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News

October 1, 2013

Mayoral candidates focus on local issues

Two men who have lived in the local area for most of their lives -- incumbent Sean Guard and challenger Earl Scott -- are hoping to serve as the mayor of Washougal for the next four years. Utility rate reductions, parks and promoting economic development are among the issues of interest among them. Scott, a Washougal resident for 28 years, said he has always had political aspirations. He previously considered running for Port of Camas-Washougal commissioner, but it would have been a conflict of interest since he was the fire marshal with the City of Washougal. The duties of a fire marshal include inspecting port buildings. "This is not a quick decision," Scott said regarding his city council candidacy. "It's been in the works for quite a long time.

October 1, 2013

Washougal proposes utility rate relief

The people who attended the Washougal Town Hall Saturday morning at Washougal High School received an education about water and sewer rates and the potential for them to decrease. City Administrator David Scott presented preliminary cost of service and rate results, developed by FCS Group. Major findings include the indication that multifamily residential customers have been subsidizing other customer classes. A phase-in strategy would keep rates flat for multifamily customers, while other groups "step up," according to Scott.

October 1, 2013
Post-Record file photo Nina Regor is pictured here during her first day on the job as Camas City Administrator in January. Last week after going on immediate medical leave it was announced by Mayor Scott Higgins Friday that she would not be returning to work.

City administrator’s medical condition has ‘deteriorated rapidly’

During a short and somber meeting on Friday afternoon, the Camas City Council approved a consultant contract in the wake of an announcement early last week that City Administrator Nina Regor had taken immediate medical leave. The contract is with Ridgefield based consultant Paul Lewis. According to Mayor Scott Higgins, as part of the contract Lewis will assist the city with duties that will include bringing the consolidation of the Camas-Washougal fire departments to a conclusion, assisting with union contract negotiations, working on the 2014 budget, and being available to department heads, if needed. "He is a finance mind; that is his strength," Higgins said. "He's worked with a lot of different agencies."

October 1, 2013

State of the Community event highlights projects and partnerships

Camas leaders focused on projects, partnerships and prosperity during the presentation of the first "state of the community" address. The Sept. 24 event was a joint venture of the city of Camas, Camas School District, and Port of Camas-Washougal. Speakers focused on the positive, and outlined recent accomplishments and future endeavors. Camas Mayor Scott Higgins highlighted a number of construction projects that have likely been visible to local residents, or soon will be -- the most significant being the 38th Avenue extension. "If you just drive around the geographical area of the city of Camas, you can't help but run into construction project after construction project," he said. "Things are going on in our community."

September 24, 2013

Washougal approves development agreement

A public hearing regarding the development of the former Hambleton Lumber Sales LLC site attracted more than 40 people to the Washougal City Council meeting last night. After almost two hours of public comments and council discussion, council members approved a development agreement with the Port of Camas-Washougal and Parker's Landing LLC, for the land located at 335 S. "A" St. The vote was 6 to 1, with the opposing vote issued by Caryn Plinski. Prior to that, she and councilman Paul Greenlee voted to postpone a decision on the development agreement. That motion failed 5 to 2. Earlier, Plinski said the waterfront development could be "an amazing thing to add to Washougal." "I want a park, trail, restaurants and shops," she said. "I'm not sure I'm ready to pass it tonight."

September 24, 2013

Study looks at utility rate increases in Camas

A consultant study recently recommended that Camas consider raising its utility rates during the next five years to help fund items including future capital improvement obligations, and investment in maintaining the current system. Angie Sanchez Virnoche and Sergey Tarasov, of the consultant company FCS Group, provided the Camas City Council with the results of the recent study of water, sewer, storm water and sanitation utility rates.

September 24, 2013

School district sets levy amounts

The Washougal School District has set amounts for its upcoming three-year maintenance and operations levy, as well as a technology levy. Current levies are due to expire at the end of 2014. These were approved by voters in 2010 and provide additional funding to areas such as school safety, textbooks, special education, sports, music and technology. The levies will go before district voters in February 2014. The M&O levy will be set at $6.3 million, which is 23 percent more than the current $5.09 million levy. Additional levy dollars are needed to maintain current programs for increasing enrollment, and fund expanded learning opportunities and programs, such as all-day kindergarten district wide, summer school, instructional coaches and safety improvements at all buildings, according to business manager Brian Wallace.

September 24, 2013
Mark Hamrick, Port of Camas-Washougal harbormaster (right) chats with Tom Welinski, of Camas (left), at the port marina. In August, Hamrick provided transportation and assistance when Welinski pulled a muscle in his back while sailboating. Hamrick said every day brings a new challenge. "You never really know what's going to happen when you go to work or when you're not there for that matter," he said. "Your phone can ring at any time for almost anything. It can get exciting at times, or go for days or weeks without an event." Hamrick was hired by the port in 2005, in the role of maintenance assistant. He was promoted two years later.

C-W Port Harbormaster Mark Hamrick feels fortunate to be able to help others

Mark Hamrick's job as harbormaster at the Port of Camas-Washougal marina is one that he enjoys immensely."What we have is a small city on the water," he said. During a recent walk around the 350-slip marina, Hamrick said there is never a typical day. "I can't imagine doing anything else," he said. As a harbormaster, he spends approximately 70 percent of his time outside. Hamrick was hired by the port in 2005, in the role of maintenance assistant. He was promoted two years later to harbormaster.

September 17, 2013

City reviews agreement for former lumber mill site

A mixed-use development, along with trails, public access to the Columbia River and possibly housing, are expected to be among the components of the former Hambleton Lumber Sales LLC site. The Port of Camas-Washougal and Parker's Landing LLC are requesting the Washougal City Council consider a development agreement for the land located at 335 S. "A" St. The LLC is represented by Lance Killian, of Killian Pacific, a commercial real-estate development and investment company. Killian Pacific has created The Crossing and Evergreen Marketplace, in Washougal, as well as the Grand Central and Riverstone Marketplace developments, in Vancouver.

September 17, 2013

ECFR district voters will decide on capital projects bond

East County Fire and Rescue is asking voters to approve a bond on Nov. 5 that would support the purchase of fire apparatus and equipment, and support repairs and improvements at three of its stations. The $1.275 million, 20-year capital projects bond would fund two new fire engines, one brush truck, new fire fighting and medical equipment, an emergency generator at Mount Norway Station 94, parking lot repair at Sunnyside Station 93 and a water well at Livingston Mountain Station 92. It is estimated that the bond would cost taxpayers 9 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. This means that the owner of a $300,000 home would pay approximately $27 per year.