Tag Archive for: Camas

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CW Chamber To Honor 2021 Business Person, Citizen of the Year Winners

The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce will be honoring Marquita Call, owner of Camas Gallery, and Camas School Board Director, Doug Quinn, as 2021 Business Person and Citizen of the Year, respectively, at a special banquet Wednesday, June 2.

The Chamber, in partnership with Riverview Bank, made the announcement on May 3. Eight-four people purchased tickets for the event, which will be held at Camas Meadows Golf Club. 

The social hour will begin at 5:30 pm with dinner beginning at 6:30 pm. The CW Chamber Scholarship Winners and the Teachers of the Year from both the Camas and Washougal School districts will also be honored on June 2nd. For more information or for questions call 360. 834.2472.   

2021 Businessperson of the Year: Marquita Call, Camas Gallery  

Call was born and raised in Camas.  She opened the Camas Gallery 11 years ago and has received The Columbian’s Best of Clark County (Gallery) award the past 6 years.  Call’s personality is infectious.  She welcomes visitors, both local and visiting, with warmth, enthusiasm and shares many historic stories about the area.  She is also a member of the Clark County Mural Society and has secured murals in downtown Camas.  Recently, she commissioned an artist to do artwork commemoration Earth Day and her former classmate Denis Hayes, International Chairman of Earth Days.    

Visitors come into the gallery strangers and leave as friends. One visitor claimed that Call is to Camas, WA what Dolly Parton is to Pigeon Forge, TN.  She is genuine and cares for each and everyone she meets. 

2021 Citizen of the Year: Doug Quinn

Contributions to the Community:

Quinn has served on the Camas School Board for several years including one or more terms as chairman.  He is currently a member of the Downtown Camas Association Board of Directors and has also taken a lead role in the Light Brigade.  As a member of the Light Brigade, he acquired and coordinated a grant to DCA that paid for the upgrade to Camas’ downtown roofline lighting.  Quinn has also been a volunteer for Camas Days for several years, including as an announcer for the parade and bathtub races.  He has performed a Master of Ceremonies for many local events.

Positive Impact on the Community:

Quinn’slong commitment to the City of Camas, including his former role as Public Work’s Director has been invaluable to the organizations that he has served on.  He has a unique understanding of Camas programs and local government operations.  The Camas school system and downtown Camas have benefitted greatly by his work and volunteer spirit. 

Camas
www.cloverpodiatry.com

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2021 Winners Selected For CW Chamber of Commerce College Scholarships

Camas, WA – The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Riverview Community Bank, names Taylor Greenberg of Washougal High School and Joey Stanley of Camas High School as this year’s recipients of the Camas/Washougal Chamber College Scholarships. They were selected for their dedication to academics, extra curricular activities, sports, volunteerism, and community involvement.

On Wednesday, June 2nd the scholarship recipients will be honored along with the Businessperson of the Year: Marquita Call, Camas Gallery; and the Citizen of the Year: Doug Quinn at the Annual Award Banquet at Camas Meadows Golf Club. Teachers of the Year from Camas and Washougal will also be honored at the banquet. Social hour begins at 5:30, with dinner being served at 6:30 pm.

TAYLOR GREENBERG– WASHOUGAL HIGH SCHOOL

Greenberg is graduating from Washougal High School and plans on attending Whitworth University pursuing a major in Elementary Education and ultimately obtaining a Master’s degree in Education Administration.  Greenberg’s positive experience at Camas Schools and Washougal Schools helped her develop a sense of community and love for education.  She recognizes the importance of dedicated teachers and the true impacts that they have on their students’ lives. Her goal in life is to make a difference and change the world.  She wants to teach kids in the Camas-Washougal community how to thrive both educationally and in life.  She enjoys golf, basketball and dance.  

JOEY STANLEY – CAMAS HIGH SCHOOL

Joey is graduating from Camas High School and plans on attending John Hopkins University pursuing a degree in Environmental Engineering. Stanley is a self-starting, diligent, creative problem-solver who is courteous and trustworthy.  He is logical, mathematical, and physically capable.  He values promptness, collaboration and is steady under pressure.  Stanley serves at the Camas High School ASB government treasurer.  He received the WoHoLo Award the highest award earned in Campfire USA (similar to the Eagle Scout award).  His Science Olympiad team placed first in regionals in 2018, 2019, 2020 and first in state 2018; second in state 2019. Stanley plays the flute, piano, and is an active fly fisherman involved with Clark Skamania Flyfishers Club. 

Camas
www.gevurtzmenashe.com

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City Administrator Jamal Fox to Resign From Position — Effective July 9

CAMAS, WA – Camas City Administrator Jamal Fox announced today that he will be resigning from the City, effective 5 pm, Friday, July 9.

“The City of Camas has been a great opportunity for me as your City Administrator.  Former Mayor Barry McDonnell, staff and the community have been welcoming, and I think we have accomplished a lot in my time here,” Fox said. “It is my belief that the organization is stronger with the enhanced processes and the right leaders in the right places to continue the great work we began together. I am encouraged by the team and excited about the future opportunities that exist for this City.” 

During his tenure with Camas, Fox led many projects and process improvements, and guided the City through various issues that impacted operations in 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among other accomplishments, Fox added to staff, restructured various processes, and worked to implement former Mayor Barry’s McDonnell’s vision of Land, People and Honesty.

“I want to thank Jamal for his leadership during some unprecedented times,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Burton. “His work with staff and his leadership during his time in Camas has helped guide the City into the future.  We wish him nothing but the best,” Burton said.

Burton is currently working to name an interim replacement to serve in the role in Fox’s absence. The City will eventually conduct a national search to find Fox’s replacement.

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Camas School Board Approves $79,000 For Automated, Cordless Vacuum Fleet

Camas, WA — Amid a backdrop of outside protests Monday evening, including one man who screamed outside the board meeting window for more than 30 seconds (https://youtu.be/V1Ey7SwsejI), the Camas School Board heard from several parents who lashed out about equity programs, critical race theory proposals and mandatory mask wearing in classes while voting to approve $79,000 in robotic and cordless vacuum cleaners for Dorothy Fox, Grass Valley and Prune Hill Elementary schools.

The robotic vacuum expenditure was approved near the close of the meeting, which started by a motion from School Board Director, Doug Quinn, who felt the expense will pay for itself over time and reduce district labor expenses. Quinn was named Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and will be recognized next week at a formal dinner.

The board voted on the proposal, which came from Custodial Supervisor, Ben Starbuck, who said the robotic fleet of vacuums is working nicely throughout the school district (including an expansion to Jack Will & Rob Center, The Heights Learning Center, Woodburn, Lacamas Lake Elementary, and Woodburn Elementary.

The board voted to approve $59,000 for 125 S4 Max vacuums and $20,00 for nine cordless Proteam backpack vacuums to support the new cleaning teams being created at Camas School (CSD). The custodial team has been piloting the robotic fleet of vacuums at Liberty Middle School, Helen Baller and the ZAC Administration building.

The results, said Starbuck, free upwards of two hours of labor time each night allowing custodians to focus on other tasks. The battery powered vacuum cleaners allow custodians to clean areas the robots cannot reach.

Early in the meeting, during the public comments time, school board members heard from concerned parents who are for and against equity programs, as well as Critical Race Theory.

VIDEO OF SEVERAL PARENT COMMENTS: https://youtu.be/jabhjJ60odw

Camas Education President, Shelley Houle, spoke about supporting teachers. 

“To say that the last 14 months have been tough is an understatement,” Houle said. “We learned to adapt amidst this growing pandemic … We learned to plan quickly for changes, we navigated four to five different schedules just this year … Too often, we are defined by association and not seen for the individuals we are and it’s disheartening to hear public attacks on the Camas teacher union especially in our small town.”

“Our fabric is made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds so who are we? We are White, we are Black, we are Asian, we are Indian, we are deaf, we are parents …” she continued. “Some of us wanted school to open more quickly and some of us wanted to wait until rates dropped significantly.”

Camas
Protestors outside CSD Administration building.

Kenric Thompson lambasted the school board. 

Citing district documents, he said: “Implmentation of the following core practices. Current forms of oppression: I will identify and disrupt my biases and own my privilege. I will dismantle practices and policies that perpetuate oppression. It goes on to say: ‘Draft curriculum for adoption, selection, creation for emphasis on correcting historical myths and disinformation and including multiple cultural perspectives.’ This sounds like a hidden agenda.”

He said that CSD would continue hiring for affinity groups when hiring for the district and will “discriminate against those who not within these groups.”

“What does this teach our children when CSD is going to openly discriminate or oppress those who may be more qualified but don’t fit the CSD’s equity and liberal agendas, and this is exactly one of the tenets of the Critical Race Theory.”

He said “you as a school board answer to the people who put you there. You answer to us the citizens of Camas.” And, he encouraged parents to pull their kids from the district.

“You have placed politics and woke agendas ahead of children’s education and knowledge. We the citizens of Camas and Washougal are going to take back our communities and our schools. We are strong, united, we are growing and boy do we mean business.”

One parent said “it’s apparent to me we’re living in a very narrow-minded community, a community that is not thinking about those who are not highly represented.”

He added: “I can get on board with this anti-racism curriculum not working because it won’t and the reason why it won’t is because the individuals who are steering these young children aren’t going to be steered by the teachers delivering the curriculum it’s the parents who they go home to every single day, and if those parents do not have a view of the world around them that is not narrow-minded the curriculum won’t work, so the challenge to me is to the community to think outside of the box, think outside yourselves, and think about those around you. I’m scared for my three beautiful brown children …”

The School Board meets every two weeks.

Camas
Protestors gather outside the CSD administration building. Most of these protestors are not from Camas.
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What Do Our Local Educators Need? CEA President Explains

Camas, WA — Last week, several parents expressed frustrations with the Camas School Board about how students are faring under pandemic rules, but how are teachers faring and what do they need?

Lacamas Magazine asked Camas Education Association President, Shelley Houle, several questions about what local educators need.

Question: What are your thoughts, as president of the CEA, about what many parents are saying about masks, the equity programs, and critical race theory?  

Answer: I have empathy for all parents in our district who have struggled with how the pandemic has impacted them. Many of CEA’s members are parents with school-aged children, too.  Our agreement for this year is mainly that our district follow state and public health guidelines. We stand for the safety and health of all our staff and students. Despite numerous COVID-19 exposures, there have only been two outbreaks in our district. Mitigation protocols are working to decrease the spread of the virus in our schools. As for equity, CEA supports the work done in our district and are committed to seeing and serving all our students.

Question: Do you feel the school board is hearing the CEA’s concerns about teachers being in the classroom? 

Answer: YES. They have been very responsive to any concerns I have brought forward. With ever-changing state and public health guidelines, it’s been important for us to work closely together to navigate those changes. I want to give a shout-out to many of our special education staff who have been working in-person over last summer and from September on. Gradually the percentage of students served in-person has grown to where we are at today with most students on campus. Many members reach out to me to share how their confidence in the safety protocols has increased. Are there still teachers concerned? Of course. Many of them care for aging parents or have health conditions. The combination of vaccinations and protocols like social distancing and masks create a safer workplace–a Union tenet across all professions.

Question: What is your stance on COVID-19 vaccinations?

Answer: Teachers need all eligible folks to get vaccinated!!!  It is unsettling to work in-person knowing the rates are so high (265/100,000). This isn’t just about teachers. Think of grocery store and restaurant workers, too. We are relying on mitigation strategies at work, but we have no control what happens outside the school day. 

Question: What are the top things teachers need right now?

Answer: Educators need acceptance for having clear boundaries between work and their personal lives. So many of my peers work 10-12 hours a day and take work home on the weekends. Most are working as efficiently as they can, but the workload can be overwhelming at times. 

Educators need partnership and support from families. This can make such a big difference in students’ lives.

Educational laws and funding that are student-centered with emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Universal Internet Access is one example that could have made remote learning smoother for all.

Time! Time to plan, teach, assess, reflect, intervene, collaborate, call, mail, meet, sanitize, and–most importantly, time to build positive relationships with students.

Camas
www.gevurtzmenashe.com
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Local Business Leader Jennifer Senescu Announces Run for Camas Mayor

Camas, WA — Lifelong Camas resident and business owner Jennifer Senescu announced her intention to run for Camas Mayor. Senescu grew up in Camas, graduated from Camas High School and holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Washington State University – Pullman. 

“I am running for Camas Mayor to help restore the public’s faith in our city’s leadership, bring more living wage jobs to our community, maintain our treasured parks and protect our cherished Camas quality of life,” said Senescu. “I’m ready to provide strong leadership and honest, two-way communication as your Mayor.” 

Senescu currently serves as Executive Director of the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce. She has been a partner in the ownership of Camas Gallery for the past eight years. She is married for twenty years to her husband Jim Senescu, a local attorney, and they have one child who attends Discovery High School in Camas.

“As Mayor of Camas, I’m committed to the ideal of reducing burdensome hurdles on local businesses. Citizens are rightfully demanding tax relief. We must prioritize spending while adequately funding public safety to keep our community safe,” said Jennifer. “As Mayor, I will never forget that I work for the citizens. I will never support something so unsustainable as a $78 million pool bond that would not only add a horrendous tax burden on our citizens but also have an adverse effect on our City’s financial stability,” added Jennifer. 

In 2019, Camas residents voted overwhelmingly to reject the City Council’s extravagant pool bond proposal by a margin of 90 percent to 10 percent. 

“People want to live where they work. Yes, we need residential housing, but we also need more family wage jobs in our community. When people are allowed to work where they live, we reduce traffic and wear and tear on our highways; we enjoy cleaner air and our citizens get to spend more time with their family instead of sitting in traffic in a painful commute. I’ll provide strong leadership at City Hall to improve our city’s economic vitality while maintaining the charm that has made Camas famous,” she pledged. 

Jennifer can be reached at 360.609.7216. 

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Camas City Council Member Steve Hogan Announces Mayoral Run

Camas, WA — Camas City Council member Steve Hogan announced Thursday he’s running for Camas Mayor following this week’s abrupt resignation of the city’s former chief executive, Barry McDonnell.

Hogan, who’s served on council for 16 years, and has 30 years of managerial experience, said he’s well qualified for the position.

“I am running to help stabilize our city government,” said Hogan. “I believe in preserving and improving our Camas heritage of being a city that prides itself on a strong city government, outstanding school system and a high quality of life. I support the vision of Camas as a place where people who live in Camas, work in Camas. We need to do what we can to assure that we grow at a rate that is sustainable. As a city, we have prided ourselves on good financial management. We need to have balanced financial strength in the future while sustaining our high quality of life. I have pride in knowing that Camas is, has been and will be a great place to live, work and play.”

Hogan acknowledges the challenges of the last 14 months given the pandemic, and expresses gratitude to McDonnell.

“I want to thank Barry for stepping up and leading the city in a troubled time during COVID,” he said. “He changed staff and dealt with other pressing issues. He took care of them. Thank you very much.”

Hogan stands on his record of “hundreds of votes” and support of many initiatives, which currently include working to clean up of local lakes.

“Let’s figure out what needs to be fixed at City Hall so people can feel good about their jobs as soon as possible,” said Hogan. “I’m here to serve, I’ve been in government and worked in the private sector for 30 years in industrial management — in steel, wood, and recycled paper.”

He said the city has a “great history and huge potential and we just have to improve the communication of what is taking place, and make sure that the whole organization is working together effectively.” 

“The local organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Camas Association, and others, all need to know we’re here to help them be successful and have our city be successful. It’s worked well in the past. Now that COVID is turning the corner we can get back to more normal circumstances and work with community. It’ll be better to have open meetings.” 

Hogan officially applied for the mayor position by mail, and hasn’t decided whether to apply for a council appointment or just run for citywide election in November.

He stands on his vote to have citizens vote on Proposition 2, the pool bond. “I felt the process was rushed and my advice was to wait and do more research. Then Mayor Turk wanted council to vote on whether to build the community center and I felt it should be decided by the voters. Personally, I was against building the community center.”

The Lacamas Watershed Ad Hoc Committee is working with Senator Ann Rivers, Rep. Larry Hoff, and Rep. Brandon Vick to obtain grant money to start the process to improve water quality at Lacamas, Round, and Fallen Leaf Lakes. 

“We are in the process of presenting staff the consulting group,” he said. “When approved, this will get to where we have a defined program on how we work on water quality. We are also working with the Clark County Health Department and the city storm water department.”

Hogan’s other work includes:

  • Member of the Board of Directors of the Columbia River Economic Development Council 
  • Member of the Camas Washougal Rotary Club
  • Downtown Camas Economic Vitality committee member
  • Mayor Pro Tem position (2014 and 2017)
  • Past President of the Camas Educational Foundation

Hogan and his family have lived in Camas for 27 years. 

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Frustrated Parents Speak Boldly At Monday’s Camas School Board Meeting

Camas, WA — Monday’s first in-person Camas School Board meeting in more than a year got very pointed and personal during the public comments section time. Parents emphasized in very clear words their distrust and frustration in how the school board is handling the pandemic at every stage: from remote learning to reopening, face mask usage, as well as a push to drive critical race theory and equity programs into the schools stating its flaming the fans of racism. 

Using key data points, the parents (which included one physician) decried the over use of face masks in the schools, and in particular during recess and outdoor activities. 

This video contains many of the parents who spoke up: https://youtu.be/dWPlbiXnrIc

The criticism against the school board was at times personal and one parent said there are ways to remove elected officials. Supporters of the some of the speakers stood outside the board room window chanting approval of the words said. Patriot Preyer leader Joey Gibson was present, but not actively involved in the proceedings. Indoor attendance was limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A post-meeting reply to those accusations was addressed by School Board Director Tracey Malone: “Camas School District is focused on equity in our mission to see and serve each student.  Owning our responsibility as a district to better serve students can be uncomfortable, however our equity work and honoring student voice and their experiences should not be confused with Critical Race Theory. Critical Race Theory is not a set of curriculum we have adopted for students.” 

School Board Director Erika Cox kicked off the meeting with this land acknowledgment statement: “I acknowledge that the geographical region of Camas is located on the ancestral and territorial lands of the Chinook and Cowlitz People, and that the Chinook are still fighting to be a federally recognized tribe on their own land.“

Malone explained why the board reads the land acknowledgment. 

“We have started our school board meetings with the pledge of allegiance followed by the land acknowledgement since 2020,” Malone said. “A land acknowledgment is an opportunity to share our history and recognize and respect the people who lived on the land our district resides.  Similar to the way we talk about the Mill Town Pride award as being the best of who we were, who we are, and who we want to be, the land we live on is a part of who we are and we recognize and respect the relationship of the Indigenous Peoples as stewards of this land.”   

Malone also addressed accusations that the school board doesn’t follow how school districts in other states cope with the pandemic.

“We are constantly updating research about the impact of COVID on schools, research about mitigation and countermeasures, and research about learning.  We’ve kept this research up to date and accessible to the public on our district website https://www.camas.wednet.edu/covid-19/2020-21-reopening-resources/

Camas
www.gevurtzmenashe.com

During the meeting, outgoing Camas School District Superintendent Jeff Snell went over learning delivery models and how they’re preparing for Fall instruction. He said the state is using the word “must” when proposing guidelines for using masks, but he also added there appears to be less restraints coming on outdoor mask use.

Snell said 70 percent of high school students are currently learning in the classroom.

School Board Director Connie Hennessey addressed face masks during outdoor activities. 

“We’ve talked a lot about masks at recess. Do we still need masks at recess?” The crowd in the room said “no.”

As a follow up to the outdoor face mask issue, Malone further clarified the board’s position.

“We’ll continue to take direction from public health regarding masks, distancing, and contact tracing and look for opportunities to expand services and return to ‘normal’ any chance we get,” Malone said.

Hennessey also added: “When the [COVID] numbers change, when the phases change we need to see where the outbreaks are in the county and make decisions based on that rather than just by a number.” To which Cox said “A number doesn’t define what the situation is.”

The CHS Field House and the Garver Theater renovation projects are the final portions from the 2016 $130 million bond. The field house turf is currently being laid and the Garver Theater renovation will be completed later this year.

Camas School District is dealing with a $4.1 million deficit mostly because of the 6-7 percent enrollment drop but that loss is being offset by stimulus money awarded by the state for enrollment stabilization and transportation stabilization.

The school board meets every two weeks.

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Camas Mayor Barry McDonnell Resigns From Office — Effective Immediately

Camas, WA — Late this afternoon, Camas Mayor Barry McDonnell resigned from his position effective immediately. He notified staff via email.

“While we’re surprised and saddened to see Mayor McDonnell step down from the role, we understand this is a personal decision between him and his family,” said Bryan Rachal, City of Camas Communications Director. “We appreciate the leadership Mayor McDonnell has provided the City and wish him the best in his future endeavors.  In terms of next steps, the City does have a process to fill vacancies of this nature and we will provide additional information related to this in the coming days.  In the meantime, Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Burton will assume the duties of Mayor of the City of Camas.”

This is the email the former mayor sent out this afternoon:

My fellow Camasonians:

Over the last few months, it has become clear to me that the needs of this Council, City and community are such that balancing a full-time job and family, while running the day-to-day operations as Mayor in our form of government is not sustainable for me. 

This job has taken up so much of my physical and emotional presence with my rapidly growing children, and I find myself missing out on more of their young lives than I am comfortable with.

After discussing with my wife and family, it is with a heavy heart that, effective today, I am resigning as your Mayor. This is solely a personal decision and I have full confidence in the City’s leadership team. I am leaving you in the capable hands of Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Burton.

It has been a privilege to work with the City’s staff – they are the secret of Camas’ success.

I want to thank our department heads for the faith they placed in me, their loyalty and most importantly, their friendship.

I want to thank Jamal Fox for being my right-hand man the last 9 months. It has been a pleasure getting to know him and I have a great appreciation for the amount of work he has done in tightening up our operations.

I also want to thank the citizens of Camas for giving me the opportunity to take the lead in our community. My greatest hope is that this run has inspired some of you to stand up and make a difference for what you believe in too.

In October 2019, I rolled the dice as a write in Mayor and took winning as an extraordinary honor. It was a historical opportunity and a huge challenge, and I am proud of what we accomplished together and that I was able to help lead this City through 2020.

I evolved my personal mantra of “love, peace and harmony” to a platform of Land, People, and Honesty and infused it into our bi-annual budget and how we approached our work. 

I have been able to serve 50 percent longer than the previous mayor’s turn, but 50 percent less than Oliver T. Clark, Camas’ forgotten mayor.

I have done my best and followed where the universe led. I am proud of my time in office, and I thank you for the chance to serve.

With gratitude,

Barry McDonnell

Mayor Pro Tem Burton is in meetings and she will provide an update at a later time.

McDonnell’s short political career began in 2019 as a write-in on the wave of the anti-Prop. 2 pool campaign. He told Lacamas Magazine he didn’t think he’d win, but rather wanted to make a statement. He took office in late November 2019 and he oversaw the struggles of the pandemic and the impacts it had on the city.

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City of Camas Announces Public Virtual Town Hall June 14

Camas, WA — The City of Camas will host a virtual Town Hall, June 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will take place via the Zoom platform, like the current City Council meeting setup.  Residents can log on using the following link  https://zoom.us/j/94538163839  and the following webinar ID: 945 3816 3839.

“I’m very excited to get together as a community again and to hear their questions,” said Camas Mayor, Barry McDonnell.

Camas Mayor Pro Tem, Ellen Burton, said this is a unique opportunity for residents. 

“We’re inviting our community to join us for this important conversation,” Burton said. “Unlike council meetings where we only listen to comments, this allows us to discuss your ideas, comments and concerns in the virtual town hall. We hope you participate,” she said.

Residents can ask questions live during the event or they can provide questions in advance.  For advance questions, residents can either send them to[email protected] or via Engage Camas, using the “Mayor Barry McDonnell’s Q&A” section. Please mention the Camas Town Hall in the subject.

Camas
www.gevurtzmenashe.com

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