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October 11, 2011

Turk, Tweet seek Camas Council seat

While Shannon Turk and Margaret Tweet reside in the same Camas neighborhood, when it comes to their opinions on local issues, there are few similarities between them. Tweet, a Camas resident since 1997, believes: more public process needs to take place on a wider variety of local and regional topics; the formation of the Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association isn't the best way to accomplish economic development or use city dollars; and that in the current economy city leaders should focus on funding necessities and not amenities. Appointed to the council in July, Turk, on the other hand, says she is satisfied with how the city is currently being operated and doesn't see a need for any major changes. She also supports what she describes as a "balanced" approach to budgeting, is supportive of the mission and goals of the CWEDA, and is cautious about overspending on public outreach efforts that might not produce results.

October 11, 2011

District considers options for turf replacement

The Washougal School District has begun the process of planning for the replacement of the turf field at Washougal High School's Fishback Stadium. During last week's School Board meeting, Superintendent Dawn Tarzian presented a plan in which the district would match each dollar raised in the community and invited local business leaders to do the same. "One area the district has been trying to save for is a turf field," she said. "At the same time, we are getting criticism for setting the money aside. If this is a priority to the community, then we need to take action on it. If it's not a priority, then the district will continue to have a field that remains inadequate."

October 11, 2011

Longtime firefighter challenges incumbent

Kenny Cochran and Gary Larson are both longtime East County residents, and want to improve relations between the local fire district and neighboring entities. But that's where the similarities end.

October 11, 2011

Upcoming candidate forum features Camas races

One of the only local candidate forums planned this General Election season will be held Monday, Oct. 24, in Camas. The Camas Youth Advisory Council event will begin at 7 p.m., at the Camas High School Theatre. Three local races will be featured including Camas City Council Ward 3 (Shannon Turk and Margaret Tweet); Port of Camas-Washougal Commission District 2 (Neil Cahoon and Bill Ward); and Camas mayor (Scott Higgins and Ken Kakuk).

October 11, 2011

Hambleton insurance issues to be researched

A contract recently signed by the Port of Camas-Washougal Commission is expected to identify insurance policies related to the Hambleton Lumber Company site. The agreement with Chemlik Sitkin & Davis, of Bellingham, is expected to identify pre-1986 commercial general liability policies that may provide insurance coverage to the port for environmental work on the site at 335 "A" St., in Washougal. The law firm's services will also include getting coverage decisions from carriers and, if needed, negotiating agreements with carriers.

October 4, 2011

McDaniel, Anderson vie for Washougal Council seat

The choices for the Washougal City Council Position No. 5 seat feature an incumbent who is also serving as mayor pro tem and a woman who has lived most of her life in Washougal. Incumbent Jennifer McDaniel, 45, has lived in Washougal for six years, while challenger Niki Anderson, 36, grew up in Washougal.

October 4, 2011
Matt Jackim, a 2011 Camas High School graduate, holds "Belize," a common boa constrictor, at the Oregon Zoo. "She is a very strong snake," Jackim said. "She is amazing -- the pattern of her scales. She is a personal favorite of mine." Jackim recently completed his fifth summer as a "ZooTeens" volunteer. His responsibilities included providing presentations to the public.

Appreciating animals

A recent Camas High School graduate has completed his fifth summer as a "Zoo Teen" at the Oregon Zoo. Matt Jackim's most recent responsibilities included taking care of ferrets and snakes in the "education animal house." Younger "Zoo Teens" observed him performing tasks such as making meals for animals. "It's a really cool experience to teach other people during their first years [as volunteers]," Jackim said. He said he has learned how to conduct himself in a professional manner in front of the public while providing presentations about various zoo residents.

October 4, 2011

Higgins aims to retain mayor’s seat

A former City of Camas employee is looking to unseat the current mayor in the Nov. 8 General Election. Scott Higgins was a city councilman from January 2002 until June 2011, when he was appointed to the mayor's seat after Paul Dennis resigned to become the director of the Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association.

October 4, 2011

Killian Pacific interested in Hambleton site

The same company that produced The Crossing and Evergreen Marketplace, in Washougal, as well as the Grand Central and Riverstone Marketplace developments, in Vancouver, has an interest in purchasing the former Hambleton Lumber Company site. Adam Tyler, a design and development manager with Killian Pacific, confirmed this morning that the commercial real-estate development and investment company located in Vancouver and Portland is interested in buying the former lumberyard located at 335 "A" St., Washougal, but said "several challenges must be solved first." Tyler said the challenges will be outlined during the port commission meeting today, at 5 p.m., in the port office meeting room, 24 S. "A" St., Washougal. The site, owned by Hambleton Brothers Lumber Company, is approximately 25 acres.

October 4, 2011

Port candidates offer diverse views on local issues

Neil Cahoon said he is "not thrilled" with the decision making process going on at the Port of Camas-Washougal, and he hopes to be involved in future decisions as a port commissioner. Cahoon will face incumbent Bill Ward, for the Position No. 2 seat, in the Nov. 8 General Election.