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Panel calls for metropolitan
C-TRAN service only
Last night a special panel comprising the three Clark
County commissioners and representatives of the seven cities in the county last
night unanimously recommended that the countywide C-TRAN transit agency
eliminate all rural service outside the cities and the Vancouver urban growth
boundary.
Vancouver and its urban growth boundary and Camas and
Washougal would be treated as a contiguous service area. However, service to the
cities of Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center and the Town of Yacolt would be
connected to the larger contiguous service area by non-service transportation
corridors; no stops in between.
The county has 30 days to veto the new plan, and affected
cities have 60 days to withdraw, if they wish.
The C-TRAN board is expected to review the new service
area and revenue plan in May and could take action to schedule a ballot measure
for a sales tax increase to support the cost of service within the new boundary.
When C-TRAN was approved by voters in 1980, the service
and taxing boundary was countywide. Following elimination of 40 percent of its
funding in 2000, C-TRAN eliminated rural service in the county. Last November a
countywide election that would have increased sales tax by three-tenths of a
percent to finance the agency failed.
Port of Portland, ruling on airport
noise
in May, still accepting written testimony
There is still time—until Saturday, April 9—to
remonstrate with Port of Portland Commission, which in May is expected to adopt
new Portland International Airport noise regulations recommended after a
three-year noise compatibility study.
Vancouver citizens, who have found little relief in the
recommendations, are especially angered that one recommendation in particular,
Alternative 9A, which would have shifted flight paths west of PDX runways south
of Hayden Island, was first ignored and then rejected.
Vancouver Mayor Royce
Pollard argued that the largely industrial zoned and open space between
Hayden Island and St. Johns is more suitable for aircraft noise than residential
Vancouver or Hayden Island. The mayor concluded: “We remain convinced that the
dramatic benefits of Alternative 9A for westside and downtown Vancouver are
compelling enough to merit its adoption by the Port. We believe that the Federal
Aviation Authority, as the regulatory agency, should be given the opportunity to
consider Alternative 9A and make their decision to approve it or reject it.”
U.S. Rep. Brian Baird
(D-3rd) is also on record as recommending Alternative 9A.
Comments may be sent to
Brooke Satern, , Community Affairs, Port
of Portland, Box 3529, Portland, OR, 97208, or to
webmaster@portptld.com.
Auditor forms committee to
help select new voting system
Clark County auditor Greg
Kimsey has formed an Auditor’s Election System Advisory Committee to help
select a new countywide voting system.
Kimsey says the committee will attend presentations by
voting system vendors and will provide input prior to the purchase of a new
voting system. All meetings will be open to the public, according to Kimsey, who
will chair the committee.
Other committee members are as follows: Democrats
Jane Buchanan-Banks,
Tom Burkholder,
Don Gardner and
Morgan Miles; Republicans
Lee Davis,
Mike Gaston,
Paul Mulwitz and
Josephine Wentzel; representing the
general public, Debbie Abraham,
Onofre Contrares Jr.,
Kim Dalton,
Patrick Horenstein,
Andrew Johnston,
Robert Tice and
George Vartanian; and county elections
director Tim Likness.
Hearings examiner sets schedule
for public input on Storedahl project
Following three and a half hours of public input last
night, Clark County hearings examiner Daniel
Kearns set a schedule to receive additional public input regarding the
appeals of the Daybreak Mining & Habitat Enhancement project, a surface gravel
mining project of J. L. Storedahl & Sons on the Lewis River.
Kearns had earlier approved the project, but his decision
was sent back to him for reconsideration by Clark County commissioners who, on
hearing an appeal, asked the hearings examiner to reconsider the nonconforming
use rights basis for approval.
Last night, Kearns said he would accept new information
on the issue of nonconforming use rights until April 12, would accept responses
through April 26, would allow final responses until May 3.
The matter is also on appeal to federal district court.
People
Stevenson High School juniors
Michelle Oliver and
Ray Price, and freshman
Kisdon Roe, after being in a three-way
tie for first place, wound up taking third place in the Washington State
Knowledge Bowl. The statewide competition was held at Camas High School earlier
this week.
News briefs
Vancouver OnStage Productions presents
Neil Simon’s
Proposals as a benefit performance for
the Junior Symphony of Vancouver at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Columbia Arts
Center, 400 W Evergreen Boulevard. Admission is $10.
g The Bi-State Coordination Committee
meets at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, March 31, in the Clark County Elections Building,
1408 Franklin Street. Agenda items include a review of growth forecasts and a
discussion of high occupancy vehicle lanes in Hazel Dell and Delta Park.
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MIRIAM GREEN 
"Working to help you!"
