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Columns

July 24, 2012

Be fully informed about EMS levy facts

Recently there was a letter published regarding the upcoming Camas EMS renewal levy, and I want the readers and voters to be more fully and factually informed. Since the late 1970's voters have repeatedly supported the emergency services provided to the community by approving levy ballot measures. The initial rate of 25 cents per $1,000 assessed value, and then a subsequent voter approved rate increase to 35 cents per $1,000 to continue to provide the funds necessary to provide nationally recognized superb care to the citizens.

June 26, 2012

Small businesses need more than bread and circuses

May 20-26 was National Small Business Week. Around the country, government officials paid homage to the small business owners who drive innovation in our national and state economies. The recognition is certainly well deserved, but small businesses need more than a week of ceremonial platitudes in order to create the jobs that will spur our national and state economies out of recession.

June 12, 2012

Yes, your student is smart but…

Can they make good decisions? I often wonder about this because as I am writing this, my senior is at a presentation at his high school about the perils of alcohol and drug use while driving. I hope it's kind of a "Scared Straight" presentation, complete with a car that has been crashed to an unrecognizable pulp, simulated blood and guts, EMT and firefighters giving sobering facts, and hopefully a young adult giving a horrific testimony about their own experience. I really hope that the term "smart decisions" is floating in his mind right now. Not just now, but for some time to come. Because, this is a presentation I did not have in high school.

May 22, 2012

Voters deserve the light rail vote promised

If anyone had any doubt why light rail to Vancouver is so controversial, look no further than what the city of Vancouver tried to do. In November 2011, voters approved Proposition 1, which raised the sales tax rate in the Clark County region by 0.2 percent. C-Tran officials promised voters then that the new revenue would raise between $8 million and $9 million per year, and they would use this new money to preserve the existing bus system and prevent further service cuts.

May 1, 2012

Camas EMS levy rate: The time has come for an increase

In 1979, four visionary fire chiefs came together to ensure the public safety needs for our community for generations to come. Deloy Little of Camas, Darrell Alder of Washougal, Bob Holland of Clark County Fire District 1, and Clyde Webberley of Clark County Fire District 9, signed a document that established what has come to be known as the "Three Parties Agreement." This agreement provided for the funding of a paramedic transport service in the East Clark County area. The money was to be used for hiring personnel, buying equipment, and the ongoing emergency medical training needs of the involved departments.

April 24, 2012

Real jobs created by small businesses will lead Washington out of recession

Governor Gregoire kicked off 2012 with a strong statement about the importance of the state's small businesses in creating the jobs that will turn the state's economy around: "...If we can make it easier and cheaper for them [small business owners] to do business, they can afford to add more employees. This is the key to our economic recovery..."

February 28, 2012

Rising gas prices threaten economic recovery

What's that old saying? "One step forward, two steps back." Just as our economy is starting to move again, rising gas prices threaten to put the brakes on the recovery.

January 31, 2012

And if I am elected president I will…

On a drizzly, dark day this past Sunday with a rare couple of hours to kill, I decided to take in coverage of the race for the Republican primary in Florida on CNN. While watching clips of Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich speaking and glad handling their way through the crowds, I just had to roll my eyes and shake my head at the sheer absurdity of some of the proposals they were making.