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Bureau Of Indian Affairs begins
Cowlitz Casino scoping tonight
The Bureau of Indian Affairs begins its study of the
proposed Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s casino, convention center, hotel, restaurant and
retail project west of La Center with a scoping session beginning at 6 p.m. this
evening in Hudson’s Bay High School, 1206 E Reserve Street.
The tribe proposes, vastly larger than initially
announced, first, construction and operation of a 160,000-square-foot casino, to
be followed by a restaurant and retail stores encompassing 21,000 square feet, a
convention center and entertainment center of 150,000 square feet, a 250-room
hotel, tribal government offices and a tribal cultural center and a parking
garage for 8,500 vehicles, plus 200 recreational vehicles.
The Cowlitz have entered into an agreement with the
Mohegan Indians, a Connecticut tribe that owns and operates a
300,000-square-foot casino with 6,300 slot machines to help with financing and
operations of the casino.
But, first, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has to grant the
tribe reservation trust status for the 152 acres it owns near the La Center exit
on Interstate 5.
The scoping session this evening is the first step toward
developing and completing an environmental impact study of the project.
BIA officials say they expect to identify issues and
concerns about the project during the three-hour session.
C-TRAN to make final decision
on service cuts December 14
The C-TRAN board of directors has scheduled what they
expect to be a final vote on service cuts for the transit agency at a 5:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 14, meeting in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street.
The agency, which had hoped to maintain current service
with a .03 percent sales tax increase, is now working on cuts in service of
nearly 50 percent. The sales tax proposal was defeated by countywide vote
November 4.
The C-TRAN board was expected to make its decision on
cuts at a November 16 meeting, but deferred after hearing oral testimony from
100 persons and receiving written testimony from over 400.
No further oral testimony will be taken. However, written
comments may be sent to C-TRAN, 2525 NE 65th Avenue, Vancouver, 98661. For
further information, go to
www.c-tran.com.
Over 400 scenes on display
at Festival of the Nativities
The largest display of nativity scenes in southern
Washington can be seen Thursday, Dec. 2, through Saturday, Dec. 4, in the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vancouver Stake Center, 10509 SE 5th
Street.
There is no charge for the annual Festival of the
Nativities, according to spokesperson Fran
Rutherford. Viewing hours are 3 to 9 p.m. each day. In addition, there
are live musical performances and hands-on activities in the children’s room.
Reading Lolita in Tehran subject
of Discovery Book Club today
The Clark College Discovery Book Club selection for
discussion from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. today is Azar
Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran,
according to Harriet Levi, discussion
leader and former director of Women’s Studies at Clark. Book club sessions,
which are free and open to the public are held the first Wednesday of each month
in the sunroom in the Clark College Cannell Library.
The Discovery Book Club was organized by
Marti Earhart three years ago. Books are
chosen by volunteers who have a special interest in a particular diverse
culture, according to Earhart, who works in the Text and Reference Department of
the college bookstore.
For further information, call
Barbara Kerr, 992-2921.
Vacancy open on county Solid
Waste Advisory Committee
Applications are being sought to fill a vacancy on the
Clark County Solid Waste Advisory Commission. The board advises the county
commissioners on matters related to solid waste, recycling and waste reduction.
In addition the panel makes recommendations on locations of landfills and
transfer facilities.
Deadline for completed applications is Thursday, Dec. 30.
For further information, call Anita Largent,
397-6118, extension
4484.
News briefs
An open house explaining proposed increases for
environmental health service fees is being held by the Clark County Health
Department at 5:30 p.m. today in the county Health Department auditorium, 2000
Fort Vancouver Way. Clark County commissioners will review the proposed changes
at a regular board meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7.
g The Clark College Orchestra
presents “The Continental Touch” at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Royal Durst Theatre
in the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics.
Peter Vizard, director of the Conservatorie Frederic Chopin, Paris, is
the guest conductor. The concert is free, but donations to the college music
scholarship fund will be accepted.
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MIRIAM GREEN 
"Working to help you!"
