TUESDAY, Jan 11, 2005

Clark Public Utilities water
to cost more after February 1

Although their residential water rates will remain among the least costly in the county, Clark Public Utilities water customers will pay more for water effective February 1.

The basic rate for every water customer, which has been $4.80 a month for the past 20 years, is being increased to $6  a month. In addition, the cost per 100 cubic feet of water used will increase ten cents, from $1.15 to $1.25.

Combined, the increases will amount to a nearly 13 percent increase (from $18.40 to $21.00) in rates for the average residential customer using 1,200 cubic feet of water per month.

Utility commissioners today also increased the system development charges for new water hookups, from $1,250 to $1,500.

Clark’s water utility had nearly tripled in size in the past 20 years to over 27,500 customers and is expected to grow at a rate of at least 3 percent next year.

The water system increases were dictated by the need for Clark Public Utilities to develop a new field of wells, likely southeast of Vancouver Lake. The new system development fees will help the utility pay the financing costs of the new sources of supply.

Search for Evergreen Schools
superintendent continues with forums

Forums at 6:30 p.m. this evening and at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, are being conducted by Evergreen Public School directors as part of their search for a superintendent to succeed retiring Rick Melching.

This evening’s forum is in the Illahee Elementary School media center. The Wednesday morning forum is in the district’s Administrative Service, and the evening forum is in the Image Elementary School media center.

A nationwide search is expected to bring several candidates to Vancouver by early March. The district expects to hire a new superintendent in April.

Approximately 500 flu shots left

In an effort to get out the remaining doses of flu vaccine to the community before flu season peaks, the Clark County Health Department has dropped restrictions for the vaccine. “Anyone who wants  to get a flu shot now can get one,” says Justin Denny, county health officer.

Denny says the flu season normally peaks in late February, but, because it takes up to two weeks to build up immunity after getting vaccinated, people should not wait to get a flu shot.

Approximately 500 remaining doses of vaccine are available at various pharmacies and health care providers. For further information, call 397-8215.

Clark County Chamber of Commerce
to discuss elder-friendly businesses

The Clark County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an informal discussion on how businesses can become more elder-friendly at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the Quality Inn & Suites, 7001 NE Highway 99.

Ted Alby presents “The Aging of America: Social and Economic Consequences, and What We Can Do About Them.” Alby is founder of Homewatch Caregivers, Vancouver.

The event is free and open to the public, according to chamber spokesperson Michael Golden. For further information, call 892-6345.

Barbara Sheldon named youth
equestrian center director

Barbara Sheldon has been appointed executive director of the Silver Buckle Youth Equestrian Center. Sheldon is a former restaurant owner, whose background includes public relations and marketing. Sheldon is a recent graduate of Washington State University Vancouver.

The equestrian center is a non-profit organization that provides equine therapy through instructional classes for at-risk young persons.

People

Byron Hanke, completing his first year as an elected commissioner of Clark Public Utilities, today was elected president of the three-member board of commissioners. Before running for public office, Hanke was a long-time employee at the utility, where he served as communications manager and manager of the Camas office until leaving to become executive director of the Port of Vancouver. Newly reelected utility commissioner Nancy Barnes, who served as president of the board during the past year, was elected secretary. Carol Curtis was named vice president of the commission.

News briefs

The Clark County Community Development Department is holding an open house to provide information about proposed changes in the county’s environmental ordinances at 4 p.m. today in the Dollars Corner Fire Station, 12609 NE 72nd Avenue. g C-TRAN is holding a public hearing on proposed fare increases at 5:15 p.m. today in the Clark County Commissioners’ hearing room  on the sixth floor of the Public Services Center, 1300 Franklin Street. g Clark County commissioners meet in informal session at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12.
 

Headlines at home and from around the world:
(Click on the headlines below for the rest of the story)

Pat McDonnell gets accolades, pay boost for his work as city manager--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

State senate Democrats beat back effort to delay Gregoire certification by one vote--Columbian, Don Jenkins

Pridemore puts utility appliance repair bill on hold--Columbian, Don Jenkins

China fuels demand for recyclables--Columbian, Erik Robinson

Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam [updates every five minutes]--USDA Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Tuesday on the air

Portland Winter Hawks at Regina (live)—5 p.m. KUPL
C-TRAN hearing on fare increases (live)—5 p.m. CVTV
City Minutes—9 p.m. CVTV
Clark County Close Up—9:30 p.m. CVTV
Bravo! Vancouver: Quartet for the End of Time—10 p.m. CVTV
 

Town tabloids and the weather

Larry Bekkedahl taking the pony part. g Andy Huck riding the rickshaw. g Terry Pace making connections certain. g Keith Coats maintaining popular regimen. g Ozzie Coats getting neighbor high on bonbons. g Doug Rae renewing fourth estate connections. g Tuesday, mostly possible sunbreaks, on otherwise cloudy day, 42. Wednesday, gray, possible showers, 45. Thursday, possible cool showers, 43.