Fire marshal offering help developing
business emergency response plans

Vancouver fire marshal Jim Crawford is making an offer that local businesses shouldn’t refuse: assistance in developing business emergency response plans.

The aid is backed up with a 20-page matrix that can be downloaded from the fire marshal’s office by going to www.vanfire.org. The document is exceptionally easy to read and to translate into an individualized plan.

Details are offered on how to proceed with an evacuation or lock-down in the event of any natural or man-made disaster, from terrorist attack to volcanic eruption.

“Creating a plan like this sounds like a tall order,” Crawford says, but adds, “It’s the kind of project that can be accomplished if folks just get started and begin chipping away at it; any business manager or owner can start today.”

Every plan, regardless of the size of the business, can be tailored to the specifics of that individual business and location, Crawford says.

Deputy fire marshals will review individual plans if asked. For further information or to ask for a review, call 696-8166.

Dengerink, Casavant discuss
transportation issues this evening

Washington State University Vancouver chancellor Hal Dengerink, who is also co-chairman of the Columbia River Crossing Task Force, and WSU economics professor Ken Casavant will jointly discuss “Transportation: Economic Incentives and Infrastructure in Southwest Washington” during a 7:30 p.m. forum this evening in the administration building of the WSU Vancouver campus.

Dengerink will focus on research developed by the task force. Casavant will discuss the larger picture of transportation in the region.

There is no charge for the forum presented by WSU’s School of Economic Sciences and Friends of the School of Economic Sciences. For further information, call Bruce Prengruber, 696-3888.

Cops casino night offers Texas hold’em,
roulette and Heathman Lodge discounts

Continuing its fundraising for the Special Olympics, the Vancouver Police Department has scheduled a casino night that begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9, in the Heathman Lodge, 7801 Greenwood Drive.

Games include Texas hold’em, roulette and blackjack. Special discounts for casino night participants are being offered by the lodge.

Tickets are $50 each; they will be available at the door or can be had by calling 487-7490.

Cricket expanding in Clark County

Cricket LCW, offering no-contract wireless cellular telephone service in Clark County beginning last December, has expanded to five exclusive Cricket stores as well as 13 other outlets, including all Fred Meyer stores, according to Cricket’s Vancouver corporate store manager Juan Solanilla.

Cricket LCW, headquartered in Portland, now has 60 employees in Clark County, says Solanilla.

Cricket provides unlimited wireless services for a flat monthly rate, unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. long-distance, and free text and picture messaging, reports Solanilla. The company does not require customers to sign contracts or pass credit checks.

Vancouver chamber sets session
with U.S. Rep. Brian Baird

U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-3rd) will discuss current Congressional initiatives and their impact on the southern Washington business community at a breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, in the Gaiser Student Center in Clark College.

Admission is $20 for members, $30 for non-members. For further information or to register, call 694-2588.

Clark County chamber presenting
legislators’ review of session

State senators and representatives will review the past legislative session’s impact on businesses during a free, open-to-the-public meeting of the Clark County Chamber of Commerce from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday,

June 12, in the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way.

Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey and former Democratic state senator Dean Sutherland will moderate the program. Topics include healthcare, transportation, economic development, education and utilities.

Refreshments will be provided, according to chamber board chairman Izad Khormaee. For further information, call 258-1181.

News brief

The Vancouver Rotary Club this year presented a record $80,000 in scholarships to 29 Clark County high school students, reports Rotary spokesman Al Bernstein. Scholarships ranged from $800 to $10,000.

Calendar

Port of Ridgefield commissioners meet in regular session at 6 p.m. this evening in port offices at 111 W Division Street. <> The final public airing of changes proposed for the Clark County Comprehensive Growth Management Plan is at 6:30 p.m. this evening in the Rose Besserman Community Room in the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, 3510 SE 164th Avenue. County commissioners have scheduled two days of public hearings, June 5 and 6, to adopt the amended 20-year plan. <> A forum for candidates in the Port of Camas-Washougal’s District 2 is at 7 p.m. this evening, in port offices. 

Wednesday, May 23 Headlines

Port shows off plans;, bond issue to be on Aug. 21 primary ballots--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

Big steam engines draw crowd in Vancouver--Columbian, Don Hamilton

Support for Early Learning and Families and The Foundation for Early Learning provide $255,000 for local program--Columbian, Isolde Raftery

Tom Koenninger reminisces, Columbian

The 7-plus wonders of Washington--Columbian, Gregg Herrington

Lou Brancaccio explaining newspaper changes--Columbian

Blazers get No. 1 pick, big choices--Oregonian, Jason Quick

Stocks lower after bright morning--USA TODAY, AP

Iraq coalition casualties