Case for Port of Vancouver acquisition
of Alcoa industrial property to be aired

Arch Miller, president of the Port of Vancouver directors, this evening will present the port’s case for calling for a short-term property tax increase to buy the former Alcoa aluminum smelting industrial site on the Columbia River adjacent to existing property.

Miller’s presentation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the commons-student center area in Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E 18th Street.

The port has agreed to buy the property for $48.25 million and has imposed a six-year industrial development tax levy. If implemented, the levy would cost the owner of a $250,000 home approximately $112 per year and would generate a total of $78 million.

The property, suited for both marine cargo operations and industrial operations, was first developed in 1939 for Alcoa to produce aluminum.

Port commissioner Brian Wolfe will present the port’s case at a meeting  at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, in the student center of Cascade Middle School, 13900 NE 18th Street. The final presentation will be given by commissioner Nancy Baker at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, in the Fireside Lounge in the Gaiser Hall at Clark College.

Vancouver accepting applications
for zone changes during April

As part of its annual review of its Comprehensive Plan the City of Vancouver will be accepting applications from property owners requesting changes in the Comprehensive Plan and zoning designations between Monday, April 2, and Monday, April 30.

Pre-application conferences will follow, after which formal applications may be filed and fees paid.

The Comprehensive Plan designates which lands within the city may be developed for residential, commercial and industrial uses and which may be designated as open spaces.

Changes in the Comprehensive Plan will be made early in 2008. For further information, call John Manley, 487-7200, extension 8249.

Osaka singers returning to Vancouver

The Osaka Seikei Girls High School string ensemble is returning to Vancouver this month and will present a public concert at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 18, in the Royal Durst Theatre in the Vancouver School of Arts & Academics 301 Main Street.

The program, which will also be presented in four public schools, Clark College and Cascade Inn for Senior Living, includes classical, pops, Japanese and operatic selections.

Founded 40 years ago, the award-winning group has performed in Spain, Australia, Hawaii and in the United States in Vancouver. The tour is sponsored by SHE America and are guest s of Soroptimist International of Vancouver. The young women will be staying to Vancouver families during the tour.

Tickets to the concert are $5 and are available at the door. For further information, call Pat Stryker, 944-1728.

Skills Center joining national consortium

The Clark County Skills Center has been invited to join the Career Tech Baldridge Network Consortium and will become the tenth member of the nationwide network of exemplary technical schools, as well as the consortium’s first west coast affiliate, according to Skills Center director Dennis Kampe.

The consortium was established in 2004 to apply the criteria set forth in the Malcom Baldridge National Quality Award for improving each delivery of services for students, Kampe said.

Operated by ten southwest Washington school districts, the Skills Center provides technical and professional training programs that prepare high school and college students for the workforce.

News brief

The 49th Legislative delegation, Sen. Craig Pridemore and Reps. Bill Fromhold and Jim Moeller, all Democrats, are holding a town hall meeting from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 17, in conference room 226 in the County Elections Department, 1408 Franklin Street.

Calendar

The Vancouver Parking Advisory  Committee meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, in City Hall. n Clark County commissioners meet in an informal session at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, in conference room B in the Public Service Center.  

Tuesday, March 13 Headlines

Dow takes another plunge (243 points) as subprime mortgage woes deepen--USA TODAY, AP

Vancouver considers new parking lot with shuttle service to downtown--Oregonian, Allan Brettman

Freshman student seizes WSU Vancouver expanding academics, student life--WSU Vancouver, Sheri Byrd

LCI 731, visible when moored at Hayden Island Thunderbird, is restored--Columbian, Dean Baker

State's export rate increases--Columbian, Julia Anderson

Pace won't apologize for gay remark--USA TODAY, AP (Includes audio)

U.S. diplomat "optimistic" about Afghanistan--New York Times, Carlotta Gall

Haliburton move to Dubai is criticized--New York Times, Clifford Krauss

Pope upholds communion, celibacy bans--USA TODAY, AP

Stardust bites its own dust--MSN video