MONDAY, JULY 26, 2004

Clark Public Utilities preparing for first IBEW strike in 66-year history of the electric utility
    Clark Public Utilities, facing the possibility the first strike by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in the 66-year history of the public electric utility, is making plans to maintain service with management and contract personnel if the union does strike.
    IBEW Local 125 has notified the utility that it will terminate its contract that expired in February 2003, at midnight Tuesday, Aug. 3. The utility and the union have been in contract negotiations for over a year. The union represents about 100 of the utility's 350 workers.
    A statement issued today by the utility states: "While considerable progress has been made, wages have been an issue that has yet to be resolved. The utility has offered a three-year contract with wage increases of 3.5 percent each year. This offer was recommended by a federal mediator who assisted with the negotiations. The union's leadership is seeking increases of 4.6 percent each year. The utility has made several improvements to its offer, but is unwilling to go any further on wages. 'We believe that the agreement is competitive and in the best interests of the employees and our customers.'"

Candidates' filing period began today, ends Friday; not many file early
    It used to be there was a rush by political candidates to be the first to file for election to office when the official filing period began, but no more. Only eleven candidates made their intentions official this morning, the first one being Jim Moeller, candidate for reelection as a Democrat representative in the 49th District.
    The filing period ends at 5 p.m. Friday, July 30.
    Following Moeller's filing were four incumbent Clark County superior court judge candidates, each filing for a separate position: James E. Rulli, Robert  Harris, Edwin Poyfair and John P. Wulle. Roger A. Bennett also filed for reelection to his superior court position. Rich Melnick filed for reelection to Clark County district court, Position 5.
    Two-term Clark County Public Utilities' commissioner Nancy Barnes filed for reelection for a third six-year term.
    Two candidates filed for Position 1 in the 17th Legislative District, former Republican state representative Jim Dunn and Democrat Pat Campbell.
    Others filing Monday were State Sen. Don Carlson, 49th District Republican, and Ed Orcutt, Republican 18th District representative.
    County filings are posted every two hours on the Clark County elections website: www.clark.wa.gov/elections/candidate/filinglist.html

Port of Vancouver annual report for 2003 is on line
    Port of Vancouver assets increased to $122,504,091 during 2003, an increase in net assets of just over $6 million. The port's 2004 budget is $49,922,555.
    The port's largest source of revenue is its annual property tax levy, which in 2004 is projected at $7.8 million. Revenue from its industrial leases and operations this year will be just over $6 million. Revenue from marine activities will be over $5.7 million. .
    The Port of Vancouver annual report for 2003 in on line at www.portvanusa.com/index/shtml. Once on the web page click the heading Budget Information for the 2004 budget and the complete 2003 report of operations.

News briefs
    Mayor Royce Pollard and Vancouver's lobbyist Mark Brown, just returned from Washington, D.C., will report to the city council today on their efforts to obtain federal funding through the congressional delegation for law enforcement block grants, transportation, and West Barracks preservation. The Vancouver City Council meets in a long session beginning at 4 p.m. today. nnn The first of three debates between State Sen. Don Carlson (R-49th) and his Democratic challenger, Clark County commissioner Craig Pridemore, is at 6:30 p.m. this evening, in the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way. nnn Clark Public Utilities' commissioners meet in regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 27. nnn Clark County commissioners will spend most of the day, except for lunch and dinner breaks, in public session from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, considering amendments to the county's 20-year Comprehensive Growth Plan. nnn Free movies at the Regal Cinema 99 in Hazel Dell continue at 10 am. Tuesday and Wednesday, July 27 and 28. On the bill are Rugrats: The Movie and Agent Cody Banks.

News links (click on the headline to read the complete story)

Steve Memovich's bracelet--Columbian, Thomas Ryll

Maya Lin opened the door for David DiCesare--Oregonian Allan Brettman

Security will be tight in Portland when VP is in town for speech supporting local GOP candidates--KATU

I-5 interchange will change Duluth--Columbian, Erin Middlewood

Downtown living space filling up--Columbian, Julia Anderson

Clark Public Utility Workers prepare for walkout--Columbian, Erik Robinson

International Festival was loud and colorful event--Columbian, Craig Brown

Commercial construction in Clark County showing big gains--Oregonian, Bill Stewart

NPR 5-minute hourly news updates (Audio)

CLARK COUNTY ELECTIONS WEBSITE FOR CANDIDATE FILING INFORMATION

Democratic National Convention website:
www.dems2004.org

Monday on the air

Vancouver City Council Retreat Session  (live)--4 p.m. CVTV
Portland Beavers at Salt Lake City (live)--6 p.m. KKAD
Seattle Mariners at Oakland (live)-- 7 p.m. FSN, KFXX
Vancouver City Council (7/19)--9 p.m.
 

The Weather and Town Tabloids  

Andrea Wallace going from YWCA Lego competition to Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena. nnn Al Raines on the move. nnn Bob and  Sally Schaefer heading for half a hundred next month. nnn Mick Shutt coloring inhibitions. nnn Sandy Lieser beating the system. nnn Monday, after clouds dissolve, 82. Tuesday, sunny all day, 86. Wednesday, partly cloudy, but hot, 90..