Cowlitz Tribal council unanimously
approves ordinance affirming MOU

While the original Memorandum of Understanding between Clark County commissioners and the Cowlitz Tribe outlining responsibilities of each entity in the event that the tribe builds a resort casino on Interstate 5 near La Center has been rejected by the state Growth Management Hearings Board, the tribal council has unanimously adopted an “irrevocable” ordinance granting Clark County the same provisions as were agreed upon in the MOU.

“This is a reaffirmation of the Cowlitz Tribe’s pledge to the county originally presented in the MOU,” says Steve Horenstein, Vancouver attorney representing the tribe.

The Memorandum of Understanding, agreed to by both the tribe and county commissioners in 2004, was brought into question by the state Growth Management Hearings Board, which declared that the document violates the state Comprehensive Management Growth Management Act.

Clark County commissioners have appealed the decision of the Growth Management Hearings Board in Thurston County Superior Court.

Tribal representatives and their Washington, D.C. attorney, V. Heather Sibbison, were in Vancouver today to present the tribal ordinance to county commissioners individually. They also hope to have the document included in the documents being presented to the Department of the Interior, before whom the tribe is requesting approval of 152 acres just west of La Center as tribal trust land.

Approval would allow the tribe to build and operate a casino, subject to state gaming regulations.

Vanessa Gaston appointed county
Community Services Director

Vanessa R. Gaston, a former Portland Urban League president and chief executive officer, has been appointed Clark County director of the Department of Community Services, reports county administrator Bill Barron.

Most recently Gaston has been assistant director of social services for Clark County, Nev., where she managed a $183 million budget.

Gaston, who succeeds Rich Carson, holds a masters degree in public administration from the University of Washington.

Advisor to presidents, David Gergen
to present free lecture at Clark College

David Gergen, former editor of U.S. News and World Report and advisor to presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, presents “Eyewitness to Power: Leadership in America” as speaker for the Clark College Distinguished Lecture Series, Wednesday, Nov. 7.

The Distinguished Lecture Series, according to Clark College president Bob Knight, provides learning opportunities outside the classroom and affirms our commitment to lifelong learning.

Gergen currently is professor of public service at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, director of Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership and editor-at-large for U.S. News & World Report. Gergen, a best-selling author, holds a law degree from Harvard and has been presented with 15 honorary college degrees.

Gergen’s appearance is sponsored by Clark College, the Clark College Foundation and the Bank of Clark County.

There is no admission charge, but attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors to the Gaiser Hall Student Center, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, open at 6:30 p.m. The lecture begins at 7 p.m.

Calendar

The Extreme Scarecrow Makeover Auction is at 6 p.m. this evening in the Vancouver Marketplace, 210 W. Evergreen Boulevard. The event is sponsored by the  Clark County Historical Museum and the Vancouver’s Downtown Association. Tickets are $10. For further information, call 993-5679. <> The League of Women Voters of Clark County presents its Vancouver Candidates Forum at 6:30 p.m. this evening in the 6th floor hearing room in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street. There is no charge and parking is available. <> Clark County commissioners meet in an informal session at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, in conference room B in the Public Service Center.
 

Headlines Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007

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