FRIDAY, Feb. 25, 2005

Joyce Hiatt is C-TRAN Employee of the Year

Joyce Hiatt, left, is presented with Employee of the Year award by C-TRAN executive director Lynne Griffith. Hiatt, who is "gatekeeper" for the transit agency, was recognized for her ability to make people feel good. Her favorite movie actor, Mel Gibson, appears in the background on a specially made poster with Hiatt.

One can tell by the cheerful sound of her voice and her always helpful responses that Joyce Hiatt is a special person indeed, and thus it was no surprise that this week she was named Employee of the Year at C-TRAN, where her title is administrative assistant, but where her duties are to meet and greet the public as unofficial gate keeper, answering incoming calls and setting visitors at ease.

Hiatt has been with the transit agency almost as long as C-TRAN has been the transit agency. She’s been with C-TRAN 21 of its 24 years.

Says C-TRAN executive director Lynne Griffith, “Joyce is an excellent example of a C-TRAN employee. She’s caring, dedicated and professional. She makes our customers feel important, and she always represents the very best of C-TRAN. Joyce not only makes our customers feel great, but she does the same for staff. She is genuinely interested in everyone and does her best to make everyone feel appreciated. She has the ability to put individuals at ease and knows how to make everyone feel important.”

Hiatt was selected from those employees who earned monthly distinction during the year.

Jim Curtin to help break ground
for Vancouver’s newest fire station

Jim Curtin, political activist and honorary mayor of Barberton, will assist Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard in conducting groundbreaking ceremonies for the city’s newest fire station at 12600 E 72nd Avenue at noon, Monday, Feb. 28. The new $2.5 million fire station is adjacent to Curtin Creek, named after the Curtin family.

The fire station is actually outside the Vancouver city limits but within the boundary of Fire District 5, which has been merged with the Vancouver department. It will serve Barberton, Prairie Highlands, Pleasant Highlands, greater Brush Prairie, and the Sherwood and Sunnyside neighborhoods.

It will be the first new fire station in the combined fire departments service area in ten years.

Battle Ground school voters are
balloting on $82 million in bonds

Battle Ground School District absentee ballot voters are already voting on a combined total of $82,440 in general obligation bonds that would enable the rapidly growing district to build a new high school, two primary schools and two middle schools, and replace another school.

The date of the special election is Tuesday, March 8, when polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A 60-percent majority is required for passage of the measure.

News briefs

The Clark County Farm Forestry Association annual meeting and potluck dinner is at 6:30 p.m. this evening in the Manor Grange Hall, 17901 NE 72nd Avenue. g The WSU Vancouver Environmental Justice Conference is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Multimedia Building. Registration is $10. g The Intergovernmental Roundtable on the Cowlitz Casino meets at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street. g State Rep. Deb Wallace (D-17th) is holding a town hall meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Washington Grange, 7701 E Ward Road. g Another last hurrah and final farewell for Fred Bateman, retiring C-TRAN finance director, is from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in Ballew’s A Great Place to Eat and Drink Restaurant, 612 N Devine Road. Admission is $10. g Russian Consul Vladimir Volnov will speak on the status of Russian-American relations at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Public Service Center. A social hour begins at 3 p.m. and will include presentations on the Chkalov Cultural Exchange Committee. There is no charge. g The Cathlapotle plankhouse will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, to register volunteers who want to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service project as docents and guides after the plankhouse is completed in March. The plankhouse is on the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge north of town off Main Street. g The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artists Competition is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, in Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 W 39th Street. Six finalists are competing for a cash honorarium and the chance to play with the symphony in April. The public is invited to the free event.
 

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

Families welcoming soldiers home from Iraq--Columbian, Dean Baker

Constituent outcry convinces Deb Wallace to back appliance repair legislation--Columbian, Don Jenkins

Eight miles of $5.4 million, first-class trail nearing completion along Burnt Birdge Creek--Oregonian, Bill Stewart

Vancouver prosecutor Josephine Townsend resigns, will seek appointment as district court judge--Columbian, Stephanie Rice

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray talks issues with local politicos--Oregonian, Foster Church

George Fox named Ridgefield city manager--Columbian

Colmbian's best entertainment bets

Seahawks let Jerry Rice go--Seattle Times, AP

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

Friday on the air

City Minutes—4 p.m. CVTV
Clark County Close Up—4:30 p.m. CVTV
100th Anniversary of Rotary—5 p.m. CVTV
Atlanta at Portland Blazers (live)—7 p.m. KXL, KRMZ
Portland Winter Hawks at Spokane (live)—7 p.m. KCMD
Animal Control Hearings (2/23)—7 p.m. CVTV
Telecommunications Commission (2/2)—9 p.m. CVTV
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: South America Sizzles—11:30 p.m. CVTV
 

Town tabloids and the weather 

Todd Martin making appearance on the shroud of Vancouver. g Kathy Condon taking care of details. g Bob Rhodes revealing Sunday insights. g Odie Burris giving out high marks. g Richard Dobrow on line with the best. g Erin Guerra providing the tip. g Ronda Peck earning “good job.” g Friday, sun chases morning gloom, 62. Saturday, sunny, no excuses, 64. Sunday, mostly sunny, 60.