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Mayor Royce Pollard loves Vancouver,
USA yesterday, today and tomorrow
Vancouver, USA’s Mayor
Royce Pollard took his annual State of the City Address to Clark County
this morning, telling a nearly packed house in the 40 et 8 American Legion
building in Hazel Dell that his love for Vancouver, evidenced by “I
Y Vancouver” invitations to the speech, is not just a slogan, but a
statement.
While sticking with the theme, the mayor said, “We are
looking ahead, focusing on the Vancouver of today, tomorrow and beyond.”
Going beyond fixed city limits, the mayor said people are
moving to the Vancouver area in record numbers. The number of people who have
moved here from Oregon has risen by 20 percent since 1999.
One of the reasons, Pollard enumerated, is a lower tax
burden: “A typical family living and working in Multhomah County pays 87 percent
more in state and local taxes than a family living and working in Clark County.”
Other reasons Pollard listed were affordable housing,
lower crime rate and quality schools.
“The truth is people see our boundless potential and know
about our proven track record for success. They may come initially for financial
reasons. We want them to fall in love with Vancouver the way we have.,” the
mayor said.
Employment is up, according to Pollard. He cited the move
of Nautilus to the Columbia Tech Center, SEH America’s expansion into 300
millimeter chip production, and Oregon companies moving to southern Washington,
including Albina Fuel, Kokusai Semiconductor, IGI Gaskets and Logic Product
Development. 2005 will be another busy year, Pollard said.
The first unsolicited applause erupted from the crowd as
Pollard praised Washington State University’s ambition to become a four-year
university.
Alluding to the city’s vision for downtown, the mayor
pointed out that the Firstenburg Community Center, the downtown convention
center, the Hilton Hotel and a permanent Farmers Market will open in 2005. The
mayor said a hotel and housing on the waterfront, a more active Main Street, a
stronger connection between downtown and the historic reserve are part of the
vision.
“Folks, the mayor said, “I love Vancouver because we are
not bound by our city limits. As much as people think we should work in our own
silos and keep to ourselves, we know that we are a region that needs to work
together to sustain our health and vitality.”
CREDC presenting workshop
on Industrial Revenue Bonds
A workshop on Industrial Revenue Bonds is being presented
by the Columbia River Economic Development Council at 9 a.m. Feb. 22, in the
Cascadia conference room in the Murdock Trust. Building.
Manufacturers, attorneys, accountants, financial advisors
and banking professionals are encouraged to attend to learn about this
manufacturing sector finance tool, according to spokesperson,
Dana Harroun.
IRBs are tax free, low interest investment tools used to
expand manufacturing facilities and equipment. participating companies.
The two-hour workshop is $20, which includes materials
and refreshments. To register call Harroun at
567-1063.
Mayor unequivocal regarding
Cowlitz Casino Resort
In citing examples of the City of Vancouver working
together with other jurisdictions, Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard cited the
city’s relationship with the proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort near La Center:
“When the Cowlitz Tribe announced their interest in opening
a resort and casino in La Center, Vancouver got involved. Traffic impacts, jobs,
housing...we knew all of it will have an affect on us. It would have been easy
to get angry or defensive about their proposal. Instead, we have build a good
working relationship with the Cowlitz. Because of this, when I met with the
Cowlitz chairman John Barnett, John
looked me dead in the eye and made a firm commitment. He said, ‘Mayor, we have
no intention of causing any harm to Vancouver.’ At the end of our meeting, John
and I shook hands, and I left feeling confident that he would honor his word and
hold up his end of the bargain. And, I believe, he felt the same way about us.
This relationship didn’t happen with contracts or lawyers. We are building this
relationship based on the values of trust, honor and integrity.”
News briefs
The Portland International Airport Noise Compatibility
Study Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. this evening in Hudson’s Bay High School to
discuss concluding recommendations for airport noise mitigation developed after
three years of study. g
Robert Miller, Lewis & Clark University
law professor, discusses American Indian treaties and Lewis and Clark, in a free
program at 7 p.m. this evening in the Student Services building at Washington
State University Vancouver. g
Rob Bernardi, president/COO, Kokusai
Semiconductor Equipment Corporation, Arjen
Sundman, president, Amfit and Dan Scott,
vice president, The Hasson Company will share their candid comments on why their
companies located in Clark County, at the quarterly membership meeting of the
Columbia River Economic Development Council, at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, in
the Heathman Lodge. To register, call Dana
Harroun at 567-1063.
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MIRIAM GREEN 
"Working to help you!"
