FRIDAY, Feb. 18, 2005

It’s official: park district wins by 27 votes

By a 27 vote whisker, the Vancouver Urban Growth Area Metropolitan Park District survived the Feb. 8 election, giving the urban area adjacent to the city a funding mechanism to create 35 new parks and up to eight miles of trails.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey officially certified the election today. The final vote was 12,588 favoring the measure, 12,561 opposing it.

Along with creation of the district is a tax provision that works out to about $40 a year on a $150,000 residence.

The county-owned park property, which includes three regional parks and trail right of way was acquired by financing from real estate excise taxes, but without a mechanism to pay for development and upkeep the park property they couldn’t be developed.

Jonathan Avery named
Legacy Salmon Creek chief

     Jonathan Avery, vice president of Clinic Operations at Legacy Health Systems, has been appointed administrator of Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital. Avery succeeds Tom Zellers in the role of administrator. Zellers, also a Legacy vice president, stepped aside from the Salmon Creek job due to family health issues.

     Avery began his career at Legacy as an administrative fellow after completing his masters in health care administration at the University of Michigan. He was director of Legacy’s clinics prior to becoming vice president of Clinic Operations.

     The 220-bed hospital construction project is on track, according to Legacy CEO Robert Pallari, and is expected to open in mid-August.

Brian Loos helps county
earn Patriot Certificate

The Clark County Public Works Department has been presented the Patriot Certificate by the Washington Committee for Employer Support for the National Guard and Reserve, thanks to county employee Brian Loos, who is currently serving in Iraq as an Army captain.

Loos is a grounds maintenance crew chief in Public Works.

Loos says the county “has risen to the occasion to fill my position, allowing for each of my leaves of absence, and making way for my return following each tour of duty.”

Commented Loos’s civilian boss, Public Works Grounds Maintenance superintendent Greg Johnson, “While his call-up caused us to scramble to fill the void he left, it did give employees an opportunity to learn new skills and accept new responsibilities. All of the employees involved stepped up and have done a great job in their new roles.”

News briefs

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents South American Sizzle in two weekend concerts featuring South American musicians, including Argentinean conductor Daniel Binelli. The 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, concert is preceded by an hour-long discussion of the music and composers. The Sunday, Feb. 20, concert begins at 7 p.m. Both are in the concert hall at Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th Street. Tickets at the door are $23 and $35. g Along with employees of banks and most governmental offices, the employee at the Daily Insider will take the day off, Monday, Feb. 21 to honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The newsletter will resume its regular schedule on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

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

Vancouver guitarist Doug Smith brings home Grammy--Columbian, Brett Oppegaard

Wenatchee judge confirms GOP legal challenge to governor election; trial date not set--Seattle P-I, AP, Rebecca Cook

Casino foes day La Center project not a done deal--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

State House OKs Canadian drugs--KATU

Wallace opposes Clark Public Utilities' Appliance Repair Bill, but says she could she could change her mind--Columbian, Don Jenkins

Battle Ground schools need favorable bond vote March 8--Columbian, Amy McFall Prince

Columbian's best bets for entertainment

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

Friday on the air

State of the County Address—4 p.m. CVTV
Vancouver State of the City Address—5:30 p.m. CVTV
Spokane at Portland Winter Hawks (live)—7 p.m. KCMD
Animal Control Hearings (2/9)—7 p.m. CVTV
Telecommunications Commission—9 p.m. CVTV
Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast—11 p.m. CVTV
 

Town tabloids and the weather 

Jada Rupley sweeping through the room. g Bob Schaefer coming up with yet another idea. g Bruce Paris showing great fielding move. g Gerald Baugh doing good job of shadowing. g June Canty putting punch in research. g Friday, good weather continues, 54. Saturday, clouds coming in, but dry, 55. Sunday, more clouds, but rain still unlikely, 53.