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Opinion

November 16, 2010

A local tradition continues

For nearly 80 years, the Washougal volunteer firefighters have been making sure an annual hometown tradition remains in-tact. That tradition continues once again this weekend, as local residents and their families will gather at the Washougal Fire Department on A Street to take part in the Turkey Carnival. There are few things that illustrate the unique aspects of small town more than these kinds of long-standing community events that bring people together, with the added benefit that it also supports a variety of efforts that helps friends and neighbors in need.

November 9, 2010

Time to fulfill the promises

Promises, promises, promises. Voters heard a lot of those during the recent election season. There were promises for change, promises to create more jobs, and promises to reduce government spending and taxes, solve the budget crisis, and find a remedy for the health care situation. "We are going to represent the people we've been elected to serve," they have all said in one form or another.

November 2, 2010

Challenging financial times in Camas

The impacts of a $1.6 million budget hole were revealed during last night's council workshop, and the picture painted wasn't pretty. The cuts that will likely be made by the city are ones that will be felt and seen by citizens in a variety of ways. With cuts adding up to $800,000, levels of service that Camas residents have come to expect in recent years will certainly diminish -- even as many city employees, from library pages to firefighters, police officers and parks maintenance workers will be working harder to serve the public.

November 2, 2010

Lame duck could cripple the economy

If you thought the election year rancor and political mudslinging was over, think again. Late last month, Congress slipped out of DC without passing a budget, guaranteeing the House and Senate will be back in session after Nov. 2.

October 21, 2010

County has ‘Cadillac’ employee benefits plan

In 2005, I was surprised to discover that Clark County employees contributed nothing to insurance premiums for medical, dental, vision, long-term disability and life insurance.