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East Clark Professional Firefighters Union Sends Out Petition For More Personnel

The East Clark Professional Firefighters Union is promoting a petition among Camas and Washougal residents that urges the Camas City Council to find funds to hire more firefighters.

The petition states:

”The Camas and Washougal communities have only 2 firefighters on each fire engine. The science-based industry standard is 4 firefighters per engine. This standard creates a safer and more effective team for when time counts: fires, motor vehicle accidents, and high acuity medical calls.”

“Washington state law mandates a minimum of 3 firefighters be on the scene of a fire before entering into a burning structure for a known rescue of human life. The same law mandates a minimum of 4 firefighters present before entry into a burning building to fight fire and save property.”

“The East Clark Professional Fire Fighters union is asking your local government officials to provide us with more firefighters so we can do the job we are sworn to do: protect you and your property.”

“Will you join us in urging these officials to make this a reality?”

“Thank you for your support.”

The petition link:

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ask-the-city-of-camas-for-more-firefighters-on

City of Camas Response

“The Council realizes that we need additional firefighters/paramedics,” said Camas City Administrator, Pete Capell. “They also realize that we need additional personnel in most departments. We are in the process of doing a level of service analysis for all of our departments. Their intent is to add additional staff in the departments based on prioritized need and available revenue. The petition will not influence their decision. The final decisions will be based on the greatest need.”

The Camas Mayor also met with firefighter union representatives.

“I had what I believe was a very good meeting with Adam Brice and Kevin Bergstrom last Thursday,” said Camas Mayor, Scott Higgins. “I told them we are open to looking at ways to do our business differently in the future and to looking at staffing options. I also told them that with limited resources we will have to see what works best and we left the meeting with a commitment to meet again soon.”

The Camas City Council’s newest member, Deanna Rusch, also spent time speaking with firefighters after last week’s council meeting.

“When I interviewed for my council appointment I indicated public safety is a priority,” said Rusch. “It remains a priority. As the newest council member I’m enjoying getting educated on how Camas funds all of its departments. Funding fire and police is certainly a priority for me as I represent my constituents, but this priority is in concert with the overall needs of the City. I look forward to Chief Swinhart’s presentation on the level of service with regard to his department as we review the same from every department and develop our next biennial budget.”

“We all want a safe, thriving and positive Camas. We take citizen and employee concerns seriously. I look forward to continuing to work in collaboration with all of our departments on how we can deliver the best possible service to our citizens.”

 

Firefighters

Local firefighters converge at Camas City Hall last week asking for more firefighter personnel.

 

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It’s Blossom Time in the Hood River Valley! Check Out Some Fun Things to Do

Hood River Valley is home to 14,000 acres of fruit trees, making it one of the best places for people to get their blossom fix this spring!

Here are three top ways to celebrate this springtime feast for the eyes in and around Hood River:

Explore the Hood River Valley. Nestled between Mount Hood and the Columbia River, this vast and bountiful valley is home to pear, cherry, and apple orchards and vineyards. During April, many of the seasonal businesses feature special springtime events as a part of Hood River Valley Blossom Time. Visit hoodriver.org/hood-river-valley-blossom-time/ for a regularly updated list of events.

Get a bird’s-eye view. To get a feel for the variety of agriculture that defines Hood River Valley, stop at Panorama Point, where you’ll also have views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams on a clear day. This is a perfect picnic spot, so be sure to grab a to-go lunch in town before you head up the hill!

Drink the fruits of the orchards’ labor—while surrounded by orchards—at the fifth annual Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest! The festival returns Saturday, April 21, and is presented by Pacific Northwest Federal Credit Union and produced by the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce. It features more than 25 local and regional cideries, including six that are new to the festival. The participating cideries will be sampling more than 50 original ciders that showcase the wide variety of styles coming out of the Pacific Northwest’s cider scene.

Hood

Hard-Pressed Cider Fest.

Two of this year’s new participants are Hood River institutions introducing new beverages to their lineups. Hood River’s original brewery, Full Sail Brewing, is launching KYLA Hard Kombucha—a new take on the popular fermented probiotic drink, with an alcohol content of 4.5 percent. Hood River County Fruit Loop favorite Draper Girls Family Farm will be sampling its new hard cider line, Draper Girls Cider Company, which uses its homegrown apples, pears, cherries, peaches and plums.

For more information on the festival, visit www.hoodriver.org/cider-fest

 

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Washington State 2018 Teacher of the Year Visits Camas High School

Camas, WA — Mandy Manning, the 2018 Washington State Teacher of the Year, spent Monday visiting with Camas High School teachers, administrators, and students as part of her semester-long tour of the state.

Manny, who received the prestigious honor on September 11, 2017, teaches in Spokane at Ferris High School’s Newcomer Center, where she works with immigrant and refugee children.

“It’s humbling, and a lot of pressure, but I always say I’m the same person I was before I was named,” said Manning, at a small lunch meeting of teachers and CHS principal, Liza Sejkora. “Everybody should always know what we think as teachers, we need to be open, and it’s been really cool to have a title that makes it so I can share about my classroom and kids.”

In her job at Ferris, she teaches brand-new immigrant and refugee students in a district that serves 72 language groups.

”It changes all the time,” she said. “I teach Level 1 English language learners. The common language is English. We focus on the basic building blocks of language.”

What does she want teachers to know about working with language learners?

“Welcome them and make sure they feel 100 percent part of the community,” said Manning. “They need to know that they’re interested in who they are. To reach out and invite them into the classrooms. To show them that everyone is excited about having them there. Find ways to make everything relevant to them. Little access points help all people feel connected and integrated into our schools. It’s about opening up and allowing people to access what’s available. We have to be open to all ways of thinking.”

As part of being Washington State Teacher of the Year, she’s been able to work with state legislators, from both parties, to be a voice for education.

During this current semester, she’s been released from her teaching assignment, and travels daily — visiting schools all around Washington.

“I’ve gotten to see a lot of different areas,” Manning said. “I wish all educators could travel to other schools. Even in the most difficult situations there are incredible things happening.”

She spotlighted Jana Dean, a middle school teacher in Olympia at Jefferson Middle School who teaches math and science to gifted and non-gifted kids.

Manning

Mandy Manning with Camas High School teachers and administrators.

“She is working on social and academic discourse,” said Manning. “And, she was teaching them how to really communicate, provide feedback and then have a thoughtful discussion. There was constant communication in the classroom and it was enjoyable watching them have real academic discussions about geology. There was such an elevated discussion in the room. I just went around and listened. They were really focused on the academics.”

Manning also told the CHS educators that it’s important to do exchanges with other schools and learn and value what others are doing. She also encourages cross-content — where math teachers learn about languages, and science teachers learn about art, and so forth.

Her travels have also opened her eyes to poverty.

“I went to White Swan and really started to understand poverty,” she said. “There’s no single home that has every single window. Half their homes are burnt because the wiring is so bad. Why is this happening? You dig deeper and it challenges your perceptions as to why there is poverty. It helps you look at lower socioeconomic areas in your own community. It opens your view of us and helps us to understand that we are all responsible for our entire community. It gives you some insight into kids. So many Native American kids are coming from poverty.“

Teachers nominate candidates annually for the Washington State Teacher of the Year, and they go through a voting process, and are ultimately honored by the Washington Governor. There are high standards and criteria that must be met.

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Vigil and Funeral Services Annouced for Slain Camas Woman

Camas, WA — Vigial and funeral services for slain Camas woman, Luz Guitron, will be held this Tuesday and Wednesday in Milwaukie, OR at the St. John The Baptist Catholic Church.

The vigil begins Tuesday, March 27 at 6 pm and lasts all night — until 8 am.

Funeral services begin Wednesday, March 28, at noon with the Rosary starting at 11 am.

Guitron was born November 4, 1982 to her parents, Luz and Roberto Guitron, in Jalisco, Mexico.
She was murdered in her Camas home on March 18, and the primary suspect is still at large, according to Camas Police.

She will be remembered by her three children, family and friends. Luz worked at the Moda Center and she had her own food establishment during Camas Farmer’s Market.

Each week during the Camas Farmer’s Market, patrons would see Guitron’s quality Mexican food for sale — including yummy tacos and tamales. And, if you knew Spanish, it was fun to speak with her in her native tongue while making your dinner purchase.

A financial account has been created to help her three children:

https://www.gofundme.com/support-luz-guitron-family

Her family said the following: “Let her Rest In Peace and let the light shine wholeheartedly for her in the glory of God.”

This is the location of the services:

Saint John the Baptist
Catholic Church
10955 SE 25th Ave
Milwaukee, OR  97222

 

Photo Gallery

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Washougal City Councilor Dan Coursey Announces Resignation

Washougal, WA — Dan Coursey announced his resignation from his Washougal City Council seat late Wednesday, which will be effective March 31.

The first-term council member, who was elected in 2016, faced the Washougal Mayor Molly Coston last fall, and lost.

The network engineering consultant said he wants to devote more time to his business.

”I’ve enjoyed meeting all the people I’ve met,” said Coursey. “During the mayoral campaign I knocked many doors. It’s a great way to find out what people think. Your learn a lot by doing that.”

During his two-year tenure on the city council, Coursey said he’s pleased that he was able to put a spotlight on street maintenance.

“I’m also glad I participated in trying to keep our budget in line,” Coursey said.

Coursey’s Official Resignation Letter

His letter is as follows:

Dear Mayor Molly Coston and Administrator David Scott,

Please accept my resignation effective March 31st, as Washougal City Council Member, Position Seven.

It has been an honor to serve the great people of Washougal for the past two years.

Currently, I have considerable professional business opportunities which are taking up more of my time now and more so in the future. So, I am resigning my City Council seat to better take advantage of that and allow another to serve our wonderful city. Both I and my wife love our little city and look forward to assisting in the future as time allows.

Thank you sincerely,

Dan Coursey
Washougal City Council

What’s Next?

Mayor Coston accepted his resignation and will follow Washington state law to replace him. Following Coursey’s departure, the city will accept public applications for the city council seat, and then the council will vote from those applicants. This recently happened in Camas, and is a rare event. But, it will happen twice this year, as incumbent Washougal City Council member, Joyce Lindsey, is resigning her seat effective end of May.

To learn more, visit www.cityofwashougal.us

 

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Local Firefighters Converge at Camas City Council — Request Greater Funding

Camas, WA — Local firefighters packed Camas City Hall Monday night requesting city officials to provide greater funding for more personnel at three fire stations in Camas and Washougal.

Current and former Camas-Washougal firefighters, spouses, and concerned citizens used the City Council meeting’s public comments period to express concerns about inadequate staffing in the wake of a February 14 Camas residence fire that left one citizen dead.

That house fire off Northwest 27th Avenue was responded to by fire engine personnel — two firefighters — who went into the home to rescue an elderly man in an attached garage area. Technically, firefighters aren’t supposed to enter a burning home or building with less than three onsite. The first responders did so anyway, rescuing the man who died days later from smoke inhalation. Nobody is blaming his death on the first responders.

The firefighters and IAFF Local #2444 union president, Adam Brice, expressed the need to have, at minimum, three firefighters per engine, per shift.

For Camas fire chief, Larry Larimer, said “We want the city to find funds for three firefighters per engine.”

Tricia Proctor, whose husband fights fires, said she’s “worried about the rules of engagement for the safety and security of firefighters.”

”We’ve been vocal for over the years that having two on the scene isn’t enough,” said Kevin Bergstrom, of IAFF Local #2444. “Four are required on the scene to take out a fire. The industry standard is four people per engine. Three gets you by. We are currently stretched too thin.”

At present, three engines are staffed, but the two cities own five engines total. To adequately fund personnel to meet their requirements would require 12-15 new hires.

Brice filed a formal complaint with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries in late February, calling the current situation an “unsafe working environment” that has “substandard minimum apparatus staffing levels” at the Camas-Washougal Fire Department (CWFD).

“There is a daily threat to the working firefighters that they will be forced to face hazards and perform in hazardous environments,” Brice stated in the complaint.

Camas City Administrator Pete Capell responded publicly:

“First and foremost, we would like to express how very proud we are of the hard work performed by all our emergency responders every day. They are a tremendous part of our community,” he said. “It is important to emphasize that no laws have been broken and no disciplinary action was or is going to be taken against the responders … we continue to welcome a conversation with both the East Clark Professional Fire Fighters as well as our Camas community.”

To fully meet union demands would cost the city an additional $1.5 million per year.

“We will work for strategic solutions,” said Camas Mayor, Scott Higgins. “I am set to meet with Adam, and move forward.”

To learn more, visit www.cityofcamas.us

Firefighters

Addressing the Camas City Council.

 

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Camas Mayor Higgins Proclaims April as City’s #MSDKindness Month

Camas, WA — Camas Mayor Scott Higgins officially proclaimed April 2018 as the city’s #MSDKindness Month at Monday night’s City Council meeting. The proclamation is in honor of the shooting victims at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, and urges all citizens to honor those lives be performing random acts of kindness.

Higgins used his mayor’s time on the council agenda to bring attention to Lacamas Magazine’s #MarchKindness campaign, of which he was a part. The campaign encourages readers to report acts of kindness or service, which have been reported daily during the month of March.

“Out of that has become an interesting movement where not only are other cities looking at naming Kindness months, but states have done so, as well,” said Higgins. “If I understand correctly, Utah has done it for next month, and I think other states are following suit, as well. It’s really a neat, national thing that has its roots in Camas, WA, so we wanted to just play a part in that, and will have a proclamation read.”

When the campaign was officially adopted by Utah, it was renamed #MSDKindness and continues to spread.

The proclamation pays tribute to the victims:

  • Alaina Petty, 14;
  • Alex Schaffer, 14;
  • Alyssa Alhadeff, 14;
  • Cara Loughran, 14;
  • Gina Montalto, 14;
  • Jaime Gutenberg, 14;
  • Martin Duque Anguiano, 14;
  • Luke Hoyer, 15;
  • Peter Wang, 15;
  • Carmen Schentrup, 16;
  • Helena Ramsay, 17;
  • Joaquin Oliver, 17;
  • Nicholas Dworet, 17;
  • Meadow Pollack, 18;
  • Scott Beigel, 35;
  • Aaron Feis, 37;
  • Chris Hixon, 49

“Whereas, the victims of this tragedy living exemplary lives of selfless service and showing love toward others, and Whereas, on behalf of the citizens of Camas, we pay tribute to these victims’ courageous acts of valor, their many acts of service, their kind natures and the many contributions to society they made during their lives. NOW THEREFORE, I, Scott Higgins, Mayor of the City of Camas, do hereby proclaim April, 2018, as #MSDKindness Month in the city of Camas, and urge all citizens to honor those lives by performing random acts of kindness.”

Washougal Mayor, Molly Coston, issued a similar proclamation last week for her city. She proclaimed April 2018 as #MSDKindness Month.

Citizens are encouraged to perform acts of service and kindness throughout the month and to report good things they see on social media accounts using #MSDKindness.

”We believe showing acts of service or kindness will help us get to the source of so many problems,” said Ryan Petty, the father of Alaina Petty, who was killed in the Douglas High School shooting. “It’s one part of resolving these senseless shootings.”

To learn more, visit www.MSDKindnessMonth.com

 

#MSDKindness

The council listens to information from city employees.

 

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Camas Homicide: Woman Found Dead; Police Search for Primary Suspect

Camas, WA — Local police are on the hunt for alleged homicide suspect, Guillermo Juarez, after police were dispatched Sunday afternoon following the discovery of a 35-year-old Camas woman.

Susan Schur, of the Camas Police Department, released the following statement:

On 3-18-2018, at 1:35pm, Camas Police were dispatched to a call at the 2100 block of NE Everett St. Upon arrival, police discovered a deceased adult female, identified as 35-year-old Luz Guitron. Inside the house were signs of a struggle and it is believed that Guitron was the victim of homicidal violence.

The suspect is identified as Guillermo Juarez, a Hispanic male/5’9”/170lbs/black hair and brown eyes. Juarez and Guitron have been in a dating relationship for years and have a child in common.

Juarez has fled the area. Detectives are pursuing an arrest warrant.

It was originally suspected that a 6-year-old child was missing in this investigation, but that 6-year-old child and other children related to the family are safe and with other family members.

Camas Police were assisted in the investigation by the Washougal Police and the Regional Major Crimes Unit.

This is an ongoing homicide investigation. No other information is available at this time. An update will be given if the suspect is located and/or apprehended.

At this time, Camas Police would like to emphasize that there is no immediate threat to the public.

For any tips or leads regarding this case, please call 360-834-4151 or call 911.

To learn more, visit www.cityofcamas.us

Homicide

Guillermo Juarez is the primary suspect in this homicide case.

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Camas High School #NeverAgain Walkout a Moving Tribute to Parkland Victims

Camas, WA — Adult administrators, teachers, and observers stood quietly as approximately 500 students walked out of class at Camas High School Wednesday at 10 am to honor the victims of last month’s senseless Marjory Stoneman Douglas shootings in Parkland, Florida.

The student-led Camas walkout was a peaceful one, organized by Papermakers Abigail Jiang and Monica Chang, to call for common sense gun law reform, kindness, peace, and a better tomorrow. It was part of the national #NeverAgain movement, which has been criticized for having a political agenda — but this event was barely political. It was a moving tribute to innocence lost, and a clarion call for kindness to each other. It was a moving tribute filled with respect.

Adults in the audience simply observed — allowing the students to speak and pay their respects.

The students started filing out of the front door quietly, in an organized and somber way, and then listened to 20 minutes of personalized tributes to the 17 victims at Douglas High School.

There was a call for gun law reform at the beginning, and the student leaders asked for the students to sign a letter to Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler calling for action on several items.

Walkout

A moment of silence.

”We call for common sense gun reform that will help ensure that a mass shooting like this never happens again,” said Jiang, in the walkout opening statement. “Enough is enough, and as students we demand tangible action to ensure our safety in school. Although some of us may not be of voting age, we have a voice in our community, in our nation. This is a chance for our generation to speak up. Today, one month after the horrific events at Parkland we will be honoring and remembering the 17 victims of this shooting by talking about their lives and giving them each a moment of silence.”

The walkout leaders then read touching tributes about each of the following victims (not necessarily in this order):

  • Alaina Petty, 14;
  • Alex Schaffer, 14;
  • Alyssa Alhadeff, 14;
  • Cara Loughran, 14;
  • Gina Montalto, 14;
  • Jaime Gutenberg, 14;
  • Martin Duque Anguiano, 14;
  • Luke Hoyer, 15;
  • Peter Wang, 15;
  • Carmen Schentrup, 16;
  • Helena Ramsay, 17;
  • Joaquin Oliver, 17;
  • Nicholas Dworet, 17;
  • Meadow Pollack, 18;
  • Scott Beigel, 35;
  • Aaron Feis, 37;
  • Chris Hixon, 49
WalkOut

Peaceful assembly. Photo by Blake Schnell.

Some of the Tributes

“Joaquin Oliver had just become a US citizen in 2017. He loved sports of all kinds and was a huge fan of the Venezuelan national soccer team and loved basketball and football. Joaquin was a big fan of Dwayne Wade. He was buried in Dwayne Wade’s jersey. He loved urban graffiti and listened to hip-hop music.”

“Meadow Pollack, 18, was a student excited for the future, planning to attend Wynn University in the Fall, she was loving and kind — her family calling her the light of their lives. She was motivated to achieve great things, and would have achieved so much.”

”Aaron Feis, 37 years old,  was an assistant football coach at Stoneman Douglas. He threw himself in front of a group of students to protect them during the shooting. He died after being rushed into surgery for a gunshot wound. Students always saw that Feis put himself second, and he died this way, too. As a hero …”

“Peter Wang, 15 years old, was a student at Stoneman Douglas. He was a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at the high school. On the day of the shooting, Peter was in his ROTC uniform and did not run. But held open a door to help others escape. He was shot while doing so.”

Ryan and Kelly Petty, the parents of Alaina Petty, sent a statement about their daughter, which was read by Jiang at the conclusion of the tributes.

“We ask that you honor her memory by taking a moment each day to say hello to someone you don’t know, by doing something kind for someone who you think may least deserve it, and to lift those around you with kind words.”

A long moment of silence ensued.

”Everyone just feels like enough is enough,” said Chang. “So, this walkout is a national walkout. We got together and organized things individually because we felt we had to do something. We finally united.”

Students behaved very respectfully during the walkout, and when it was done they quietly went back to their classrooms. The leaders promised to WALK UP after the walkout to reach out to students who feel isolated, marginalized, or just a need an emotional lift.

”That was a moving event,” said CHS math teacher, Alisa Wise. “We do have a bright future.”

Camas is a the center of a national #MSDKindness, which started with our current #MarchKindness campaign. We ask that you visit www.msdkindness.com to learn how you can help.

Photo Gallery

Photos by Blake Schnell

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19th Annual CEF Auction Gala Nets More Than $100,000 — Big Turnout!

Portland, OR — The 19th annual Camas Educational Foundation Auction Gala netted more than $100,000, reports the group’s Auction Chair, Stacey Kim.

Held this past weekend at the Embassy Suites at the Portland Airport, the money was raised from a combination of an online auction held in February, raffle ticket sales, and the Auction Gala itself. The net amount raised was about $102,000, which is after expenses. More than 300 came to Saturday’s Auction Gala.

The CEF auction is the major fundraiser for the organization.

”They set their grant budget based on the money raised at the auction,” said Kim, who reported results at Monday’s Camas School Board meeting.

Kim said they were pleased with the turnout.

“We had representation from every school, and the Superintendent’s office,” she said.

Kim also reported that three people were honored with the CEF’s second annual Living the Vision award. Cathy Sork, Ron Wright, and Eric Marcell received the honor. They had an open nomination period and received many nominations for people around the district and community. The CEF board voted on these three winners.

Of the funds raised at the gala, $22,150 goes directly to the schools, and the balance will go to the CEF to provide for grants.

To learn more, visit www.cefcamas.org

 

CEF

CEF Auction. Photo by Tracy Woods Photography.

 

CEF Auction Gala Photo Gallery

Photos by Tracy Woods Photography.

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