Scott Walstra named planning & development
director at the Port of Camas-Washougal

Scott Walstra has been appointed planning & development director for the Port of Camas-Washougal,  port board of commissioners president Rich Gunderson announced today. Walstra retired last year after 26 years with Northwest Natural Gas. He had been director of business development for Clark County.

Walstra will report directly to the port board of commissioners. In addition to marketing the port’s industrial property and building space, Walstra will manage the feasibility study for the proposed RiverWalk waterfront development.

Walstra has long been active in community organizations, including the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Columbia River Crossing Taskforce, Clark County Economic Development Investment Fund, Southwest Washington Contractors Association and the Responsible Growth Forum.

The Port of Camas-Washougal was formed in 1935. The port manages a 400-acre industrial park, a 79-hangar general aviation airport and a 350-slip pleasure boat marina.

Thom Hartmann and Brian Baird
to headline Demo’s JJ Dinner

Air America Radio personality Thom Hartmann and U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-3rd) will be speakers at the annual Clark County Democrats Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Saturday, June 16, in the Hilton Vancouver Washington.

Hartmann will introduce Baird at the dinner. Hartmann, a New York Times best-selling author, replaced Al Franken on Air America Radio five years ago.

A social hour and silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and a live auction begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $50. For further information, call 838-1032 or 254-2158.

Zarelli’s Convergence Conference 2007
befriends Israel, decries global terrorism

Convergence is a non-profit organization created by State Rep. Joe Zarelli (R-18th) and his wife, Tani. Convergence Northwest Conference 2007, continuing today and Thursday, June 7, in the Hilton Vancouver Washington, is the first of its kind.

Some 400 persons, paying from $100 to $150 each, mostly from Washington and Oregon, are expected to participate in two days of discussion. The intent of the conference, heavily tilted toward supporting Israel, is to heighten awareness of global terrorism, Zarelli said at a news conference this morning attended by the Columbian and Insider. The theme seems to be: Not all Muslims are global terrorists, but all global terrorists are Muslims.

Two of the seven Israeli speakers are members of the Knesset. One is former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose remarks will be telecast to the conference by satellite at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 7.

Zarelli, who lives in Ridgefield, is president of JP Zarelli, Inc., specializing in business development and risk management services. Zarelli, first elected to the legislature in 1995, is the ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee and the Economic Development, Trade and Management Committee. Last January he was appointed to the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s State and Local Officials Senior Advisory Committee.

Asked where Convergence might go from here, Zarelli said he would hope to develop better business relationships with Israel. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, Zarelli said. We ought to have increased trade relationships with Israel.

The final session on Thursday is entitled “How Can We Support Israel? For further information, call (503) 715-8772, or go to www.usconvergence.org.

Insider messes up in Camas race

The Daily Insider erroneously reported that Steve Bang had filed for the Camas City Council position held by Helen Gerde. Not so. So far—Wednesday afternoon—no one has filed against Gerde. Bang has filed for the position currently held by Linda Dietzman. Dietzman had not filed by early Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, incumbent Nikki J. Costa has filed for re-election to Position 5 on the Washougal City Council.

Calendar

The final public hearing on the proposed 20-year update of the Clark County Comprehensive Growth Management Act begins at 6:30 p.m. this evening before a joint meeting of the county commissioners and county planning commission in the Public Service Center. <> A lunch-time waking tour of downtown Vancouver, sponsored by the Clark County Historical Museum, is at 12:10 pm. Thursday, June 6. The tour begins at the historical museum, 1511 Main Street. Cost is $5 for non-members; $2 for members.

Wednesday, June 5, Headlines

Vancouver conference promotes U.S.-Israel relations--Columbian, Kathie Durbin and Don Hamilton

Fire District 5 keeps top fireman despite $3.53 million sexual harassment verdict won from district--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Human Services Council fights for right to run aging agency--Columbian, Kelly Adams

Vancouver Housing Authority seeking new leader--Columbian, Courtney Sherwood

Nautilus to open store in Woodburn that will feature Nautilus brand clothing--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

Northwest power feels winds of change--Columbian, Tom Koenninger

State approve electric rate hikes between 9 and nearly 17 percent by private electric companies--Seattle P-I, Rachel La Corte

Bush is unexpected loser in Tuesday's debate--Washington Post, Dan Balz

Letters cast light on Cheney's inner circle--Washington Post, Michael Abramowitz

Researchers coax mouse skin cells to emulate embryonic stem cells--Washington Post, Rick Weiss

Stocks drop sharply on rising labor costs--USA TODAY, AP, Tim Paradis

Iraq Coalition Casualties