Royce Pollard declares opposition
to La Center Cowlitz Resort Casino

Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard at a news conference this morning announced for the first time in public his “strong” opposition to the proposed Cowltiz Resort Casino at the La Center junction.

Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard said he “strongly opposes” the La Center location of the proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort, above, at a news conference in City Hall today.

The mayor said he has come to this conclusion in the last couple of months. He added that the city council will formally discuss the city’s position during its next council session, Monday, May 7, and that likely the council will agree with his public position.

The council has discussed the proposed casino in executive sessions, according to the mayor, as they have discussed possible litigation. The mayor today did not say whether the city would try to take legal action to prevent the Cowlitz from building a casino at La Center.

“The casino will not create the kind of jobs we want,” Pollard declared. He said his reasons for opposing the casino are that it will increase traffic congestion, it will create competition for available low and moderate income housing, and there will be increased costs to address social problems associated with gambling.

Pollard stated: “I will ask other local governments, businesses and community leaders to stand with Vancouver in opposition to this project.” He added that we will ask the Department of the Interior to deny the Cowlitz land-into-trust application for the casino property at the La Center Junction or anywhere else in Clark County and will ask the National Indian Gaming Commission not to approve gambling on any future acquired Cowlitz Lands in Clark County.

A final Environmental Impact Statement will be reviewed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs sometime this summer or fall,  and the final process by the Department of the Interior to adjudicate whether the 152-acre La Center junction property should become an Indian casino could be made early in 2008. If approved, groundbreaking could occur early in 2009.

The proposed casino and resort would include a 134,150-square-foot casino and 215,685 square feet of restaurants and retail stores, tribal government offices and a tribal cultural center. Parking would be available for 7,250 vehicles and 200 recreational vehicles.

According to the Cowlitz Tribe, the casino resort would support 3,000 family-wage jobs.

Larry Smith announces candidacy for
second term on Vancouver City Council

Larry J. Smith today announced he is a candidate for a second four-year term on the Vancouver City Council. Smith is a former Parks and Recreation director for the city and a retired U.S. Army Infantry colonel who served two combat tours in Vietnam, where he earned decorations for valor and meritorious service.

Smith was a major architect in Vancouver’s largest ever annexation ten years ago that brought in most of what is  now east Vancouver.

Smith, now a realtor for Coldwell Banker/BSSP, is a member of the American Red Cross, SWIFT, Vancouver-Clark Parks Foundation, Council for the Homeless, American Legion 40 et 8, Columbia River Economic Development Council, Clark County Community Advisory Board, Metro Policy Advisory Board, Downtown Rotary Club and the Association of American Cities.

A graduate of Clemson University, Smith earned masters degrees from both the University of Missouri and Pepperdine University. He is also a graduate of the Army War College.

“Partnerships between public and private sectors of our community are a key to effective government,” Smith says.

Barbara Fritzler presented
Library Service Award

Barbara Fritzler, Hockinson Middle School librarian, has been presented the Altrusa International of Clark County Library Service Award for nurturing students’ connections with books and reading. With the award was a $750 check that Fritzler may spend to benefit the school library.

According to Altrusa, a service organization which promotes literacy, Fritzler made the library the “most beloved space” in the school. One 8th grader wrote, “Her library is my solace, and she is the kind of person I would like to be.”

Also honored were seven nominees for the award: Pat Barber, Riverview Elementary School; Gen Brown, Battle Ground Community Library; Holly Cote, Three Creeks Community Library; Jacquelyn Keith, Fort Vancouver Regional Library District; Ruth Shafer, Vancouver Community Library; Jackie Spurlock, Battle Ground Community Library; and Michele Taylor, Vancouver Community Library.

Calendar

Clark County commissioners meet in regular session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 1. n The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council meets in regular session at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, in the 6th floor training room in the Public Service Center.

Crowds jammed the Clark County fairgrounds during the weekend Clark Public Utilities' Home and Garden Idea Fair. Also at the fair were large numbers of hybrid vehicles, including Hondas, Toyotas and Mercurys and the Peterbilt hybrid-diesel bucket truck, above. Diesel engine truck generates electric power to operate extendable bucket saving fuel during operations.

 Monday, April 30 Headlines