Community Spirit

City Council to consider two-year labor contract with police union

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Fri, 2010-03-19 08:00

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Vancouver City Manager Pat McDonnell is set to ask members of the City Council this Monday to authorize a two-year contract with the Vancouver Police Officers' Guild contract with no cost of living or market adjustments.

Guild members have already ratified the contract, which would provide an estimated savings of approximately $1.1 million in the City of Vancouver's General Fund dollars for 2010 and 2011, based on the minimum that would have been provided under the previous 2007-2009 contract.

"Clearly, we all recognize the severity of financial concerns facing the City of Vancouver now and in the coming year," McDonnell said. "This contract is a positive and appreciated step forward for the city, the guild and, ultimately, the community. We must continue to work together to address these concerns and provide the critical core services and programs our citizens need."

The labor agreement between the city and the guild expired Dec. 31, 2009.

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Have that volunteer spirit? Help out the YWCA and your community

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Fri, 2010-03-12 12:09

Are you looking for a way to connect with our community? Do you think about how to make Clark County a better place to live? Do you know you want to get involved and help others but don't know where to go or how to start? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the YWCA of Clark County is the organization for you.

Becoming a YWCA of Clark County volunteer is one way to help your community. Volunteers learn how to take action and help people who are in crisis, meet and network with diverse community members, as well as become actively involved in improving the lives of Clark County residents.

This spring, there is a strong need for adult volunteers to:

advocate for adult and youth victims of sexual assault.
represent the best interest of an abused or neglected child by becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate).

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C-TRAN wants to raise prices, set to host open houses to talk about it

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Wed, 2010-03-10 12:32

C-TRAN is proposing a modest fare increase that, if approved, would take effect Sept. 1, 2010.

Following an earlier board goal to implement small fare increases annually, the proposal could help C-TRAN to modestly off-set declining sales tax revenues by $150,000 during a 12-month period. As proposed, cash fares could see a five-cent increase, and other fares would increase accordingly, based upon the cash fare proposal.

Open houses are scheduled for the public to learn more and provide feedback:

March 17
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Clark County Public Service Center (1300 Franklin Street in Vancouver) -- Hearing Room – 6th floor.

March 18
When: 5-7:30 p.m.
Where: Fisher's Landing Transit Center (3510 SE 164th Avenue in Vancouver) -- Rose Besserman Community Room - second floor.

March 25
When: 5:30 p.m.
Where: C-TRAN Administration Building (2425 NE 65th Ave.

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This C-TRAN driver has gone 35 years without an accident

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Fri, 2010-03-05 12:57

Allen Wiemer is a good driver.

A very, very good driver.

Technically, Wiemer is classified as 'coach operator' for C-TRAN and has been so for since 1981, but served six years as a driver in the now-defunct Vancouver Transit. Since that time, Wiemer has never been in an accident.

As part of C-TRAN's Employee Recognition Day today, which provides an annual opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and teamwork demonstrated by employees through the year, Wiemer will be honored for his performance as a driver.

In addition to his stellar safe driving record, Wiemer, who is known as "Al" by friends and co-workers, is known by fellow employees as an operator who consistently demonstrates outstanding customer service and all around employee performance. His lighthearted approach to life and work has a positive influence on those he serves and works with.

"Al's remarkable driving record, demeanor and his many years of experience set him apart.

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Miss the mayor's State of the City speech? Read it all here

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Thu, 2010-03-04 14:58

In case you missed it, recently elected Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt gave a State of the City speech at the heritage Ballroom of the Hilton Vancouver hotel today.

Here's the entire text of Leavitt's speech.

"Good morning friends, honored guests and fellow citizens:

As you know, I grew up in here in Vancouver.

It is very emotional and humbling for me to be standing here before you this morning.

I share your dreams for our community.

I have attended our schools and played in our parks.

And I love Vancouver too much to accept anything less than the best.

We have worked too hard and come too far to go backwards now.

I come before you this morning to report on the State of the City, and to speak both frankly and candidly to the residents of our community, the fine employees of our city, and those at all levels of our government.

I’d like to thank my predecessor, Mayor Royce Pollard, as well as councilmember Pat Jollota for over 20 years of dedicated service to our community.

Now, we enter into a new decade, and for all intents and purposes, with a

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Felida teen announces he's running for seat in House of Representatives

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Wed, 2010-03-03 12:40

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Skyview High School senior Anthony Bittner will announce his candidacy for State House of Representatives 18th Legislative District (position 1) at 2 p.m. March 3 at the Three Creeks Library in Vancouver.

Bittner is vying for the seat recently vacated by Jaime Herrera in her bid for the 3rd Congressional district seat.

Running as a Republican, Felida resident Bittner represents the new generation of voters with strong Independent ideas, and Conservative values. Already burdened with a tremendous tax debt created by previous leadership before coming of age, Bittner intends to support the reduction of government intrusion in private daily lives, and more importantly in the business environment.

“As the son of a small business owner,” said Bittner. “I have experienced first hand the oppressivness and unfair burden the government forces upon hard working families.

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Vancouver police work with local gas stations to prevent fraud from skimmers

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Wed, 2010-03-03 12:18

VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Vancouver Police Department is working with local gas station operators to inform them of a growing fraud/identity theft crime - the use of skimmers on their gas pumps.

During the past several months, Vancouver Police have received numerous calls from citizens reporting unauthorized charges on their debit/credit cards after the citizen purchased gas using a pay-at-the-pump debit/credit card reader.

Vancouver Police are distributing informational flyers and working with local gas stations advising them to consider pump lock changes and encouraging them to conduct regular inspections of pumps to look for possible skimming devices. Citizens are encouraged to pay with cash, debit or credit inside the store and not to use the pay at the pump option if possible.

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Clark County Business Events for March

Submitted by Kathy Frisbie on Tue, 2010-03-02 13:50

Managing Credit Risks: When Good Customers and Vendors Go Bad

March 2, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at 111 SW 5th Ave, Suite 3400, Portland, OR 97204

Miller Nash LLP, one of the Pacific Northwest's larger multispecialty law firms focusing on business and litigation, will host a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, March 2, titled "Managing Credit Risks: When good customers and vendors go bad." Miller Nash partners David W. Hercher, Mike Ryan and Brian S. Thompson will lead an interactive discussion offering practical tips for doing business with customers, vendors and others who are experiencing financial distress. Reservations are required. Respond to breakfast@millernash.com or call 503.205.2608.

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Talented young musicians to perform

Submitted by Candid Eye of C... on Tue, 2010-03-02 10:26

FINALISTS PERFORM IN 16TH ANNUAL VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The 16th Annual Young Artists Competition will be held on Sunday, March 7 at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics’ Royal Durst Theatre.

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Shiver me timbers and rattle me bones

Submitted by Candid Eye of C... on Mon, 2010-03-01 09:00

“Shiver me timbers” is old nautical slang that refers to the shaking of the wooden support frames of a ship during rough seas. Scared sailors would say that these shivering timbers would “rattle me bones.”

Mother Nature’s most awesome event, an earthquake, can also rattle our bones while shivering our timbers. And like the sailor’s at sea, we can do our best to be prepared.

And we DO need to be prepared. According to the Columbian, the recent quake in Chili should be a reminder of our own vulnerability in the Pacific North West.

So, are you prepared? (CRESA)

Disasters can happen without warning as we have seen in Haiti and Chili. Often, in large, wide spread emergencies, firefighters, law enforcement, and other first responders will not be immediately available. For the most part, citizens will be on their own for the first 72 hours of a disaster.

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