these health problems and provide for a better life,” he said. “In the cities, they use more gas stoves with ventilation. The traditional stoves are used more in the rural areas.”

He’d like to see Metallic Improved Cooking (MIC) stoves spread through his native country — and to other parts of the developing world.

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State Superintendent Pushes For Capital Gains Tax To Remedy Deficits

Washington state Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced a capital gains tax in his 2019-21 budget Tuesday, which addresses the funding gyrations and looming budget deficits in many districts across the state as a result of the new public school funding model.

Capital

Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal.

His proposal includes additional funding for students with special needs, nurses and dual language programs, which have historically been unfunded by the state, requiring local districts to implement levies.

“Our students deserve an education system that does not allow opportunity gaps to persist,” Reykdal said in a statement. “That can only happen if our system provides equitable opportunities and individual learning pathways for each student.”

Reykdal’s budget proposal is funded by an 8 percent long-term capital gains tax that would raise $1 billion annually. His goal is to reduce the state property tax by 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This would affect approximately 53,000 households. Single filers who earn $25,000 from capital gains annually or couples who make more than $50,000 will be taxed.

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Would it affect sales of residences? No, said Reykdal.

The objective is to reduce the burden on homeowners so school districts can increase levies as they’ve done in the past.

The state legislature, in their response to the McCleary Supreme Court decision, capped the amount of levy money schools could collect to whichever was less: $2,500 per student or $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. This decision reduced Camas School District levy capacity by 50 percent, and is a chief cause of projected CSD deficits. Districts all over the state are dealing with similar issues, which Reykdal readily admits.

“Without critical changes, the reduction in levies will leave some districts in a very tough financial situation,” Reykdal said in a statement.

The rest of the capital gains tax would go towards these public school funding areas:

  • $150 million for special education
  • $46 million for mentoring and professional learning
  • $45 million for career and technical education
  • $38 million for institutional education
  • $38 million for counselors
  • $20 million for dual credit programs
  • $14 million for dual language programs
  • $13 million for nurses
  • $13 million for mental health and school safety
  • $10 million for expanded learning opportunities
  • $9 million for family and community coordinators

Reykdal’s plans has critics from both Republicans and Democrats.

“The capital gains tax is basically an income tax,” said Clark County Assessor, Peter Van Nortwick. “If we have one Fisher Investments will be gone. You let a new tax in and it expands. The State brings enough in sales and other taxes.”

Retiring State Representative Liz Pike thinks it’s a terrible idea that tries to fix bad legislation with more bad legislation.

”School districts should not have given raises they had no way to pay for,” said Pike. “It was financially irresponsible. I’ve said all along the WEA orchestrated these strikes with Democrat operatives in order to justify a new state income tax. The Capital Gains Tax proposed by OSPI Reykdal is a back door to a new state income tax.”

The capital gains tax was floated by Governor Inslee two years ago, and most recently by House Democrats in this last budget cycle.

“I’m opposed to any new tax structure,” said candidate Larry Hoff, a Republican who is running for the 18th Legislative District, Position 2 seat. “McCleary needs to be fully implemented prior to suggesting that major changes are necessary.”

Hoff’s opponent is also against the capital gains tax.

“I’m disappointed in his proposal,” said Kathy Gillespie, a Democrat who is running for the open 18th, Position 2 Legislative District seat. “It ignores the huge property tax increase passed in 2017 and also ignores the levy swipe contained in that deal. After a summer of strikes and sky-high property tax bills to boot, I don’t think taxpayers will have an appetite for another ‘fix’. The idea has been around for a while. It’s not new, and it’s still a bad idea.”

 

 

 

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Camas Youth Group Preparing for Upcoming Candidate Forum

Camas, WA — Camas High School and members of the Camas Youth Advisory Council (CYAC) are preparing their 16th annual Candidate Forum, which will take place on Monday, October 22 at 7 pm in the Camas High School Theatre. The public is invited and your participation is encouraged.

CYAC is a Camas High School organization dedicated to educating students and others about the politics taking place in Camas and throughout our community.

“We are sure that you are aware that the national, state, and local elections will soon be upon us, and we encourage you to become involved with CYAC’s sixteenth annual Candidate Forum held at the Camas High School auditorium,” said CYAC in a statement. “The Candidate Forum is a great way for members of the community to hear the opinions and ideas of their political representatives. In past years, we have had many influential candidates attend the forum, which has been significantly beneficial to aiding voters in the decision-making process.”

This year, the forum is bringing together candidates running for the following seats: U.S. Representative for Washington’s 3r​d​ District; Washington State Representatives from the 18th​ District, positions 1 2; and County Commissioner for District 3.

The council is expecting to have the participation of Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, her opponent, Carolyn Long; State Representative Brandon Vick, his opponent, Chris Tobaben (running for 18th LD, position 1); Larry Hoff and Kathy Gillespie (running for 18th LD, position 2, a seat which is currently being held the retiring, Liz Pike; as well as Eric Holt and Eileen Quiring (running for Clark County Commissioner).

 

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Washougal: Kindness Matters, Students Honor Parkland Shooting Victims

Vancouver, WA — At their annual ESD 112 Principals’ Meeting, a group of Washougal students presented the results of their April Kindness campaign, which was done to honor victims of February’s Parkland shooting massacre, and to remind people to treat each other with respect.

The five students, who attend Washougal High School, representing the Unite! Washougal Youth Community Coalition, reported on the origins of the campaign, its activities, and its statistical results.

ShaylaRae Tyner explained the campaign’s origins, which are rooted in this writer’s relationship with Ryan Petty, whose daughter, Alaina, was killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

“The editor [at Lacamas Magazine] had a personal connection with the Parkland incident, and he wrote an article, which later led our mayor [Molly Coston] make April the month of kindness, which brought kindness into our community and into our schools.”

Kindness

http://tvc.org/meet-jen

Leaders of the Unite! Washougal Youth Community Coalition reacted to the mayor’s proclamation and created a special kindness campaign that had significant local impact.

”We created a project called Kindness Week for our school and community to promote thoughtfulness and care,” said Amara Farah. “We created three major goals with this opportunity and we wanted to promote positive action and give people a reason to smile. We wanted to create some source of community after the Parkland impact, and our Mayor declared April Kindness month and we wanted to include the entire community by providing fun activities and random acts of kindness.”

Over the course of a few weeks, the group created a series of fun lunchtime activities designed to get people connected and to put kindness at the forefront of their daily lives.

”From the first day to the last we only saw an increase in participation,” said Rachel Lyall. “With our school principal saying in a time in our society when the norm is to criticize and blame, kindness week modeled the complete opposite.”

Chloe Connors said the activities included a compliment battle, and at Friday’s meeting the students showed the principals a brief skit on how the compliment battle worked, where students tried to out do compliments with each other. The also reported on their kindness boards where people wrote good thoughts. The team created hula hoop competitions that became quite popular. Students filled out smile grams to lift each other up — which increased over the campaign.

Kindness

The team honored the students and teachers who were killed and injured in the February Parkland, FL shooting.

There was great enthusiasm from fellow students about continuing these types of activities throughout the year. WHS does plan to continue these kindness campaigns, and Kurtis Villareal said they witnessed groups of kids who never spoke to one another start to open up and communicate.

Villareal reported on the statistical findings before and after the campaign.

”We sent out a survey at the beginning of our kindness week, and at the end because we wanted to know if our students at WHS thought we had a positive culture,” said Villareal. “When we sent this out most people didn’t think that we were so positive, but with the all the activities we saw a big increase in the school culture being positive, which is really awesome.”

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City of Camas Accepting Applications for New Mayor — Thru Oct. 26

Camas, WA — The City of Camas is now accepting applications from Camas residents to fill the position of mayor. The deadline to apply is Oct. 26, 2018, 5 pm.

The City Council will hold a special meeting on Nov. 14, 2018, at 4:30 pm, in Camas City Hall, 616 N.E. Fourth Ave., for conducting candidate interviews. Special meetings are open to the public, but public comment may not be submitted. An executive session and council vote will follow. The appointee will take the oath of office at the next regular meeting of the City Council, scheduled for Nov. 19, 2018.

The appointee’s term is anticipated to run from Nov. 19, 2018, through Dec. 2, 2019, the remainder of former mayor Scott Higgins’ term. On June 11, 2018, Higgins announced his resignation, effective Sept. 30, 2018, to spend more time with family. Higgins served Camas for 17 years, first as a City Councilor. Council Member Don Chaney is currently serving as mayor pro tempore.

Candidates must reside in the City of Camas, have been a resident of the City of Camas for at least one year prior to the mayor appointment, and a be registered voter of the City of Camas.

For details and an application, see https://www.cityofcamas.us/images/ADMIN/CamasMayorApplicationInstructionsInfo2018.pdf

Hoff

www.MyHeavensBest.com

 

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Election 2018: Washougal Seeks to Significantly Change Form of Government

Washougal, WA — Proposition 8 is a City of Washougal ballot measure for the November 6, 2018 elections, which gives voters the opportunity to decide whether to change Washougal’s form of government from Mayor-Council to Council-Manager.

It’s a change incumbent city council members requested early in Mayor Molly Coston’s first term, and one that she’s neutral on.

“I support it,” said Washougal City Councilor, Brent Boger. “Checks and balances is not really an ideal system for a city the size of Washougal. I’ve worked in City Manager systems and in strong Mayor systems.”

The issue is also something that the City of Camas is mulling.

Why is the Proposal on the Ballot?

In March 2018, Coston appointed the Citizens Government Advisory Committee and charged them with the task of determining whether it was the right time to transition to a Council-Manager form of government. The Citizens Government Advisory Committee recommended that the City Council place on the November 2018 ballot a measure to adopt the Council-Manager form of government for the City of Washougal. On May 29th, 2018 the Council adopted a resolution placing this issue on the November 2018 ballot.

What is the Council-Manager form of government? (PROPOSED FORM)

In a Council-Manager form of government, power is shared by an elected legislature consisting of a seven-member Council, which is responsible for policymaking and adopting the budget, and a professional city manager, appointed by the Council, who is responsible for administration of the City. Each City Council member serves a four-year term. The Mayor serves as a Council member and community representative, presides over Council meetings, but has no executive power. In this form of government, the Council selects one member of the Council as Mayor, or voters can choose to have the Mayor be directly elected.

A professional city manager is hired by the Council and is responsible for administration of the City. This includes the daily operations of city government, handling personnel functions (including appointment and removal of employees), and preparation of the budget for submission to the City Council for their review and approval. The city manager is directly accountable to and can be removed by a majority vote of the City Council at any time. Under the Council-Manager statutes, the City Council is prohibited from interfering with the manager’s administration.

VancouverLaser

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What is the Mayor-Council form of government? (CURRENT FORM)

In the Mayor-Council form of government, the Mayor is elected at-large and serves as the City’s Chief Administrative Officer and the seven-member City Council is elected to serve as the legislative body of the City. The Council has the authority to formulate and adopt city policies and the budget and the Mayor is responsible for carrying them out. The Mayor attends and presides over Council meetings, but does not vote, except in the case of a tie. The Mayor has veto power over the legislation passed by the City Council, but the veto can be overridden by a majority plus one of the entire Council membership.

A professional city administrator can be hired to serve under the Mayor and assist with administrative and policy-related duties. The City of Washougal currently has a city administrator.

If Proposition 8 passes, how will Washougal transition to a Council-Manager city?

The current Mayor would become an eighth Council member and the Council would continue with eight members until the expiration of the current Mayor’s term of office (December of 2021). The City Administrator would become an Interim City Manager until the city hires a new City Manager or appoints the Interim City Manager on a permanent basis. The eight member Council would designate one of its members to hold the position of Mayor. When the current Mayor’s term expires, the Council would then revert to seven members. After the transition, the Council could decide to place another ballot measure on a future ballot to ask voters if they want to directly elect the Mayor instead of the Mayor being appointed by the Council. In the resolution placing the change in form of government ballot measure on the November ballot, the Council expressed its intention to place a ballot measure to directly elect the Mayor on a future ballot if the change in form of government passes.

To learn more, visit www.cityofwashougal.us

Washougal

Washougal Mayor, Molly Coston, takes the oath of office from Judge John Hagensen.

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Camas Mayor Pro Tem Issues Disability Employment Proclamation

Camas, WA — In his first proclamation as current Camas Mayor Pro Tem, Don Chaney issued the following proclamation at Monday evening’s City Council meeting:

WHEREAS, Americans with disabilities are entitled to the same rights and freedoms as any other citizen including the right to dignity and respect in the workplace; and

WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Act provides anti-discrimination protection for our nation’s 49 million Americans with disabilities and recognizes their right to be integral, contributing, productive and valued citizens of our country, state, and city; and

WHEREAS, workplaces welcoming of the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy; and

WHEREAS, the City of Camas actively supports the goals of equality, opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities; and in this spirit, we recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month to recognize the many ways individuals with disabilities strengthen our workforce and contribute to our community; and

WHEREAS, the theme of this year’s Awareness Month is “America’s Workforce: Empowering All” in order to raise awareness of disability employment issues and honor the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Don Chaney, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Camas, do hereby proclaim October, 2018, as: “‘National Disability Employment Awareness Month” in the City of Camas, and urge all citizens in Camas to embrace the talents and skills that individuals with disabilities bring to our community.

In witness whereof, I have set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Camas to be affixed this first day of October, 2018.

Don Chaney, Mayor Pro Tem
Office of the Mayor

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Disability

At his final City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Team presents outgoing Mayor Scott Higgins with an appreciation plaque.

 

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EveryoneWalk: Coach Dale Rule Walks 50+ Miles in 24 Hours

Camas, WA — To raise awareness in his fight against obesity, and create unique parks across the country, Camas Football coach Dale Rule walked for 24 hours this past weekend at Doc Harris Stadium.

During that time, he logged 50+ miles, or 100,866 steps in loops around the football field, and got to speak with many members of the community.

“Some may think I’m an idiot for doing this,” said Rule. “I am, but this is what I’m supposed to be doing, and the doctor gave me clearance to do this just a few days ago. I was so happy to make it to the finish line, it was brutal, but I made it!”

Rule, who along with his wife, Lya, have been championing the fight against obesity for several years. At one point, Dale weighed more than 400 pounds, and decided to exercise more and significantly change his eating habits. He was set to walk from Portland to Chicago this past summer, but suffered from a burst colon just days prior to his journey.

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“If it would have happened during my walk, I’m sure I would have died,” said Dale.

Dale spent weeks in the hospital, and it took months to be in shape to even walk for an hour.

Along this weekend’s walk, he spent time with community members talking about his vision to raise funds to build special parks throughout the nation, starting here in Camas.

“I just ask for people to contribute $1.50 a month,” he said. “Building these parks will create jobs, help kids stay in shape, and stay out of trouble. I know this all sounds crazy, but I believe this is why I’m here. We will make this happen.”

During his walk, he spoke with friends and acquaintances about how best to promote what he’s doing.

“There are negative ways to do it that will generate more buzz, but we’re a group of positive, optimistic people, so we’ll just stay on that route — Everyone Walk!” he said.

To learn more, visit www.everyonewalk.com

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