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Statewide and county
employment
continues to show improvement
Washington’s non-adjusted unemployment rate fell three-tenths of
a percent in May to 6.1 percent, according to Sylvia Mundy,
State Employment Security commissioner, who added that the May
decrease continued a downward trend that began last October.
In Clark County, the non-adjusted unemployment rate decreased by
two-tenths of a percent to 7.2 percent in May. The county
unemployment rate in April was 7.4 percent. In May 2003, the
non-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.6 percent statewide
and at 10.2 percent in Clark County.
Nationally, the non-adjusted employment rate declined to 5.3
percent in May, compared to 5.4 percent in April.
Currently there are 194,800 unemployed workers in the state,
13,700 of whom live in Clark County.
The number of employed persons in Clark County rose by 2,300
during May to a total of 175,700.
Twice denied FEMA
support for January storm damage, utility district trying again
Although Clark County citizens suffered higher financial impacts
from the January 2004 snow storm than did Oregon residents
across the Columbia River, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency twice rejected the claim from Clark Public Utilities to
help cover $1.7 million in storm related damages to the utility
system.
FEMA made contributions to Oregon but denied Clark County Public
Utilities' claim because the storm was not statewide and, when
it was factored in with the entire state population, it failed
to meet the FEMA test.
Today utility commissioners approved letters to members of the
state’s congressional delegation requesting assistance outside
of FEMA but from other federal sources.
According to utility chief financial officer Rick Dyer, the
total damage claim from southwest Washington is $4.2 million.
“As it stands now,” Dyer says, “our citizens not only have to
pay the entire cost of storm damage here, they also have to help
pay for the damage suffered by Oregon’s citizens through the
reimbursement provided by FEMA.”
Memorial service for
Margaret
“Peg” Wynne, who died Thursday
A memorial service,
followed by a graveside service for
Margaret “Peg” Wynne, who
died Friday at the age of 81, will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, June
17, in Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel.
Mrs. Wynne was preceded
in death by her husband, John, who died in 1988. Mr. Wynne, a
prominent attorney, was a former Vancouver city attorney.
Mrs. Wynne, a 50-year
resident of Clark County, was born in Chehalis.
Survivors include four
sons, Peter, North Bend,
Ore., Thomas, Vancouver,
Martin, Aloha, Ore., and
Michael, Ridgefield; two
daughters, Lisa DiStefano,
Yorba Linda, Calif., and Nora
Koiwai, Tokyo; 16 grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.
Demo brass scheduled
for Clark County Democrats Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
U.S. Rep.
Brian Baird (D-3rd) is
the featured guest speaker for the 2004 Clark County Democrats
Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June
18, in the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay.
Also on the invitation
list are the state’s two Democratic senators,
Maria Cantwell and
Patty Murray, as well as
Gov. Gary Locke.
For further information,
call Gail Pollock, 695-4769.
People
Debbie Nelson, City of
Vancouver senior mediator, has been recognized as one of 17
advanced workplace mediation practitioners by the Association
for Conflict Resolution ACR is the leading organization of
dispute management practitioners worldwide. Nelson was cited for
notable service to the conflict resolution and alternative
dispute resolution fields.
News briefs
The NE Hazel Dell
Neighborhood Association is holding its monthly meeting and root
beer float social at 7 p.m. tonight in the community center of
the Clark County Public Works building, 4700 NE 78th Street.
nnnClark
County Commissioners meet in an informal session at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 16.
Russian delegation to arrive today for week-long observance of
Valeri Chkalov's 100th birthdate--Columbian, Dean Baker
Work on first of Maya Lin's Confluence Project projects to begin
next March--Oregonian, Alan Brettman
Camas City Council approves Prune Hill low-income apartment
complex--Columbian, Dean Baker
Portland contractor who build Clark County's Public Service
Center is apparent low bidder at $16.7 million for Firstenburg
Center--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize
Rasheed Wallace has become Detroit's big man--Seattle Times,
Steve Kelley
Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger begins journey toward
space--Columbian, Amy McFall Prince
Stevenson beer fest one of the coolest--Columbian
Greenspan says terror is a threat to economy--USA TODAY, AP
U.S. won't create do-not-spam list--USA TODAY, AP
Diplomats want to get tough with Iran over nukes--\USA TODAY, AP
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