Arch Miller announces re-election
bid for Port of Vancouver commission

Arch Miller, chairman and founder of International Air and Hospitality Academy, today announced he is a candidate for a fourth term on the Port of Vancouver board of commissioners. Miller was first elected to the three-member board in 1989.

“We’ve accomplished a great deal, but there is still more to do,” Miller said. During his 17 years on the board, the port has increased the total number of jobs from 3,000 to more than 15,000, and assets have increased from $87 million to more than $200 million.

Miller says: “The Port of Vancouver has a very bright future. Near term, development of the Columbia Gateway land is expected to add over 7,000 jobs, and the recent purchase of the Rufener, Alcoa and Evergreen properties will add an additional 5,000 jobs. It is my intention to make the port even more attractive as a freight and cargo destination while taking the needed steps to make it a major player for Pacific Rim and West coast traffic.”

Miller is a founding director of the Bank of Clark County. He is a former president of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and Vancouver Rotary Club, founding president of the Vancouver Visitors and Convention Bureau, and he has served on numerous statewide and local boards and commissions.

The primary election is in August.

Skills Center students going
to national competition

Three Clark County Skills Center students, who have won state competition in their respective fields, are going on to national competition in Kansas City.

Michael Anderson, Heritage High School senior and member of the Skills Center’s Construction Technology Program, won the state carpentry competition.

Zachary Johnson, Hockinson High School junior, who is enrolled in the Skills Center’s Automotive Technology Program, won the state Related Technical Math competition.

Leonid Voronko, Summit View High School senior, who is in the Skills Center’s Pre-engineering program, won the state Architectural Drawing competition.

The week-long National Skills USA Conference begins June 24.

Riverwalk Committee meets tonight

The Port of Camas-Washougal's Waterfront Advisory Committee, charged with recommending a specific plan for the proposed $350+ million Riverwalk on the Columbia River at the port’s marina, meets at 5 p.m. this evening in port offices just off Highway 14.

The advisory committee's most recent meeting, an open house, was attended by 260 people and produced 91 written comments, the theme of which was the need for improved access to the water, better parking, an expanded marina, and a place for families to gather year-round.

Riverwalk is a partnership of the Port of Camas-Washougal and RiverWalk, LLC, formed in November 2005 to explore the feasibility of a 65-acre mixed-use development. Construction is expected to begin in 2008 and last over a period of six to eight years.

Yacolt voters approve
merger with fire district

Yacolt voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a merger with Fire District 13. The unofficial vote tabulated yesterday evening gave the measure 457 yes votes to 48 no votes. There are 1,753 voters within the voting district.

Yacht tour highlight of Boy Scout fundraiser

A tour of a 165-foot, $30 million Christensen yacht is the big draw of the third annual Fort Vancouver District, Boy Scouts of America fundraiser at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 12.

The function, which includes a silent and oral auction, is at the Christensen Shipyards, 4400 SE Columbia Way.

The district includes 1,200 scouts and 700 registered adult volunteers. Admission is $75. For further information, call Kate Benson, 693-1741, extension 752.

Calendar

Port of Ridgefield commissioners are holding an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. today to discuss the proposed railroad over-pass connecting downtown Ridgefield and the Lake River recreation area. The open house in in the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N Main Street. n The La Center City Council, meeting at 7 p.m. this evening, will discuss an update in the city’s wastewater treatment plant planning and its relationship with the proposed Cowlitz Casino at the La Center junction. n Gov. Chris Gregoire will discuss the accomplishments of the 2007 state legislative session at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 26, in Silicon Forest Electronics Inc., 6204 E 18th Street. n The La Center Float Committee meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 26, in City Hall.  

Wednesday, April 25 Headlines

Washougal considering roundabouts for Highway 14; meetings set for Thursday and Friday--Columbian, Dean Baker

Favorable casino report comes under fire from municipalities; Grand Ronde--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Stevenson home teetering on brink--Columbian, Erik Robinson

WSU Vancouver on dream track--Columbian, Isolde Raftery

Real estate market on the rise--Columbian, Cami Joner

Nierenbeg proves all politics local--Columbian, Gregg Herrington

Dow bursts through 13,000--New York Times, Vikas Bajaj

New-home sales rise 2.6%, price inches up--USA TODAY, Reuters

Iraq Coalition Casualty Count